FYI: "Wheeler Dealers" Cast and Location Changes

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Dan Sarandrea (Phila)

Waitin' On Parts...
Not exclusively X1/9 and FIAT content, but nevertheless notable since it is the world's most watched car-related TV program and I'm sure more than a few members here enjoy the show.

Ending its six year stint based in the USA, the Wheeler Dealers car show will be relocating back to the UK for production of its 23rd season.

The location change is accompanied by cast changes. The show's current mechanic, Ant Anstead, parts company and will remain in the USA, and has agreed to make up to three new shows for the parent Discovery network. The new mechanic, Marc "Elvis" Priestly, who recently worked with show host Mike Brewer on another Wheeler Dealers show called "Dream Cars," will be taking over the Wheeler Dealers workshop.
 
A friend of mine is a neighbor to Ant's SoCal home. I heard the new shows that Ant will do are something like the ones he previously did solo - building a car for himself. The upcoming ones will be another "custom" build like the prior one was. I'm not surprised he is staying in the US, now that he is married to a very successful US citizen and has a baby with her (my friend's wife is friends with Ant's wife - quite the story behind their relationship).

I got the feeling that Mark Priestly is something of a "milder" personality in the way that Edd China was. Meaning not as assertive as Ant. I had the feeling Brewer did not like being upstaged by Ant's strong manner, nor did Ant like playing second role. Kind of surprised they lasted as long as they did together.

I'd love to see the program with people like Edd and Mark - dropping Mike altogether. In other words stick more to just the technical stuff and get more detailed on it. ;) But I know that's not what sells TV.
 
Dr.Jeff said:
I'm not surprised he is staying in the US, now that he is married to a very successful US citizen and has a baby with her (my friend's wife is friends with Ant's wife - quite the story behind their relationship).
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I thought that the marriage to Christina ended in a split a little while back. I really can't see those two together... to me she is the definition of high maintenance. :p
 
Pete Whitstone said:
I thought that the marriage to Christina ended in a split a little while back. I really can't see those two together... to me she is the definition of high maintenance. :p
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I haven't seen my friend in quite some time so I don't know the latest on them (not that we would talk about the neighbors anyway). Not sure but I think she has a new partner on her show? That might have a part in all of this relationship situation. The story behind Ant and Christina getting together in the first place is very steamy (my friend's wife has too much free time on her hands and loves to gossip). But I can attest to your view of Christina being very true. Frankly he also seems like he'd be a bit difficult to live with.
 
I must agree with everything said here... with all that I know, but that ain't much.

When the show first started with Mike and Edd I really enjoyed Edd with his technical abilities and all. I only wished he would at least clean the parts, maybe even give them a light coat of chassis black before he re-installed them.

Mike on the other hand, seemed like the greasy, sleazy used car salesman and was a big turn off for me. I felt I needed to just disregard him.

ALAS, I had the opportunity to meet them both and observed their interactions with those that they met with. Edd was polite and all an expressed some interest in who we were but Mike was exceptionally friendly. Not the over-animated "actor" he was on TV... he was a pleasure to speak with.

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I find this was back in 2015 and Tommy Mastracchio and I drove our X's which they both commented on... words like they looked great and they really never see those anymore in the UK. I think this was a time just before they moved filming to the U.S. Tommy even got 15 seconds of fame as they filmed an episode with Mike. Both Edd and Mike brought their wives, family and friends and the entire crew was polite to us "groupies". It was a great day at Autobooks/Aerobooks in Burbank. (Shameless plug... If you are ever in the area, esp. on Saturdays, stop by for free rolls and coffee as there is always something going on. They are online too... and have or can get almost ANYTHING published that is aero or auto related. I've run into Jay there a few times as well!)

Both were cordial guys and I think Edd is a bit shy and just wasn't as "outgoing" as Mike. I still kinda cringe seeing Mike kinda sweaty and greasy on TV but I think I know him a bit better as a person.

Ant... another great skillful mechanic... haven't met him, but talk about ANIMATED!
 
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Black-Tooth said:
Mike on the other hand, seemed like the greasy, sleazy used car salesman and was a big turn off for me.
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That's how I see him. I remember that book signing day at Auto/Aero. It was the first year they were in America. But I didn't actually meet Mike until a couple years later at a industry event. I got a different impression of him in person than you did; to me he was the same sleazy character in person. But it was a much larger event so maybe he felt like he was "on stage".
 
