ANNOUNCER COOKIE EMMA FEMALE_IN_TATTOO_PARLOUR FUZZ_TOWNSHEND ISAAC LEE NARRATOR PAUL TIM_SHAW



NARRATOR
This time on car S.O.S. The boys bashed dunes in a Californian classic.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
NARRATOR
But face a battle to bring this battered beach toy back from the dead.
TIM SHAW
One that would suit a farmer's field or a scrapyard.
NARRATOR
So, can they turn it from a soggy day at the seaside.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
I don't think there's going to be anything usable on it.
NARRATOR
To a way to have some serious fun in the sun.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
You've done very well.
NARRATOR
And make its owners dream a reality.
PAUL
Really?
TIM SHAW
Hello.
PAUL
Hello, fellow.
TIM SHAW
How you doing?


PAUL
Yeah, you've got me.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Here we are in lovely North Yorkshire Timmy boy.
TIM SHAW
Driffield to be precise, my son.
TIM SHAW
Fuzz, go back to when I'm eight years old.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay, a very long time ago.
TIM SHAW
Very long time ago. I couldn't drive.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That's still the same.
TIM SHAW
That's, what? Anyway, listen, I was obsessed with cars. So what did I get? What am I into?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
A little radio control car. 
TIM SHAW
Radio control cars. And, I happened to have the small version of what we're picking up today. A VW dune buggy. Yes.
NARRATOR
Yes. Nothing quite says 1960s Californian surf culture better than these grown up beach toys. Artist, surfer and boat builder Bruce Meyers wanted an off roader to explore the beaches north of Los Angeles. But, it wasn't all plain sailing because loose sand and salty sea air play havoc with standard vehicles. So, he turned to another 60s icon, the VW beetle. It was easy to modify and its rear engine provided greater grip on loose sand. Meyers ditched the metal body and made a replacement from fibreglass, as it wouldn't corrode, and was cheap and easy to shape into a buggies classic curves. The concept made it to the UK in the late 60s. While it was never mass produced, Meyer's design was copied by dozens of companies and became a cult classic in the 70s. Over the last ten years, they've enjoyed a revival, with waiting lists topping six months. So, with Meyer's original buggy having just celebrated it s 60th birthday, there's no better time for the boys to restore one of these iconic vehicles.
TIM SHAW
Right it's owned by a guy called Paul.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
Now here's the mission. The problem with the car is it's on his drive. His daughter Emma, who's basically nominated him for the car S.O.S treatment, she works as a teacher.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay?
TIM SHAW
She's contacted her dad, Paul, and said, dad, the kids at school would love to have a car to draw as a project in art.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay.
TIM SHAW
So, that's going to the school, or so he thinks. But, the people picking it up aren't the school's people they are actually our people.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay. Got you.
NARRATOR
So, Fuzz gets to watch on as his mate and VW expert Lee picks up the car under the pretence of it going to the school. But first, the boys are meeting Emma.
EMMA
Hi. 
TIM SHAW
Hi Emma, How are you doing?
EMMA
I'm good, thank you. How are you?
TIM SHAW
Where is your dad?
EMMA
He's at home with the car.
TIM SHAW
Keep your head down.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay, will do.
TIM SHAW
Good luck with that one. We'll go and have a chat about your dad.
EMMA
Okay?
TIM SHAW
Then we'll get back together and take the car away and get on with it.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
See you in a bit.
EMMA
Good luck.
EMMA
Right. Shall we go this way?
TIM SHAW
I'm trying to build up an image. An idea of what your dad, not having met him, what he's like. Because people who drive dune buggies in my mind fascinate me.
EMMA
He loves life. He likes, you know, he enjoys being out and about. 
TIM SHAW
So, when he got it, how long ago was that?
EMMA
I think it was about 14 years ago.
TIM SHAW
Right, so when he got it, was he driving it?
EMMA
Yes.
TIM SHAW
And that's the memory you've got?
EMMA
Yes. Dad, just driving around and, you know, just enjoying the sunshine. It was a dream to have this car, you know, to enjoy life. It was something that he was passionate about and he really wanted to get stuck into.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
So, we are very close now, but I've got just enough time to get into stealth mode. Oh yeah, I'm going to be covert, inconspicuous. And, the one thing is, I mustn't get caught.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right. We're parked up now. We're very, very close.
NARRATOR
With Fuzz tucked out of sight. Lee, who will be helping with the rebuild, is chatting to Paul about his pride and joy. Let's just hope he doesn't smell a rat.
LEE
It's just the right weather for a beach buggy, though, mate. It isn't it?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Well, there it is. It doesn't look that good. I'm hoping that I just keep down out of the way. Is my bubble showing? Hope not.
TIM SHAW
What's happened in your dad's life to mean that, his pride and joy, am i right in calling it that? He loves this thing doesn't he?
