So I'm watching American Hot Rod last night.....

[NOPANTS-68]

and I realize that out of the 60 minute program there was actually only 3-4 minutes of building anything that resembled a car. I haven't watched the show for a very long time and always seemed to be shaking my head when I turn the channel, but it's like a train wreck. Last night's episode featured a whole section of the shop foreman yelling at people, a section on the disgruntled employee, one on a worker giving back to his community, and then about 2 weeks worth of work crammed into 4 minute montage and "presto chango"! the car's in the paint shop getting primed. I understand that it's the typical "movie magic" that consumes each of these "build" shows but this was probably the gayest thing I've seen on TV in awhile.

OK that's my rant.

Oh and for what it's worth I like the Hard Shine show simply because you can see the cars and a little fab work. So I'm not totally crazy. lol

[Z06killinSBF]

Agreed, except that girl is annoying. She's trying too hard to make a point thats already been made.

[MuscleRodz]

Yes the Sobe wagon build is the worst one yet. It is the first one I can remember where they start the show half way through fab.

Up in the air about Hard Shine. I watch it, but not getting much from it.

Mike

[Martin71RS]

I watch it for the cars eventhough they do not show much....I think I saw Bill's GTO on it last week (I think our are older episodes) at SEMA...just a quick shot but I think it was there.

Martin

[trapin]

Pants,

That show is so totally useless it's not even funny. I'm not sure what's going on but it looks like the show's sponsors are being tied into the episode or something. The Elvis Cadillac that was being done for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...what the hell was THAT all about??!! That was the dumbest tribute I've ever heard of. What was the purpose of the car....how is that tied into the tribute? And what the hell does the car have to do with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups??!! It's so stupid. I can't make any sense of how these cars tie in to Reeses or the SOBE beverage corporation or any of the other companies they've built cars for...for God knows WHAT reasons. If that old codger has any hope of preserving his reputation he'd pull the plug on that circus act of a TV show before it's too late. And yeah..yeah...yeah....I know....it's all dramatized for TV and it's not really like that. Doesn't matter, they're still idiots for doing it.

But yet for some reason I keep watching. It's like a train wreck....you can't look away.

[6'9"Witha69]

So I'm watching American Hot Rod last night.....That was your first mistake.

The second was continuing to watch.

Just my opinion. I used to watch it too. Haven't bothered in a couple years.

[Restomod]

Avoidtheboyd!!!!!!!

[MrQuick]

Boyds show is way to geared to the average couch potato. If you want a good and fun to watch car show, turn on Wrecks to Riches. Much better...or that muscle car show on the weekends...just turn the sound down. I watch with the CC on.

[Texas Hotrod]

I think it's freakin funny that all of Boyd's ex employees now work for Chip Foose. Even chip is an ex Boydster.

Anyone see the episode of Overhaulin when Chip was in the spray booth and someone put a life-sized card board cut out of Boyd in the window? He almost crapped in his pants.

I agree that all this senseless drama is for the average potato. Pinks is even trashier this season. I usually let the TiVo snag it, then I can forward through al the BS and just watch the runs.

Pinks All Out is the best one so far.

[Z06killinSBF]

HAs anyone been watching those new pilot episodes on Speed? "Name that Test & Tune" and "Blow it up". They are stretching it out in my opinion. Atleast there isnt any bs drama.

[vintageracer]

It is unfortunate that TV producers and execs think that drama must be critical to an autombile/motorcycle program to draw and attract viewers. Thank you very much Paul Sr, Paul Jr and "Mikey". Apparently we as viewers are not smart or sophisticated enough to watch an auitomotible show without a soap opera story line and a dramatic lead character.

In my opinion, the best of the car build/repair shows is "Chop, Cut, Rebuild". The show features are mostly fabrication and work. It's not a soap opera, does not have a "famous" lead on the shop and they do not spend a lot of time at some goofy BS track event or SEMA car show review. There is no conflict between the fabricators or winey car owners like on Pinks.

Naturally this show is BURIED on Speed channel at very obscure times like weekday mornings.

[NOPANTS-68]

Boyds show is way to geared to the average couch potato. If you want a good and fun to watch car show, turn on Wrecks to Riches. Much better...or that muscle car show on the weekends...just turn the sound down. I watch with the CC on.

Seriously? I would rather watch a whole season of American Hot Rod than one more episode of Wrecks to Riches. Can't stand that show or the people on it. Talk about hack jobs. Since when did powerwashing and spray painting old suspension parts constitute that as "rebuilt"? lol

[TPI Monte SS]

In my opinion, the best of the car build/repair shows is "Chop, Cut, Rebuild". The show features are mostly fabrication and work. It's not a soap opera, does not have a "famous" lead on the shop and they do not spend a lot of time at some goofy BS track event or SEMA car show review. There is no conflict between the fabricators or winey car owners like on Pinks.

