ALL BOGUS_CREW_MEMBER FUZZ_TOWNSHEND JO_STENUIT KATEY NARRATOR SKIDMARK TIM_SHAW VANESSA WORKSHOP_STAFF NARRATOR This time on Car S.O.S... FUZZ TOWNSHEND I'm gonna have to state the obvious here, and that is that it's very rotten. NARRATOR ...Tim and Fuzz take on the world's best-selling sports car. TIM SHAW I'm instantly friends with this car. It's exquisite. NARRATOR But, this particular rusty roadster is turning heads for all the wrong reasons. FUZZ TOWNSHEND That has got to go straight in the bin. Look at it. NARRATOR So, can the boys put the zoom, zoom back into this road-going go-kart? TIM SHAW Since I've started the old car sausage, I have not seen in front of my eyes such a transformation. NARRATOR And turn its owner's dreams into reality. TIM SHAW No, stop hiding behind that. I'm losing the cap. Go. KATEY But my hair is disgusting. TIM SHAW All right, Fuzzbottom, we are in... FUZZ TOWNSHEND ...Hampshire. TIM SHAW And we are currently en route to go and pick up a car which was labelled back in the '90s as the ultimate hairdresser's car. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I happen to think that's a bit of an unfair name for those cars. TIM SHAW Why is that? FUZZ TOWNSHEND Because they're brilliant, and I've owned a couple. Because they are the Mazda... FUZZ, TIM ...MX-5! NARRATOR When it was launched back in 1989, the MX-5 might have been the motor of choice for Sergio at the salon. But let's not split hairs. Today, this Japanese pocket rocket has well, and truly cemented its place in the hearts of even the most devout petrolhead. And what's not to love? The MX-5 is all about grin-giving performance on a budget. Where else can you get zero to 60 in under 10 seconds, seat of your pants, rear wheel drive handling? That's all wrapped up in a package that weighs roughly half a ton less, but costs about the same as a family hatchback. And, although they've fine-tuned the design, cranked up the comfort and added more punch under the bonnet, whether it's an original Mk1, a Mk2, like the boys are on their way to see, or a brand spanking new one, at its core, it's still the same classic roadster recipe that's made it the best-selling two-seater sports car in history. TIM SHAW So, the MX-5 is owned by Katey. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Okay. TIM SHAW And her mum, Vanessa, wrote in. So, Katey knows nothing about this at all. But it's sitting on the drive, languishing, rotting. So, what we've got to do is go and have a look at it, check it out and work out whether we can do it or whether we should just wash and go. Get it? FUZZ TOWNSHEND TIM SHAW Ha, ha! Don't know what to look at. I mean, look at that, look at that. What's more shocking? That or that?...All right, come on, let's not say it. There are lots of four-letter words and let's not say any of them. Keep 'em in your head, please, son. All right, stand here and smile. Stop there, and I'm gonna knock. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Stop! Don't do that. TIM SHAW What? FUZZ TOWNSHEND Look, we've got time to just walk away. No! [SIGHS] Have you seen the state of that? It's the worst MX-5 I've ever seen. TIM SHAW Shut your face. They know we're here. It's Vanessa, okay? Vanessa, hi. how are you doing? Tim, Fuzzbot. VANESSA Hello. Hello. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Hi. Pleased to meet you, Vanessa. VANESSA Hello. TIM SHAW You said to me on the phone, Katey works near here. VANESSA A mile up the road. TIM SHAW Right. And you joked and said she could come back on a horse? VANESSA Absolutely, definitely. TIM SHAW It's a joke, right? VANESSA What? TIM SHAW It's a joke. FUZZ TOWNSHEND It doesn't look like a joke. TIM SHAW So, you were serious? VANESSA Yes. Oh, yes. TIM SHAW You're having two minutes with that car. You and I are having two minutes to talk about Katey. VANESSA Okay. TIM SHAW You're gonna get that done and then get hidden as soon as you can. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yes. Yes. VANESSA Perfect. Stop me being so nervous. Okay? TIM SHAW Okay. Right, let's go. Go go go. TIM SHAW Okay. Let's go, let's go. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I'm gonna have to state the obvious here, and that is that it's very rotten. This is the worst back end I've known since my terrible food poisoning incident of 2010. Just behind here, there's a little drain hole, but if it gets blocked, that allows the water to basically sit everywhere. So, it can sit at the top here, it can slosh around in these cavities here, in the sills. And I think that that's what's done here. And it doesn't get much prettier underneath here. Considering this car's only about 20 years old, I've got to say it's got the body of an 80-year-old. TIM SHAW So, Katey's MX-5. VANESSA Yes. TIM SHAW Do you remember the day she got it? VANESSA I do. TIM SHAW Was she excited? VANESSA Oh, really excited. She gave it a name. TIM SHAW Oh, really? VANESSA He's known as Clarence. He's been Clarence always. TIM SHAW Why Clarence? VANESSA I have no idea. TIM SHAW I was gonna ask you why it's been left to get in that condition. Why it's left to, you know, be covered in moss and what have you. VANESSA Well, it went off the road, and we never got to the bottom of what the issues were. So, I don't know. It