CAR S.O.S Returns for a Sixth Season: A Conversation with Petrol-Head Tim Shaw

BRAND NEW SIXTH SEASON OF THE CAR RESTORATION SHOW WITH HEART FEATURING MIND-BLOWING MAKEOVERS AND HEART WRENCHING REAL-LIFE STORIES

Premieres on National Geographic Thursday 8th March at 8pm

Get revved up and ready for the return of master mechanic Fuzz Townshend and parts-blagging petrol-head Tim Shaw as the talented duo unleash a brand new, Season 6 of their hugely popular car restoration series, Car S.O.S., onto our screens.

Premiering on National Geographic at 8pm on Thursday 8th March 2018 and with a special guest appearance in the opening episode from actor James Nesbitt (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Cold Feet), this new season is one not to be missed!

Featuring some of the most difficult car makeovers Fuzz and Tim have ever encountered and heart-breaking real-life stories that devastate the entire crew, including the sad death of a contributor at the time of filming their episode, the sixth instalment of this much-loved series is a heartwarming, inspirational rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Making motoring dreams come true, Tim and Fuzz continue their undercover mission to save corroding classic cars from their unsuspecting owners, and restore them to their former glory, after a swift pit-stop at the Car S.O.S. garage.

What attracted you to this story about restoring Billy’s MGA?

If you wrote it as a film script, no one would believe it. How could you possibly say no to it? When you hear that the family have bonded around this piece of metal, you have to take on this project. Working on a car like this and giving it back to such a lovely family has been a wonderful experience. For us, far away the most important thing has been the family.

What did Billy’s family say to you when they approached Car SOS?

Billy’s daughter Kathryn told me that I would meet a guy who has dedicated as whole life to making sure everyone else is OK. If anyone needed their lawnmower fixing, he’d do it. He’d do nothing for himself and everything for everyone else. Kathryn said to me, “I want to see the smile on dad’s face that I only ever saw when he worked on a car with John.”

It must be very satisfying that Car SOS enables these projects to happen.

It is. We find these people who buy cars and, with the best intentions, aren’t fully aware of the cost of restoring them. It wouldn’t be financially viable without us. None of these projects could have happened without Car SOS.

Is it nerve-racking doing the “reveal” at the end of each show?

Yes. I do get very nervous. Of course, I dress up in stupid clothes for the reveal, but I also remind myself of all the guys in the workshop who have worked so hard to make this happen. This project was 800 hours’ work. So, inevitably I feel pressure about the reveal. But you just have to forget about the cameras. It becomes about the story. In this episode, when the penny drops and Billy gets it, it’s a very special moment. It makes the show.

Do you get a lot of feedback from Car SOS fans?

Definitely. I was at Manchester Airport the other day, and a valet parker said to me, “Tell Fuzz he’s in trouble. Thanks to him, I bought a Mazda MXS, and I don’t know how to fix it!” We’re always meeting people who blame us for getting them into classic cars! This nation used to have such skills in car restoration. I hope our legacy will be getting people to pick up those tools again.

Might you ever become jaded by this job?

No! You can’t get bored. Could you ever get bored of Christmas? I love meeting people with the same disease as me – being mad about cars! We’re all in the same weird club.

What draws such a wide audience to Car SOS?

It’s not about Fuzz or me. Viewers relate to how people get so passionate about cars. We also want to see good things happen to people. We see so much negative these days, but our show is a ray of hope. Also, it’s not scripted or faked. No one has ever sussed it. The people whose cars we restore are not acting. You get the real them. We all see some of ourselves in every person we do it for. It’s wonderful to see something good happen to people who have had a tough time. It’s a lovely thing to do.

Finally, can you summarise the overall attraction of Car SOS?

If you’re a petrol head, you’ll love it. But if you’re not a petrol head, you’ll love it, too. Cars don’t make the show – people make the show A guy came up to me the other day and said, “I hate cars, but I love your show.” That to me sums up the appeal of Car SOS.

Car S.O.S premieres Thursday March 8 at 8pm on National Geographic