'Car Masters: Rust to Riches' Season 2 Review: It's a Buick, it's a Plymouth, it's a super version of them
This review is spoiler-free
'Car Masters: Rust to Riches' debuted in 2018 and gearheads, in particular, had their reasons to love it. It was one of the most-talked-about shows after 'Fastest Car', another automotive-themed reality show, where an overhauled "sleeper-car" would be souped-up enough to take on exotic supercars.
'Car Masters' followed Gotham Garage founder, Mark Towle and his crew of three mechanics and a deal-cracker, take in classics and give them a major modern overhaul thereby increasing their value. They would either trade-up the cars or flip them for good money.
The pilot season was eight episodes and the second installment follows the same storyline and template.
For those who saw the first season convert a '64 Ford Thunderbird into a Rocket Car, the latest installment is an absolute jaw-dropper.
The season opens with Towle and his team comprising Constance Nunes, Michael Caveman Pyle, and Tony Quinones work on upgrading a '53 Buick while also attempting converting a classic Ford Pinto into an electric race car that is just as fast.
The challenge comes in when renowned car innovator, Gil Losi, asks for making the Pinto an electric dragster that has to reach the eighth-mile in under nine seconds.
This comes in as a challenge as Gotham Garage is generally into revamping vintage classics, however, we get a detailed look at the obstacles the team vaults as they meticulously go about overhauling the Pinto to meet the demands.
Much like last season, each episode focusses on one of the crews who chip in with their expertise, helping overcome any hurdle the teams face.
For instance, Constance Nunes, the designated engine specialist modifies a '69 Mach 1 Mustang as she's one of those people who knew the Mustangs in and out.
'Car Masters' does more than just see the team build and rebuild cars to sexy, mean machines. Cracking deals, making new contacts, and the pressures of working on multiple projects all come into focus. And each episode isn't exactly a success story either as it sees them dust themselves off the canvas each time there's a snag in the project.
One of the highlights perhaps is when Towle lets his creativity run wild and converts a regular motor-boat into a part corvette. The genius of Towle sees him incorporate elements of various versions of the Corvettes over the years as they reconstruct the bot. In the end, it goes for a grand $73,500 and a Vaydor kit car.
So it isn't really the colorful and jazzy cars the audience is treated to, but how Towle and Co. go about raking in the big bucks. With the tattoos, the fun element and a custom garage, the eight-episode Season 2 is a great watch for those not into cars as well.
What really makes 'Car Masters' Season 2 worth those just-over-four hours has more to do than car overhauling. It's a series that gives valuable tips on how the car market works, the money that goes into each deal and the dedication and skill Towle and team bring to the table.
In the end, it's all about passion and how it enables them to make a great paycheck.
Adding to this is the safe route the series has taken. It relies on the elements that made it successful in the first place — creativity, a tight narrative and a generous dose of talent and humor. For gearheads, the latest installment makes their Friday worthwhile.
'Car Masters: Rust to Riches' Season 2 is available for streaming on Netflix.