would cost too much to restore it and she won't let it go. And she has an idea that one day... TIM SHAW I get it. VANESSA ...she'll have enough money to do it. It's a bit of a sort of dream world. TIM SHAW Okay. And it's very dreamlike. Why is that car so important to Katey? VANESSA Because she bought it with the money that her sister gave to her. Because her sister knew she was dying. TIM SHAW So, she gave some money to Katey. VANESSA Yeah. TIM SHAW To buy a car, that would mean the two of them could just go off and have sort of a final hurrah? VANESSA [CRIES] Yes. Yeah. TIM SHAW And did they do that? VANESSA For a very brief time, yes. But then Faye got very sick. TIM SHAW When you think about how close they were, what were they like? Two peas in a pod? VANESSA Oh, yes, yes, very much so. They were born on the same day, 13 years apart. TIM SHAW That must have had a major effect on celebrating birthdays. VANESSA Oh. It's horrible. TIM SHAW How would you say that Katey's changed as a person since losing her sister? VANESSA I think she threw herself into work even more. And she puts barriers up to relationships. TIM SHAW What does Katey do? What's her line of work? VANESSA She rides horses for a living, for a stud farm. TIM SHAW So she works with horses for wealthy people? VANESSA She rides their horses for them. TIM SHAW Right. VANESSA Yes. TIM SHAW Am I right in thinking that she had an accident? VANESSA Yes. The horse slipped on the road, landed on top of her and damaged her shoulder. Broke it. TIM SHAW So, major things happened. Like, she loses her sister, she smashes her shoulder to pieces, which could be career-terminating. Does she bottle stuff up? VANESSA Yeah. Yes, I would say. FUZZ TOWNSHEND This has not been touched for a long time. I don't reckon it's been running for quite a while. We've got an unknown engine, probably completely worn out. The body is totally rotten. The hood's rotten. You want a positive from this? I quite like the colour. TIM SHAW Where does she think the car is going? VANESSA She thinks it's going to a very dear friend, who restores cars, to see whether it's worth salvaging. TIM SHAW Were you serious when you said that Kate could come back at any moment? VANESSA Absolutely. TIM SHAW So, I'm literally, rudely, gonna stand up and just give you a kiss on the cheek and go. 'Cause I'm gonna get him, get him in the car, load it up and get out of here. VANESSA Okay. TIM SHAW Okay? VANESSA Yep. TIM SHAW Thank you for writing in. VANESSA Well, thank you. TIM SHAW No time, no time, no time. Take care. See you soon. VANESSA Ah, thank you so much. NARRATOR With the possibility that Katey could arrive home at any second, there's not a moment to spare. TIM SHAW Let's get this car out of here. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, well, we might have trouble getting it out of here because it's not gonna move. NARRATOR So, after spending the past few years stagnating on the drive... FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right, that's solid. TIM SHAW Absolutely solid. Right. FUZZ TOWNSHEND We need some manpower. TIM SHAW Everybody, cameras down, sound gear down, the lot. Get on board. We've got to get out of here quick. NARRATOR ...it's going to take the strength of the entire crew to get it rolling again. TIM SHAW Come on, we want to be out of here in, like, 90 seconds, tops. TIM SHAW Push, push, push like you've never pushed before. You scurvy swabs. TIM SHAW Right, we're back. That was close. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, that was a proper close one. I think that must be about the closest one yet. Nearly caught in the act. TIM SHAW Right, let's get the old girl back to the workshop. And don't spare the horses. Got it? FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. I see what you did there, yeah. NARRATOR Yeah, it's very clever. But he won't be making jokes once he realises he's got to turn this rusty old three-legged rocking horse into a prize-winning pony, without erasing its cherished memories. TIM SHAW Go. Right, that'll do us for now. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Look at this hood as well. That has got to go straight in the bin. Look at it. TIM SHAW That feels like a challenge to me, Fuzzbot. FUZZ TOWNSHEND You're kidding? TIM SHAW You never say put it in the bin. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I'm saying it on this particular occasion. Get it in the bin. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I mean, this car looks absolutely horrible underneath it. Look. Oh, hold on, straight through. TIM SHAW Yeah. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. We've got a lot of rot in the seal area. And these cars are known for that. Everywhere you look is coated in mud and rust. It's a proper country car, isn't it? TIM SHAW I've got to tell you, this car came off the road thanks to a mechanical issue, a big one. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Any idea what it was? TIM SHAW Long time ago. Don't know. