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*Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car* is a spin-off of the Wheeler Dealers franchise that focuses on helping everyday people trade their way up to their ideal vehicle. Instead of restoring cars for profit alone, each episode follows a personal journey, where the team starts with the participant’s current car and gradually upgrades through a series of smart buys, repairs, and sales.
The show is led by Mike Brewer, an expert in sourcing and negotiating deals, and Marc Priestley (also known as “Elvis”), a former McLaren Racing mechanic who handles the technical work and improvements.
Season 1 establishes the format with a mix of nostalgic and ambitious goals, from classic cars like a Land Rover Series IIa and Ford Escort Mk2 to high-value dreams such as a DeLorean DMC-12 and a Nissan Skyline.
Season 2 builds on this with bigger stakes and more emotional stories, including practical goals like an Audi Q7 for a growing family, lifestyle vehicles such as a Volkswagen Campervan, and dream performance cars like a Caterham Seven.
Overall, the series blends car expertise with personal storytelling, showing how smart decisions and mechanical skill can turn an ordinary car into someone’s dream vehicle.
Thank you for supporting our channel
*Wheeler Dealers: Dream Car* is a spin-off of the Wheeler Dealers franchise that focuses on helping everyday people trade their way up to their ideal vehicle. Instead of restoring cars for profit alone, each episode follows a personal journey, where the team starts with the participant’s current car and gradually upgrades through a series of smart buys, repairs, and sales.
The show is led by Mike Brewer, an expert in sourcing and negotiating deals, and Marc Priestley (also known as “Elvis”), a former McLaren Racing mechanic who handles the technical work and improvements.
Season 1 establishes the format with a mix of nostalgic and ambitious goals, from classic cars like a Land Rover Series IIa and Ford Escort Mk2 to high-value dreams such as a DeLorean DMC-12 and a Nissan Skyline.
Season 2 builds on this with bigger stakes and more emotional stories, including practical goals like an Audi Q7 for a growing family, lifestyle vehicles such as a Volkswagen Campervan, and dream performance cars like a Caterham Seven.
Overall, the series blends car expertise with personal storytelling, showing how smart decisions and mechanical skill can turn an ordinary car into someone’s dream vehicle.
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MotorTranscript
00:04We've all got a dream car.
00:09For most, it remains out of reach.
00:12I'm hoping you can help.
00:14So, I'm taking on the ultimate trading challenge
00:17to make motoring dreams come true.
00:19The next time you see me,
00:21I promise I'm going to be in your dream car.
00:23Here's how.
00:24I meet car lovers who hand over their daily drive.
00:27And this is my starting point. That's brilliant.
00:30And whatever cash they can spare.
00:32She's given us this car on a grand.
00:34Through a series of car trades.
00:36Got a deal.
00:37Well done, yeah.
00:38And money-making deals.
00:40That's the car. Let's go in a bid.
00:41I'll trade up until I've got enough money
00:43to buy the car they've always wanted.
00:46You look happy. Oh, yes.
00:47I'll draw on years of experience
00:50and share my tricks of the trade.
00:52This car has already increased in value
00:54just by moving it geographically.
00:56Helping me in the workshop is my mate Elvis,
01:00an ex Formula One mechanic.
01:02Such a good feeling.
01:04Working together, the pressure's on for us
01:06to deliver the dream car.
01:08Thank you so much.
01:10This might even change my life.
01:13This time we're on a mission to trade up
01:15to a classic fast forward for office manager Chris.
01:18My dad always had fast forwards growing up,
01:20so I grew up in the back of them going sideways
01:22and that stuck with me.
01:23I faced some tough negotiations on my trading journey.
01:2718's my top limit.
01:28Take it or leave it, Mike.
01:30And I'm forced to take a gamble on a car
01:32with a real image problem.
01:34Oh, my God, what is that?
01:36And what's going on here?
01:39As we work towards an exciting reveal.
01:42Look, because we've got special permission,
01:44you can actually touch it.
01:55I'm heading off to the centre of England.
01:57Corby in North Hampshire.
01:59Off to meet a guy called Chris.
02:00Now, Chris lives, works and dreams fast forwards.
02:04And one in particular, an Escort Mark II.
02:07What a car.
02:14I've always been a petrol head.
02:15Not only do I work with cars every day,
02:17in my spare time I'm also either reading about cars,
02:20going to car shows.
02:21Yeah, I'm absolutely crazy about cars.
02:25Dad always had fast forwards when I was growing up.
02:27I've spent loads of time in the back of them.
02:28Family holidays, me, my brother, mum and dad.
02:31And that's where my love for them has come from.
02:33For me, the Mark II Escort is the most iconic 1970s car.
02:37I love everything about them.
02:38I love the styling.
02:39I love the performance.
02:40I love the motorsport heritage.
02:42And to own one would just be absolutely unbelievable.
02:50Developed jointly by Ford in the UK and Germany,
02:53the boxy design of the Mark II Escort was a real hit.
02:56Almost a million were made in Britain between 1975 and 1980.
03:05Building on their motorsport heritage,
03:07Ford built a rally version of the Mark II, the RS 1800,
03:11which won four consecutive British Rally Championships.
03:19I'm meeting Chris at a classic Ford Specialists,
03:23where he works as an office manager.
03:25I'm hoping he's got a great motor to trade up from.
03:28Hey, Chris. How are you?
03:30Hiya, Mike. How are you doing?
03:31Nice to see you, Mike.
03:32Nice to meet you.
03:32Nice to meet you too.
03:34Wow, what a place this is.
03:35So we're a classic Ford Specialist.