EMMA
Yeah, he does.
TIM SHAW
How bad?
EMMA
A lot. I think it's been a build up of everything. So he used to be in the RAF. It meant a great deal to him and I think he would still be there now. It's just because my mum grew up in the RAF and she didn't want that for me and my sister. So, my dad left the RAF when I was about three or four.
TIM SHAW
That must have been a real tough spot though, because when he's found a career that he loves and I can see by your face he loved it.
EMMA
Yeah, yeah.
TIM SHAW
So what did he go on to do?
EMMA
He went into HGV driving. He loved the job. He loved driving. But, he had a really severe road accident in the truck and that ended his driving career.
TIM SHAW
What happened?
EMMA
There was a driver who drove into my dad's truck. So had he been loaded, the truck would have gone completely over and he probably wouldn't have been here now. In the accident he fractured his neck. He had PTSD. He was out of work for two and a half years with his injuries.
TIM SHAW
Where does the beach buggy come into it?
EMMA
So, he's gone through all this, you know, this trouble in his life. And he wanted to just have a car to rebuild with my brother. Have that bit of bonding time that he's missed out on while he's been driving. And then unfortunately, my mum received a diagnosis that she had dementia. So, my whole, my dad's world has kind of come crashing down. And, the time that he could spend on the car is gone. Yeah, I don't think he realises how caring and loving he is. It's just his nature. He will do anything for anybody. Never asks for anything in return.
TIM SHAW
Utterly selfless.
EMMA
Yeah, absolutely.
TIM SHAW
The car?
EMMA
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
The design, the dad. How is this thing going to be?
EMMA
I'm thinking maybe RAF would be incredible if we could have something.
TIM SHAW
So, a nod to the RAF?
EMMA
Yes. As he's getting a little bit older. His body's kind of giving up on him a little bit, and it's just making him really uncomfortable. He struggles to get in and out of things. So, if we could lower the sides perhaps so he's not having to step into it, that'd be incredible.
TIM SHAW
So, come up with a mechanism to help him get in, some sort of system.
EMMA
Yeah.
NARRATOR
Across town Fuzz is hoping Paul, who's a big fan of the show, doesn't spot him and blow the surprise.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
What we need now is for the doors to be shut, the buggy to be tethered down, and Lee to get out of here fast. Then the action can really start.
NARRATOR
Paul is still none the wiser.
LEE
Is that our work out for the day Paul?
NARRATOR
The buggy's secure, and everything's going swimmingly, Until.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
He's looking at us, look, he's looking at us. He's looking up. He's looking directly at us. Do not come walking this way.
PAUL'S WIFE
Take care.
LEE
See you guys.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Tim. Come on.
TIM SHAW
That's a guilty face. I've seen that face before. Go on then, what happened?
NARRATOR
Hopefully Fuzz got away with it as the boys need to get busy with that buggy. Which has made its way to Lee's yard. A Mecca for all things VW.
TIM SHAW
I bet you were seeing. Honestly.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
No, I was not seen. Look, will you just leave it, please?
NARRATOR
Yes, Tim. Let's move on. Especially as Fuzz finally has a chance to inspect the buggy.
TIM SHAW
There it is. Look at that.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Hey, there we go. Look at that. 
TIM SHAW
Wow.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
It does look great. And, it looks to me like it's quite an early body.
LEE
Yeah, I'll say it is.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
But don't overlook the fact it is an everything car. Everything needs work.
TIM SHAW
Yeah. You take the body off, bang, done. All right. Have a look at it.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right. Let's get the body off because it's just sitting on the chassis.
TIM SHAW
Okay,
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Then we've made a start, haven't we? You get on that corner.
TIM SHAW
All right, here we go. Three. Oh my word.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Wow. Okay. Yeah, that's cool.
TIM SHAW
And as if by magic, all of a sudden the cool is gone and left us with a Volkswagen Beetle.
NARRATOR
Underneath the fibreglass body, there's a VW beetle chassis with its distinctive floor pans. The chassis was chosen as it's easy to shorten, cutting out a section and then welding it back together. While the trailing arm suspension made for an easy ride over rough surfaces.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That's not very good really at all, is it? I mean, look at it.
TIM SHAW
One that would suit a farmer's field or a scrapyard.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
This thing is terrible, isn't it? So, floor pans, for a start.
LEE
Yeah, it needs a frame in the underneath's toast.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
So, floor pans completely rotted out.
TIM SHAW
So, what about at the front here? What are we like at the bottom?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay, so rust at the bottom. And, in fact, it's had a few dodgy repairs on it hasn't it?
TIM SHAW
Yeah.
LEE
Nothing to save. Save the bodyshell and the centre of the spine and that's it.
TIM SHAW
Okay. Right, so the engine needs completely rebuilding.
