Wheeler dealers gone down hill
Discussion
curlie467 said:
I thought it was that Ford had to build so many to get fia accreditation, the car was designed purely to go rallying so it was designed and built to do that, not to look like a road car.
Going off-topic here, but yes FIA homologation rules necessitated that enough of them be built to classify it as a 'road' car rather than a custom made one-off rally-racer, but the point is that the Escort Cosworth was just a rebodying and shortening of a car they already had but weren't selling anymore.It was a Sierra in a borrowed suit.
I enjoyed it, for the most part.
I like Ant a lot for FTLOC and liked his style.
Those O.Z. Wheels in white are my favourite of all time and I thought the car looked great... except the 3rd spoiler, which was ridiculous, especially with a cost of $5k (apparently), whether or not its Frank Stephenson designed/ approved.
To then sell it back to the original owner +$20k seemed bold after what was fairly basic maintenance. I thought they were going to ask $40k (+$10k), which I thought was steep considering the frivolous cost attributed to the spoiler.
Ignoring the money aspects though - i'll be back in for next week's!
I like Ant a lot for FTLOC and liked his style.
Those O.Z. Wheels in white are my favourite of all time and I thought the car looked great... except the 3rd spoiler, which was ridiculous, especially with a cost of $5k (apparently), whether or not its Frank Stephenson designed/ approved.
To then sell it back to the original owner +$20k seemed bold after what was fairly basic maintenance. I thought they were going to ask $40k (+$10k), which I thought was steep considering the frivolous cost attributed to the spoiler.
Ignoring the money aspects though - i'll be back in for next week's!
r11co said:
curlie467 said:
I thought it was that Ford had to build so many to get fia accreditation, the car was designed purely to go rallying so it was designed and built to do that, not to look like a road car.
Going off-topic here, but yes FIA homologation rules necessitated that enough of them be built to classify it as a 'road' car rather than a custom made one-off rally-racer, but the point is that the Escort Cosworth was just a rebodying and shortening of a car they already had but weren't selling anymore.It was a Sierra in a borrowed suit.
curlie467 said:
I thought it was that Ford had to build so many to get fia accreditation, the car was designed purely to go rallying so it was designed and built to do that, not to look like a road car.
That designer only designed a few elements of the car, the show made it look like he'd designed it all.
Didn't they say it his first car he had worked on as well, so probably a case of over enthusiastic form over function in the design.That designer only designed a few elements of the car, the show made it look like he'd designed it all.
If the third spoiler had marked gains in handling on the road or on the rally circuits, I am sure that Ford would have incorporated it in the final design. This was primarily designed to win rallies.
You will probably find the increase in extra downforce wasn't needed, and coupled with reduced rear visibility, which would be important for the road car, extra weight and extra drag (and subsequent reduction in top speed), it wasn't justified, so they rightly chucked it out. Probably nothing to do with cost at all, just that it had no performance gains, (but he isn't going to admit that is he).
I didn't see how they mounted it either, I imagine they would have had to drill into the tailgate.
Stig said:
What they also fail to grasp is that a show that's supposedly for 'petrol heads' (though I expect that's 'gear heads' now it's based in sunny California!), is always going to get flak when the veil of integrity starts to slip and you realise it's just 'telly' - then again, WD was 'telly' when Edd was there too - the earliest stuff is the most honest.
Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Still, it makes a change from the Discovery re-runs I suppose
Watch For The Love of Cars & you'll see why Ant's qualified to do the job.Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Still, it makes a change from the Discovery re-runs I suppose
ZX10R NIN said:
Stig said:
What they also fail to grasp is that a show that's supposedly for 'petrol heads' (though I expect that's 'gear heads' now it's based in sunny California!), is always going to get flak when the veil of integrity starts to slip and you realise it's just 'telly' - then again, WD was 'telly' when Edd was there too - the earliest stuff is the most honest.
Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Still, it makes a change from the Discovery re-runs I suppose
Watch For The Love of Cars & you'll see why Ant's qualified to do the job.Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Still, it makes a change from the Discovery re-runs I suppose
hin rides/Kindigit.13 minutes in. There is no chemistry between Ant and Mike. Ant is trying to be Edd with the "must be something wrong" etc.