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right. I've got a good idea for you, though, Tim. Really good idea. You can get these in great condition with low mileage for very little money. We could just get another one. We could paint it this colour. TIM SHAW Let me stop you there for a moment. Because what you're clearly not aware of is the importance of this specific car and the fact that Katey went out with her late sister, Faye, in this car for their sort of, like, final journey together and had the best time ever. So, this car is all that matters. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Understood. NARRATOR Tim and Fuzz have got their paws on possibly the worst example of the world's best-selling roadster. TIM SHAW Do you know why I'm laughing? Do you do that thing, when it's such a big job, it becomes funny? It's almost unfathomable. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I'm there. NARRATOR Yes. It's a classic case of little car, big problems. The simple solution might be to buy a replacement MX-5 and paint it the same colour. But that would only cost a fraction of what it's gonna take in blood, sweat, paint, and parts, for the boys to fix this particular one. But, as you simply can't put a price on the sentimental value Katey's car holds, it's got to be renovation, not replacement. Which starts with diagnosing the mysterious mechanical fault that took it off the road in the first place. Then there's the rusty rear quarters and sills that currently have more holes in them than one of Fuzz;s string vests. Finally, will Tim be able to save the existing roof, or has the mould taken control? And if that wasn't enough, a full body restoration and paint job is certainly on the cards. TIM SHAW The MX-5, to me, amazes me more than pretty much any car that's ever existed, because it's gone from the stigma, sub-zero. You know, how people thought of it when it landed in this country, to now being one of the most revered, celebrated heroes of all time. No other car I can think of has done from that to that. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. I don't know, why don't you go and find out while you order all of those parts that we're gonna need? NARRATOR Yes, it's certainly gonna take more than some polish and a new air-freshener to turn this one around. So, it's straight onto the spanners for Fuzz to grapple with the task of preserving as much of Katey's original car as possible. Starting with seeing if he can rectify the mysterious fault that took it off the road in the first place. FUZZ TOWNSHEND There's something about these MX-5s that I have to share with you. And that is that they can look as terrible as you like, yet they will still start up when demanded. So, I think that we should give this a little try, just to see if it will start up. NARRATOR Japanese manufacturers may have long been renowned for their mechanical reliability of their engines, but surely this is pushing it. FUZZ TOWNSHEND One of the main concerns that we could have, given that we've been told about this engine failure, is that perhaps the head gasket has gone. Now, a couple of ways to check that one is to remove the pressure cap from the radiator. We've got clean coolant and no signs of oil mixing in the water there. And then, if we check to see if we've got any kind of emulsified oil. Now, if you had a creamy deposit around here, then that could mean that water has got in with the oil and has mixed with it to make a mayonnaise-like substance. I don't think we've got a head gasket failure here, or anything like that. So now I'm gonna turn the engine over one revolution. And, by doing that, that means that I can determine that there's nothing stopping that engine rotating freely. Okay. It's moving, it's turning. That's good news. I think we should connect up a battery and see if we can get a tune out of this. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Lights on, on the dash. Let's try it...Oh. Well, would you believe it? Ah, okay. The charge light has just come back on. So that would indicate that we've perhaps got a problem with the alternator. It's not charging. So, I reckon that that is where the problem lies. NARRATOR The alternator's definitely something to fix. But, is it what's kept Katey's car off the road? So, while Fuzz continues to root around in the car's innards, diagnosing the faults he needs to fix. Tim swans off to Germany. But, this is no romantic weekend break. He's visiting Mazda's top secret R&D headquarters to find out exactly what it is about the rest of this little roadster's design that's made it the biggest selling sports car in history. TIM SHAW This is my first time, and probably yours, into a design facility for a car manufacturer. The whole point of these places is to leave your mind empty of distraction, empty of thoughts other than precisely what you're focusing on. NARRATOR And who better to reveal the secret recipe behind the MX-5's success than the automotive legend responsible for its design for the past three decades? Jo Stenuit. TIM SHAW Jo. JO STENUIT Tim. TIM SHAW Hello, mate. JO STENUIT Hi. TIM SHAW How are you doing? I feel like I'm in a library. JO STENUIT It's quiet because everybody's concentrating on dreaming, sketching, making stuff out of clay. Hoping that they will have the next MX-5 on the road. TIM SHAW So where does it start for you? What have we got here? JO STENUIT These are actually old sketches that were made here when they were developing the second series. TIM SHAW Here's the second series, right? JO