Like all presenters of car shows, Mike Brewer and Edd China are never knowingly understated, but these guys do have real skills. Mike buys classic cars and Edd restores them, starting this week with a Mercedes SL. Detailed and fun and with a cameo by Jurgen the German, the only drawback is that it takes two instalments to tell the story of each car.
Car freaks Edd and Mike got hold of a used Lotus Esprit for 4,000 euros. Normally you have to shell out a lot more money for such an icon on four wheels. The team in the workshop has to do a lot of work because the car is far from being roadworthy. The interior of the Lotus is completely gone and the engine doesn't run smoothly either. Mechanic Edd therefore decides to completely remove the 2.2 liter model so that he can check it at his leisure on the workbench. The car didn't pass the MOT at the last inspection because the inspectors found a problem with the Lotus's springs. The two car freaks have to get this defect under control as quickly as possible if they want to sell the sports car for a profit.
Wheeler Dealers returns - to the delight of Britain's motoring fans - as the team takes on the challenge of a lifetime: renovating a Triumph Spitfire. Mikes hunts down a Triumph Spitfire using the internet. First, he looks at a GTR, but the car is in too early a state of restoration. He then moves onto a 29 years old Mark IV in British Racing Green. On the test drive, Mike hears a whining in the differential and has concerns for the suspension.
The second instalment of this majestic motor challenge sees the boys race against time on the Spitfire revival. Is a triumph on the cards for the team? Ed fits a new pair of shocks to the rear of the Spitfire. He also takes a look at a problem with the rear differential with the aid of his friend Paul.
Mike Brewer is on the look out for a Porsche 944 Turbo to buy cheap, restore and sell on. But the used cars he finds are either no-hopers or way too expensive. Then he spots an ad on eBay… can he win the auction and get a bargain classic car? Mike delivers the car he finally chooses to Edd, who on inspection sees there is not much to do to bring this used car back to its former glory. Mike’s answer to this is to get Edd to prepare it for a 944 track day. He reckons he’ll make more money on this than if he’d left it in standard road spec. Will he be right?
Wheeler dealer Mike Brewer has bought a 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo, and instead of refining it for the road he has asked star mechanic Edd China to turn it into a track car. After Edd has finished with the car restoration, Mike and Edd head to Silverstone to really see what this modified Porsche 944 Turbo can do. Has Mike made the right decision to turn this used car into a track car, and more importantly, will it sell?
Mike has £5,000 to purchase and restore a classic car - the Audi Quattro, which has a huge fan base. Struggling to find one that matches the price he is looking for on the internet, Mike gives a few of his contacts a ring. He finds a 1986 Audi Quattro, but will it be cheap enough for him to make a tidy profit? Plus, on the way back to the workshop Mike has some problems with the clutch and worries that the budget will be hit hard if it means a big repair job!
Expert Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer has got himself a much sought-after 1986 Audi Quattro, but he’s blown a big part of his budget on the classic car itself, so is hoping Edd won’t need to spend too much before selling it on. While Edd gets to work, Mike is off in search of a new interior for the used car. When the Wheeler Dealers have done all they can, Mike invites buyers to come and take a look. With these classic cars having a big fan base, he’s hoping for some real interest in this one!
Mike Brewer is on the look out for the truly iconic VW Beetle, also lovingly known as the BUG. With so many to choose from on the internet and trade magazines Mike is spoilt for choice, but will he find a bargain? The classic car he ends up with hasn’t been on the road for years, so Mike has to pick it up on the trailer to get in back to star mechanic, Edd China, in the workshop. It hasn’t run in years, so fingers are crossed when the battery is connected to see if it turns over…
Mike’s got himself a 1960’s VW Beetle, a truly iconic classic car with a huge following. Mike stocks up on new parts for this car and hands them over to his star mechanic Edd to fit them all. But even after all the work that’s been done to it, Edd and Mike have to wait and see if it’ll pass its MOT and finally be road worthy again after so many years. Will they end up making a sale, or will this one end up on the scrap heap?
