Overhaulin'

[Dippy]

I'm spending a couple of weeks in the US and there's about 80 channels of crap on the cable TV at my hotel. However there's one good show that I wish we had a UK version of.

It's called "Overhaulin'" on the TLC channel.

Basically someone sets up a friend or relative for the show. Then the team steal his or her car. Unless its all made up, this means they get in touch with the local police and the owners insurance company to intercept the consequential calls. Then they take the car to a garage and tune it.

It's a bit like candid camera as well, as they play tricks on the owner until the final part where the owner gets to see the tuned car.

On one show I saw they stole this woman's brand new Ford Mustang V8.

They intercepted her calls to the police and her insurance company and gave her a real <beep> rental car whilst they addressed her claim. Then they sent an actor around as an insurance assessor and asked her some trick questions. When she couldn't answer properly they accused her of making a fraudulent claim and told her to return the rental car. When she went into the office a guy smashed the rear window, so when the rental company guy came out to inspect it, he went berserk. He also accused her of causing all the other dents and scratches which were on it when it was delivered.

Actually she was quite cool about the whole thing, so they then told her she was on the show and took her to see her car.

They had fitted a full prototype body kit, resprayed the car, fitted new suspension, uprated brakes, custom wheels, custom interior, a full 1000W ICE system, and a supercharger (with new injectors etc.).

Beats Ground Force, Better Homes and all that crap!

[DavidT]

You're in luck Dippy.

We have this programme on Sky 133 Discovery Real-Time (home & leisure as was) .

I've seen it once or twice too.

[PhilT]

I watch that fairly often in the UK. Maybe a little to cosmetic, I'd prefer a more technical approach.

Here's the website:

http://www.overhaulin.com/

[fade2grey]

pimp my ride was a good show along the same lines over in NZ well funny

[Dippy]

Maybe I will get Sky after all...