The BEST Episodes of American Restoration
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Sep 18, 2021
Network: History
AMERICAN RESTORATION features Rick Dale and his crew of loose screws at Rick's Restorations in Las Vegas, Nevada, as they take rusty, beat-up items and restore them to their original glory. Whether it's a giant gas pump from the 1940s or a Hopalong Cassidy bicycle from the 1950s, every restoration is a high-stakes business project where worthless rust is transformed into a valuable collectible. However, these restorations aren't easy. Every project presents unique challenges for Rick and his team, who develop inventive processes to finish each job flawlessly and on time. From old gas carts to timeless slot machines, the items Rick restores are part of the fabric that makes up American culture. Things just aren't made like they used to be, but at Rick's Restorations, old becomes new again.
#1 - George Clinton: Funky Yeah!
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired Jun 5, 2014
When music legend George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic arrives with a funked up 1920s Chickering Baby Grand Piano, the team preps for a pitch-perfect project. Can Rick hit the right notes on this classic instrument, or will the project fall flat? Then, when word gets out that P-Funk will put on a concert for the big reveal, Brettly and Tyler try to take charge of the planning. Can they pull off a spectacular show, or will it be a funky flop?
7.89 
#2 - Knockout
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Apr 15, 2011
A 1900s punching-bag game; and an antique railroad strongbox.
7.76 
#3 - Pumped Up
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired Apr 22, 2011
A 1920s visible gas pump is auctioned; and salvage yard is explored.
7.76 
#4 - Apples and X-Rays
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired May 27, 2011
An apple corer and peeler from the 1880s; and a department-store X-ray machine from the 1940s used to fit shoes.
7.74 
#5 - Space Kowboy
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired Apr 29, 2011
A NASA helmet from the Gemini missions of the 1960s; and a rusty gas cart.
7.69 
#6 - The Big Bang
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Feb 8, 2012
Rick and the guys aim to please when an 1800s cannon rolls into the shop. Can they hit their transformation target or will this banged up blaster backfire? And later, a client brings in a 1960s slot machine from the old Silver Slipper Hotel & Casino. Can the shop hit the jackpot on this 10-cent contraption, or will they lose big on this gaming gamble?
7.68 
#7 - Mr. Lucky
Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired Feb 19, 2016
Andy works on a bizarre kit car that's part VW bug, part DeLorean and part motorcycle; Bodie deals with an early 1900s electric car charger; Dale builds a custom Harley for a customer looking to connect to his past.
7.63 
#8 - Riders of the Storm
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired Feb 25, 2014
When an New Jersey amusement park owner brings a Hurricane Sandy damaged 1920s Haunted House Car to the shop, the pressure is on to restore a piece of history for a recovering community. With the help of Ted and new painter Niko, Rick hopes to help this wreck-on-wheels once again take some spooky spins.
7.63 
#9 - Three Wheeled Thunder
Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired Feb 12, 2016
Bodie restores a very rare 1948 Davis Divan for the grand reopening of the Petersen Automotive Museum; Monkey Business works on turning a '50s carnival tank into a go-cart for a motorcycle group; and Bob's garage takes on a '70s gas-powered toy.
7.63 
#10 - Up Against the Wall
Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired Feb 5, 2016
Dale is rushing to bring a 90-year-old Indian motorcycle back to life to perform on the infamous traveling motorcycle stunt show, the Wall of Death; Bodie tries to transform a 1950's cola dispenser into a modernized beer keg refrigerator.
7.62 
#11 - Pony Up
Season 7 - Episode 13 - Aired Apr 1, 2016
Bodie does a custom restoration on a 1967 Ford "Eleanor" Mustang, for Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds. Meanwhile, Dale has his hands full trying to get a rare 1936 Crocker motorcycle to run and Steve restores a 1924 Isotta Fraschini Type 8A for a long time friend and customer.
7.60 
#12 - American Hero
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired Sep 16, 2011
When a client flies in with a helicopter gunner helmet from the Vietnam war, Rick and his crew have to suit up for some restoration recon. Can they get clearance to polish up this American heroes heli-hat, or will they have to call in some air-support? And later, it's bottoms up for the guys when they pop the tab on a classic 1948 Coca-Cola vending machine makeover. Can the guys quickly quench their thirst on this fizzy fix-up, or will this carbonated contraption explode in their faces?