LEE
Motor seems solid.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Not really.
TIM SHAW
Okay.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
This is bad. It's double bad.
NARRATOR
Tim and Fuzz have got their hands on the ultimate big boys beach toy. A 1967 dune buggy. They want to make it road legal again for owner Paul. But, so far, all they've discovered is a chassis and engine that's about as attractive as a sand filled sandwich. Let's hope the bodies faired better.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
I would say that this bodyshell is remarkably good. It's pretty strong and it's kind of got a lot of material in all the right places. It's pretty well preserved. A little bit of micro blistering around here, but generally speaking, it's pretty together. What do you reckon Lee?
LEE
Yeah, I think it's probably the best condition old bodyshell I've seen for a while. 
TIM SHAW
So, it's going to need some wide wheels with some like Testarossa, Countach wheels, you know, tyres and something big.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah something monstrously sort of, you know, super wide.
LEE
To make it look right. 
TIM SHAW
Yeah. The paintwork on it. From speaking to Emma yesterday, she said her dad was ex RAF and she thought it should have an RAF nod.
NARRATOR
Hold that thought Tim, as there's a whole heap of other work that needs to be done first. The rust ridden chassis and seized engine both require a full nuts and bolts strip down to see what parts can be saved and what's off to the scrappers. The tired old fibreglass body shell will need to be sanded down, its holes filled and then repainted. And, saving the best challenge to last, how do you make this rough and ready beach basher accessible enough for Paul to actually get in and out of with ease? First job is for the team to strip the car to its bare bones, so the years of rust and rot can be revealed and then removed.

FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Where we're out now is we're ready to cut out these floor pans. So, what I need to do is cut along the edge here, but leaving a little bit of a lip so that we've got enough material to weld the new pan onto. Getting into it. Let's do it. Wish me luck.
NARRATOR
The floor pans were manufactured separately to the frame, then welded onto it, so it's easy to source a new set.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
The next step will be getting the rest of it blasted so that it's clean as a whistle, and so that we can see any further repairs that need doing, because there will be some.
NARRATOR
A typical dune buggy spends its life in salty sea air, so it's no surprise this one's such a rust bucket. As for the body, luckily fibreglass doesn't rust. But, although rot free, it still requires some tricky fabrication.
TIM SHAW
The problem with this particular bonnet section here is we only need one place to fill it up with petrol. That is going to be in the centre here. So, this one [GASPS] what are we going to do with that? Now if this was steel how would you fix it? Well, you'd cut a play in, you'd put it in, you'd weld it in. But it's not steel, it's fibreglass. And in my mind, fibreglass is something that is top of the list of impressive materials on the planet. The thing I love about fibreglass is it's strong, it's quick to produce and easy to shape without needing expensive tooling. So, it's ideal for bespoke bodywork like the beach buggy.
NARRATOR
To fix the hole, Tim has clambered up on the roof of Lee's yard, where he spotted a bonnet just like the one on Paul's buggy.
TIM SHAW
So, we are taking a mould of a section of this bonnet with a piece of fibreglass. I'm actually going to use fibreglass to make the mould to make the negative. But, this is where this comes in, because if I just fiberglassed on top of that, it would stick. But that is basically, it's a release agent. It's not exactly the right one, but it works. So if you apply this between the two, I can take the top one off, take it downstairs. So we basically put a layer of fat between the shape that we want and the mould that we're making, so that we can peel off the mould and stick it on downstairs. The release agent is now on top of the bonnet, so below it we have the shape, on top we have the release agent, and this is the stuff we're going to use, which is glass fibre matting. So that is basically fibres of glass. But, the amazing stuff about the glass fibres is actually, if you look at it, they're all in different directions. So they're all interwoven, they're all interlocked, meaning that when you actually bond this onto the shape of the car, you just get so much strength from it.
TIM SHAW
We're going to bond it all together with this stuff. Now this is polyester resin. Let's get messy.
NARRATOR
It's the combo with the resin and glass fibres that give fibreglass its strength.
TIM SHAW
That is now pretty much wet. Now I need to lift this off, put it on the shape that we want to copy.
TIM SHAW
It's a thermal reaction, it's a chemical reaction, and it's now like a brick. So, that means one thing. Hopefully this is going to release. So let's have a look. Look at that. How cool is that?
NARRATOR
Yes. Very clever. If it fits the bonnet.
TIM SHAW
Look at that. It fits perfectly. So, the mould is attached to the car with screws.
NARRATOR
Fibreglass mould secured. It's time to flip the shell over and fill the hole in from the other side.
TIM SHAW
So, we're only going to glass from the back on this. So it's the same process as I did on the roof just now.
NARRATOR
After letting the new fibreglass set, will the mould have done its job?
