American Restoration Season 1, Episode 43: The Big Bang

Hopalong Rick

The shop restores a three-wheeled 1950s-era Marketeer golf cart purchased by Rick Harrison in the Pawn Stars episode "Hello Nurse", which Harrison wants restored as a gift to his father. Also restored is a 1950s Hopalong Cassidy bicycle.

Ice Cold

Rick’s team attempts to restore an antique Hershey’s dispenser from the 1940′s; the team tries to fix up a 1950′s Kelvinator Fridge.

60 min

Buttered Up

A local picker pays Rick Dale a visit with a truckload of rust laden loot; the guys are asked to restore an antique popcorn machine from 1948.

30 min

Lights Out

Rick must restore a local magicians street lamp after a Vegas windstorm; Rick's son Tyler gets a tough lesson in business after giving a price estimate on a 1930's Eco-Tire Meter.

60 min

Cooler Kings

A 1950s Coke cooler is converted into a "Hot Dog Cooler Grill." Also: an antique barber's pole.

60 min

Knockout

It's game on for Rick and his team when they restore an early 1900s strength-testing punching bag game. Can Rick knock-out this challenge with the old one-two punch, or will this rock 'em, sock 'em heavyweight project prove too big to go down? And later, the crew is under a tight deadline to fix up an antique railroad strongbox. Can they turn the key and keep the restoration on track, or will this old gold-guarding box remain rusted shut forever?

60 min

Duck and Cover

Rick and his team take a trip out to a local Las Vegas museum to restore a civil defense air raid siren from 1957. Can they withstand this nuclear restoration, or will they fail to duck and cover? And later, a client brings in a turn-of-the-century, nickel-plated cash register. Will the team ring up this cash counting machine to a pleasing profit, or will this classic calculator crash in financial failure?

30 min

Pumped Up

Rick and his brother Ron take a road trip to a dusty desert salvage-yard to rummage for some beat-up antiques to flip for cash. Will they find a hidden oasis brimming with profit potential or will they get lost wandering the wasteland? And later, Rick takes a restoration risk and auctions off a 1920s visible gas pump. Can he "filler-up" with bids for a big pay out, or will the bidders run out gas before he breaks even?

30 min

Space Kowboy

A NASA helmet from the Gemini missions of the 1960s; and a rusty gas cart.

30 min

Jackpot

A 1940s Pepsi cooler; and a Prohibition-era slot machine.

Safe Keeping

A 1950s candy machine; and an antique safe for which no combination has been provided.

60 min

Suck Up

An antique railroad vacuum; a client's childhood red wagon.

60 min

Rev'd Up

When a client brings in an extremely rare British motorcycle from the 1950s, Rick sets the speed for this matchless mission. Can he steer clear of any old time obstacles, or will this project crash and burn before the finish line? And later, the team has to put their two cents into the restoration of a 1940's Accurate Weight penny scale. Can they correctly calibrate this contraption, or will this hefty undertaking cause them to break the scales?

Apples and X-Rays

Rick and his team have a chance to restore an extremely rare department store x-ray machine from the 1940s used to fit shoes. Can Rick put his best foot forward to safely service this radiation discharging device from head to toe or will this item prove to be too hazardous to everyone's health? And later, a first grade teacher brings in a mechanical apple corer and peeler from the 1880s. Will the crew take a bite out of this project and make the grade or will one rotten apple spoil the bunch?

Hot & Cold

After Rick's son Tyler stumbles upon a 1950's coffee vending machine, the team has to brew up an instant formula for restoration. Will they turn this junky java dispenser into a vintage valuable, or will this project land them in hot water? And later, Rick is challenged to convert a 1930s Montgomery Ward refrigerator from icebox to wine-box. Can Rick keep his cool as he completes this retro refurbishment or will this arctic assignment cause a Merlot meltdown?