03:37So this is where all our parts are collated and dispatched.
03:40I do a little bit of everything.
03:42I mean, I'm dealing with customer inquiries,
03:44taking orders over the phone, dealing with sales.
03:46Also, being a small company, we have to do a bit of everything.
03:49So I'm packing some orders today, clean the workshop if required.
03:53You know, whatever needs to be done, we do.
03:55I passed a couple of cars downstairs that I absolutely fell in love with as I walked in.
04:00Any chance we can go and have a look at them?
04:01Absolutely, yeah.
04:03Yeah.
04:04OK, this is more like it, being surrounded by the metal.
04:07Yeah, we've got a Mark II Escort estate here.
04:09Beautiful.
04:09Mark I Cortina there.
04:11Oh, you love it.
04:12And my personal favourite, and my dream car, that's a Mark II Escort.
04:15You can't be surrounded by them all day and not own one.
04:18You do realise how expensive a Mark II Ford Escort is these days, don't you?
04:23Yes, yeah, unfortunately I'm quite aware of how expensive they are.
04:26They are a really sought-after car, and they run into tens of thousands of pounds.
04:31Yeah.
04:32For me to get you a car like that, I'm going to need a really good starting point.
04:37So what is it? Is it outside?
04:38Yeah.
04:39OK.
04:40What have you got for me?
04:40Just over here.
04:45A Ford Focus?
04:46Yeah, Ford Focus.
04:47It's a ST170, full service history, about 97,000 miles.
04:51Pretty much standard, apart from the wheels that you can see there.
04:55It's going to be impossible to turn just that into a Mark II Escort.
05:01So have you got any savings, any money you can throw in?
05:03I've managed to get £8,000 together.
05:06Eight grand.
05:06Eight grand in the Focus.
05:09Eight grand!
05:10Wow!
05:11That's a surprise.
05:11Don't get me wrong, it's still going to be tough.
05:13I might need four or five trays to get to an Escort Mark II, but with that money and the
05:18Focus in good nick, well, they give me a fighting chance.
05:21I can't wait to see you with a Ford Escort.
05:23Give us the keys.
05:24There you go.
05:25Thank you very much.
05:35Whoa!
05:38Look at that!
05:39Through the gearbox!
05:41Wow!
05:43Now, I remember these cars when they were launched back in 1998.
05:47They're great little motors, good engines, they handle really well.
05:51In fact, they drew a lot of inspiration from the early 1970s classic Ford Escort that Chris wants.
05:58This car is more or less standard.
06:01Now, I know that out there at the moment, this market is strong for people that want original cars.
06:07The only thing in this car that's non-original are the wheels that it's sitting on.
06:11So, I think what I need to do is to find a set of original wheels, and the bonus of
06:16that is I'll have a set of aftermarket wheels that I can sell on.
06:20A decent Ford Focus is worth around a grand and a half, but I'll need at least 14 grand for
06:26Chris's dream Escort.
06:31Elvis!
06:32Hello, mate.
06:33Hello, fella.
06:34How are you?
06:35Yeah, good.
06:35Like this.
06:36Proper.
06:37Love it.
06:38Fast forward.
06:38Yes, a nice one.
06:39I like it a lot.
06:40The only thing that isn't standard is those wheels, isn't it?
06:43They look a bit smaller than normal.
06:44What we need to do is find an original set of 17-inch alloys that are silver, and I reckon
06:49we'd be able to sell the car a lot easier.
06:51Yeah, of course.
06:51Yeah, no, I totally agree with you on that one.
06:53We need to turn this car into a Mark II Escort.
06:56Oh, a Mark II Escort.
06:58Yeah.
06:58Well, I love the Mark II Escort, but they are not cheap.
07:01Yeah, well, here's a bit of a surprise for you.
07:03It seems like Chris has been screwing away his Mark II Escort fund.
07:09He's got eight grand.
07:11No way.
07:12That is a good starting point.
07:14Second-out alloys with our big business, I reckon I could get at least 200 quid for the current wheels
07:19and rubber if the tyre's in good nick.
07:23So while Elvis checks that, I'm going to be on the hunt for some original 17-inch silver alloys.
07:31I'm just using a tread depth gauge to measure the thickness of the tread on the tyre, and it's really
07:37good.
07:37Loads and loads of rubber left on that.
07:40The tyres have passed my inspection.
07:42I'm taking clear photos of the set and of each wheel from Mike's online ad to prove the rims are
07:47clean and haven't been curbed.
07:51I managed to track down a good set of original Focus ST170 alloys for just 200 quid.
07:56So Elvis can get on with fitting them, and it'll be a much more attractive proposition for a fast-forward
08:01fan.
08:07Hopefully it's a quick fix, we can get it listed, get it sold.
08:13This is a modern classic in the making, so I'm going to target those in the know through a fast
08:18-forward forum.
08:19£1500 might seem a lot of money for a 2004 hatchback, but I reckon in a few years' time it
08:25will seem like a very good investment.
08:33Next.
08:33Hello mate, what's up?
08:35Can the Focus find a new home?
08:37Yeah, I think I might have some news.
08:38Go on.
08:40And I meet my match as I try to seal a unique deal.
08:43I can hold out for the price, I'm not bothered.
08:45You're going to have to come down a bit.
08:55I've got a Ford Focus and £8,000 to help office manager Chris trade up to a 70s superstar, the
09:02Eskel Mark II.
09:03Of all the classic Fords that my dad had growing up, the Mark IIs are the ones that stood out
09:07the most for me.