TIM SHAW
Right, show time and I'd be biting my nails if I didn't have gloves on. Should we see if this comes off? Just one last time. You can tell without even needing to get close to it is the perfect shape. Absolutely, bang on. Look at that. You don't even need to get any closer to that to see that the profile is absolutely perfect and that is precisely why I love fibreglass.
NARRATOR
I think Tim loves fibreglass. Not so loved up are Fuzz and the engine. A buggy's motor sits in the open air rather than under a bonnet. Fine if you live in sunny California. Not so good in rainy Yorkshire.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right, so this is a solid as a rock, isn't it? It's not going to move anywhere.
LEE
That's well seized that is mate.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Absolutely.
NARRATOR
Years of wind, rain and salty sea air means some serious rust.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Bit of a shake, some persuasion.
NARRATOR
So, the engine is seized tighter than Tim's wallet at the local boozer.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Got a little theory here, and that is that this engine has seized at the top end due to water ingress. Just from standing. Just from water making its way in through the inlet. Now, if that has happened, if I tip this engine up, We should get some water at this point here. Let's just give it a try.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
And there we go. Water coming out.
NARRATOR
This is definitely not good. To keep this engine simple, it's designed to be cooled by fans and fresh air rather than a complicated water system. So, water that's got inside shouldn't be there.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
So, here we have it, exhibit one. So, this piston has completely seized inside this barrel here. There is no way that the piston is going to force its way up past this rust. Having come this far, I think I'm going to call it. I don't think there's going to be anything usable on it. So, I'm going to say it's a replacement engine time.
NARRATOR
Paul's engine is too far gone to repair because of the water damage.
NARRATOR
So, while the boys hunt for a replacement, they turn their attention to the bodywork. Time to consult Emma and her son Isaac about the overall look.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right. It's not all been plain sailing with this car because it was completely rotten. It's been an absolute everything car. There's not been a good bit on it.
EMMA
Really.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
All the flaws.
EMMA
I can see what you've done already. That's amazing.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Only the centre section, only the spine remains. The engine absolutely trashed.
EMMA
Oh that bad?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
So, have you got any ideas? Any designs for us? Anything for us to go on?
ISAAC
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
Yeah. Talk us through this. What are we looking at here, dude?
ISAAC
So, planes on the side of the car, so like Spitfires and stuff.
TIM SHAW
Yeah, that's cool.
ISAAC
I think he'll really like that.
TIM SHAW
Yeah.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
With your grandad's service number on.
ISAAC
Yeah.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Do you think we could pull that one off? Could you pull that one off Timmy?
TIM SHAW
Hell, yeah.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
And thank you very much for your design ideas, Isaac. Can we keep hold of that?
ISAAC
Yeah, you can keep it.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay. Fantastic. Excellent stuff.
TIM SHAW
So, can we talk about giving the car back to your dad?
EMMA
Yes.
TIM SHAW
How are we going to do it?
EMMA
There is an air museum and RAF museum nearby. So, we thought that might be a good place because.
ISAAC
I could ask him if he wants to come with me.
TIM SHAW
We are going to get this car finished. And you are going to love it when you see. And your dad's going to love it. And that day that you've been waiting for is going to happen.
NARRATOR
So, it's an RAF theme for the bodywork and the car's big reveal.
NARRATOR
Before they get stuck back into the refurb, the boys are packing their bucket and spade to find out why these particular cars have such a devoted following. 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right. Okay, so where is it?
TIM SHAW
What?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Where's the car?
TIM SHAW
Oh, the beach buggy. I can't see one anywhere can you? Oh, hang on a minute. Oh, what's this little. Oh, my God, it's Timmy's beach buggy from the 80s. My very own toy with Mr. Cool Cowboy driving it.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
You've brought me down here to play with your toy car.
TIM SHAW
No, I haven't bought you down here for that. I'm going to show you some 80s magic. Hold that.
TIM SHAW
Fuzz, I'm the man I am. Dude, you gotta come and join me.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
All right. Okay. Three. Two. One.
TIM SHAW
Yes. How about mini, Fuzzball?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Oh, tiny. You're tiny.
TIM SHAW
Alright, come on, seat belts on let's get out of here.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
You look good in a cowboy hat.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Welcome to Car S.O.S, the mini series.
TIM SHAW
This is so much fun.
TIM SHAW
Mate, do you know what? I get it now. I get, until this moment in time, I looked at people in beach buggies and just thought, why do you drive one of those? But actually, the reality of it is when you drive one of these things, you completely take leave of any concern about what you look like. Who cares what I look like? This about just enjoying life and it's massively responsive. This one is actually significantly boosted. You know, this one is actually a bigger engine.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now that is a very good point because you've got much larger wheels, so you need that extra torque, that extra power to turn those wheels.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Woo
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
TIM SHAW
Dude, check this out. I'm just drifting it left to right. Oh wow.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
 Are you sure it's not somebody with a remote control?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
 
TIM SHAW
  Let's just do doughnuts all day. Whoa.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah, but in order to do doughnuts, we need a bigger engine to put into Paul's dune buggy.