60 min

Secret Fan

It's a restoration race to the finish line for Rick and his team when a client cruises in with a 1960's go-kart. Can they masterfully mend this miniature motor vehicle, or will this project be a karting catastrophe? And later, Tyler conspires to fix up a 1950's fan as a gift to Rick for Father's Day. Can he briskly breeze through this covert quest, or will a minor blunder blow this stealthy son's surprise?

60 min

Grippin' Mad

Rick and his team flex their muscles when they strong-arm a powerful penny arcade strength tester from the 1940's. Can they get a grip and swiftly squeeze out a macho machine, or will this resistant restoration be too tough to tackle? And later, a client brings in a small gum and cigarette-vending slot machine from the 1930's. Will the team hit a junior jackpot on this gambling gadget or will this miniature machine burst their itty-bitty bubble?

30 min

Anchors Away

Rick and his crew get their feet wet when a 1952 powerboat ride splashes into the shop. Will this wave rider be an easy-breezy endeavor, or will it be man overboard in rough restoration waters? And later, Rick rolls up his sleeves to tackle a 1940s child's tricycle for a Las Vegas museum. Can he pedal merrily along on this tattered three-wheeler, or will this ankle-biter bike get a flat tire?

Special Delivery

Rick shifts into high gear when a 1967 Harley motors in for a surprise overhaul. Can he comfortably cruise on this road hog refurbishment, or will this retro joy ride skid out of control? And later, a 1940s U.S. mailbox arrives at the shop. Can the crew swiftly sort through a postal patch up, or will this bulky box be a correspondence catastrophe?

Rusted and Busted

Rick and his crew drive full speed ahead when a 1960s coin-operated motorcycle roars into the shop. Can they burn restoration rubber with this kiddie contraption, or will this rapid refurbishment suddenly hit the skids? And later, a client brings in a crumbling 1950s bumper car. Will Rick decide to buckle up and steer this challenging overhaul, or will this retro amusement park ride be more trouble than its worth?

30 min

The Pick, The Pawn, & The Polish

When a prominent Vegas Pawn Star hauls in a crumbling 1957 Chevy 150, Rick and his team accelerate at breakneck speed to overhaul this classic clunker. Can they restore this retro rust-bucket, or will this project stall-out before they reach the finish line? And later, a couple of American Pickers show up hoping to sell some of their varied vintage valuables. Will Rick pluck a premium prize from a collection of rusty relics, or will these sizable scraps be nothing but junk?

Batter Up

It's batter up when a 1940's baseball batting game flies into the shop. Can Rick hit this American pastime out of the park, or will a curve-ball send him back to the bench? And later, the crew is put to the test when they tackle a tarnished 1920s tire changer. Can they overpower this aged apparatus, or will this rusty restoration grind to a halt?

60 min

Suds and Duds

Rick and his crew change gears when a 1967 Honda Scrambler motorcycle swerves into the shop. Can they win the race on this dirt road restoration, or will they run out of gas before the finish line?

American Hero

A customer wants his grandfather's Vietnam War Cobra helicopter gunner helmet restored. The helmet had been custom painted, and the customer wants the decal of his grandfather's regiment added. Meanwhile, another customer wants a rare 1940s Vendorlator Coke machine restored. Because the machine does not have raised lettering, a vinyl decal is used instead. Tyler doesn't listen, and asks if he can do the lettering. To teach Tyler a lesson, Rick has Tyler take lettering lessons.

Close Shave

Rick gets his hair blown back when he finds a beat-up WWII era Koken barber chair among a picker's plunder. Can he cut a decent deal on this scruffy seat, or will this transaction trim a hole in his pocket? And later, a client brings in an extremely rare 1950s Coca-Cola cooler. Can the guys stay cool, calm, and collected on this refreshing restoration, or will this soda pop salvage go flat?