09:11I've listed Chris's Focus with the new wheels for £1500.
09:15But while I wait to get a sale, I need to get trading with his cash.
09:21I want to make big money on a trade, and I know that sometimes the way to do that is
09:26to take a chance on something unusual and niche.
09:28So I'm following up on a lead.
09:31I've had a call this morning from a lady called Jeanette, and she's selling her husband John's Clan Crusader.
09:38They're super rare and really interesting because they've got a little bit of motorsport heritage.
09:42They did well in rallying.
09:44So I thought it's worth a trip out to near where they were made, in the northeast of England, in
09:49the countryside,
09:50to go and see if there's any profit in buying one.
10:05I'm looking for a hut in the middle of nowhere on a farmer's bit of land and a lady called
10:10Jeanette.
10:10That's me.
10:11Is this the car under here?
10:12This is the car, yes.
10:14Shall we get it off?
10:15Yeah, please.
10:16Let's have a look.
10:20Oh, it is bright yellow, isn't it?
10:22Blimey.
10:23Oh.
10:25Fantastic.
10:25Do you know, I haven't seen one of these for many years.
10:27It's all right, isn't it?
10:28How long you had it?
10:29Oh, about five years.
10:31It's just very road-worthy, very drivable, lovely little car.
10:35But unfortunately, about a year after we got her, my husband had a small accident.
10:39It wasn't a large accident, but it meant that he couldn't get in and out of the car.
10:43And that's the problem with these.
10:44Let's have a quick look inside.
10:46Absolutely.
10:48Yeah, they've got that huge, wide seal that you have to climb over to get in.
10:52Very difficult to get in and out of, and worse the older you get.
10:57Although the car's been unused for four years, the owner has always kept it MOT'd so it's road-ready.
11:03Any chance I can fire her up and take her for a quick spin round the block?
11:06Absolutely.
11:06If I could squeeze in.
11:08Good luck!
11:11Ginette wants £4,000 for this oddball car.
11:15But before I can even think about an offer, I need to know that the running gear and engine are
11:19sound.
11:20Oh, that engine sounds really strong and peppy.
11:25The engineering under this car is based on a Hillman Imp.
11:31It's quite clever actually, because the engine's back there, I'm sat up front, and the balance is very neutral.
11:36That's why these make such smart little motorsport cars.
11:40But, it's fair to say, it's rather cosy inside.
11:44It really is a completely unique experience.
11:48They built it between 71 and 74, up here, about five miles from where we are, in a place called
11:55Washington.
11:56And they made around 315 of these before the Clam factory shut its doors.
12:02And that means that this car instantly became rare, so therefore it sort of instantly becomes a classic.
12:08And it's got a very specific, tiny market.
12:12But that market is quite strong, it's got a little fan club.
12:16And when these pop up for sale, especially up here in the north where they were made, they usually attract
12:21a bit of attention.
12:25So, it drives well, and I know there's a market for it.
12:28But, what's it worth?
12:29Well, I'm going to rain on Ginette's parade, going hard.
12:37That was exciting.
12:39It's very cosy, I think is the word to say.
12:43It's a really good description.
12:45But the market is so specifically small for it.
12:50You know, I'd like to make you an offer.
12:51And I think about 3,200.
12:56That wasn't what I was expecting.
12:58That is just, no.
13:00Really?
13:01If she had little ears, I'd cover them.
13:03No way, seriously.
13:04I feel insulted for it.
13:05Do you think that's insulting?
13:07What would you say then?
13:08Um, I want 4,000.
13:114,000?
13:12Yeah, she's worth 4,000.
13:144,000?
13:15You know, I can hold out for the price.
13:16I'm not bothered.
13:17Um, you're going to have to, you're going to have to improve your offer.
13:23You're going to have to come down a bit.
13:27Um...
13:28Why don't we just meet in the middle.
13:313,600 pounds.
13:37Oh, go on.
13:41Thank you very much.
13:43Oh, God, you're tough.
13:44That was really tough.
13:47Jeanette drove a very hard bargain.
13:50Now it's my job to find somebody who's willing to give more than the 3,600 pound.
13:55I just paid for it.
13:59I'm a big fan of buying cars in one area and moving its marketplace to a completely different
14:05area.
14:06That's where I've made some good money in the past.
14:08But with this car, I reckon its best marketplace is right here.
14:13Locally.
14:14So I've put out a few calls and I've had a local car dealer who said the car sounds
14:19interested enough.
14:20Why don't I pop by and show him it?
14:22So that's what I'm doing.
14:26The dealer's called Phil and he's just 12 miles away.
14:29For a small commission, he says he might be able to help me sell this car.
14:36Wow, look at this place.
14:37You must be Phil.
14:38I am.
14:39Phil, Mike.
14:40Very nice to meet you.
14:41Pleased to meet you.
14:42This is incredible and a real eclectic mix of cars.
14:45So what do you know about this clan crusader?
14:47Yeah, I remember them a little bit.
14:48Obviously got a little bit of local folklore about them.
14:51I haven't seen one for years.
14:53Do you want to see one now?
14:54Absolutely.
14:54Yeah, cool.
14:56There you go.
14:57Your local hero.
14:58Looks fantastic.
14:59It does, doesn't it?
15:01Inside, you've got that full black vinyl interior.
15:05It's very nice, isn't it?
15:06And then round the back it's interesting.
15:08And that's due in part because of the running gear.
15:11Yeah.
15:12This is all imp.
15:13The engine's slotted over, but it runs and drives.
15:16Absolutely lovely.
15:18Interesting setup, definitely Mike.