TIM SHAW
Yeah.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That way, he'll be able to go drifting as well. So, bigger engine is an absolute must.
TIM SHAW
Fuzz, there's a dog behind us.  It's catching up on us.   Quick, back to the workshop. 
NARRATOR
Good idea. As the new engine's arrived for Paul's beach buggy.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
When we took the buggies engine apart, we found so few remaining components that we could reuse. It's all either new or replacement gear.
NARRATOR
The silver lining of replacing the engine is they can upgrade from 1300 cc to nearly 1800.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
There we go.
NARRATOR
Boosting the horsepower from 50 to 80.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
We're going to reorient the engine back to here.
NARRATOR
To top it off, there are new exhaust valves made from stainless steel to make them stronger as they'll be running at higher temperatures.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now, you can see the exhaust valves there. They'll deal with the heat much, much better than the originals. And, everything has been machined out and it's all ready to go on to the barrels.
NARRATOR
Next Fuzz begins bolting the exhaust valve into place.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Just check that those tubes are all sitting centrally here at the top and at the bottom. So that's good. Right.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now push rods into place. There we go. Right now I can start tightening down.
NARRATOR
He's using a torque wrench to ensure the bolts are all tightened evenly.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
And that, is essentially the bulk of our engine rebuilt.
NARRATOR
Fuzz and Tim have taken on a 1967 dune buggy that's definitely more Crimewatch than it is Baywatch. It belongs to 67 year old former RAF serviceman Paul. After a terrible lorry accident had ended his HGV driving, he'd hoped to spend his retirement fixing it up. But, his plans had to go on hold after his wife was diagnosed with dementia and he devoted his time to caring for her.
EMMA
I don't think he realises how caring and loving he is. It's just his nature. He will do anything for anybody.
NARRATOR
Since picking up the buggy, what's left of the original chassis spine has been sandblasted to remove the rust. Now it's ready for the replacement frame heads and new floor pans to be welded into place.
NARRATOR
While the team pushes on with the chassis. Tim's devised an ingenious plan to bring Isaac's R.A.F. inspired design from the drawing board to reality.
TIM SHAW
Right. I hope this works. I so hope this works. Right. The car. I'm gonna start with one panel. All right. I want to see this place. It's well cool in here.
TIM SHAW
Where is he, dude?
COOKIE
Yo.
TIM SHAW
How's it going, man? Sorry to interrupt. Mate, I need a favour. Right. This man is not only the world's greatest tattooist is also awesome with an airbrush. Right? And this car here is a Tamiya Sand Rover. Right.
COOKIE
Okay.
TIM SHAW
This is the panel off the side of our Sand Rover we're rebuilding. I need, down the side of it, with your airbrushing skills, I need some Avro Lancasters, some Spitfire, Mk 14 Spitfires, some Halifax Bombers, all this sort of stuff.
COOKIE
That's wonderful. Yes, I could do it. But, you're in the tattoo studio and we are super busy at the minute.
TIM SHAW
Right? Excuse me. Can I book in for a tattoo, like, straight away?
FEMALE IN TATTOO PARLOUR
Today?
TIM SHAW
Yeah. Right now.
FEMALE IN TATTOO PARLOUR
Definitely.
COOKIE
So, you're in my tattoo studio. We're going to paint your panels, and then you're going to get tattooed by me today.
TIM SHAW
Yeah. Done.
COOKIE
Okay.
COOKIE
We will sketch an idea of what we're going to do.
TIM SHAW
So, what I'm thinking, what we should have is, we've got the Spitfire, a Hurricane, a Halifax, all the sort of key planes of ours on either side.
COOKIE
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
But, probably with that trajectory of moving forward.
COOKIE
Yeah, it's got to move forward.
TIM SHAW
What do you reckon?
COOKIE
Put it through the clouds with sun rays, fingers of God. The Spitfire leading the charge and then the other two bombers behind them. So, everything will be facing forward. So we have this movement of aeroplanes moving through the clouds with the wings and the detail. Are we going colour?
TIM SHAW
No. So when you see the kites, the treat. It's the Easter eggs. Ooh, look at that, that artwork there.
COOKIE
Yeah no problem.
TIM SHAW
I don't want to steal the show with the art, with this. That's why I want to go, kind of monotone.
COOKIE
Okay. Yeah. So maybe just white over the blue.
TIM SHAW
Yeah.
COOKIE
Picking details out. Leave this with me. 
TIM SHAW
No, no. We're doing this now though, aren't we? We're doing the airbrushing now.
COOKIE
That we'll do. You can leave this for me and then we'll get you in the chair. Come on then.