Mike Brewer, King of the Wheeler Dealers and used car expert, is searching for a Jaguar XJS, one of the most famous classic British sports cars Jaguar has ever produced, and worth £40,000 back in the day. However, right now it’s up to Mike to find one for less than £5,000. After making a purchase, Mike leaves it to star mechanic Edd to see what work needs to be done.
Mike and Edd have been working hard on Jaguar’s most famous classic sports car, the XJS. With Mike off finding a new bonnet for the 1989 Jaguar XJS, Edd starts to repair the gearbox mount. They put the used car through its paces and discuss who would want to buy it, and then Mike gets to work advertising the classic car and invites potential buyers to have a look, in the hopes that the final episode might bring them a nice hefty profit.
Expert car trader Mike Brewer usually has £5000 to purchase and restore an iconic car but this time it’s a little different. Mike is after a classic Ferrari and that’s going to take a bit more cash so the budget is going to be blown out of the water. Even going for the more affordable Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino the budget needs to be almost doubled. With such a risky move is this classic going to reap in the rewards or leave Mike and Edd struggling? With the car being 30 years old and handmade star mechanic Edd has his doubts but begins by knuckling down on the exterior. Only time will tell if he can get this 70’s super-car back to its former glory.
Wheeler dealer Mike Brewer has gone and bought his most extravagant car yet, a 1974 Ferrari Dino. Spending almost double the usual budget he has a lot riding on this project. With the car in mechanic Edd’s hands he has already fixed the exterior panels to get it looking its best but now he has to check it will run to its full V8 capacity and that’s where a couple of the problems lie. Putting in the hours Edd fixes the problem with the exhaust and after a surprising paint job on the car the guys take it out on a test drive. With the car looking, sounding and driving its best it’s now time for Mike to sell this super-car and hopefully turn a profit.
The Mini is a 20th century icon and to celebrate its 50th birthday expert car trader Mike Brewer has got a major plan. Buy a cheap little run about and create a one-off, eye catching, customised Wheeler Dealers special. He’s got up to five grand to spend in total, but first he’s got to find the perfect secondhand motor. There are plenty of Minis out there, all ages and all prices. They need a car with a sound body and engine, so they can spend the money on the fun stuff that will make their car unique. After finding the right Mini for £700 Mike hands it over to Edd to begin the transformation. It is left to Edd to create a celebration model Mini enthusiasts would be proud of, but can he pull it off and make the mini world proud?
Expert car trader Mike Brewer and star mechanic Edd China have a job on their hands, getting a TVR and restoring it all for £5000. The TVR S is unmistakable, brutal, basic and British - a real driver’s car. With help from TVR members clubs Mike is told about a good looking TVR on an auction website, but not wanting to bid blind he takes the long trip up to Yorkshire to see it. Liking what he sees he books himself into a local hotel and gets straight on his computer to make the winning bid of £2550. With car in hand he begins the drive back to the workshop but it’s not the smooth drive he was hoping for. As the miles drag on Mike finds out more than just basic maintenance needs to be done to this car.
Mike Brewer is looking for one of Britain’s unsung motoring heroes, a Land Rover Discovery. It’s been a huge success since its launch in 1989 as both a rugged off-road workhorse and practical seven seater family transporter. There are thousands on the road as they are cheap to buy and run so Mike needs to think of a way to make their vehicle stand out. By taking a standard Discovery at a minimal cost he wants to convert it into an expedition vehicle that can fetch double the amount of the standard.
Wheeler dealer Mike Brewer is on the look out for something a bit special and he has his eye set on a legendary performance car…the BMW M3 E36 convertible. In the 90s BMW sold these in abundance and even now they have a huge secondhand following. But while there are a lot out there Mike has a job on his hands to find one that is clean for sensible money. It is also an expensive car to work on so he needs to find one that needs a bit of TLC but won’t cost them a fortune in parts.
The jaguar E-type is one of the most beautiful cars in the world. It's also one of the most significant British cars ever made. Mike goes looking for one, but soon realizes that his budget will get the duo a car at the most risky end the market, and Edd discovers parts prices on the original big cat are sky high. Have the team bitten off more than they can chew?