7.60 
#13 - Pegasus on a Pedestal
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired Jan 7, 2014
Rick and his crew see a big challenge after a rare 1940s Mobil Pegasus sign rolls into the shop. And when the client asks for it to spin on top of a pole, the hunt is on to make this restoration fly. But the team gets more than they bargained for when they meet Leonard, a self-proclaimed picking-nerd, who hopes to score a job at the shop.
7.59 
#14 - Cooler Kings
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Apr 16, 2011
A 1950s Coke cooler is converted into a "Hot Dog Cooler Grill." Also: an antique barber's pole.
7.59 
#15 - Here Comes The Judge
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 26, 2016
Bodie is tasked to restore a very rare 1970 GTO Judge in one month's time for the SEMA car show; Andy modernizes a spark plug cleaner into a stereo; Steve makes a plan to transform a beat up 64 Ford Falcon into a work of art.
7.55 
#16 - Special Delivery
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired Jul 22, 2011
Rick shifts into high gear when a 1967 Harley motors in for a surprise overhaul. Can he comfortably cruise on this road hog refurbishment, or will this retro joy ride skid out of control? And later, a 1940s U.S. mailbox arrives at the shop. Can the crew swiftly sort through a postal patch up, or will this bulky box be a correspondence catastrophe?
7.55 
#17 - Pitch Perfect
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired Jan 28, 2014
When a 1960s Electric Mini-Car arrives for a car show quality upgrade, the crew's got the challenge of making this sparky little roadster into a fast and safe ride for the open road. Will this pint-size put-put prove to be a full-size headache? Then, Rick feels the heat when he's asked to throw the first pitch in a LA Dodger's game. Ron tries coaching his big bro, but will Rick's pitch on the mound be a ball or a strike?
7.54 
#18 - Duck and Cover
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired Apr 22, 2011
A 1957 air-raid siren; and a nickel-plated cash register.
7.52 
#19 - Shocks, Locks and Clocks
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired Feb 4, 2014
Rick feels a jolt of panic when an early 1900s Electro-Shock Alarm Clock arrives in need of hard-to-find parts. Can Leonard the picker, expert in things weird and scientific, save the day on this creepy contraption? Later, the shop's got a problem when trying to convert a vintage 1940s Wayne Gas Pump into a polo player's equipment locker.
7.52 
#20 - Ice Cold
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Oct 25, 2010
Rick’s team attempts to restore an antique Hershey’s dispenser from the 1940′s; the team tries to fix up a 1950′s Kelvinator Fridge.
7.51 
#21 - Anchors Away
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Jul 15, 2011
Rick and his crew get their feet wet when a 1952 powerboat ride splashes into the shop. Will this wave rider be an easy-breezy endeavor, or will it be man overboard in rough restoration waters? And later, Rick rolls up his sleeves to tackle a 1940s child's tricycle for a Las Vegas museum. Can he pedal merrily along on this tattered three-wheeler, or will this ankle-biter bike get a flat tire?
7.50 
#22 - Search Part-y
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired Jan 28, 2014
When Rick is tasked to repurpose a retro Cigarette Dispenser into a Bike Tool Vending Machine, the wheels are set in motion for a pedal-to-the-metal project. Then, Tyler steps in for Rick to bid on rare 1950s Pedal Bulldozer project. Can they rise to the challenge and give this pile of parts a pick-me-up?
7.50 
#23 - Let the Good Times Roll
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired Mar 4, 2016
Steve works on a unique roller-skate car from the 1970s. In addition, Dale tries to restore a 1929 Harley Davidson for a magazine owner, and Bodie puts the focus on a 1930s penny scale for a soda shop.
7.49 
#24 - Beer Bell-y
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired Mar 4, 2014
When a beat-up 1940s Boxing Bell arrives in Rick's shop, the crew prepares for a rusty rope-a-dope. Can the guys go the distance and fight their way to a knockout restoration? Then, a client brings in a vintage slot machine to be converted into a beer-pouring "Sloterator." Can Rick turn this classic gambling machine into a happy-hour-ready drink dispenser?
7.47 
#25 - Rusted and Busted
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired Jul 29, 2011
Rick and his crew drive full speed ahead when a 1960s coin-operated motorcycle roars into the shop. Can they burn restoration rubber with this kiddie contraption, or will this rapid refurbishment suddenly hit the skids? And later, a client brings in a crumbling 1950s bumper car. Will Rick decide to buckle up and steer this challenging overhaul, or will this retro amusement park ride be more trouble than its worth?
7.47