Naturally this show is BURIED on Speed channel at very obscure times like weekday mornings.

Yep, an awesome show! My son and I love it. Of course, I'm lucky enough to be a teacher and off for the summer, so I can actually watch it! Xtreme 4x4 is good for tech and fabrication stuff, even though it's a truck show.

[Boulder69]

Seriously? I would rather watch a whole season of American Hot Rod than one more episode of Wrecks to Riches. Can't stand that show or the people on it. Talk about hack jobs. Since when did powerwashing and spray painting old suspension parts constitute that as "rebuilt"? lol
I totally agree. I had a chance to see the purple mopar "Super Muscle Car" from one of the W to R episodes at Goodguys last year. I'm pretty sure my garage-built Camaro will be of higher build quality - and I'm a hack. Fit and finish was really poor.

That said, Boyd and Duane make the screwy management at my gig look quite professional. :nopity:

[roadracer55]

I totally agree. I had a chance to see the purple mopar "Super Muscle Car" from one of the W to R episodes at Goodguys last year. I'm pretty sure my garage-built Camaro will be of higher build quality - and I'm a hack. Fit and finish was really poor.

Damn, and i thought that was one of the better shows. It's a shame they build to sell so quick rather than driving them, but gotta pay the bills. I havent watched boyd since the first one I caught. Hated it. Hard Shine I'm watching cos at least you get to see cars.

[chicane67]

Long before the concept of putting this useless brain waste on television...

...While working at Guldstrand, I was given the task to align one of Boyd's creations that by his explaination, "just wouldnt align". I tell you what though, it was a really clean 32. Simply beautiful... then which after its completion turned into several more basket cases I was graced with.

Now... if they would have used both right and left hand heim's on the JAG rearend links instead of using two left hand turn heim's.... it would have been SO much eaiser to do the deed. But the related drama just like you see on TV... was clear and present... even 19 years ago. As was the smoke and mirrors.

I couldnt even think of watching the show on TV... :banghead:

[derekf]

Comedy Central has a new show "American Body Shop" that looks to be geared towards making fun of AHR and its type.

It's not all that funny, but might still be better than watching Boyd.

[DRJDVM's '69]

The show I enjoy the most is Rides....... I have no idea why they dont do more new episodes, but its on Discovery HD every morning at 9 AM and I still watch even if its an episode that was one 2 weeks ago.

Any idea why they cancelled it ??

My next favorite is Musclecar... some people dont agree with how he does stuff but at leasts its 90% about the actual building of a car. Lots of fabrication stuff etc etc, rather than doing an entire show on bolt on stuff and company sponsored products.

I dont get Speed channel so I miss some of the other listed.

Wrecks to Riches is so-so..... the thing I dont like is its all about building a car real fast to sell for big $$. Not the kind of thing that promotes quality builds and a great car in the end.

[andrewb70]

Avoidtheboyd!!!!!!!

AvoidTV

Andrew

[dropit69]

yeah i like cut.chop.rebuild good show another one that was on must be off for summer is Stacey Davids new show "gears" its on espn at odd times but man is that guy a true true gearhead..i love his passion for all things with engines..gotta catch it if ya get the chance..

[TA219]

I think boyds show was in better hands with discovery rather than TLC, back then they would show a little bit about how things were made... especially when they had the old metal worker (He passed on not too long ago) that guy knew his stuff and could turn out some great work! I remember watching him make the hood for Twinstings vette and being amazed.

oh and American Body shop is great!

[NOPANTS-68]

Yeah Roy was the old timer's name and he was pretty amazing to watch.

I dig Gearz when I catch it. Pretty strange projects but you can't beat that guy's enthusiasm. I met him at SEMA one year and he was exactly like that in person. Super nice guy. lol

[1970cuda]

the best part is if you watch the part when dwain is yelling at the guy for the part of the dash that is missing, right at the end Dwain turns to walk back down the stairs and the car is at the bottom of the stairs DONE!

[bookends]

american hotrod should be manditory for all corporate training classes on how not to treat your employees.

[zz3elcamino]

american hotrod should be manditory for all corporate training classes on how not to treat your employees.

That and Unique Whips....

[Todds69]

That show is just plain bad now...maybe always was.

[trapin]

I'm gonna start giving this "Hard Shine" show a watch. I hear it's pretty good.

[DCx]

every time the girl from hard shine smiles i swear shes flashing gang signs.

seriously... FIX YOUR EFFIN TEETH AND CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!

that elky is going to be a monster!