STENUIT Yeah. TIM SHAW And that is the second series there. In the United Kingdom, the MX-5, when it first came out, had a stereotype. Do you know what I'm referring to? JO STENUIT Yes. TIM SHAW What's that? JO STENUIT The stuff I don't have. TIM SHAW Yeah. Okay then. The hairdresser's car. That's kind of what it was unfairly regarded as. There's never been a car, in my opinion, that's had such a colossal journey to being globally loved as being, and it is, known as the biggest, best-selling two-seater sports car of all time. JO STENUIT The most raced car in the world. TIM SHAW Right. So, how have you and your team done that? JO STENUIT By concentrating on the basics of the car. And the car is all about the driving experience, but the focus is lightweight, affordable, fun. TIM SHAW Right. It feels like the one word that sums what you guys do here is, you've created the perfectly balanced vehicle. NARRATOR I think you'll find that's actually six words, Tim. JO STENUIT So, let's talk about the interior. And this is the same car or the same model that you're restoring? TIM SHAW Yeah. For Katey, yeah. JO STENUIT And let me explain how important the position of everything is. To start with, the seat, fairly backwards in the car, and, of course, low. It's a sports car. TIM SHAW Okay. So, I mean, we're not far away from the back wheels here. Is that important? JO STENUIT It's important, for the sensation of the driving. You can compare it to sitting in an airplane in the rear seat. Then you see the airplane moving and that gives a strong sensation of the movement of the plane. And then. it might sound ridiculous, but the pedals in perfect aligned position, and they actually had engineers making the sound of the shifting. Also, not loud, but you have the experience of hearing the shifter. TIM SHAW Really? JO STENUIT So that you have even more experience. TIM SHAW Feedback? JO STENUIT Connecting to the car and feedback. TIM SHAW You guys wanted a lightweight, fun, affordable car and that was the brief. And every single member of the design team stuck to that. JO STENUIT And it's been the same for four generations. TIM SHAW And that's why it's become the number one-selling little sports car convertible thing on the planet. JO STENUIT People that love driving have an MX-5. TIM SHAW Even the hairdressers? JO STENUIT Some of them, yeah. TIM SHAW Yeah. NARRATOR Yes, they may be universally loved by most of the planet. But back in Blighty, there's a man in a workshop in the Midlands who might be about to change his opinion. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I've left the engine running for a little while. I've just come around the front and I can see that the engine's vibrating a little. Now, it shouldn't really be doing that. I'd expect it to be just ticking over and idling smoothly. I think we've got a little bit of a problem within the engine here. Perhaps we've got one of the balls more worn than the other, perhaps maybe a broken piston ring. It's like it's got a slight misfire, an unevenness, that should not be there. We're going to have to investigate this. NARRATOR Misfires and vibrations are often symptoms of other problems that stop an engine working properly. Time to get the car on the ramp and engine onto the bench for an inspection. FUZZ TOWNSHEND So, what we need to do is get the cylinder head off. That will allow us to know what we're going to have to do with this engine. Is it going to be major surgery, or is it just going to be a little bit of a cleaning tickle? NARRATOR Yes, time to put your best bedside manner to work, Fuzz, and see if you can't charm the issues out of that engine. As for the rest of the team, they're scrubbed in and ready to make their incisions as they start the near impossible task of inch by inch, removing the rust-ridden bodywork. Let's just hope something remains of it when they're done. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right, fabulous. Off it comes. What we have here is a composite head gasket. It's made from layers of different materials, and its job is to get rid of any of the imperfections between the two main surfaces. So, the block top and also the cylinder head. Without this, then gases could just escape, water would escape, and also, so would the oil. But here, I cannot see, as yet, any particular signs that anything is going wrong here. We don't have any unusual deep scoring in the cylinder walls. So I think that our pistons and rings and balls are probably in good shape. Where's my torch? Now, there's a couple of the valves open at the moment, and if I just look in there, I can see quite a lot of pitting on the exhaust valves. Then that will allow gases to escape past the valve seat and out through the exhaust, which gives us lower compression. So, the valves need to be recut, the seats need to be recut. That way, we get a good gas-tight seal. I think that there is our problem solved. NARRATOR So, it's a full engine rebuild to solve the compression issues and vibration, as well as a new alternator to keep it running. Let's just hope the bodywork repairs are more straightforward. NARRATOR Tim and Fuzz are getting to grips with a 20-year-old Mk2 Mazda MX-5, the sporty little roadster known for its good looks. However, this particular example isn't gonna