Why I like the tv program 'Overhaulin''

'Overhaulin' which is headed by Chips Fooze, is about the selected 'lucky victim' of a prank which involves his or her spouse to keep the project a secret, so that on revelation day, the so-called victim would be 'speechless', yet full of praise and gratitude to the project members who would get warm hugs too.

From the few episodes that I have viewed, it involves the selected vehicle, usually a collectible one, valued by the owner. It may look like a junk to us, but try giving an offer and the owner invariably would not part with it. While the vehicle was impounded or for whatever reasons or excuse given to the owner, the vehicle would be stripped to its bare minimum eg. with only the chassis, and the other parts restored to almost or even better than its original. The latter, because sometimes the steel used are of better quality and invariably involves replacement with a more powerful engine, suspension items, and fitted with an excellent audio system. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted purist collectors!

Coming from a workshop environment as a child, it really reminds me of my growing up years. Some of the activities are similar, despite the new technologies, eg. the conventional tools, welding and especially the part when Chips took a steel plate to push against a pillar to get the required curve to replace a bonnet! The scraping of rust and the sanding by hand and the carrying of the whole body to fit onto the chassis, all look similar to old times. (I wish I can use the clip of Cantonese swearing to make it more like old times for me!)

The use of modern equipment made me wish I could have a hand in such a project because it looks as if with proper guidance, most tasks appear doable by me. Oh, the satisfaction of it, upon seeing the completion of the restoration.

Just, by the way, I wish to relate again the story of how the late Peters (guitarist Alex's late father) convinced my father to part with his baby Austin 7 (B 2405) of vintage year 1928 for Rm500, in the '60s. He promised to offer to him first if he were to sell it (pre-emptive right), and he took the trouble to take pictures of the stripped car, at each stage, and sent to us.

Anyway, I do have a chance to do car restoration, if only I have the cash, as there are two Sunbeam Alpines waiting for the attention. The good thing about watching Overhaulin' is the positive vibes it gives in the restoration process.
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