60 min

Missile Impossible

Rick and his crew must launch a rapid refurbishment when the Pawn Stars steer a 1950s Atomic Missile pedal car to the shop. Can they follow the tough trajectory of this hazardous heat-seeker, or will this mission miss its mark? And later, a client brings in a 1930s fare box, once used on public transportation. Can the crew keep this transformation on track, or will this ride-on restoration go off the rails?

60 min

Wheel & Deal

Rick takes the restoration reins after a turn-of-the-century, horse-drawn fuel delivery wagon from the early 1900s trots into the shop. Will it be safe travels on this galloping gas tank, or will this petrol project take a spill? And later, Kelly convinces the manliest crew in Las Vegas to restore a 1940s Kotex Dispenser for a charity auction. Can the guys man up and conquer this girly gadget?

60 min

Cold War Cruisin'

Rick and his crew try to obey the speed limit when a 1962 Czechoslovakia scooter zooms into the shop. Can they get this Cold War clunker on the fix-up fast track, or will it get deported? Later, a miniature 1930s oil tanker trucks into the shop. Will this tiny toy transformation be nothing but child's play, or will the guys hit a rough and rocky road to restoration?

60 min

Tractors & Trucks

When a client brings in his father's 1954 Bantam tractor, Rick must mend this latent lawn wrangling machine. Can he successful salvage this project piece by piece, or will this farming fix up ultimately fail? Later, the guys have a mechanical mystery on their hands when a client brings in an early 1900s air brake tester for trains. Can the crew puzzle out this choo-choo contraption, or will this railroad relic get derailed?

Surfing the Strip

Limited by a tight budget, Rick must light a fire under his team to overhaul a 1900s chemical cart. Can they calmly control this risky restoration, or will this unpredictable undertaking go up in flames? And later, it's surfs up for Rick's brother Ron and son Tyler when they find a 1940s motorized surfboard in a client's garage. Can they safely paddle through a stormy sale, or will this boogie board bargain hit the rocks?

Smoking Hot

Rick turns up the heat when an 1881 potbelly stove whips into the shop. Can he cook this project to perfection, or will this old oven come out burnt to a crisp? And later, the guys are unexpectedly challenged to restore a 1940s children's Irish Mail cart by hand. Can they successfully conquer this manual mission, or will this rug rat ride put them in the corner?

Milking It

When Rick's brother Ron and son Tyler encounter a 1950s milk vending machine for sale, they attempt to squeeze out a good deal. Can they churn something out of this dairy discovery or will one false moo-ve have them headed home empty-handed? And later, the guys restore two kiddie handcar trains from the 1950s. Can they make a perfect pair out of these rusted railroad rides, or will this amusing assignment run out of steam?

60 min

Keep on Trucking

Brettly takes the wheel when he decides to restore a beat-up 1965 Chevrolet truck. Can he keep on trucking with this tricky transformation or will this clunker wind up running on empty. And later, Rick's brother Ron and son Tyler get a sneak peek at a 1940s coin-operated peep show machine for sale. Will this naughty negotiation play nice or will the guys have to bare all to get their hands on this kinky contraption?

60 min

Bikes & Barbecues

When a 1940s Japanese Maruishi bicycle pedals into the shop, Rick and his crew strap on their helmets for an uphill ride. Can they swiftly cycle through this ten-speed transformation, or will they take a wrong turn on this rare racer? And later, the crew restores a compact Chiclet vending machine from the 1940s. Can the guys sweeten up this gummy gadget, or did they bite off more than they can chew?

30 min

Pain in the Gas

When a client petitions for a pair of 1920s visible gas pumps, Rick recruits Ron and Tyler to search far and wide on this petrol pursuit. Will they stumble upon a gasoline goldmine or will they end up empty-handed on their fuel field trip? And later, the shop goes all in on a 1930s horse gambling wheel. Can the guys play the ponies for a perfect patch up or will this game of chance spin out of control?