Edd made WD, he was the reason I watched it......but......without Mike it would have been nothing. There was a a chemistry between the two that was never matched when they split and Ant joined. Biggest mistake was moving the program to the USA
 
NEG said:
Edd made WD, he was the reason I watched it......but......without Mike it would have been nothing. There was a a chemistry between the two that was never matched when they split and Ant joined. Biggest mistake was moving the program to the USA
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Indeed! The selection of vehicles they worked on turned to (mostly) crap - we just don't get the range of interesting vehicles seen in EU & UK
 
lookforjoe said:
Indeed! The selection of vehicles they worked on turned to (mostly) crap - we just don't get the range of interesting vehicles seen in EU & UK
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I liked a few of them. The Alfa Spider QV, the Escort Cossie. In fact that blue Cossie is for sale a five minute drive from my house.

www.nweuro.com

1995 Ford Escort Cosworth RS — Northwest European

www.nweuro.com www.nweuro.com


But you're right. I liked it much better when it was in the UK. I think Mike, like a lot of Brits, love Americana culture.
 
Maybe it's time to put the series to sleep. I liked the early shows when they worked on older simple cars. Cars from the late 90s and forward are not really DIY cars and we lack the specialized diagnostic tools Ant uses and we don't have his skills. But then that's me.

Even with the Celica they worked on they ended up swapping in a JDM motor and gear box and my eyes kind of glazed over at that point. Who the hell rips out the crappy sunroof and welds in a sheet meal replacement panel! And I don't know how many of you noticed they did not install a headliner.
 
Ant's solo show is on the Motortrend channel of Amazon Prime. He builds an Alfa Romeo 158 race car from a MG frame and alfa 4 cylinder engine. Its interesting and boring at the same time. The engine rebuild was outsourced so you only see fab work on the frame, body, and controls. Theres some screen time for the flow shop that works on the cylinder head but i'd rather see a video of the guy rebuild the motor. Not sure I would tune in for another round it just kind of missed the mark.
 
I bet once a build becomes more intricate and specialized the audience tunes out. That's why I enjoy garage squad. People on creepers in tiny garages. Builds are usually simple. But nooooo then they had to ruin the show and get rid of Heather. WTH.......
 
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I gave up about a third of the way through the first episode as Ant spent more time talking about philosophical issues rather than what he was actually doing to the car.
 
lanciahf said:
I bet once a build becomes more intricate and specialized the audience tunes out. That's why I enjoy garage squad. People on creepers in tiny garages. Builds are usually simple. But nooooo then they had to ruin the show and get rid of Heather. WTH.......
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totally agree. I even sent an email about heather!!
 
I'm afraid to send an email complaining about Heather just in case my other half finds out. The change was just so unnecessary, again more forced banter with the new person. Edd was right, discovery is changing the fundamentals of the show. Turbo MR2 and you bring it to a go cart track???
 
Dr.Jeff said:
I liked the original girl on Garage Squad, Lauren Bohlander. But Heather was good also.
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Well, Christy Lee is worth watching as well, and liked Lauren Bohlander also, but Heather is a cutie...

What I really can't stand is "All Girls Garage" especially after Christy left. Just too many giggles, too much chatter and cutesy stuff for my taste.

Overhaulin' was my favorite originally because of the jokes they played on the "marks". Now they come out and reveal what they are up to right away. I think the theme has kinda worn itself out, but I still am aghast at the cooperation and team work shown as they bring to fruition one of Chip's designs! American Hot Rod I think played off of American Chopper only the fights were REAL with the Teutul's. I gotta admit I enjoyed it until I viewed the cooperative efforts on Overhaulin' and several others.
 
Honestly I cannot stand all the drauma on so many of the shows. I will not waste my time watching fighting and arguing, even if it is fake. Too much of that in the real world. The other thing that will keep me from watching some programs is arrogant personalities...which seem to abound in this arena. I really only want to see the technical aspect and not the "story" regardless. I could care less about the people or the back story, just focus on the cars. The four shows on what they call "PowerBlock" (or "Power Nation") may not be in my personal genre, but at least the content and format is MUCH better (nothing is perfect). In general it seems most of the programs these days have become nothing more than commercials for various products from the aftermarket. I can see that online if I'm interested, don't need a full program to tell me it exists. But I realize I'm not the typical viewing demographic.

Tony, Cristy Lee is cute, and coming from a family that's involved in motorcycle and automotive venues she has some appreciation for mechanical things. But she is a bit too animated, and frankly has too much difficulty maintaining her health (polite way of saying weight), for my taste.
 
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