I am sure it will get better as the series goes on but imo they should have stopped last series.
Ant's knowledge of the "Cosworth Y engine" is astounding. No Ant, it is a Cosworth YBP. at least he knew that the turbo was the T25.
I am sure it will get better as the series goes on but imo they should have stopped last series.
Ant's knowledge of the "Cosworth Y engine" is astounding. No Ant, it is a Cosworth YBP. at least he knew that the turbo was the T25.
ZX10R NIN said:
WD was 'telly' when Edd was there too - the earliest stuff is the most honest.
Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Between the two of them only one actually ran a business maintaining and servicing cars, which admittedly went into receivership when he made the mistake of franchising it our while he finished his contract to make TV programs that because of a change of production company ownership necessitated him spending several months of the year in the USA and away from his core business.Can't make my mind up about Ant Anstead? I'm sure he's an enthusiast, but with what qualification? When he referred to fibreglass CSM as chopped straw matting my brain started to switch off. It's these small details that make you realise it's a show with presenters, rather than mechanics.
Go figure!
Edited by r11co on Tuesday 2nd January 20:34
r11co said:
Between the two of them only one actually ran a business maintaining and servicing cars, which admittedly went into receivership when he made the mistake of franchising it our while he finished his contract to make TV programs that because of a change of production company ownership necessitated him spending several months of the year in the USA and away from his core business.
Go figure!
You referring to Mike Brewer Motors ? He now has two of this locations. Sells some nice cars, from what I've seen via the net. Mike must of made some serious money though, WD has been running for 10/12 years, before that he did two similar WD like programs, one in a garage and one with another chap. All very raw and not as polished, but something honest.Go figure!
Edited by r11co on Tuesday 2nd January 20:34
I wonder how Ed has earnt ? Since his departure from WD he has dropped off the face of the earth. I sometimes see twitter stuff relating to the odd car rally but on the whole he's disappeared . I was hoping he would start up another show, someone more mechanical as I generally did like him. Over the 10/12 years you've seen him mature well and I like his calm approach. I also like Ant, he's a good mechanic but just a little over the top at the moment as he's joined an established show so feels he needs to make his mark.
sbk1972 said:
Just looked it up. Created 2009, Closed 2017.
Didn't realize Ed had created a garage.
Wonder what he's up to work wise.
SBK
I thought Ed was a TV vehicle technician and it was this which got him into WD in the first place so he could always go back to that.Didn't realize Ed had created a garage.
Wonder what he's up to work wise.
SBK
I also thought his Mrs was big in sports promotions so perhaps he is just tinkering for fun now as a supported husband.
I watched it on Sky last night. I quite enjoyed it but then I enjoy most motoring shows. It felt a little more polished than the old series and that's not a criticism of the Mike and Ed shows as that was part of the charm. The rear wing was an absolute abomination whether it was designed that way originally or not.
I’m trying to like Ant but his constant shaking of everything in his hands and his over the top, and obviously preprapared, poses to show off his muscles are driving me insane. Finally, boots in LA. He must not have good foot hygiene.
I think the choice of the escort for his debut was a mistake. It must be a dream car for WD but the entire setup was so blatant. When Mike “bought” the car they used a price too low to have a large margin at the end. When they brought the car back to the garage they referred to the previous owner twice in current tense. I.e. they were acknowledging it was going back to the same guy.
While not completely relevant, Ant’s new girlfriend irritates the crap out of me as well. She has taken vocal fry to a whole new level.
As others have already said, Anys over enthusiasm for ever car in the season makes you realize he isn’t being genuine.
I think the choice of the escort for his debut was a mistake. It must be a dream car for WD but the entire setup was so blatant. When Mike “bought” the car they used a price too low to have a large margin at the end. When they brought the car back to the garage they referred to the previous owner twice in current tense. I.e. they were acknowledging it was going back to the same guy.
While not completely relevant, Ant’s new girlfriend irritates the crap out of me as well. She has taken vocal fry to a whole new level.
As others have already said, Anys over enthusiasm for ever car in the season makes you realize he isn’t being genuine.
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