Mike has always been a fan of the big, bold and beautiful Range Rover P38, but he knows it’s hard to make a profit on these pricey-to-fix cars. He buys a bargain and then Edd sets about mending it with salvaged and second-hand parts in an attempt to keep the parts spend super low. Will they resolve that nagging suspension problem? Will the SATNAV ever work again? And will they turn a profit on this modern classic? Mike and Edd head to the wilds of Exmoor to give the car a final test drive before they try to find a buyer.
Mike attempts to double his money as he takes a down-at-heel Frogeye Sprite from the lower leagues and tries to turn it into a premiership quality classic car. The engine comes out, the full body re-spray turns the car from red to fashionable blue, the interior is re-vamped and the metal work is re-finished as we transform the look of this fifties-designed classic. The final test drive is a blast around the banking at the famous Brooklands Motor Museum.
The cheapest Astons in the UK are around £16,000 but Mike decides he wants to spend less. By calling around some dealers, he finds a tired trade-in at a large main dealer. The car has interior water leaks and external oil leaks, it drives in a sloppy way, the engine is blowing, and it feels unloved. The dealer is willing to sell for £13,500 but Mike tries to get him down further. By taking a faded masterpiece, turning back the clock and finishing everything to a very high standards Mike hopes to get absolute top dollar when he sells it on.
The Ford Escort Mk1 might not be red and Italian but it’s a performance car icon. Generations of drivers wanted this car, and for many it was their first taste of a quick motor. Mike finds the search for an Escort is hard going – prices for rust-free original cars are high. The car he finds is a great as a base, and Mike wants to gently customise the Mk 1, to give it a compassionate retro refit, improving the handing and breaking but to also spruce up the face of a much love 70’s classic.
Mike buys a clapped out old Land Rover Mk3 for the bargain price of £5k. But Why has Mike chosen such an ugly duckling? It’s been painted matt black with an electric blue bonnet and blue trim on the wheels and interior. But he’s got a plan: re-spray it white, pass it on to Edd to fix-up, then sell it on and double his money. Will the gamble work?
The Boxster is the car that saved Porsche from going out of business when recession hit in the 90s. It may have been called the poor man’s Porsche, but this was unfair - it was 80% Porsche 911, for half the price. Although that ‘half price’ was still more than most could afford, until Mike tracks down an example with a bargain basement price tag. Our car is massively unloved with mould on the hood, seized brakes and a host of faults… Can Mike get it for a bargain price?
The Morris Minor is like a little piece of England on four wheels. It’s robust, charming and a very useable classic car. In traveller guise, it is also made partly of wood. The car was designed by Alec Issogonis (who also penned the Mini) and was intended as a medium/large family car. It was a massive success and sold more than 1,000,000 units – amazing for a British car. Now the 60s cars are fetching high prices but many are rusty and in poor repair, so finding a good one can be tough. Mike manages to pick one up but then the work begins as Edd strips the car back to nothing but an engine on a bench before restoring a rebuilding it piece by piece.
Mike heads out to Poland to bag one of the most exciting and exclusive cars we've ever done - the Lamborghini Uracco. Prices are rising thanks to the company's 50th anniversary and dwindling supply of these 70s supercars. Mike finds a car that's been kept in a collection for years - without turning a wheel. It doesn't start, it can't drive. But it's in great condition in every other way. Can Mike turn this huge gamble into a great profit?
Mike's father used to own a custom favourite, the Ford Pop, and Mike has spent long hours during his childhood wishing that he had one. That day has come but Pops are notoriously variable in their quality, often expensive, and usually rare. Mike finds a car with dangerously set-up steering and decided to take a punt on it. For once they forget the idea of profit, and Mike asks Edd to 'go mad' and to make the Pop 'amazing'. Can Edd deliver?
This car is one of America's first sportscars and it's amazingly good to drive. This is why the C2 Stingray is one of the world's sports icons. Mike heads to the USA to hunt for a car that's rust free and happens upon an example that's been partly restored...and at a great price. But the C2 is far from being finished and it needs Edd's experienced hands to get it on the road to recovery.
Mike heads to Poland to sample the FSO Syrena - one of the rarest motors we've tackled and one of the most quirky. The Syrena looks and feels like a 50s car although it was built decades later. With such an oddball vehicle, that is virtually unknown outside Poland, how will Mike and Edd add value to it, and crucially, make a profit?