15:19So, would you be interested?
15:21I've done a little bit of homework and been a bit cheeky and made a telephone call.
15:25Yeah.
15:25I think we can find a home for this car at £5,250.
15:29Could you?
15:29Yeah.
15:30And what would you need out of that?
15:31We need about £250.
15:33So you could return me around £5,000?
15:35Yeah, we could do that.
15:36That would be fantastic.
15:37Obviously, you've got to run it through your prep shop because you want to get it to the level of
15:41your cars in there.
15:41Yeah, that's what we need to do.
15:42Yeah.
15:42But yeah, if you could return me £5,000, brilliant.
15:45Phil's going to show the Crusader for me in his amazing garage space.
15:48He's well connected in the local classic car scene, so I'm really hoping he can pull this one off for
15:53me.
15:54And today's just getting better.
15:57Elvis is on the phone with an update from the workshop.
16:00Hello, mate.
16:01What's up?
16:01Yeah, I think I might have some news on the Focus.
16:04Go on.
16:06I've had an offer.
16:07Have we?
16:08£1,400.
16:09What do you reckon?
16:10I think we should do the deal.
16:12Yeah, seal it.
16:12Seal that deal.
16:14It's done.
16:14Well done, Elvis.
16:15Top man.
16:18What a week.
16:20Elvis has sold the Focus.
16:21Then after, would you believe it, a bit of a bidding war on the clan, Phil has just bagged me
16:26a whopping £5,500 return.
16:31So I'm back at the workshop and this morning I spotted something rather interesting.
16:36It's a little motorbike in the garage next door.
16:38It's like one of those monkey bikes from the 1960s.
16:40You know, the ones with the tiny wheels.
16:42They're a bit of a cold tie to them.
16:44You know what?
16:44There could be some money to be made if I can buy one at the right price from my neighbour
16:48Dickie.
16:49This is the one.
16:50This little monkey bike down here.
16:51Oh, yeah.
16:52I like these.
16:53Hey, Dickie.
16:53How you doing?
16:54Hi.
16:55I just thought I'd show Elvis your little bike collection.
16:57You've got quite a few bits, haven't you?
16:59Yeah, we have a bit.
17:00How you doing, Dickie?
17:01Mark, you all right?
17:02How you doing?
17:02I really like this little monkey bike.
17:03Yeah, nice little bike.
17:04I was going to restore it.
17:05Might still do that, yeah.
17:07Is it original?
17:08No, I don't think so.
17:09I don't think that engine's original.
17:10That's had an upgrade.
17:11Is it?
17:12A bit bigger.
17:12Yeah, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
17:13No, it's not a bad thing.
17:14No, it looks good, does it?
17:17Honda launched a monkey bike in the 1960s as an amusement park ride.
17:22And when they developed a road legal version, their popularity exploded.
17:27John Lennon's monkey bike sold for over £57,000 at an auction in 2018.
17:33I'm hoping this one is a lot cheaper.
17:35How much is this worth?
17:37I don't know.
17:38A grand.
17:39I'll take a grand for it.
17:39You want a Rio for this?
17:41I do.
17:43Come on, Dick.
17:45A grand!
17:46Will you take 700 quid for it?
17:48No.
17:49Make it nine.
17:50900 quid, it's yours.
17:51£900.
17:53Goodness me.
17:54Do you have me on that?
17:55Well done.
17:55Yeah, lovely.
17:56So now we own a really cool retro bike.
17:59It needs a little bit of work rather than a straight up restoration.
18:01I now reckon we could do something more unusual to reflect its personality.
18:06Change the colour, add some unique touches.
18:09It's all right, isn't it?
18:10I mean, I do like it.
18:12I do.
18:13I think there's quite a bit we can do to it.
18:14There are chips and scratches all over this.
18:17So I think we could go for a respray on it.
18:19I agree.
18:20I mean, I'd...
18:21Do you know what?
18:21I'd go a complete world away from where it is now and bring it more modern.
18:25Make it really stand out.
18:26Something like a deep red.
18:28Because you have to think of the person who would buy this.
18:30Somebody who's got a disposable income that just wants to have something they can have
18:34a bit of fun with.
18:35Well, whoever buys it is going to want to show it off to their mates.
18:37Of course they are.
18:38It's something that no one else is going to have.
18:39So let's make it unique.
18:40I mean, even the seat.
18:41You know, let's get rid of that fairly boring, dull standard seat and let's cover it
18:45in something.
18:46This is exciting.
18:47I don't often get total free reign to create something one off and unique.
18:51Don't worry though.
18:52I'm not going to cover it in animal print or anything like that.
18:54I am though going to come up with a unique idea.
18:58But I've got plenty to do while I ever think about it.
19:01So if we're going to repaint this whole thing, the whole lot needs to be stripped so we can
19:05get access to it.
19:06So that means the saddle's got to come off, the mud guards, handlebars, the whole lot.
19:17Instead of having a kind of steel tubular frame that most motorbikes have with a fairing
19:21then over the top, this is a pressed steel frame.
19:24So this blue part is actually the frame itself.
19:26That's what we're going to be stripping back and repainting.
19:28So it is a little bit unusual, I guess.
19:31These bikes got their nickname from the unusual riding position.
19:34Bent over with arms outstretched in front.
19:40I think that's about it.
19:43Well the monkey bike is small.
19:45That means everything's hard to get to.
19:47But I've managed to strip it right down.
19:49And now the next thing is getting it painted.
19:53You need a well ventilated room for resprays and it's best to wear a high quality mask and
19:58all in one suit.
