A man with dreadlocks walks through a large field of rusted cars
Seeing remodeling and repairing affects our brain's pleasure centers is like eating a big plate of gooey macaroni and cheese. We love seeing a dining room remodeled, or an old chest of drawers removed and restored to its original splendor rust valley restorers review. So the Canadian reality show Rust Valley Restorers, which premiered on Netflix this week, should appeal to all joy centres, especially for those who love seeing rusty vintage car shells turned into super-hot show cars. But what is a restoration show without a bit of personality?
Opening shot: A man with dreadlocks walks through a large field of rusted cars. "My name is Mike Hall, and over the past 40 years, without better judgment, I've managed to amass over 400 classic cars. These cars are my legacy," he said in a voiceover. "
The gist: Hall has been building a successful business for the past 40 years to blow up rocks and cliffs (he's known as "Rasta Blasta"), and since then he's been collecting classic cars, mostly unusable rust heap. He is a teenager. Now, he owns more than 400 of them, located on a large parcel of land at the foot of the Canadian Rockies in Tarpon, British Columbia. He's in his 60s now, and he's decided now or forever; instead of making restoration a hobby, he's decided to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a restoration company called Rust Bros so he can restore and sell his collection.
In this 40-minute episode, Mike and Avery exchange jokes and advice, scouring the sprawling junkyard for parts, different cars, and anything else they can sell along the way. Most of the episodes follow a fairly predictable pattern, introducing each car and its history, which brings us back to the flying shots on the wall when we see Mike and Avery discussing what it takes to restore a car and how they do it OK .
What's especially interesting here is the depth of the discussion when it comes to the technical specifications of each car. I'll be the first to admit that I know almost nothing about cars, which is ironic considering I used to work for an auto insurance company. From fan belts and testing engines to trim and paint jobs, Rust Valley Restorers is a show that never lowers its stuff, so it feels more custom for those who love their engines. There's a lot of colloquialism about cars and engines here, and honestly, the show runs better because of it.
In true reality show fashion, there's some drama here, and a lot of it comes in the form of Mike's finances. Throughout the episode, there's a sense of life and death, and if I'm being honest, that's a pretty accurate assessment when you're self-sufficient. It's not easy to turn your hobby into a profitable business venture, I know it firsthand, and for a while you're running a pretty big loss. For Mike, however, the success of his store will ultimately define his livelihood, and this worry has been a source of stress and motivation for him, even as he achieves his dreams.
The final photo of the season shows Mike's collection and the entire Rust Valley covered in snow. Even over time, these scenes reinforce the power of nature to stop human activity. Rust Valley Restorers Season 1, possibly the entire series, the Rust Bros store, Mike's "Metallic Illusion," the restoration business throughout Rust Valley, and the viewer's viewing experience are all interrupted by the inevitable arrival of winter. The potential for renewal is still there, as is the worn-out car, but at the same time, business and entertainment must bow to the environment.
There is a poem that has captivated writers for thousands of years, scribbling down our foolishness, trying to escape the ticking of the clock with enduring words. I don't know if Rust Valley Restorers will stand the test of time, but it certainly will.