American Restoration Season 4, Episode 11: Car Before the Horse

Armed and Rusty

Rick realizes with business booming, he'll need to hire extra hands to keep the shop running smoothly. But when new guy Chris is tested on a Dale Drake scooter that arrived in pieces, he must put Kowboy's hazing aside and prove he can hack it. Then, a suit of armor arrives for a regal restoration. Can a trip to a Renaissance fair inspire the guys to take this hunk of metal from a pile of parts to a piece of history?

60 min

Pegasus on a Pedestal

Rick and his crew see a big challenge after a rare 1940s Mobil Pegasus sign rolls into the shop. And when the client asks for it to spin on top of a pole, the hunt is on to make this restoration fly. But the team gets more than they bargained for when they meet Leonard, a self-proclaimed picking-nerd, who hopes to score a job at the shop.

The Reject and The Eject

A 1970s Popcorn machine rolls in for an old-timey tune up. But when Rick hands the project off to Brettly, it looks like this snack cart might go stale. Then, the crew buckles up for a wild ride when an ejection seat from a 1950s F106 fighter jet lands at the shop.

60 min

Restoration Wipe-Out

When a 1970s Wet Bike, an early version of a jet-ski, cruises into the shop, the client raises the stakes by offering Rick and Ron a tidy sum if they can ride the restored rig. Can the brothers make it rain or will they wipe out? Also, returning customer Darius brings in an item unlike anything the shop has ever seen: A World War II era bomb.

60 min

Astro-nuts and Bolts

When a 1964 NASA Jet Pack signed by astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Gene Cernan blasts into the shop, Rick and his team prepare for an out-of-this-world restoration. Later, returning customer Darius brings in an item unlike anything the shop has ever seen: a World War II era bomb.

60 min

Ameri-cone Dream

When a 1950s Cushman Ice Cream Cart glides into Rick's, the shop digs in for a sweet retro ride. Can Rick transform this fun frozen treat machine or will he leave the client feeling ice cold? Then Leonard, the new picker, takes his first treasure hunting trip with Ron. Can the prot g impress the boss's brother or will the student leave feeling stumped?

60 min

Pitch Perfect

When a 1960s Electric Mini-Car arrives for a car show quality upgrade, the crew's got the challenge of making this sparky little roadster into a fast and safe ride for the open road. Will this pint-size put-put prove to be a full-size headache? Then, Rick feels the heat when he's asked to throw the first pitch in a LA Dodger's game. Ron tries coaching his big bro, but will Rick's pitch on the mound be a ball or a strike?

60 min

Search Part-y

When Rick is tasked to repurpose a retro Cigarette Dispenser into a Bike Tool Vending Machine, the wheels are set in motion for a pedal-to-the-metal project. Then, Tyler steps in for Rick to bid on rare 1950s Pedal Bulldozer project. Can they rise to the challenge and give this pile of parts a pick-me-up?

60 min

Shocks, Locks, and Clocks

Rick feels a jolt of panic when an early 1900s Electro-Shock Alarm Clock arrives in need of hard-to-find parts. Can Leonard the picker, expert in things weird and scientific, save the day on this creepy contraption? Later, the shop's got a problem when trying to convert a vintage 1940s Wayne Gas Pump into a polo player's equipment locker.

60 min

Bed, Bug & Beyond

When a client asks Rick to convert a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle into a child's bed inspired by Herbie the Love Bug, Ron takes Leonard out to search for the perfect punch buggy. Can the crew turn this iconic ride into a piece of fun furniture or will they just bug out? Then, Rick gets more than he bargained for when he lets his straggly-bearded buddy, Caveman, crash in the boneyard.

60 min

Riders of the Storm

When an New Jersey amusement park owner brings a Hurricane Sandy damaged 1920s Haunted House Car to the shop, the pressure is on to restore a piece of history for a recovering community. With the help of Ted and new painter Niko, Rick hopes to help this wreck-on-wheels once again take some spooky spins.

60 min

Beer Bell-y

When a beat-up 1940s Boxing Bell arrives in Rick's shop, the crew prepares for a rusty rope-a-dope. Can the guys go the distance and fight their way to a knockout restoration? Then, a client brings in a vintage slot machine to be converted into a beer-pouring "Sloterator." Can Rick turn this classic gambling machine into a happy-hour-ready drink dispenser?

60 min

George Clinton: Funky Yeah!

When music legend George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic arrives with a funked up 1920s Chickering Baby Grand Piano, the team preps for a pitch-perfect project. Can Rick hit the right notes on this classic instrument, or will the project fall flat? Then, when word gets out that P-Funk will put on a concert for the big reveal, Brettly and Tyler try to take charge of the planning. Can they pull off a spectacular show, or will it be a funky flop?