20:00I've hung the bike so I've got good access to those hard to reach places.
20:04Three coats of red colour and one of clear lacquer create the perfect finish.
20:14While the bike frame dries I'm getting to grips with that black vinyl saddle.
20:19So I've been having a bit of a think about how we can make our monkey bike stand out from
20:23the crowd.
20:24So I've had this idea but I want to recover it into something a bit different.
20:28And I've been to a charity shop and found one of those rugged old wax jackets.
20:32And I thought about cutting that up and using it to recover the saddle.
20:36So I'm on the way now to see an upholsterer called Dave to see if he thinks he might be
20:40able to make it a reality.
20:53Dave.
20:54Hi.
20:55Hi mate it's Elvis.
20:56Hi.
20:56How are you doing?
20:56I spoke on the phone.
20:57Yeah I'm alright.
20:58This is the monkey bike saddle.
21:02I found this wax jacket in a charity shop and I would like to chop that up and use it
21:07to cover this.
21:09Is it possible?
21:10Yes.
21:11Yeah.
21:11I'd quite like to incorporate some of the features of it.
21:13A pocket.
21:14You know something that makes it obviously a jacket and a bit different.
21:17So my first thought was I like this double corded section.
21:21Yeah.
21:22We can add some more detail down the sides.
21:25So you take other bits like pocket flaps and add them on top.
21:28Exactly yeah.
21:28I love coming to meet people like Dave because I know I'm getting something absolutely unique.
21:33There's not going to be another monkey bike in the world with a funky saddle like this one.
21:38When do you reckon it might be ready?
21:40I think it will be ready in the next day or so.
21:43Yeah.
21:43Tomorrow?
21:45Go on then.
21:45Yeah.
21:46Why not?
21:47Thanks mate.
21:48I can't wait to see it.
21:52Next, our one-off fight begins to come together.
21:55I love it.
21:57It looks brilliant.
22:00As I try to get a really great price on the next deal.
22:03I was thinking more like 7,500.
22:17I've been on a journey to trade up to a fast Ford for office manager Chris.
22:21My dream car's a Mark II Escort.
22:23I love the performance.
22:24I love the styling.
22:25I just love everything about them.
22:26To make the Mark II a reality, I'm hoping Elvis can build some real profit into our monkey
22:32bike.
22:34And the custom saddle he commissioned has just arrived back from the upholsterers.
22:41I love it.
22:43That is amazing.
22:45It's brilliant.
22:46It's just got loads of little features.
22:48He's put little poppers off the jacket all over it.
22:51That's exactly what I was hoping for.
22:54So I better get it on it.
22:57A new saddle cover would cost around £100.
23:00We spent the same money but ended up with something totally bespoke.
23:07It looks brilliant.
23:09I love it.
23:11Well Mike gave me almost total free reign to do whatever I wanted with a monkey bike.
23:15To express myself.
23:16And that's exactly what I've done.
23:18It's a little bit different.
23:19A little bit unusual.
23:21No way.
23:22That's not the same little monkey bike is it?
23:24I know.
23:24Isn't it amazing?
23:25What a transformation.
23:26Do you like it?
23:27What?
23:28No, that's not.
23:29I promise you it's the same one.
23:31Look at that saddle.
23:32That saddle's fantastic.
23:33You like that?
23:33I love it.
23:35I chopped up an old wax jacket and made the seat cover out of it.
23:37I love it.
23:37You even left the pocket on it.
23:39What a nice little touch.
23:39I need a new coat but it looks great, doesn't it?
23:43It's lovely.
23:44I mean, it's absolutely gorgeous.
23:45Well look, I'm going to a motor show.
23:47I'm going to pack that up and take it with me.
23:48I reckon I'll get it sold.
23:49Yeah, I reckon you will too.
23:56Classic car shows are hugely popular now.
23:58Attracting traders selling anything from motor memorabilia to vintage clothes.
24:03It's the perfect shop window for a retro bike.
24:06I'm going to put it up for two grand.
24:09How you doing chaps?
24:10You alright?
24:11What's the story of this?
24:12This is my nice little Honda.
24:13It's like a retro Honda monkey bike.
24:17It's fully restored, yeah.
24:18Everything's running, driving beautifully.
24:20If you're interested, yeah, let me know.
24:22I might do, yeah.
24:23Thanks, bub.
24:24Cheers.
24:25So the little monkey bike has generated quite a bit of interest.
24:28I've had loads of people looking at it.
24:30No, no, it's good.
24:31Sounds lovely.
24:32It's gone up in value a lot recently.
24:34But nobody's willing to do a deal just yet.
24:37It's really nice, isn't it?
24:38It's lovely.
24:43I met this chap earlier and he's back for a second look.
24:46Sure sign he's interested.
24:48Have you ever been thinking about this one?
24:50Have you?
24:50Yeah.
24:51I mean, we've done a complete restoration on it.
24:53It's really nice.
24:54We've even done some modifications to the saddle.
24:57This used to be a wax coat.
24:58Oh, right.
24:59We've repurposed and we've turned it into the saddle.
25:01So it's even got a pocket on it.
25:02Quite unique, isn't it?
25:03Yeah, it's lovely.
25:04Nice little touch.
25:05And there's been quite a bit of interest.
25:09I could offer you 1,800.
25:11You do 19?
25:13No, I'm afraid 18's my top limit.
25:16Take it or leave it, Mike.
25:19So 1,800 pounds.
25:20Think you'll take it today?
25:21I will.
25:22Yes, 1,800 quid.
25:23Bike's yours.
25:24Just got yourself a nice little bike.