NARRATOR
Work on Paul's upgraded engine is powering along. Fuzz has fitted, upgraded twin Weber carburettors to give a richer mix of fuel and air to add even more power. So Paul's new engine's pretty much ready. But does it actually work?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now, we're getting close to the stage at which we can run up this engine and test it to make sure that it runs sweetly. Right, here we go.  Place it down.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
There we are.
MALE, BLACK AND RED HOODIE
Come on, Fuzz, I got a present for you.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Oh right, some fuel?
MALE, BLACK AND RED HOODIE
And some headphones.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
All right. Cheers. Thanks. Thanks for those ones. Brilliant. Okay. Right. This is it. Let me get my ear defenders on because it's going to be loud. Okay. Ready? Connected.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
We've established that we've got a beautifully running engine. It's fantastic. It's going to be powerful. It's going to push that buggy along magnificently. And I cannot wait to see the finished job.
NARRATOR
Yes. Great work Fuzz.
NARRATOR
Meanwhile, Tim is getting the needle.
TIM SHAW
What's this then?
COOKIE
So, this is the remembrance of your car S.O.S journey for the last decade. This is something personal.
TIM SHAW
Yeah, yeah. This demonstrates to you my level of commitment to fixing your cars and getting them back to you.
COOKIE
Right, so all we got to do now is we going to drop a little bit of ink into these pots, and then we'll get tattooing. Three, two, one. Nice breath and away we go.
NARRATOR
Whilst Tim is getting inked, it's time to bring Paul's dream dune buggy back together. Next job, making sure it can cope with the bigger engine.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Paul's buggy now has more power from that increased in size, rebuilt engine. So, what we're doing is we're doing a disc brake conversion on the front axle here. Now the reason for that is that disc brakes give us more stopping power than the original drums that were fitted to this car.
NARRATOR
The new discs dissipate heat better, so work more efficiently at higher speeds.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Ready to S.O.Sage roll? Sausage roll. Get it? It's going to roll. All right. Suit yourself.
NARRATOR
With the engine upgraded and chassis coming together, Fuzz moves onto the suspension. He wants to add an adjustable air powered version so it's easier for Paul to get in.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now air suspension allows us the best of all worlds. It allows us to lift the chassis up and away from the ground when we're going over things like speed bumps or maybe even sand dunes or something like that when we're in the beach buggy. But also, if we're at a show or in Paul's situation, if he needs it lowered down so he can easily get into it, we can eliminate the air and down goes the chassis so that we get a very, very low entry point.
NARRATOR
And here's Professor Fuzz demonstrating how it all works. With a little help from Lee. Pay attention at the back there Shaw.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Now, the whole point of this is it's a bit of an exaggeration, but air ride gives us the opportunity to make the entrance and exit to the vehicle much lower down. Right, now, imagine Paul's trying to get in. He's not so steady on his pins. He's got to climb up to get in and all that kind of thing. So hold on.  
LEE
We should go racing.  
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Hold on, hold on.
TIM SHAW
What the hell are you doing?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
The experiment. Air ride, it's too high at the moment.
LEE
Science Tim, science.
TIM SHAW
Science. This is science, is it? 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
No, no, just wait, wait. Because, look, look, once we take this out. There we are. There. The air rides going down. It's going down. Look, it's going down. It's easier for Paul to get in. See?
LEE
It works, mate. Science.
NARRATOR
Yes. I'm not sure anyone's going to be handing out a Nobel Prize for that. But, if it does what the man professors claim, it might just be the solution Paul needs.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
We've now got our air suspension unit, which comes in this nice little well-engineered set up here. So, we've got our airbags here which get inflated by air from a compressor. We can just lift it into position, get the bolts in and it's done isn't it?
NARRATOR
So, based on that piece of cutting edge research, the air ride system is bolted onto the chassis. Keep your fingers crossed this works.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
So, what we're now going to do is we're going to inflate the air suspension using an ordinary airline. We've got a tyre valve fitted on the end here. Right. Come on then. Shall we give it a go? So this is what will happen when Paul gets into the buggy, starts it up, the compressor kicks in and it starts to rise up just that little bit. So here we go inflating. Yeah. Up goes the rear. Up goes the front. There we are. We are up to ride height. So that's pretty good. That's looking great to me. And the most important thing Paul's going to be able to get in and out of his buggy really easily. Brilliant, hey?
NARRATOR
Finally, someone's making use of all the hot air in that workshop. And with the air ride fitted, uprated disc brakes, a new suspension set up in place, the chassis of the car is properly taking shape.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
But now, it's time to attach the engine onto the gearbox and therefore bring everything that makes up the chassis of the car back together.
NARRATOR
With the chassis complete, the car needs its next vital component a fresh set of ultra wide rubber onto new 12 inch rims, so Paul can tackle whatever terrain the Yorkshire coastline throws his way.
