Wheeler Dealers

Infobox Television
show_name = Wheeler Dealers


country = UK
network = Discovery Channel
starring = Mike Brewer Edd China |

Wheeler Dealers is a television show on the Discovery network, fronted by Mike Brewer and mechanic Edd China.

There have so far been 4 series of the program. Series 1 originally aired in 2003 with series 4 finishing in 2006. There are currently plans for a fifth series with filming starting in early 2008. [http://www.wheelerdealer.com] wheelerdealer.com]

The show's premise is that Brewer and China are on a mission to save repairable enthusiast vehicles, by repairing or otherwise improving an example of a particular make and model to a budget, then selling it to a new owner. Each project spans a pair of 30-minute episodes, in which Mike buys a vehicle, turns it over to Edd for repairs, then sells it on. For the first series the budget was £1000, for series 2, £2000, and for series 3 £3000.

In the U.K. the program was original shown on Discovery Real Time with occasional late night repeats on Discovery Channel. As of March 2008, the show is still regularly repeated on Discovery Turbo.

Format

Each project car is completed over two episodes, the project presentation usually following a format similar to this:

First Episode

* Mike and Edd start with a budget to buy and then fix up a vehicle.
* Mike gives a brief history of the merits of the chosen model of vehicle.
* Mike locates, negotiates for and buys a car.
* Mike turns the car over to Edd China, and together they assess its needs.
* Edd begins work, providing assessments of the work and its challenges.
* Mike stops by China's shop for an overview of progress, and expenditures are reviewed.
* (end of first episode)

econd Episode

* A quick review of the first episode
* Mike (often) goes on a field trip to procure some required parts.
* Mike interviews an owner of a similar car in top condition, then drives and comments on the car.
* Edd finishes the work on the project car.
* Mike returns to the workshop and discusses the finished car with Edd.
* Mike drives the completed car, assessing improvements.
* Mike sells the car to a new owner. There is a final tally of expenditures and any "profit" or "loss".

ummary

The costs, and thus any profit or loss for a given project, are assessed without consideration of the cost of mechanic Edd China's time (assuming that a well-equipped and able enthusiast could complete all work himself) but are not realistic if repairs require professional help.

Nevertheless, the show is sufficiently in-depth to provide good overviews and insights to buying and improving older enthusiast vehicles.

Sometimes the painting was done by hand (spray-can)) in their workshop instead of going to professional painting workshop. This is probably due to budget constraints of either the vehicle or the programme.

Cars

Featured cars have been:

* Porsche 924 - Series 1 Episode 1/2
* Saab 900 Turbo - Series 1 Episode 3/4
* Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI - Series 1 Episode 5/6
* Austin Mini MK1 - Series 1 Episode 7/8
* Mercedes Benz W123 230E - Series 1 Episode 9/10
* Ford Capri Laser 1.6 - Series 1 Episode 11/12

* Toyota MR2 (First Generation AW10/AW11) - Series 2 Episode 1/2
* Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 - Series 2 Episode 3/4
* Suzuki SJ410 - Series 2 Episode 5/6
* BMW E30 325i Touring - Series 2 Episode 7/8
* MG MGB GT - Series 2 Episode 9/10
* Beetle to Buggy - Ed builds a Predator beach buggy from a derelict VW. - Series 2 Episode 11/12

* Volkswagen T3 Transporter - Series 3 Episode 1/2
* Lancia Delta Integrale 8v - Series 3 Episode 3/4
* Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth - Series 3 Episode 5/6
* First Gen Land Rover Range Rover - Series 3 Episode 7/8
* Mazda MX-5 NA - Series 3 Episode 9/10
* Porsche 928 - Series 3 Episode 11/12

* Porsche 911 2.7S Targa - Series 4 Episode 1/2
* Jeep CJ7 - Series 4 Episode 3/4
* Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce - Series 4 Episode 5/6
* BMW 635CSI - Series 4 Episode 7/8
* Corvette C4 - Series 4 Episode 9/10
* Lexus LS400 - Series 4 Episode 11/12

Notes

External Links

[http://www.channel4.com/4car/advertorial/wheelerdealers Channel4.com] [http://www.discoveryturbo.co.uk All cars, series and episodes from DiscoveryTurbo.co.uk TV Listing. (Retrieved 19/3/08)]