win any prizes at the beauty contest. FUZZ TOWNSHEND This old MX-5 is not looking great. In fact, it's looking very nasty. NARRATOR It belongs to 39-year-old Katey, who bought it with money gifted by her late sister, allowing the pair to share a few final adventures together. VANESSA This means everything. Absolutely everything. NARRATOR Since the boys got their hands on it, they've been on a quest to retain the car's sentimental value by restoring as much of the original as they can. It's a much tougher challenge than replacing everything with new parts. And when it comes to the disintegrating bodywork, will it even be possible to salvage any of the original? FUZZ TOWNSHEND We've had it blasted a little bit around the bottom edges and it is decidedly frilly. I mean, probably much worse than we initially thought. So what we've got to do is remove this quarter here, this rear quarter on the near side. Rather than just brutally go in with a chisel and chisel everything out, we're drilling out the spot welds one by one, individually, tracing and finding 'em wherever we can, so that that will then allow us to prise away this rear wing without doing too much damage to the structure behind. We're gonna use this fella here, which is a spot weld drill. Now, rather than your ordinary drill, which has an angle profile, what we have here is a drill that drills almost flat, apart from a little peak in the middle, little cookie cut of a kind of hole. And that way we can drill out the fused material without damaging anything else around it, and, without damaging the next layer underneath. It's a clever little device. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Excellent. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Ah, and there we have our quarter off. It's not very good, actually. What we've got is the outer edge of the wheel arch has completely rotted away. I've never seen an MX-5 this bad. It's just absolutely perforated, like a doily at the edge. So we've gotta get all of that away and let new metal in, and then weld it all back together. So, this is turning out to be an absolutely ginormous job. What a rotter. NARRATOR So, as the team continues to delicately chisel, grind, and snip their way through the remains of Katey's pride and joy, it's the perfect opportunity for Tim and Fuzz to find out how a car that was the butt of jokes in the '90s was transformed into the world's best-selling roadster. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Come on, then, tell me what is it like to drive? TIM SHAW The thing for me, Fuzz, is, like, it's not a major event driving this car. You don't have to be a through and through, out and out petrolhead. You can just be somebody who likes putting the hood down, jumping in a car. Not having to, like, worry about anything, and just enjoy yourself. FUZZ TOWNSHEND These cars are perfect. TIM SHAW Other than the whole, you know, the stereotype, the unfair stereotype, which just feels like some low blow attempt at just having a go at perfection. FUZZ TOWNSHEND It's just wrong. TIM SHAW Yeah. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Absolutely wrong. TIM SHAW Jealousy. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I think as close to a perfect little sports car as you can possibly get. TIM SHAW What my mate in in Germany taught me is, always think about what the brief is. And the brief with this car, the reason they got it so right, is because they just went it has to be simple, affordable, lightweight, fun. And they did not deviate from that. Do you know what this car is like to me, Fuzz? A Sunday roast. But it's gonna be a good, solid meal that you're gonna enjoy. It's fun for all the family, it's lightweight in terms of the cost, and it's a dependable crowd-pleaser. FUZZ TOWNSHEND What I would like to know from your analogy is, where are the little sausages wrapped in bacon? TIM SHAW Well, this car has some pigs in blankets. You see, that's the souped up Sunday roast. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Ah. TIM SHAW That's the bigger plate, [LAUGHTER] that's the special. 'Cause this thing is supercharged. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Okay, now that is definitely. TIM SHAW It's the supercharged Sunday roast. FUZZ TOWNSHEND That's right. Okay, now that is cool. So what does it feel like? TIM SHAW So, with this one, instead of just having 150 horsepower as they do as standard, this one is 250 horses. FUZZ TOWNSHEND All MX-5s are great. But this one's just been made extra great. TIM SHAW So, question for you. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. TIM SHAW So, supercharged or not supercharged, Katey's? FUZZ TOWNSHEND Well, I think, yes, we should go for a supercharger. TIM SHAW Done. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, okay. TIM SHAW Done. