Wheeler Dealers Series 12 (2015)

Presented by Mike Brewer & Edd China.

Series 12 introduces Wheeler Dealers‍ ' new U.S. workshop in Los Angeles, California, and the brand new UK workshop.

Asking $27,500 Price Paid $25,000

Work Completed: New uprated aluminium radiator with electric fan, water pump, and thermostat installed. Power steering box refurbished and repainted. Air conditioning system reinstated, however original compressor and condenser supplied by the seller, could not be used because of damage and were replaced with aftermarket units. Aftermarket wooden steering wheel replaced with period correct leather unit. Wooly suspension fixed by tightening loose nut on suspension arm. Damaged right side exhaust downpipe welded with new pipe and realigned to match the height of the left side. Broken tachometer and fuel gauges replaced with new aftermarket units.

Notes: Purchased from Johnsburg, Illinois. Car was originally from California and had its engine swapped with a 1967 400 cu in (6.6L) triple carburettor V8 that generates 400 bhp. Restored car taken to Borrego Springs, California.

Asking $5,000 Price Paid $4,500

Work Completed: The 3.9L (239 cu. in) Flathead V8 engine cleaned and upgraded with new aluminium heads, new inlet manifold, new four barrel carburettor and new tubular exhaust manifold. Engine bay resprayed in original teal colour. Electrical system converted from 6V to 12V. Four speed non-synchronous transmission upgraded to a modern automatic unit. Custom gear linkage mechanism fitted to the transmission using original steering column shifter. New exhaust system fitted. Custom "Mike & Edd" logo hand painted on both doors. Custom aluminium windshield sun visor made. Body painted in certain areas in original teal to create a Rat rod look, then sealed with a clear coat. Wheeler Dealers logo etched onto vent windows, using an angle grinder and steel tubing to create sparks. Vinyl seats and sun visors reupholstered with real cowhide. Steel wheels repainted in original teal colour and white wall tires fitted.

Notes: Purchased from Everett, Washington. Finished truck was taken to Twin Peaks, California, to participate in a rat rod cruise.

Asking $16,700 Price Paid $14,000

Work Completed: Engine oil seal and crankshaft ring replaced with larger units with the engine plate modified to accommodate them. Engine and engine bay degreased. Boot cleaned of surface rust and repainted with stone chip undercoating. Rusted body panels replaced. Body resprayed from white to black (the original factory colour). New front drum brakes. Steel wheels replaced with wire wheels; new hubs installed to accommodate them. Brightwork rechromed; new indicator light housings and MG badges. Original red leather interior replaced with tan leather. Faded wooden dashboard wrapped in leather; speedo and rev counters replaced with second-hand units. New interior door pulls. New wooden steering wheel.

Notes: Purchased from a classic car dealership in East Los Angeles, California. Originally thought to be a 1500 variant, the engine was discovered by Edd to be a rebuilt 1600 cc single cam unit. Restored car brought to Hollywood Hills for a cruise. Sold at asking price

Asking $5,975 Price Paid $7,750

Work Completed: New fuel pump and hoses. New battery, condensor, rotor arm, UHT leads, and distributor cap. Engine serviced with new spark plugs and fluids. Fuel injector retaining screws refurbished with new o-rings. Kugelfischer pump reconditioned. Total $1,050 Brake system overhauled with new master cylinder, front discs, pads, hoses, and rear drums and shoes.Total $600 Full body respray. Total $7,000 New driver's side mirror and BMW badges. U.S.-spec bumpers replaced with original Euro-spec units. Front seats replaced with refurbished Recaro units. Original steering wheel replaced with Nardi unit. $5.050

Notes: Originally a non-running unit that had not been used for 17 years. Seller advertised it for US$5,975, but due to high demands from collectors, Mike bought it for US $7,750. Majority of the replacement parts purchased at a classic BMW car meet. refurbished original parts. Restored car taken to BMW's U.S. headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where it was test driven before being sold to a Florida buyer.Edd not very optimistic it woud run and proved right.

Asking $4,000 Price Paid $3,500

Work Completed: Ride height lowered by 50 mm using custom front springs and rear aluminium spacer blocks. Replaced automatic gear selector cable with fishing line. Full body vinyl wrap in light grey with a white hexagon pattern, reflective lines, and clear glitter. Brown interior panels refurbished in grey using a flocking process. New grey carpeting. Original seats reupholstered in off-white artificial suede. New headlamps with LED angel eye rings. New black alloy wheels.