The Lotus Elise is a drivers' dream. It's good looking, quick, and handles like a racing car. Mike wants to buy one but soon realises that he can't add value to a car that's already excellent. But then he hits on the idea of making an Elise that can perform not only on the road, but the track too. Will they add enough driving excitement to collect a profit?
Mike's desire to own a classic Cadillac with fins leads him to an early 60s car that is on sale at the equivalent of only £3000. It's a one owner, matching numbers vehicle, with minimal rust and loads of lovely chrome. The bad news is that the wrecked interior, huge dents and mottled green/grey paint make this car look like it belongs in a horror film. Can Mike and Edd turn this ugly duckling into a swan?
Mike decides to go back to the 80’s and bags a bargain example of one of his dream cars - but there’s only £1000 to spend on repairs or the profit’s at risk. Edd isn’t convinced the XR2 deserves all the praise, but comes up with cheap and innovative solutions to add value. Mike finds a clever way to get Edd all the rare parts he needs and pulls out all the stops to prove the Fiesta is the hot hatch that started a fast Ford revolution.
The last of the air-cooled legends. Mike goes in search of what many fans consider to be the last truly great Porsche. What he finds is the cheapest, tattiest 993 in the country. Mike however, can see a mechanically sound motor and potential profit lurking beneath seventeen years of muck and grime. Edd sets to work on a rescue mission to restore the car’s racing pedigree. It’s unloved and underpowered but after Edd lavishes some care and attention on the car, will the smart engine fixes and custom handling package spell profit on a Porsche that is still major money?
With its legendary mix of unique technology and awesome performance, Mazda’s coupe is unlike any other. Mike finds one that appears to have nothing wrong with it and challenges Edd to make a good car even better. But these cars are complex and unforgiving. So while Edd handles with care, Mike sorts out some stylish mods to make the RX7’s looks match its performance.
Mike finds a fifty-six year old Citroen 2CV, retired in the sunny south of France. It’s a real people’s car with bags of charm. With cheeky bug-eyed headlights and rare suicide doors, the 2CV is one of the most recognisable cars ever designed and renowned, over its forty-two year production cycle, for its stark simplicity. Almost every aspect of this quirky car requires attention; Edd strips it back to bare bones to breathe new life back into the smoky old engine. A fresh paint job and interior will help to secure the car’s future for another fifty years but can Mike get top dollar for a car with no frills?
Mike buys a supercar from the super saver menu. An Italian thoroughbred for under £10k. But supercars mean super bills. Mike’s reports of wayward handling and a hair-trigger throttle could lead to either bankruptcy or a very nasty accident. Some of Edd’s smart solutions could help to keep the budget under control but will it be enough to tame this technology packed, turbocharged V8? Techy tyres help get the luxury GT powerhouse back on track and an overhauled air-conditioning system restores some Italian flair.
It’s time for the boys to tackle one of the meanest muscle cars around. But finding the right one won’t be easy as the Camaro is already a cult classic. Mike tracks down a part-finished restoration in California with its fair share of problems. Edd has his work cut out with loads of missing parts to find and fit. With all this time and effort, is there still a profit on the cards?
Mike takes the ultimate plunge and invests in a car - and a boat, all in one. It’s the Amphicar, an amphibious vehicle that Edd has been dreaming of for years. But when he peels back the layers and discovers the car’s problems are serious, will he find himself in deep water and rinse away all the profit? This challenge truly puts Mike and Edd’s skills to the test and could see them literally sink or swim!
Mike travels to Greenville, South Carolina, America and buys an all-black, empty, 1967 13-window Volkswagon Type 2 Deluxe. Also known as a "splitty" due to the two-pane split windscreen, this "bus" is rust-free but missing door cards, half the switch gear, headlining, a radio and has non-standard bucket seats.
The team knows a rust-free GTO would be a great car to kick off the new U.S. workshop. But these cars are rare, and Mike has to travel all the way to Chicago – almost 2,000 miles – to find one. When he does, he discovers this great time-warp muscle car isn’t all it seems. Edd discovers it hides some gremlins, which will make it hard to sell in hot California. Mike sets them a challenge, to make a $10,000 profit. But the market isn’t always stable – will they manage?