[Tom 72RS/SS]

Yeah, she has definitely used up her share of whinning and doesn't seem to possess near enough skill for a shop like So-Cal. Always running to the owner when Jimmy even looks at her funny, she'll be the next to go for sure.

[JohnLClark]

Why did they show the AHR Sobe build out of order. I thought I missed a show, only to have them show part one this week, after showing part two last week. Is this car just too easy that they have to do all this filler crap. The Cadillac was for Resee's to push their new peanut butter and bannana Resse's cup. Some "lucky" person is going to win the car later this year.

[MarkM66]

every time the girl from hard shine smiles i swear shes flashing gang signs.

seriously... FIX YOUR EFFIN TEETH AND CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!

that elky is going to be a monster!

I cringe everytime that girl smiles. Unwatchable. Even worse then the singer Jewel, and that's hard to do.

[Samckitt]

Yeah Sarah's (I think is her name) teeth need some work. She cries more than my 16 month old. Get that dang bolt out of your lower lip & let your hair down. That made a world of difference last week, when they showed her with her hair down instead of pulled back.

[twosaturns]

Yeah Sarah's (I think is her name) teeth need some work. She cries more than my 16 month old. Get that dang bolt out of your lower lip & let your hair down. That made a world of difference last week, when they showed her with her hair down instead of pulled back.
I guess I stopped watching AHR a while because I've never seen this girl, seems like I'm fortunate.
I can't stand wrecks to riches, either. just in it for the cash, not for the passion. I especially cringed when they were working up that purple mopar; started as a basket case real road runner, they bought a satellite parts car, THEN the designer says 'hey, it'll be worth more if we make it a GTX!' :eek:
chop/cut/rebuild is a good basic show, but boring host.
unique whips is just a joke. it's obvious what audience they are catering to (does EVERY NBA/NFL player need an escalade on 24"s!?!) a guy I work w/ is friends w/ Tony Stewart and word is Tony was NOT happy w/ the hearse that unique did for him. now, a good show would be getting Foose to redo the hearse the RIGHT way!
and what has happened to overhaulin'??? I REALLY miss that show; sure, the fake scams are fruity, but they DO show a good amount of the build. and no Duane, that's enough of a reason right there. maybe A.J. whould get her own show; THAT I would watch:bananna2:

[NOPANTS-68]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't last a day at Boyd's shop without getting into it with Duane. The young guys take crap from him because they are intimidated. You don't see him talking like that to the older guys because they won't stand for it. I am a young bodyshop manager myself and I can tell you that there are better ways to get people motivated. He's a pretty pathetic leader.

I loved Rides when it was on. Haven't seen it in some time. I think it was on TLC?

[kamaroman68]

2 saturns the girl they are referring to are from the new show hardshine. thats why you havent seen her before on ahr. and yes she is very irritating. chris

[twosaturns]

oh, haven't heard of hardshine.
come to think of it, I like 'trick my truck' better than most of the other shows! ('cept overhaulin' of course...)

[jreut703]

I just want them to build a real car "pro-touring car" Most shows have become
not so realality shows.

[Texas Hotrod]

Anyone see the race between the So-Cal high boy and the newly finished Chevy gasser? The loser had to wear a dress in public. The whole thing was a put on anyway.
The roadster (with a 383) was eating the gasser (w/a 327) until half track, then pedaled it to let Jimmy win. What was the deal w/all the smoke billowing out from the right bank. The camera man tried to hide the smoke trail, but you could still see it. A $100K+ hot rod and it created a smoke screen?????

Pete (the owner of So Cal) ended up wearing the dress (more like draping it over his clothes), but in a secluded restaurant.

It is a cool show. Really nice hot rods as well. Hopefully it wont end up being a trash show, like most of the others have become.

[DCx]

the ls7 elky track car on hard shine is some what pro-touring dont you think?

[Tom 72RS/SS]

Met Chip Foose a couple of months ago and he said they were working on a deal to "Overhaul" cars from other states and not just L.A. so keep your fingers crossed it will be back on soon. I miss "Rides" as well, don't know about their future.
So far I like "Hard Shine" but hope it doesn't turn out to be another AHR or OCC doing big name company projects for the wow factor and forget about the build itself.

[twosaturns]

that's cool, because on the site there was a spot you could put someone's name in the ring, and put your shop up for a location, but then you watch the show, and it's all so cal, cept for that episode where they went to visit the people and they could request what they want (like that dude w/ the camaro, said he wants it blue and pro street, AND they gave him a 572!!! of course chip ignored the pro street part...)
the logistics of doing that show and traveling around, that's going to be $$$$$$$