Notes: Purchased from San Jose, California. Restored car taken to the Reno, Nevada, for its test drive before being put on an online charity auction.

Asking $11,000 Price Paid $8,500

Work Completed: Automatic gearbox swapped with a 5-speed manual from a later 280Z. Camshaft profiled, carburettors rebuilt and performance exhaust added to improve engine performance. New chrome camshaft cover added.

Notes: Notes: Purchased from a Cars & Coffee event in Irvine, California. Mike was initially searching for a manual 240Z but was unable to find one within budget. Restored car taken to Willow Springs Raceway for its test drive. Sold at asking price.

Asking $8,000 Price Paid $8,000

Work Completed: Repaired side windows. Replaced the foam seats. Replaced the spark plugs and the leads. Replaced the fuel dampener as the current one looked worn-down. Replaced the exhaust. Replaced the front drum brakes with disc brakes.

Notes: Purchased in Oregon. Sold at asking price to a buyer in Japan.

Asking $13,995 Price Paid $12,500

Work Completed: Flat silver painted bumpers and brightwork rechromed. Engine heads refurbished with new valve guides, seats and polished valves, resulting in a gain of 30 bhp. Added remote controlled door opening mechanism and poppers to compensate for the shaved door handles; new 8 volt battery added for the mechanism. The dark tint on the windows was removed to give the car more appeal. New steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and whitewall tyres

Notes: Notes: Purchased from Charlotte, North Carolina. Customised vehicle with the door handles shaved off. Restoration price includes US$750 credit from selling the original unit's alloy wheels. Restored car taken to California's Wine Country for its test drive. Placed on consignment to a classic car dealer, as Mike headed back to Europe.

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Part II

Asking £4,500 Price Paid £3,800

Work Completed: Power steering gearbox rebuilt, steering lock stops added to stop further steering gearbox damage, cast iron exhaust manifolds replaced with stainless steel tubular exhaust manifolds, new set of interior felt carpets made, front passenger seat backrest adjust lever tightened up so the backrest stays upright, leather seats cleaned.

Notes:

Asking Price: Ebay Auction £1,331

Work Completed: Replaced gearbox linkages and bushes, sump guard added for protection, snorkel intake installed, seats replaced to racing seats from previous VW transporter build with harnesses Free NOS, original stickers removed, exterior resprayed with textured polyurethane rubber paint, new wheels and tires, hand-painted badges.

Notes: Bought from an internet auction. The seats and harnesses are free, since Edd used old units from a previous project. The off-road tires are made from recycled Retread old tires from Europe trip. Restored car taken to an off-road testing site in York to test its off-road abilities.

Asking Price: auction in Norfolk £16,500

Work Completed: Cam belt and water pump replaced, full service performed, brake discs and pads replaced, rear suspension bushes replaced with polyurethane units, rust patch on bulk head replaced with new metal, exhaust system replaced with NOS item.

Notes: Rare Ti variant, only 50 of which are registered in the UK. Purchased from an auction in Norfolk. Engine had not been serviced for 17 years. Mike previously wanted to sell the car for £8,000 during a radio talk show, but then he backed up and advertised the car for £7,250.

Asking Price: £20.00 Direct From Caterham trade sale Paid £16,500  

Work Completed: Standard flywheel replaced with lightweight unit, standard air filter replaced with a bigger airbox, standard exhaust heat shield replaced with handmade Inconel unit, ECU remapped, standard floor pan replaced with longer and deeper units so Edd could get in, racing seats replaced with more comfortable units, toggle switch starter system installed, full respray from black to light green, rear light lenses replaced and LED bulbs installed, mudguards replaced with carbon fibre units, exhaust polished and custom Heat shield made, grille insert resprayed green, and new Caterham badge installed.

Notes: Car was a former factory drift racer demonstrator (Black with decals)that was not road legal. At the end of the episode, the car had been registered on the road as a brand new 2014 model year car. Restoration costs include £200 credit from selling the racing seats. Restored car taken to Portmeirion, North Wales, to pay homage to the TV series The Prisoner, which featured the Caterham 7's predecessor, the Lotus Seven. Newest car featured in the series.