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Come on then, let's get back to the workshop. Supercharger? TIM SHAW Via the Sunday roast, yeah? FUZZ TOWNSHEND That's right. Okay. Fantastic. I'm hungry now. NARRATOR Back on the workshop floor, the team has managed to remove the last bits of rust-ridden bodywork. And what remains is enough to make anyone feel ill. Let's hope Katey's mum, Vanessa, had a light lunch. TIM SHAW Come round here and have a look at it from the front. VANESSA Oh, look. TIM SHAW Look at this. VANESSA There's nothing of it. I can't believe you could bring that back to life. FUZZ TOWNSHEND We're working our way through the car a little bit at a time. And, therefore, it will all get done. But we're getting towards a time when we need to think about giving the car back to Katey. Yeah. So, do you have any ideas or do you just want to leave it to us? TIM SHAW Does she know the show? Does she know Car S.O.S? VANESSA I don't think so. TIM SHAW Oh, yes. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, that makes it easy. TIM SHAW We'll come up with something. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. TIM SHAW Okay. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Okay. NARRATOR As Tim once again conveniently disappears just as it's time to get his hands dirty, the workshop floor is suddenly transformed into a scene straight out of Flashdance, minus the leg warmers, of course. The team have worked long and hard to preserve as much of the original car as possible, although more than 80% still remains. Unfortunately, the original sills, wheel arches and rear quarters were just too far gone to be saved, so replacements need to be welded into place. After some filling and flatting, the team add an undercoat ready for the final coat of paint that will make it more like the car Katey's sister bought all those years ago. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Voila! Take a look here. This MX-5 is looking beautifully smooth again. It's as it looked when it was new. It's going to be fantastic. NARRATOR And there's more good news. Katey's original engine has been saved, having had new piston rings, bottom and top end gaskets, bearings, and the cam belt fitted. It's now as good as new, but, importantly, still packed with memories. Which leaves just one major element still missing Katey's original folding roof. So, can Car S.O.S's resident detailer, Skidmark, save the day? Or has the mould taken control? SKIDMARK You what? What's that? TIM SHAW Right, listen, let me just talk. [ SKIDMARK What? TIM SHAW Come out, come out. Just come here. Let me just talk my way through this, right? So, MX-5 roof. SKIDMARK Yeah. TIM SHAW Needs sorting. SKIDMARK Mm-hm. TIM SHAW I've promised Fuzz that it's doable. SKIDMARK Come in. Come on. TIM SHAW NARRATOR If Tim and Skidmark are able to refurbish the very rotten roof, that's gonna be the originality icing on top of the cake that's Katey's car. But, in its current condition, that's a big if. TIM SHAW Right, first impressions. And I know this is ridiculous, but do you think this is salvageable? SKIDMARK Yeah, I think we can have a good go with it. I think the bonus is it's never been jet washed. So, that's a real no-no. TIM SHAW Is it? So, we don't jet wash this today? SKIDMARK Yeah, we do not jet wash it. Worst enemy is a jet wash to a cabriolet roof. Because what it'll do is it'll penetrate it and then it starts to break it down. TIM SHAW So, are you saying that we reckon we can get this thing back to black? SKIDMARK Yeah. Easy. TIM SHAW So what is this then? What are we doing here? SKIDMARK So, this is a cleaning agent. It's got a pH of about 2.5. TIM SHAW So, it's pretty aggressive. So what will that do? Is that a mould killer or something? SKIDMARK Yeah. TIM SHAW So, for anyone who hasn't got that fancy stuff, is there another way of doing it? SKIDMARK Of course there is. TIM SHAW Oh, right, okay. SKIDMARK White wine vinegar. TIM SHAW Mixed up with what? Water? SKIDMARK Yeah. TIM SHAW I mean, it's clearly doing something because the water's gone green, right? This is Katey's car. She drove it with her sister. Her sister's no longer with her, but every single part of this car holds a memory for her. For me, keeping it original for her, keeping it with the hood that she went out with her sister in, her sister, Faye, you know, I just think that's lovely. SKIDMARK Yeah. TIM SHAW Do you know what, dude? Since I've started the old car sausage, I have not seen in front of my eyes such a transformation. You've got to agree with that as well. Look at the before and look at the after. NARRATOR After weeks of hard graft and a coat of original Strato Blue paint, Katey's MX-5 is slowly starting to inch towards its originality. But, not everything is staying as it once was. Fuzz is adding an engine upgrade, designed to inject one of her biggest passions into her pride and joy more horses. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Having driven a supercharged MX-5, it's a done deal. We have to do the same to Katey's MX-5. So, we're gonna fit this supercharger here. Now, air is taken in, comes in, and it's squeezed by these rotors. And as it's squeezed, it's compressed. That's packing a lot more air into the combustion chamber. So, with more air, we get the potential to make more power, 'cause we've got more oxygen in there. In standard trim, this engine would make 146 brake horsepower. But, with the supercharger fitted, we'll be looking at over 200 brake horsepower. That is over a third more power. Imagine waking up every morning with a third more go. So, without further ado, I think we should get all this together. NARRATOR Unlike a turbocharger, which is powered by exhaust gases, the supercharger is driven via a belt attached to the engine's crankshaft. