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(ARA) - Dan Woods is to old cars what Bob Villa is to old houses. Host of an auto restoration show, Woods takes a similar approach to Villa by communicating with the audience, documentary style. Woods illuminates the auto restoration process in an easy-to-understand way that gives viewers the information they need to tackle projects themselves.
“I am not the expert. The shops treat me like a third-year apprentice, which helps the audience know what’s going on and gives the show that how-to element,” says Woods. “Like Bob, I don’t lift a hammer, but explain what kind of hammer to use, how fast to lift it, and how many times you hit, to get the job done right.”
“Chop Cut Rebuild” (CCR) is a spin-off from the show “Classic Car Restorations,” which came from an idea Woods developed with an old friend he played softball with.
“We were always talking cars during the games, and once the idea was solid we became business partners,” explains Woods. “We go to the best auto restoration shops around and show what they do. The cars would be restored anyway even if we weren’t there so the show becomes a type of how-to video diary.”
Now in its fourth season on SPEED, the critically acclaimed series is renowned for delivering restoration and customizing information, straight up, with no fluff. The show features two season-long projects. First, the restoration of a concept car that was one of only 3,000 units ever produced, a 1975 Bricklin SV-1. The second project is the creation of a 1964 Chevy Impala made from scrap yard finds with components and replacement parts.
Both cars kicked into high gear with heavy horse-power under the hood and artful, inventive aesthetic appeal that will turn any head. Together with elite “all-star” tech teams and designers, Woods goes into deep details so the hardcore gear-heads get what they came for.
Woods credits his father for introducing him to cars. “Dad changed careers and was running a junk yard. He had me stripping and cleaning car parts. I learned how to get a car running from other cars’ parts and went through three Pintos in one year,” remembers Woods. “I never restored a car, but I sure learned to appreciate them by seeing all the “hay bales” my father created. This show lets me feel like I can rectify all the wrongs he did by crushing up old cars that could have been restored.”
Woods appreciates the show for the fan interaction. As host, he is one of the few producers who can go online and chat with the viewers. Answering questions about the show and specific questions about the cars and the restoration process, he also replies to complaints and misunderstandings. He responds directly to them, explains the reasons for doing it which really diffuses their anger. Fans are impressed with the one-on-one contact and become loyal viewers.
Check for local listings and show times of “Chop Cut Rebuild” by going online to www.speedtv.com and log on to www.ccr.tv to contact Dan Woods or for more information on their current project.