It was after midnight on a chilly January night, and there we were on site of the Overhaulin' television production with none other than Chip Foose and host A.J. as they just finished their special edition show. The show revolves around a seven-day circuit/schedule, and we felt the strenuous hours that the builders go through the whole time. Even though we didn't contribute to the build, we were there the whole time capturing it as it happened, wishing we could strap on some gloves and help.
This episode was a special edition filming as the restoration crew built two rides, instead of the normal one. This meant more builders, parts, and more strain on the producers and regular staff. Since Napa collaborated with Overhaulin' on this episode, they decided to steal one of their delivery trucks from the well-known auto parts chain. Dayrline was the overhaulee because she worked for the company and this was her work truck. She also had an El Camino that she was working on for a long time and never got the time or money to spend on tricking out her ride. The most use she and her husband got out of this pickup was when they would haul their Harleys around in the bed of it. So, Overhaulin' stole both the work truck and her El Camino to customize in one shot.
There is more to the show than meets the eye. It was created and put on by Brentwood Communication International, which is led by Bud Brutsman. Bud, the automotive enthusiast, has been into cars and trucks, since he was a youngster. His dad was a stock car racer, and his brother built musclecars, so it was inevitable that he would share their interests. At the age of 15, he was caught and arrested for stripping an L88 Corvette. Then, when he was 18, his rebellious ways caused him to drop out of high school.
Bud was on the rebound and decided to pursue a career in media production. And in 1992, he produced his first video on country line dancing-look out, Billy Ray Cyrus. Jump forward about 10 years, and Bud found himself looking to do an automotive-based television show. He ran across Chip Foose, and Chip pitched the idea to do a SEMA buildup for the pilot to be filmed. It was shot and sold to the TLC network, as it was a hit with people across the nation.
Bud then wanted to move on with producing a new show that was based on frame-up restorations. The only one who believed and was willing to invest time and efforts to do these full restoration projects was, again, Chip Foose. Since Bud and Chip knew they had something going for them with the SEMA buildup show that had become the Rides production, they brainstormed together and came up with the Overhaulin' concept.
If you have not seen the Overhaulin' show, then you have been missing out on some quality gearhead TV. During the hour of the program, they show you who is to be overhauled and what their story is. Then, the crew steals the car from the overhaulee and starts tearing the vehicle apart down to the frame. Then, during a week's time, the crew of builders and head designer Chip Foose make way to revamp the vehicle. The masterful show breaks the vehicle down into sections and has every piece individually worked on. At the same time, the owner is told some bizarre story of how the car was destroyed or cannot be found. Once the build is done, the owner is brought out to a random shop that Overhaulin' happens to be in and the crew awaits with the finished product.