A pickup truck is a stateside icon and Mike is keen to get into the booming classic truck market. He manages to find a 1950’s F1, which is an unfinished project. The bodywork has already been stripped of paint and this patina gives Mike an idea – give this down-at-heel Ford a vintage rusted look. Drawing inspiration from this creative vision, Edd creates a paint scheme based on a ‘sandstorm in the desert,’ brands the windows with molten steel and builds a high-spec flathead V8 to blast it down the road. But will this eccentric truck with its unique Wheeler Dealers style find a buyer willing to pay a premium?
Everyone has heard of the high-selling MGB but the car that came before it – the MGA – is the one Mike wants to track down for the U.S. workshop. Why? Because it looks great, goes around corners well, and sells for high prices. When Mike tracks down a California car for restoration he thinks it will be easy for Edd – just a few cosmetic jobs. But this isn’t the way Edd sees things and the result will surprise some hardcore MG fans. To make matters worse, he refuses to stick to Mike’s low budget. Sparks will fly!
The BMW 2002tii was better handling and more driver-focused than its contemporaries back in the early 1970s, attributes that have made it a desirable classic car today. Trouble is good ones are starting to go for big money. To stay in budget Mike has to take a real punt on a car that hasn’t been started for 17 years. With its fiendishly complicated mechanical fuel injection system and an engine that hasn’t run for nearly two decades, will Edd be able to bring this long dormant baby BMW back to life?
Perhaps the Americas’ biggest automotive joke, the AMC Pacer has long topped lists of the world’s worst cars. But Mike feels this neglected 1970’s hatchback is ready for classic status and he enlists Edd to help make this car cool again. Edd comes up with a visual transformation which he thinks will address the failures of the original styling and attract a 21st Century buyer. But with a limited budget and some very off-the-wall ideas will this gamble land them a big profit or major loss?
The Datsun 240Z was Japan’s answer the Britain’s MGB GT, only better. Trouble is they rusted and today cars in good condition with manual gearboxes are going for a fortune. The only rust-free car Mike can find in his budget is an automatic with a wheezing engine. Ever the optimist, Mike buys it anyway, hoping to turn it into a money-spinner by getting Edd to spice up the engine and swap the sluggish auto for a manual transmission – but can Edd deliver and still leave room for a profit?
The Volkswagen Thing was the result of the German Army’s late 60’s requirement for a lightweight military vehicle. VW came up with a utilitarian convertible looking like an upturned bath on wheels, but optimistic marketing men realised they could sell it to the general public, as a fun, four-seat beach buggy. Sadly, most of them rusted away, so it’s hard to find one that’s solid and original today. Mike manages to pry one away from the hands of a collector – but forced to dig deep for the purchase – there isn’t much left in the kitty for Edd to deal with an engine that keeps stalling, lethal brakes and an uninviting interior with no heater and torturous seats. Can they flip this Thing around?
This fabulous fifties coupe has more than great styling on its side because under the bonnet is one of the first ever Hemi, a legendary V8 engine which kick-started the U.S. car makers’ muscle car wars. Our car has had a bad custom job, so Mike and Edd set about addressing the damage to give this stunning cruiser back some class. The engine is pulled out and given a once over, the exterior is transformed with some clever touches and eventually this car is ready once again to proudly cruise to the diner for a milkshake!
Season 12's first best of episode. Includes clips from the DeSoto Firedome 8, Volkswagen 181 Thing, Datsun 240Z, AMC Pacer, BMW 2002TII, MG MGA, Ford F1 Pickup Truck, and Pontiac GTO. Mike and Edd wrap their American journey with a “Best of the U.S.” episode, highlighting their favorite moments in and out of the stateside shop.
Mike loves vintage Escorts – and he loves rallying. So he decides to combine his two loves and build a Ford rally car, buying a Mk2 Escort project car which has already had lots of money spent on it. Edd thinks it’s got potential, but says it needs thousands more spending on it before it’ll be safe enough for a rally stage. Mike is excited, but Edd is worried about the risk of zero profit. Neither of them are legally able to drive a rally circuit either – immediate action is needed!