25:25Lovely.
25:26Thank you very much.
25:26Well done.
25:27Brilliant.
25:28Well, the little Honda motorbike is now sold.
25:30And to be honest with you, sad to see it go.
25:32Sort of grew fond of that.
25:33But the money is in the bank and now we can move on.
25:36That's a big profit on our little bike and it takes us close to mark two money.
25:42But I reckon I need one more trade to get us over the line.
25:46And I've had wind of a Mercedes SL.
25:50A nice modern classic.
25:51And this one happens to be Japanese import.
25:54And that to me means good news.
25:55They're notoriously well kept, low mileage and rust free.
25:59Now it's coming to stock at a dealer.
26:02He says it doesn't fit his stock profile.
26:04And he said that he's open to any offers on it.
26:08Downside is it's a white convertible with an aftermarket body kit.
26:12Both things which could limit its appeal.
26:14So the price will be crucial here.
26:16If it's very cheap, I could be tempted to take a chance on a quick flip.
26:22You are kidding me.
26:24Nice to meet you.
26:26And yourself.
26:26Oh James, look at this place.
26:29Yeah, do you like it?
26:30I love it.
26:30I love it.
26:31I could spend a lifetime in here.
26:33I haven't come to see these nice shiny ones though.
26:35Come down to see this one.
26:37What can you tell me about it?
26:38I mean we brought this in.
26:39We put two new replacement tyres on it.
26:42We sailed straight through the MOT.
26:43No advisories.
26:44It's a bit of an oddball though.
26:45It's badge wrong, isn't it?
26:46It's not an original SL60.
26:49It's got the look, but a more reasonable budget.
26:52It's not bad.
26:53It's not bad.
26:54Oh, I say it's not bad.
26:55It's all gone a bit sour down at the front.
26:59This is not right, is it?
27:00This indicator lens, that's aftermarket, isn't it?
27:03And you can see being aftermarket, it doesn't even fit correctly.
27:06And look at that.
27:07A gold grill, I don't remember that, in the Mercedes-Benz options catalogue.
27:11Well, I noticed you liked a bit of gold, Mike, so that's all you're going to get.
27:15It's nasty, isn't it?
27:16Is there any chance I can take it out for a quick test drive?
27:19Yeah, no problem.
27:23The problem with this car isn't in here.
27:26It's when you're standing outside staring at it.
27:29It's rather blingy.
27:30It's got the AMG body kit from the 1990s.
27:34Clear indicator lenses.
27:35They sort of don't work.
27:37And it's going to take me some work to persuade somebody that this should be the car that they should
27:42be driving home with.
27:43And they've got to pay me good money for it.
27:45This one could be a bit of a gamble.
27:48If I'm to take a punt on this SL's looks, I need to check everything is perfect mechanically.
27:53It's absolutely loaded with kit.
27:55It's got every conceivable extra.
27:57And I'm just making sure everything works.
28:00Because if any of this stuff goes wrong, it can be rather expensive.
28:04So far, though, it's all looking good.
28:08It's a sunny day, and the SL is fun to drive.
28:12But is there a quick profit in it for me?
28:14So, what do I want to do?
28:16I reckon, truthfully, it's worth about £7,500, £8,000 a push.
28:21So, it's going to be a little bit of bargaining when I get back to his garage.
28:32So then, Mike, how did you get on?
28:34Lovely.
28:34Yeah, it drives really well.
28:36Yeah, it's silky smooth, nice and powerful.
28:38How much is it again?
28:40So, it's up for £10,000, you know, and I've priced that, taking into account, obviously, as you've said, it
28:44does need a few bits and pieces doing to it.
28:46Well, it needs more than just a few bits. I was thinking more like £7,500.
28:54£7,500.
28:55£7,500.
28:55£7,500.
28:56That's 25% off, isn't it?
28:58I like that, 25% off.
28:59I like 10% off maximum.
29:02So, what's the best you can do for me?
29:04Well, take it away today.
29:08It's going to be £8,000.
29:11Got yourself a deal.
29:12Thank you very much.
29:13Well done.
29:16£8,000 is great for a quality SL, and there's potential for a quick one or two grand profit, but
29:20a white Merc with a body kit isn't for everyone.
29:23So, I need to sort out that front end, change the indicators, paint the front grille, and get it in
29:29the classifieds before the sun sets.
29:37I'm not sure about that, mate.
29:39Don't do that to me.
29:41It's a bit Miami Vice, isn't it? Come on, a bit tacky.
29:44I admit, it's very much a car of its period.
29:47I mean, where it goes a little bit wrong is here at the front.
29:50Oh, my God, what is that?
29:52Wait, don't you like the gold grille?
29:53Who put that bling on there? That's got to go.
29:55Just paint it black.
29:57Yeah.
29:57And what's going on here?
30:00The indicators held in with silicon sealant.
30:03Yes.
30:04So, it's got clear indicator lenses on it.
30:06They are not the right ones for the car because they just don't fit correctly in their aftermarket cheapest.
30:12And that's what's wrong with a car.
30:13If you think about it, if you put the right indicators on it and they fit correctly, it's sort of
30:18going to pull the body kit back together and it's with the black grille.
30:22It will sort of transform the car.
30:24Yeah, because it does look like a little bit of a jigsaw of all sorts of bits that have been
30:28thrown together.
30:29Yeah.
30:30All right. Well, let's get to work.
30:31Well, the Merc's not really my cup of tea, if I'm honest.
30:34But that doesn't really matter. It's not about that. It's about making a profit out of it and finding someone
30:38who does love it.