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right. Get our supercharger and lift into place. NARRATOR Which means it provides a near-instant boost of stomach twisting power with no lag, when you hit the gas. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Tell you what. When Katey gets into this car, she's not going to know what's happened to it. It's going to be an utter screamer. NARRATOR But, if she's to put that claim to the test, the team needs to go all out to get her car complete. The roof, that once resembled a rabbit's breakfast, is being carefully refitted. The seemingly endless spaghetti of wiring loom is being reinstated. And the all-important original doors are bolted back on. TIM SHAW Guys, can I stop you all for a minute? I just want 30 seconds of your life. I have a confession to make. When this car, when the MX-5 first came through the door, I had a preconceived idea. Whatever. It was known as a hairdresser's car. Who, here, also had it down as that when it arrived? Go on, hands in the air. But who, here, be honest, put your hands down if you've got a new-found respect and you realise that you cannot judge a book by its cover? Seriously, it is that good a piece of engineering. TIM SHAW So I think it's fair to say, in apology to an MX-5 can we have a round of applause for Katey's MX-5? Come on guys. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. Yeah. WORKSHOP STAFF Cheers TIM SHAW To the MX-5! All right, let's get it done and get it back to Katey. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. NARRATOR So, with the horde of newly converted MX-5 devotees eagerly beavering away through the night, the stage is almost set for the big reveal. The time has come to return Katey's beloved little MX-5 to her. She surely missed hitting the open road with the top down, wind in her hair...And the rain endlessly pouring in. Yes, someone clearly forgot to order the sunshine. FUZZ TOWNSHEND It's absolutely chucking it down today. There's nothing like a convertible in the British summertime. And it's not just the transformation on the outside. It's under the bonnet as well. It's got the performance. It's got the looks. TIM SHAW I know. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Look at that colour. TIM SHAW Stop! I'll buy it. Do you wanna know what's going down today? FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, come on then. TIM SHAW For the first time, and I'm kinda nervous about this, Katey's at the place already where we're gonna do the sting. FUZZ TOWNSHEND How is that gonna work? I mean, what are you gonna do? TIM SHAW Her boss is Finn Guinness. It's Great-Granddad Guinness. She works for him and he's into his horses. She looks after his horses. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right. Got you. TIM SHAW He's in on it. So, he's having one of his lovely horses, have photos taken of it today. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Okay. TIM SHAW By a new photographer. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Right. Who's that then? TIM SHAW Well, it's chez moi. FUZZ TOWNSHEND You? TIM SHAW It's me. FUZZ TOWNSHEND You don't look like a photographer. TIM SHAW Don't worry about that. I've sorted that. I've got an outfit. So, I'm gonna come out, take some photos of the horsey. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. TIM SHAW Car's in the back of the trailer. Out comes the car. She goes, that's my car. The rest is history. FUZZ TOWNSHEND This is a dangerous one, you know? TIM SHAW Big style. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah. TIM SHAW Come on. Good luck. NARRATOR So, that's the plan. The boys are on their way to Katey's workplace, the world famous Biddesden Stud, home to some of the world's finest horses. And for one day only, a very unusual photoshoot directed by a man dressed like he should be taking bets at the Grand National. TIM SHAW We're gonna have to roll with the punches on this one. We're gonna have to make some changes as it happens, 'cause we did not plan for the rain. NARRATOR With monsoon season hitting and Katey already on her way to pick up the horse she thinks a famous photographer is photographing, Tim is gonna have to fly by the seat of his pants and make this one up as he goes along. TIM SHAW So, I guess the plan is this get Katey, bring her down here with the horse. We're taking photos of the horse. I don't want to bring out my expensive lights, my expensive cameras in the back of the car, from the back of the trailer. So, I'm being a sod, I'm refusing to bring out half a million pounds worth of gear in this weather. Finn, do what you need to do. Fuzz, get hidden. She might recognise you. FUZZ TOWNSHEND Yeah, okay. NARRATOR The trap is set. Tim has transformed himself into [PHONETIC Alan], the temperamental photographer, too good to be working with horses. TIM SHAW I'm not Al, I'm Alan to you guys. My wife calls me Al, but nobody else does. And as far as I know, you're not my wife. NARRATOR Alongside him are his long-suffering crew, who are working under the guise of making a documentary about his life. And Katey is on her way. TIM SHAW Unless it stops raining, there's no point proceeding. I told you. You shouldn't be wasting your