TIM SHAW
So will we hear a pop still?
LEE
Oh, you'll hear it, pop.
TIM SHAW
Yeah.   Every time.
NARRATOR
Away from the garage, Cookie's been sketching and painting everything by hand using an airbrush. Now it's time to show off his handiwork.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right, here we go. Just a little bit. Hold on, hold on.
TIM SHAW
[SIGHS]  have I come at the right, wow!
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
No you've come at the wrong time.
LEE
Fuzz your way a bit.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Hold on. Wait a minute. Hold on. What you got there? Give us a look at them.
TIM SHAW
Oh, you want to look at one of these little things do you?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah. Come on.
TIM SHAW
Oh yeah. Don't worry. I won't leave you out.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Oh, thank you very much. Oh, look at that.
TIM SHAW
How is that?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Beautiful. You've done very well. These are going to look absolutely amazing on the side of that body there.
TIM SHAW
You know, when you go to a car show with your family and there's one car that wins that car show? This is that car.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That's great. But go on put them somewhere safe. I've got mucky hands. Come on then. Let's get this on.
NARRATOR
The upgraded 1766 cc engine, running gear and gearbox are bolted into place. Then, on go the fresh set of wider wheels. And just like the rest of us, this buggy can't show up to the beach topless. The old body's been polished, patched and painted. Now it needs to be re-fixed to the chassis and have the artwork panels added.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Ah, look at that. Now that is 100% magnificent. Beautiful. Lovely. It does look great.
TIM SHAW
It does doesn't?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
It does.
TIM SHAW
Come on, let's get it out of here. I'll supervise. Right. Come on then. Okay. Up. All right. We're gonna need to spin it. So we need to rotate you guys around.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay.
TIM SHAW
There we go. 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Careful.
TIM SHAW
Like a Russian synchronised swimming team. This is wonderful. Look at this.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Right.
TIM SHAW
All right, there we go. Brad, you're gonna have to straddle this.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Oh. Hold on. Oh, there we go. That was a bit close.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
There we go. Come on. Nearly there, nearly there.
TIM SHAW
And, let's have a round of applause for the first time the shell has seen the body. Yes. [APPLAUSE] And the first time we can see it for real. Look at that.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That looks absolutely great. Down on the air ride. It looks absolutely fantastic. Slam. Look, we've got the steering's put on the nose cones put on. Get the frame fixed on. We're nearly there. This is the home straight.
NARRATOR
But nearly is not going to cut it on this occasion because with the big reveal set for tomorrow, it'll be another late night in the workshop to get Paul's RAF themed pride and joy ready to return to him.
ANNOUNCER
Chocks away and clear for take-off or Operation dune buggy return.
NARRATOR
And where better to hand back Paul's pride and joy than the plainly brilliant Yorkshire Air Museum?
TIM SHAW
Oh, what do you say to that car Fuzz?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Well, doesn't it look absolutely amazing for the first time out in the daylight. It looks great.
TIM SHAW
The whole package all themes in nicely, but it's the attention to detail. 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That's right, yeah. Paul's service number on there. And also on the side you've got dot dot dot dot dot dot SOS. This is a work of art. But what's the plan?
TIM SHAW
Right. Paul is coming down here today for a bit of a behind the scenes tour of this place, a bit of a treat. But, he's going to bump into a load of guys over there with these huge model aircraft, which are radio controlled.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Okay.
NARRATOR
Yes. There's not going to be any winging it today. The plan's been drawn up with military precision. Outside the hangar, the model aircraft Aces are ready to act as a diversion to get Paul into position for the reveal.
NARRATOR
Fuzz, the buggy and family and friends are manoeuvred into position inside the hangar, and right on schedule, Paul is inbound on final approach.
MALE, GLASSES
Are you expecting a tour?
EMMA
Yeah.
FEMALE, LONG HAIR & GLASSES
Oh, and there we go then. Yeah.
MALE, GLASSES
So how far have you come today?
PAUL
Driffield.
MALE, GLASSES
Oh that's right. Lancasters did the Dambusters raid. 
NARRATOR
Time for Tim to get in position. That's him dressed as a pilot, apparently. Looks more like Darth Vader to me.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
This is the moment we've all been waiting for. Paul is at the museum, so we just need to wait until he gets to just the other side of that hangar door. Once he gets there, all I'm waiting for is for Tim to come in here, give me the signal. I start this up. Tim goes back around and goes behind Paul, ready to catch him when his car comes out.
MALE, GLASSES
In fact, when you come out of the missions, there was a black Hurricane. It's actually a dummy.
NARRATOR
So everything's off to a flying start. And Paul hasn't suspected a thing.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
He's here. There.
TIM SHAW
So it's game on alright? In your car. Rev it like [INAUDIBLE] .
PAUL
Really?