30:43So, I'm going to replace these indicator lenses because they're just not right. They're not standard. They look a little
30:48bit tacky and they don't fit.
30:50It's a spring clip on the back and out it pops.
30:59Mike's found some original 1990s orange lens indicators online for £60.
31:10Lovely.
31:16Loads better.
31:18To complete the facelift, I've got to get rid of this gold.
31:21I'm going black with this grill to complement the white bodywork.
31:26I want to take out the silver Mercedes badge.
31:38I'm just using an abrasive pad to lightly key up the surface because the next thing will be to cover
31:44it in primer.
31:45And this will just allow that to stick nicely.
31:53Right, that's that done.
31:58I'm just putting a primer on now which gives it a nice smooth base for the finished colour of black.
32:06It's best to spray in short, smooth strokes. If you load on too much paint at once, it'll start to
32:12run.
32:13The front of all cars are high wear areas that take a battering from stones.
32:16Three coats will give it extra protection.
32:32So much better than the gold.
32:36The grill's now black, a good background for the silver three-pointed star.
32:43If I held out for a few months, I could maybe get around £12,000 for the SL.
32:47But I need a quick profit because I'm on the hunt from Mark II Escort and I've got a potential
32:52option in my sights.
32:53So I'm going to try and flip the car under market value at £10,000 just to get a quick
32:58sale.
33:00Next, I find Chris's dream escort.
33:04Oh yeah, there she is.
33:06But a deal seems just out of reach.
33:08I can't let it go for that, Mike, to be honest with you.
33:21Buying a big white Mercedes was a real gamble.
33:24This does look like a little bit of a jigsaw of all sorts of bits that have been thrown together.
33:29But I pitched the price low and listed it for £10,000.
33:35I've had some really good news.
33:37I've just had a call from a guy called Coolraj Bal who's already got two Mercedes in his garage.
33:42And he loves the 90s SLs.
33:45I've just secured a sale for the full £10,000 asking price.
33:49He's collected the car and for me, well, I couldn't be any happier.
33:52With Chris's dream car fun now at £14,000, we're bang on the money.
33:58Now it's all about finding the best car for our budget.
34:05Chris is surrounded by uprated Fords at work every day.
34:09So I've been looking for a modified car that I think he'll love.
34:12I've had all the fast-forward dealers on the lookout and I've had a tip-off that sounds well worth
34:17a look.
34:20He says it's got a more modern engine upgrade, which is good.
34:24And he said it's got some period modifications.
34:26They'll give a nod to its rally heritage.
34:29And I kind of like that.
34:32I need to find out exactly what mods have been made and how well they've been done.
34:36Poor decisions can destroy a classic car's value.
34:47Brian? Yes.
34:48How are you? Come back to see your escort.
34:50Oh, very good. It's just over here in the garage.
34:52Lovely.
34:53Nice to see a car that's kept in the garage.
34:59Ah!
35:00Look at that.
35:011980 two-door Mark II Ford Escort in that beautiful blue.
35:06Is that the original colour?
35:07Midnight blue.
35:08I tried to keep the car as original as possible.
35:10The bodywork is immaculate, isn't it?
35:13Yes.
35:13It really is beautiful.
35:14You've done quite a few modifications to it, I've noticed.
35:17Yeah, it's had some subtle changes, Mike.
35:19You've got a roll cage in there, is it a full roll cage?
35:21Just a half cage in the back there, yeah.
35:24Half cage?
35:24Four-point safety harnesses, very nice.
35:26Yeah, through the bucket seats we've got a detachable steering wheel, five-speed gearbox.
35:31And I love these wheels.
35:32You've got these deep dish wheels.
35:34The wheels were from a Mark I Mondeo.
35:36I've had the centres cut out and repositioned to make them a bit deeper because there's some big brakes.
35:42So this car's got proper stopping power.
35:44Yeah, yeah.
35:45Which means it must have something fruity under the bonnet.
35:48Let's have a look.
35:55Wow, okay, yeah, that's pretty impressive.
35:57It's the engine from a Ford Focus ST170.
36:00This actual engine had only done 11,000 miles when I bought it.
36:04So I've only done maybe 3,000 miles since I built the car.
36:07So it's very, very minimal use.
36:09I absolutely love it.
36:10He's done a lot of work himself over the past decade, and Brian's built the car to his own personal
36:15taste.
36:16The mods cost big money, but how will they handle on the road?
36:21Any chance that I can take for a drive?
36:23Yeah, sure, not a problem.
36:29Brian's done some beautiful modifications to this car.
36:32I love the subtle styling on the outside.
36:34This car just feels lovely to be around.
36:37But it's not until you put your foot down, you realise that the secret...
36:42Oh!
36:43Listen to that!
36:44It's under the bonnet.
36:46This car's got the amazing ST170 engine, which is sublime!
37:01And when you get to a corner and you push it tight into a bend, the suspension grips you in
37:08all the right places.
37:10Look at that!
37:10Absolutely brilliant!
37:14So the big question is, is this the right car for Chris?
37:17Well, he's a young guy, he's a fast Ford fan, and I got a funny feeling he would really like
37:22the modifications that Brian's done to this car.
37:25Plus, there's a nice bit of karma with this motor, because we started off with a Focus ST170.
37:32And here we are, in the car of his dreams, a Mark II Ford Escort, and guess what?
37:38It's got the engine of an ST170.
37:40It's like a little 360.
37:43So I've made up my mind, I'm going to go back, and I'm going to make Brian an offer.
37:54How was that?
37:55Loved it.