Season 12's second best of episode. Includes clips from the Noble M12 GTO 2.5, Honda S2000, VW Corrado VR6, Citroen HY Van, Messerschmitt KR200, Ford Escort RS2000 Rally Car, Caterham Seven, Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Fiat Panda 4x4, and the 1973 Rover P5B. Mike and Edd wrap the season with a "Best of the UK" episode, highlighting their favorite moments in and out of the new workshop.
Season 13's first best of episode. Includes clips from the 1968 Corvette, 1965 Land Rover IIA, 1963 Chevy Corvair, 1988 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible, 1980 Chevy LUV, 1977 Honda CVCC, 1963 Volvo PV544, and the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL. Edd and Mike look back on the memories, the good, bad and ugly, of the last eight cars. Which were the best and worst buys, the most inventive fixes, the biggest transformations and the largest profits.
Mike’s looking for luxury, and finds it in the most expensive car Mercedes had to offer in 1983: the 500SEC. With the right example and the help of a passionate enthusiast, Mike locates everything he needs to transform our coupe into a beautiful AMG Wide Body Tribute. Edd exercises his magic to turn our conservative SEC into a menacing autobahn cruiser.
Whilst looking for a 1985 Maserati Bi-Turbo, Mike discovers a truly unique example: a Bi-Turbo without a Bi-Turbo! This little Italian auto received an electric motor conversion dating back to the early 90’s. Their first ever electric car project has Edd dancing, and Mike worried. Can they beat the original performance of the Maserati and still turn a profit?
Season 13's second best of episode. Includes clips from the 1916 Cadillac V8, 1985 Maserati Bi-Turbo, 1992 Humvee, 1963 Sunbeam Alpine, 1973 Chevrolet Camaro, 1976 Porsche 912E, 1983 Mercedes 500SEC, and 1970 Ford Bronco. Mike and Edd look over a few cars in the garage as they reminisce about the recent projects. With so much work going into these transformations, Mike & Edd give insight into how it went down while looking at never seen before footage.
Season 14's first best of episode! Includes clips from the 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII, 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 1964 Ford Ranchero, 1965 Dodge A100 Van, 1973 Saab 96, 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 1982 Toyota Celica Supra, and the 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Mike and Ant lift the curtain to reveal the hilarious outtakes, behind the scenes moments and private insights from the latest series. It's Wheeler Dealers, like you've never seen it before.
In this episode, Mike and Ant answer questions from their fans. At the same time, they offer an overview of the inner workings of Wheeler Dealers and review their last eight restorations. The situation quickly escalates when Ant takes out a remote-controlled car and decides to make a frantic race through the workshop on a course created from spare parts.
Season 15's first best of episode! Includes clips from the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi, 2002 Corvette C5 Z06, 1991 Lotus Elan M100, 1991 Alfa Romeo 164L, 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Wagon, 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo, and the 1976 Mercury Capri MK2. From one of the fastest trucks on earth, to one of the ugliest cars ever made, Mike and Ant have tackled a wide range of motors. Now, the guys get a chance to share some sweet bonus footage, hilarious outtakes, and more fascinating process.
Ant and Mike have a chat about what they get up to when they're not working on cars. For Mike it's drone flying whilst Ant prefers a more physical pastime.
Mike buys and sells cars every day of his life... but with all that choice available to him, what does he drive when he's 'off duty?' It's show and tell time with Mr Brewer!
Mike takes Ant to task on his choice of rental vehicle but sometimes even a real British car guy needs some real American automotive luxury (and some real American cup holders!) Another sneak peak at our hosts' lives away from the camera.
Mike and Ant take us behind the scenes of one of their test drives, showing us how they achieve the best results when filming cars at high speed. A murdered out Cadillac CTS-V equipped with a crane and a camera. Better known in the trade as Russian Arm. Something for movie and car fans alike!
Ant and Mike take a few minutes out during a filming day at a banked NASCAR track. After scaling the incline they discuss the British feelings on the left turning American sport.
Before hitting the track on one of their test drives Mike gives Ant a tongue in cheek tutorial on how best to tackle NASCAR driving.