30 min

Ridin' Route 66

While cruisin' down historic Route 66, Rick and his brother Ron stumble across a 1950s Wurlizter jukebox in need of some fine-tuning. Can the guys help this musical machine soar to the top of the charts or will they end up bopping their heads along to a broken record? And later, Tyler is challenged to restore a 1940s chocolate bar vending machine for a local picker. Will this candy contraption satisfy this choosy customer's sweet tooth or will this delicious deal go sour? chine.

30 min

Double Trouble

Rick and his guys get an eye full when a 100-year-old mutoscope comes into the shop. Can they comfortably crank out a motion picture masterpiece, or will this restoration be a flippin' formula for a major flop? And later, it's double the fun when Rick's brother Ron and son Tyler spot a tarnished tandem bike at a client's house. Is two better than one when trying to make a deal on this retro racer or will the guys crash and burn on this ten-speed transaction?

30 min

Slick Pick

It's time for rusty rehab after Rick and his brother Ron pick up two 1950s service station showpieces. Can they successfully salvage these auto antiques or will one minor mistake turn this retro refurbishment into a first-rate fiasco? And later, a client carries in a turn-of-the-century Edison film projector. Can the guys capture movie magic on this complex contraption, or will this reel-to-reel restoration hit a snag?

30 min

Buck Wild

Rick and Ron take restoration by the horns when they agree to revive a vintage mechanical bull. Can they stay steadily astride this rough ride or will they be bucked off? And later, a client drops in with a 1940s Pepsi "Gullwing" cooler. Can they swiftly swallow this ice-cold challenge or will they need to put this soda service on ice?

30 min

The Big Move

When a client hefts in a 1900s penny scale from the Santa Cruz boardwalk, Rick and his crew tighten their belts. Can they successfully slim down this massive mechanism or will their weighty workload tip the scales? And later, a picker strolls in with a 1930s Taylor Tot walker. Can Ron and Brettly properly push this baby buggy bargain along or will this toddler transaction need a time out?

30 min

Bumper Balls

After Rick agrees to restore a vintage Italianbumpercar from a local antique shop,theshop braces for immediate impact. Can they effectivelyelectrify this dented delight or will this entertaining endeavor give them whiplash? And later, the shop pedals away on a 1970s kiddie tractor. Can they sow the seeds of success with this rusty ride, or will this plowing plaything buy the farm?

Cold Cuts

Rick and his crew sharpen their service skills whena clientships ina 1900s Berkelmeatslicer. Can they carefully carve out a mechanical masterpiece, or will they lose a few fingers on this slice and dice device? And later, a 1950s stamp vending machine arrives at the shop. Can they refurbish this snail mail mechanism or will this correspondence contraption be postmarked return to sender?

30 min

Top Dog

Rick prepares for battle when a 1940s dog tag maker comes into the shop. Can he successful stamp out this embossing endeavor or will this military mechanism have a major malfunction? And later, the shop reins in the restoration of a 1950s toy horse. Can they gallop through this tin toy transformation or will they need to put this pony plaything out to pasture?

30 min

Pump & Gun

Rick and his crew take a shot in the dark when a 1943 trap machine lands in the shop. Can they get off to a flying start on this target practice project or will they end up missing the mark? And later, Ron and Tyler find a rare rusty pump while on the road. Can they crank out a successful sale or will this fuel find fail?

60 min

Tall Order

Rick faces a larger than life restoration when a client lugs in a 1930s Pep Boys marquee to the shop. Can he tackle this towering task or will these famous figures turn into a colossal catastrophe? And later, the crew takes on Mother Nature with the overhaul of a 1948 Coca Cola machine destroyed by Hurricane Irene. Can they weather this soda storm or will this windy work blow them away?

60 min

Tyler's Promotion

Rick and his crew face a sticky situation when a cement gun from 1915 rolls into the shop. Can they safely seal up this concrete hurtling contraption or will the guys crack under the pressure? And later, the shop faces the music when a client brings in a 1920s Alba gramophone. Can the guys fine-tune this retro record player or will this rotating restoration spin out of control?