Wheeler Dealers Series 15 (2018)

Presented by Mike Brewer & Ant Anstead.

In Series 15 Mike has the job of finding vehicles that have money-making potential $$$. He then hands them over to Ant Anstead with his skills, tackles everything from bare metal re-sprays to engine swaps to bring them back to their former glory. From the sunny rust free California USA.

Episode 1: 1969 Opel GT 1900

Asking $6,000, Price Paid asking price

Work Completed: Fuel filter replaced, water pump replaced, dents on front left fender pulled and filled, dents on driver's side door repaired, brake servo replaced with bigger unit and missing vacuum line fitted, mechanical pop-up headlight mechanism replaced with new unit, car resprayed in original green color.

Notes: .Water pump $500, brakes and servo uprated $150, headlight rotation plate $200, bodywork and paint $3,000, total man hours 46

Episode 2: 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Asking $6,000 Price Paid $4,500

Work Completed: New four-wheel-drive shift motor and vacuum bulbs. Full body respray from white to Dark Baltic Blue. Faux wood trim panels removed; new wood pattern hand painted on body panels. New leaf springs, shock absorbers, sway bars, and steering arm and stabiliser. New tyres and reconditioned wheels. New speedometer gear to compensate for larger tyres. Interior and seats reupholstered. Exterior trim refurbished.

Notes: Body and interior tatty but no rust or large dents.Suspension $1,600 tyres $700, wooden paint effect and respray $7,200 other parts $1,300 total man hours 65

Episode 3: 2004 Mini Cooper S MC40

2004 Mini Cooper S MC40 before work.

Asking $6,000 Price Paid $5,300

Work Completed: Full 100,000 mile service, including new oxygen sensors, water pump, thermostat, coolant cap, ignition coil, HT leads, fuel filter, hoses, and serpentine belt. Supercharger reconditioned and cleaned. New left foglamp. New MC40 replica decal set. New suspension dampers and springs to replace aftermarket suspension. New tyres fitted. Headliner reupholstered. Aftermarket projector headlamps and air intake system replaced with stock units. New rear badge.

Costs: 100k service parts $900, supercharger service $100 (oil), decals £200 (replica) struts and springs standard $375, headliner recover $40, headlamps $500 ,tyres $475 total man hours 23

Notes: Purchased in Northern California. MC40 decals replicated by Sticky Fingers Design. Restored car taken to the Los Angeles River to pay homage to The Italian Job, then to a Mini meet in San Clemente, California.

2004 Mini Cooper S MC40 Finished.

Episode 4:1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio before work.

Asking $8,900 Price Paid $7,000

Work Completed: Prop shaft repainted and reconditioned with new carrier bearing. Rear differential refurbished with new friction plates. New air conditioner compressor, belt, and dryer. Engine valve cover sandblasted and powder coated in wrinkle red. Driver's side window runner straightened. Replacement convertible soft top fabric installed.

Costs: Drive line $700, ac compressor parts $600, powder coat valve cover $100. Man hours 45.

Notes: Car comes with rare detachable hardtop. Previous owner supplied new softtop fabric. Engine valve cover painted by Primo Powdercoating and Sandblasting. Sold at asking price.

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio Finished.

Episode 5: 1970 International Harvester Scout 800A

1970 International Harvester Scout Before work.

Asking $8,500 Price Paid $8,000

Work Completed: Transfer case rebuilt and repainted. New power steering box assembly. Bullbar removed. Full body respray from yellow to Heritage Green. Vacuum-operated wipers replaced with electric system. Seats reupholstered with black vinyl and new polyurethane foam. Headlamps and trim pieces refurbished. New wheels and tyres. New badges installed.

Costs:Transfer case $175, steering system upgrade $2,000, wiper upgrades $450, paint $3,100, interior refit $1,075, wheels and tyres $1000. Total man hours 64.

Notes: Purchased in Phoenix, Arizona. Previously used as a military vehicle. Sold at asking price.

1970 International Harvester Scout Finished.

Episode 6: 1977 Porsche 924

Asking $5,000 Price Paid $3,700

Work Completed: Engine main seals replaced to address oil leak. Engine parts cleaned and painted. New cam belt, tensioner, sump gaskets and clutch. Engine serviced with multigrade oil. Warm-up regulator cleaned and modified to address rough idling. Transaxle linkage geometry and gear lever extended to improve gear change. Interior refurbished with new brown and tan colour combination dashboard and seats. Damaged front valance fixed. Exterior polished.

Costs:  Main seals and gaskets $380, warm up regulator $20, gearbox $500, interior $1500, valance and Polish $1,100 rest of parts $1,200,Total man hours 46.

Notes: Tribute to the first wheeler dealers car ever, another red 924.U.S. spec car with 95 hp engine and four-speed transmission. Mike recalled his memories about restoring a Porsche 924 during the programme's very first episode. Restored car taken to Downtown L.A. for its test drive. Car was not sold at the end of the episode after the on-screen buyer backed out on the sale.

Episode 7: 1972 Datsun 510

1972 Datsun 510 before work.

Asking $6,500 Price Paid $5,000
Work Completed: Part of left rear wing replaced using part from donor panel. Right front wing fixed with original indicator light hole restored and incorrect hole welded shut. Instrument cluster cleaned, tachometer repaired and installed. Full body prep and respray to blue by Ant. Factory 4-speed manual gearbox replaced with 5-speed unit. Crossmember and mout modified to accommodate new gearbox. New taillight wiring loom and LED bulbs. New period-correct wheels and tyres. New black interior.

Costs: 5 speed gearbox $1,620, paint $1000 (Cheap as painted by ant), wheels and tyres $840, interior $2,500, led upgraded tail light kit $300, other parts $670.Total man hours 60.

Notes: Rare 2-door variant. Previously modified by seller and crudely painted in Trans-Am Series replica red/white with red/blue stripes. Replacement left rear wing provided by seller. Restored car taken to Long Beach pay homage to Nissan's import history in America. Sold at Mike's asking price on an open offer.

1972 Datsun 510 finished.

Episode 8: 1972 Lancia Fulvia

1972 Lancia Fulvia before work

Asking $12,000 Price Paid $9,500

Work Completed: Driveshaft assembly repainted and rebuilt with new gearbox oil seal and CV joints to address oil leak. New heater control valve. Plastic dashboard bezel replaced with custom made wooden unit. Fuel tank repainted. New fuel filter and fuel supply line. Bumpers removed. New period-correct Carello fog lamps installed with custom brackets fitted to modified bumper mounts. Stock indicators and new chrome vent rings retrofitted and flushed on front end. Parts of the front wings and scuttle resprayed to matte black to match the bonnet.(rally spec for anti glearning. New dash pad and steering wheel. Wheels refinished in satin gold.

Costs: Cv joints rebuild $1,000, heater matrix valve $75, fuel system clean $105, interior trim and wood dash plus steering wheel $975, Carello fog lamps original $650, paint $800, wheels $1000. Total man hours 21

Notes: Purchased in Sonoma, California. Mike originally wanted to buy a american spec 1971 Rover P6 3500 with factory bonnet vents, but backed off due to the car's condition (would be a great car to do). The Lancia was directly imported from Italy, equipped with 1.3L engine and four-wheel disc brakes. Converted to rally-spec unit. Sold to a broker.

1972 Lancia Fulvia finished.