QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Mike and Ant reflect on how their first full season together has gone
People were negative about the show before even seeing it – it felt as though we weren’t being given a fair crack.’
ANT ANSTEAD ON FAN REACTION TO HIS FIRST SERIES OF WHEELER DEALERS.
After successfully completing another eight cars, Wheeler Dealers’
Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead hand this episode over to the fans, answering questions from across the globe. We get in early with a few of our own question as Mike and Ant reflect on the first full season since the departure of Edd China.
Another eight cars done – which is your favourite out of this batch?
Mike Brewer The 1972 Lancia Fulvia was fantastic. The little Italian had a massive heart and really gave us it’s all.
Ant Anstead Same as Mike, the Lancia. What a car! So pretty and delicate-looking but an absolute rally beast! The driving experience was everything you would hope for. It was a joy to work on.
Which do you think has been the strongest car in terms of the market?
MB Well the Lancia certainly hit the market sweet spot, but then again so did the 1977 Porsche 924 and the 1972 Datsun 510. Both transformations were exceptional, and it was great to pay homage to the roots of the show with the Porsche and to see how the market had changed.
AA The market is moving so quickly. Look at the Cosworth from the first eight cars. Those fast Fords are reaching double what we made at auction now. But you cannot argue with the cash we made on the Lancia. A perfect purchase, sympathetic restoration without a big spend, and the proof was in the profit! Well played, Mike.
Which car in this batch surprised you the most?
MB The 1969 Opel GT 1900. I think we all underestimated this car. It felt like a much more accomplished expensive car than it actually is. It just proved that you should never let a dent or two (which can be easily fixed) put you off investing in a project. For me, it was great that we divided up the dents and it proved that I can handle bigger tools than Ant…
AA It has to be the Porsche for me. I was hard on the car when it first arrived, so sorry to all the Porsche fans because that little car was a joy to drive and had such an interesting back story in that it was almost a VW. It was an engineering dream too; loved the rear transaxle, torque tube layout!
If you could have kept one of the eight cars in this batch, which one and why
MB Probably the 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which may surprise some people. It was a beautiful restoration of the boxy SUV. As well as the amazing change in the way it drove, it looked spectacular.
AA The Lancia – I fell hard for that car!
Best on-screen moment of this eight?
MB Blasting the 2002 BMW Mini MC40 around the water ways of the Los Angeles River was a dream. It was an iconic location that had us feeling like we were in a Hollywood movie.
AA Mike is right. The Mini drive in the LA water ways was epic, a real pinch-myself moment. But I loved taking the Jeep into the snowy mountains, too.
What ended up on the cutting room floor that really shouldn’t have?
MB For my part, there have been some really good tips for potential buyers that I wish we could have included, but we just don’t have time to squeeze them all in.
AA If Mike and I had our way each episode would be three hours long. Each build is extensive, yet we are limited to a one-hour show. It’s a shame and I would love to see more detail and way more process on screen.
Your first full season together is now under your belt. What’s the reaction been like?
MB It has been amazing. Obviously, people were judging like-for-like before they had seen the show, which is unfair, but Ant and I are in our stride now and we love what we do together. What has been nice is a number of people who wrote the show off before they had seen it have now apologised and say it is one of their favourite seasons so far.
AA Let’s not hide from the fact that both Mike and I were heavily criticised for Edd’s decision to leave. For me, it was about keeping the show going and doing it with a Brit! What’s strange is that the majority of negativity came prior to the show airing. People simply made an assumption before actually watching the show. I felt like we were not being given a fair crack. But since the show has gone out feedback has been almost entirely positive.
What can we expect from season 15?
MB Next season you can expect more cars, more variety, more education, more deals and more fun. We love this job so why not have a laugh doing it? I’ve already got some cracking cars in the workshop and Ant is already getting his hands dirty.
AA Mike and I work tirelessly hard to keep the show where we believe it should be. Cars first. Loads of content to take home and putting it in the hands of the audience. You will see an ever-global mix of motors and more detail and work. At my request, Mike is sharing the handson burden, too, which is fantastic for the show!
Which car are you desperate to get in the WD workshop but still haven’t yet?
MB The list in endless. On my wishlist is a Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, Lotus Cortina, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Porsche 356… I never stop looking. And if the budget was unlimited, then I’d definitely be looking for a 1930s Blower Bentley. That would be a ridiculous Wheeler Dealers car.
AA There is not enough space on this page!