Asking Price £8,250 - Price Paid £6,750

Work Completed: Suspension strut mount and bulkhead strengthened, engine bay and interior repainted, sound deadening removed, roll cage fitted, straight cut gearbox fitted, new fuel tank with uprated fuel systems fitted, FIA-approved fire extinguisher fitted, competition-spec center console installed, new footrest for navigator fitted, competition bucket seats fitted, new steering wheel fitted, rally-spec mudguards fitted, rally tires and wheels fitted, door stickers and windshield stickers installed, exhaust system replaced, twin carburettors and strut brace installed.

Notes: Car was originally a 1.3 litre left-hand drive Ghia model from the Netherlands that had been converted into an RS2000 both cosmetically and mechanically by a workshop specialising in rally car conversion. Purchase price includes a competition-spec straight cut gearbox. Restored car taken to Walters Arena rally stage in Wales for a small competition between Mike and Edd.

Asking Price £17,995 - Price Paid £17,000

Work Completed: Cylinder head cleaned and new head gasket fitted, full service performed, hubcaps replaced, aftermarket leather canopy replaced with correct clear dome, engine casing polished, crease on the rear mudguard bent back to shape, welded and patched, full respray from mint green to red and white, new chrome bits fitted to upgrade the car to Deluxe model, whitewall tire fitted, aftermarket air filter and exhaust system replaced with original units, engine bay cleaned, interior re-trimmed, period correct switch installed, brightwork polished.

Notes: Bought to celebrate Messerschmitt KR200's 60th anniversary. Pre-fitted with aftermarket canopy roof. Edd broke the clear dome during trimming, requiring Mike to purchase another one, which was the last unit available in the country according to Edd. Restored car taken to a Messerschmitt gathering. Sold at asking price to a Swedish buyer who sent his daughter over to the UK to take a look at the car.

Asking Price 7,000 Euros - Price Paid 6,000 Euros

Work Completed: Standard engine swapped with 2.1L Ford unit, trafficators refurbished with LED units, rusty bodywork treated and resprayed to white, standard transmission swapped with synchromesh unit from later HY Van, inverter charger, auxiliary battery and additional 240V electronics fitted, additional support braces, insulation and hygienic panels installed, headlight bulbs changed with modern units, interior refurbished, modern seatbelts fitted and wheels refurbished.

Notes: Purchased from a collector in southern France as a barn find that was used as commercial vehicle. The Ford engine used is a bored-out 2.0 liter engine from a Ford Transit. Converted into a modern commercial vehicle. Restored car taken to a garlic farm in Isle of Wight.

Asking Price £1,000 - Price Paid £1,200 (more as other offers)

Work Completed: Replaced ABS sensors on all four wheels, new brake pads and discs fitted, ABS pump rebuilt, oil cooler seals and oil filter replaced, broken sunroof replaced, fabric interior swapped with secondhand leather units, radiator grille replaced, faded VR6 badge restored using vinyl stickers, wipers replaced with Volkswagen Lupo wiper arms, Speedline wheels refurbished and new tyres fitted.

Notes: The seller sold the car on behalf of his uncle. Restored car taken to a go-kart track in Milton Keynes for a test drive. Sold at £500 over the asking price.

Asking Price £3,500 - Price Paid £3,000

Work Completed: Faulty oxygen sensor replaced, oil seals and O-rings replaced to fix the VTEC issue, wheels refurbished, corroded EPS rack replaced, rusted metal engine brackets refurbished using vapor blasting method, rusted alarm casing replaced, cam cover refurbished, faded headlamp lenses ground, sanded and polished, headlight washer pump replaced, aftermarket stereo head unit and gear shift knob replaced with factory units.

Notes: Rare Imola Orange colour. Previous owner wanted to restore it but gave up, according to Mike. Bought back by the previous owner at £500 over the asking price.

Asking Price £23,900 - Price Paid £21,500

Work Completed: Twin turbochargers reconditioned to fix engine oil leak, intercooler cleaned, electronic boost controller installed, ECU re-mapped to increase the turbos' boost, uprated oil sump and removable crossmember installed to replace a piece of factory crossmember that Edd cut, oil filter replaced, oil catch tank replaced, broken plastic heater casing replaced with aluminium casing, non-standard gearshift gaiter and handbrake gaiter replaced with Alcantara-finished units, aftermarket steering wheel replaced with factory MOMO unit.

Notes: Purchased in Italy, but the seller's agent advertised the car as located in London. Purchase price includes a pre-made aluminium casing for the uninstalled heater. Previous owner fitted functional custom sidepods. Restored car taken to Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire for handling and top speed test, it achieved 170 mph on the oval track. Sold at asking price.

Media Credit: Discovery UK