37:56Absolutely loved it.
37:57Yeah, what a car.
37:58It drove absolutely fantastically.
38:00Yeah.
38:01It's fast as well.
38:02Yeah.
38:03I can see this has been a labour of love for you, and you've really done some amazing work on
38:08this.
38:08You wanted 15,000 for it.
38:10Yes.
38:11Would you take 13,500?
38:13I can't let it go for that, Mike, to be honest with you.
38:16I don't want to waste your time, so I'll just be straight.
38:19It's got to be 14 or it doesn't go.
38:21Yeah.
38:25You're an absolute gentleman.
38:27I'll have the car.
38:28Top man.
38:29Cheers.
38:29Four trades and over £6,000 in profit have helped me secure this awesome Mark II Escort for Chris.
38:37I think he'll love all the modifications, and with that ST170 engine adding a real power boost, this is one
38:44seriously fast-forward.
38:46Chris has been eyeing up cars like this his whole life, but he's never been able to own one.
38:51I can't wait to get back to the workshop and show Elvis.
38:54I can't wait to get back to this.
39:03Wow, mate.
39:05Now that is what you call a dream car.
39:10Goodness me, someone spent a lot of time and effort on this.
39:13I think you're going to like what's under the bonnet of this car.
39:21Look at that.
39:22That's what we started this project with.
39:24Chris had a 170 ST, and we've brought him a car that's got the same engine in it.
39:29It's fantastic.
39:29What a brilliant story.
39:30It's a great story, isn't it?
39:32I mean, this is so far up my street, it's unbelievable.
39:35Everything is polished, everything's had care and attention.
39:38It's not just been thrown in there.
39:39If I was going to do a car like this, I'd do it exactly like that.
39:42I love this kind of stuff.
39:44We've absolutely smashed this.
39:45Chris is going to love this car.
39:47Yeah.
39:47Love it.
39:53It's alive!
39:56Look at your face.
39:57Look at it.
39:58It's like you're 17 again.
40:00Oh, I wish.
40:01I'll tell you what, though.
40:02I'm really pleased I managed to prise the keys out of your hand and get behind the wheel.
40:06Because it just reminds me of those early race cars that I used to run around with as a kid.
40:10You know, it's raw, it's direct, it's really fast.
40:14We've arranged to meet Chris at the Ford Heritage Centre in Dagenham, their own museum.
40:19We've been given special permission to hire Chris's dream car amongst some real Ford motorsport legends.
40:30Chris!
40:31How are you?
40:31Yeah, good, thank you.
40:32Nice to see you.
40:33Nice to see you again.
40:33You found us then?
40:34Just about.
40:35Chris, I'm Elvis.
40:36Lovely to meet you finally.
40:37Nice to meet you Elvis.
40:37How are you doing?
40:38Yeah, good, thank you.
40:38Good, good.
40:39Good.
40:39So, do you know where you are?
40:40I'm an industrial estate by the looks of things, but...
40:42Yes, it is an industrial estate.
40:43Actually, this is the Ford plants.
40:46You're actually on their Dagenham site, and right behind here they keep some of their heritage collection.
40:51Okay.
40:51And I know you're a fast Ford fan, so are you excited?
40:54Oh yeah, absolutely.
40:55You are?
40:55Yeah, yeah.
40:56Good, we've also got something in there we'd like to show you.
40:58Right, okay.
41:03So take a deep breath.
41:05We're going to take it in.
41:09That really is Francois Delacour's...
41:12World Rally Car.
41:13World Rally Car, yes, right there.
41:14Yeah, so that's pretty special, isn't it?
41:16Check out over there, Johnny Herbert's old Stuart F1 car.
41:19That's right up my street, of course.
41:21No doubt you'll recognise that.
41:23Oh, Mark 1, Mexico.
41:24This one's rather special.
41:26That is very special.
41:27Look at that.
41:27Hannah Michela's original Mexico.
41:30That's the London to Mexico winning car.
41:32Exactly.
41:33The original.
41:33Don't touch it.
41:34You can actually touch...
41:35Don't touch it.
41:36Look, because we've got special permission, you can actually touch it.
41:40How nice is that?
41:41But there is just one car in here that is the most special of all.
41:45We do, isn't it?
41:46Okay.
41:47Hidden behind this race Ford Transit happens to be...
41:52This, Chris, is your dream car.
42:03The
42:03Honestly, it is one of the nicest examples I've ever seen, and it's so far up your street.
42:09Yeah, it's a bit like blue, two doors, so that's...
42:13Are they tears of joy, guys?
42:15Yeah, they are.
42:15They are tears of joy.
42:16Come give us a hug.
42:18You deserve it.
42:19Seriously, you're a hard-working man and you absolutely deserve it.
42:22You've got me going.
42:23They are tears of joy, don't you?
42:28Thank you so much for that.
42:30That's amazing.
42:31That's absolutely ridiculous.
42:33I can't believe it.
42:34I can't believe you've done that.
42:35Pop the bonnet, Mike, because you are going to love this, Chris.
42:37Come and have a look around the front here.
42:43Look at that.
42:44Look at that.
43:09Look how mint.
43:09Thank you so much.
43:09Get yourself inside.
43:10I'm just going to put another smile on your face when you find it out.
43:26Awesome.
43:27It's unbelievable.
43:27Thank you so much.
43:29Enjoy.
43:37It's just for that moment, isn't it?
43:38Oh, honestly.
43:39Tears.
43:40We've got tears.
43:41That was good.
43:41That was good.
43:42Here we go, Greg.
43:45Yeah, we're not.
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