time. Hello, hi. What's your name? KATEY Katey. TIM SHAW Hello. Hi, Alan, nice to meet you. Sorry, do you want me to lose, I can lose the umbrella. But I'll let you know, I'm not happy about it. These guys are making a documentary about my life, but horses aren't really my thing. The problem is that these guys here have known about the weather for two days now. I have some very expensive lighting in the back of my trailer that I'm reserved to bring out because it's half a million pounds worth of gear. And, so, that's the position we're in. So, what's the plan? BOGUS CREW MEMBER We need a light on it. TIM SHAW Yeah, I appreciate that. So, if you guys cover the insurance, if you cover the premium on it, then I'll bring out a light. Fine. BOGUS CREW MEMBER Now, let's get the lights out. TIM SHAW Okay, bring the lights out. Fine. Bring the lights out. KATEY TIM SHAW Hello. KATEY Hello. TIM SHAW How are you doing? KATEY Yeah, good. Yeah, good. TIM SHAW Do you recognise the lights? KATEY Well, maybe. TIM SHAW That is your car, isn't it? KATEY It is my car. TIM SHAW Any idea what's going on? KATEY No, not a clue. FUZZ TOWNSHEND I'm not interrupting anything? TIM SHAW Let me explain. Your mum, Vanessa, wrote to us. Are you all right? KATEY [CRIES] TIM SHAW No, stop hiding behind that. I'm losing the cap. Go. KATEY But my hair looks disgusting. TIM SHAW No, stop, listen. Your mum wrote to us. KATEY Okay. TIM SHAW She told me about the car. We know about your sister, Faye. And we know what the car means to you. KATEY [CRIES] Yeah, that's amazing. TIM SHAW So, we thought we'd do it up for you. KATEY Thank you. TIM SHAW And there are also a few people here to celebrate you. KATEY TIM SHAW And your sis. And all that it means. Are you all right? KATEY Yeah. TIM SHAW Can we bring out Katey's family, please? Come on, guys, come on out. VANESSA [LAUGHTER] I have never, ever managed to shock you, or surprise you. KATEY I know, ever. VANESSA In your life, since you were three years old, ever. And I don't know how I've done it, but I've done it. KATEY Yeah, I can't believe it. TIM SHAW Talk to Katey. Talk to her about why you wrote to us. VANESSA Because I knew what it meant to you, and all to do with Faye. [CRIES] And you would never, ever let it go. You'd never let it go. And it would have just rotted there forever and ever. TIM SHAW Can we have a round of applause for the lovely Katey? [INAUDIBLE] ALL [CHEERS] TIM SHAW It still hasn't sunk in yet, has it? KATEY No, it hasn't TIM SHAW Not at all. NARRATOR When Katey last saw her precious MX-5, it was a dilapidated, mould-ridden wreck. But after some serious graft from the boys, it's been rejuvenated without removing the precious memories. The rust-eaten body and faded paintwork now look factory fresh. Under the bonnet, the mechanical mystery's been solved with a new alternator. The engine has been rebuilt and restored to its former glory. And with the added supercharger, it's gonna shift faster than a Grand National winner. Inside, the tired interior has been restored, pimped and polished. And the crowning glory, the original roof. KATEY Oh, wow. VANESSA I'm absolutely shocked at what it looks like. It's amazing. It's a dream come true for her. TIM SHAW The car was left, you know, on your drive. KATEY Yeah. TIM SHAW How did you feel when you walked past it? KATEY Oh, I hated it. And I felt very, very guilty about it. It was, yeah, every single day I saw it. I must do something about it. And I am so amazed, shocked, every single emotion, and thrilled, that he's come back to life. Everything feels as it should. It's all the same, which is unbelievable really. Yeah, I feel very at home. TIM SHAW Do you? KATEY Yeah. TIM SHAW What is it about this car? KATEY I think the sentimental attachment to my sister massively. I just couldn't bear to part with it. She hated my driving of it. I'm need for speed. And she definitely wasn't. TIM SHAW I think your sister will always be looking down on you, going, fair play, girl, go for you, [LAUGHTER] you know, whatever, enjoy yourself. 'Cause that's the point of this, isn't it? You have been Car S.O.Sed. KATEY Thank you very much. TIM SHAW You're happy, aren't you? KATEY I'm very, very happy. Thank you. TIM SHAW Right. How does it feel? KATEY It feels amazing. TIM SHAW You wanna get out of here, don't you? KATEY Yeah I do, yeah. TIM SHAW Does anyone wanna see Katey drive off in her MX-5? Come on, then, get out of here. VANESSA Argh! TIM SHAW Be careful with that supercharger. VANESSA Oh, Katey, stop, stop, stop! KATEY I'm not going that fast. Vanessa. TIM SHAW Wow. FUZZ TOWNSHEND You want one of those, don't you? TIM SHAW I'm gonna get one. I'm just gonna call the hairdresser first. VANESSA What does it feel like? KATEY It feels absolutely amazing. I can't stop grinning. I cannot believe you managed to surprise me like this. VANESSA I'm confused about Clarence. Where did the name come from? KATEY The girl I bought him from thought he was a slightly fancy hairdresser's car, and she thought the name of a slightly fancy hairdresser would be Clarence. VANESSA So, that's where the name came from? KATEY I don't think anyone's gonna believe it, that Clarence has been revived. VANESSA Phoenix rising from the ashes. KATEY Yeah. I don't think anyone will believe it. ###