60 min

Off the Rails

It's full steam ahead when returning customer Mark Bassett brings in a late 1800s Velocipede, sometimes called a railroad hand-car. Can Rick turn this wreck on wheels into a museum-quality marvel or will the project go off the rails? Then, the shop powers up when a 1940s Battery Charger bolts in. Will Rick have the power to give this project a jolt or will the restoration run out of juice?

60 min

Back to Four Square

When a rare British 1950s Ariel Square-Four motorcycle speeds into the shop, the crew goes full throttle to restore this vintage ride. Can Rick take this broken-down bike and make it road-trip worthy? Then, when Ron and Leonard need lessons on how to use the shop's fork-lifts, Tyler makes them practice using giant excavators. But when the master, macho-man Ron, challenges his 98-pound protegé, Leonard, to a big-rig contest, no one's sure who will be student and who will be teacher.

60 min

Big Macs and Cool Tracks

When a "Big Mac Jail" from a 1970s McDonalds PlayPlace arrives in the shop, Rick prepares for a fast food facelift. Can this playground piece go from faulty to fresh? Then, a 1950s Calliphone Portable Record Player makes some noise for the crew. Could it be music to Rick's ears or will it be a restoration record scratch?

60 min

Bond Ambition

When an authentic James Bond Lotus Esprit Submarine Car featured in the film The Spy Who Loved Me rolls into the shop, Rick is faced with one of the most difficult projects of his career. Will this be the one that puts him in over his head? Then, Ron and Tyler look to strike up a deal at an eccentric antique shop and Ron tests his big brother's patience with a foolish flub.

60 min

Un-Kniev-able

When a BMX stunt rider brings in his 1976 Evel Knievel Junior Roadmaster bicycle, Rick bargains to get a jaw-dropping daredevil performance from the client for a discount on the project. Rick'll have to perform a few tricks of his own if wants to turn this broken-down bike into a show-worthy set of wheels. Then, the crew digs in when a vintage arcade Mighty Mack Crane Game swings into the shop. Can Rick keep his eye on the prize or will the ball get dropped?

60 min

David Copperfield: Rich Works His Magic

When living legend illusionist David Copperfield calls on the shop to restore two items from his magic museum's collection, it's time to see what tricks Rick has up his sleeve. Can he pull a rabbit out of a hat or will all the hocus-pocus be too much to handle?

60 min

Sparks Will Fly

Rick wheels and deals when a rare 1963 Simplex Sportsman Shriner's Bike cruises into to the shop. Can the shop turn this ramshackle ride into a striking set of wheels? Then, Ron bargains with a local bar to restore their 1913 Mercantile Scale. But when he cuts the price in exchange for a party, will Rick be miffed about the money or pumped to party?

60 min

Knockdown Restoration

When a client looks to restore a vintage arcade Punch-Out Game given to the shop by Rick Harrison, Rick Dale and his guys put up their dukes for a knockout restoration. Then Rick and Tyler make a bet on who'll pack a bigger punch when the job is done. But they might not find out if Rick has to throw in the towel on this heavyweight project.

60 min

Boys Meet Whirl

Rick tries to "step right up" when a 1940s Tilt-A-Whirl carnival car spins into the shop. Can he take this piece from beat-up and broken down to fairground fantastic? Then, returning customer Big Mike brings in a 1960s Schwinn bicycle as a 60th birthday surprise for his business partner. Can Ron and Leonard successfully search for its hard-to-find seat to make this present pop?

NASCAR History 300: Dales of Thunder

Champion driver Kyle Bush and Charlotte Motor Speedway's Marcus Smith call on Rick to create a trophy inspired by NASCAR's past for the History 300 race. But with the event only weeks away, Rick must speed into action to deliver. When Ron hears about the race he reveals a crush on NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and makes it his mission tag along with Rick to the History 300 and win her heart.

60 min

Tune-in & Tune-up

When a one-of-a-kind quarter-scale model of a 1932 Hudson car arrives in the shop, Rick and the guys put the wheels in motion for a museum-quality makeover. Can they turn this small car into a big deal or will the restoration run out of gas? Then, a 1950s pillow speaker--a radio used by hospitals to play music for bed-ridden patients--arrives looking for a dreamy restoration. Can Rick bring the music back to this sleepy speaker or will the project hit a clunker?

60 min

Slap-Shots and Stogies

When a broken-down 1950s Table Hockey Game slides into the shop, Rick takes a shot at taking this toy from the sidelines back into play. Then, the shop goes all in on an antique 1910s Slot Machine which once paid out cigars instead of cash. Can the guys take this gambling gadget and make it a showpiece, or will the restoration go up in smoke?

60 min