TIM SHAW
Hello, mate.
PAUL
Hello, fella.
TIM SHAW
How are you doing? You all right?
PAUL
I'm good. Yeah. I'm, yeah, you've got me.
TIM SHAW
Have we got you?
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
All right, Paul. How are you doing?
PAUL
I'm all right, fella.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
I've been outside your house before. Listening to you when that was picked up. I know all, hopefully we got it all right.
TIM SHAW
If you're struggling to work out what's happening there are also a few people here that you might know. Can we bring our Paul's family, please? [APPLAUSE]
TIM SHAW
All of this, everything that is going on here is all just a big scam. It's a big ruse just to get you your beach buggy back. Emma, come here, come on. 
EMMA
Love you. Dad.  
PAUL
Love you. 
TIM SHAW
Can we have a round of applause? [APPLAUSE] 
EMMA
He cried, I did it.  
TIM SHAW
You all right?
PAUL
Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Why me? I mean, it's very nice and [SIGHS]. Yeah.
TIM SHAW
Why you? Because everybody here loves you. Because you're a wonderful guy. You're a wonderful father in law. You're a wonderful father, and you put everybody else first. The reason we've done this is because you matter. So that's what that means. No?
PAUL
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
Okay. Good. Finally.  Go have a look round it then will you. Go on. Shoo, get out of here. 
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Come on, take a look.
NARRATOR
With Paul's retirement dream to build his dune buggy on hold, it was destined to a life of decay. Now, however, it's been totally transformed. The faded fibreglass body now honours his RAF past thanks to Isaac's design. The rusted old engine has been replaced with a bigger capacity block, uprated pistons and carburettors and a new exhaust providing an adrenaline fuelled 60% boost in power. New front disc brakes, ergonomic seats and some ultra wide rubber will ensure it's comfortable no matter what surface it's thrown at. And finally, the ingenious air suspension system means that Paul should have no trouble getting in or out when he hits the beach.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Get in and see how that does for you. These are all of your activators for the air ride. If you want to go down.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That'll help you get in. And then of course, once you start up, it'll
PAUL
Pick itself back up again.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
Yeah. 
TIM SHAW
How's it feel?  
PAUL
Absolutely brilliant.
TIM SHAW
Does it?
PAUL
Yeah. Yeah, really good. 
TIM SHAW
So, what does this car mean to you? What does it represent? And, what did it represent when you used to walk past it and it wasn't getting done?
PAUL
Oh, it was just soul destroying. Absolutely soul destroying. Because, when I had the chance and retired, going to spend a bit of time doing the car up.
TIM SHAW
Your wife.
PAUL
My wife, yeah.
TIM SHAW
Diagnosed.
PAUL
Diagnosed with dementia. Say everybody comes first.
TIM SHAW
You said to me earlier on. Why me? Explain that.
PAUL
Because things don't happen to me, usually, like this.
TIM SHAW
So, you've spent your life helping other people, and it's just one way traffic generally.
PAUL
Yeah.
TIM SHAW
And you're fine with that?
PAUL
Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine with it. I've got three kids, four grandchildren, and they come first. That gives me happiness.
TIM SHAW
So, for something to be done for you now, that's a new emotion.
PAUL
Oh, yeah. Without a doubt.
TIM SHAW
Lifelong.
PAUL
Lifelong. Never forget it. And the way it's been done. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. And especially a tribute to all the armed forces you can say no more.
TIM SHAW
Okay. Well, there's only one thing left to do, and that is to tell you that you've been Car S.O.S'd and hand you the keys over. And thank you for your service.
PAUL
Thank you very much.
TIM SHAW
Enjoy your car.
PAUL
Thank you.
TIM SHAW
Right, Paul. This is it, mate. How does it feel to be sitting in your beach buggy?
PAUL
Amazing. One of the best days of my life.
TIM SHAW
Right, would anyone like to hear Paul start the beach buggy?  Yeah. Come on then. Hey, get it going and get out of here. Hey.  
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
That was a good one, wasn't it?
TIM SHAW
Ah!
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
What have you done?
TIM SHAW
I've made a mistake.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
What do you mean, you made a mistake?
TIM SHAW
Whopper. A lifelong mistake, but I don't want to talk about it.
FUZZ TOWNSHEND
What are you on about?
EMMA
Are you happy?
PAUL
Oh, without a doubt. Can't you tell? Smile from ear to ear.

PAUL
Just listen at that. Ah.
EMMA
Sounds amazing. Do you like all the RAF stuff?
PAUL
Yeah. It's lovely innit? Absolutely lovely. That just finishes it off, doesn't it?
EMMA
So which is your best bit?
PAUL
All of it.
EMMA
All of it.
PAUL
All of it. It's stunning. Absolutely stunning. It just puts a smile on your face. Especially when you go like that. 

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