The BEST episodes of American Restoration
Every episode of American Restoration ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Restoration!
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 6/5/2014
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?
#2 - Apples and X-Rays
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/27/2011
An apple corer and peeler from the 1880s; and a department-store X-ray machine from the 1940s used to fit shoes.
#3 - Pumped Up
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/22/2011
A 1920s visible gas pump is auctioned; and salvage yard is explored.
#4 - Knockout
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/15/2011
A 1900s punching-bag game; and an antique railroad strongbox.
#5 - The Big Bang
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/8/2012
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?
#6 - Space Kowboy
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/29/2011
A NASA helmet from the Gemini missions of the 1960s; and a rusty gas cart.
#7 - Cooler Kings
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/16/2011
A 1950s Coke cooler is converted into a "Hot Dog Cooler Grill." Also: an antique barber's pole.
#8 - Ice Cold
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/25/2010
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.
#9 - Lights Out
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/1/2010
Rick must restore a local magicians street lamp after a Vegas windstorm; Rick's son Tyler gets a tough lesson in business after giving a price estimate on a 1930's Eco-Tire Meter.
#10 - Duck and Cover
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/22/2011
A 1957 air-raid siren; and a nickel-plated cash register.
#11 - Anchors Away
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/15/2011
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?
#12 - Special Delivery
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/22/2011
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?
#13 - American Hero
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/16/2011
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?
#14 - Stolen Memories
Season 3 - Episode 45 - Aired 1/2/2013
A customer has huge expectations of Rick s work when she agrees to pay $9500 to restore a 1959 coin operated Western Express amusement ride. A client steals his wife s treasured 1960 s Murray tricycle and brings it to Rick so he can surprise her with a restoration. Later, a rare apple vending machine from the 1930 s arrives at the shop in the mail.
#15 - Safe Keeping
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/6/2011
A 1950s candy machine; and an antique safe for which no combination has been provided.
#16 - Buttered Up
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/1/2010
A local picker pays Rick Dale a visit with a truckload of rust laden loot; the guys are asked to restore an antique popcorn machine from 1948.
#17 - Batter Up
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/26/2011
It's batter up when a 1940's baseball batting game flies into the shop. Can Rick hit this American pastime out of the park, or will a curve-ball send him back to the bench? And later, the crew is put to the test when they tackle a tarnished 1920s tire changer. Can they overpower this aged apparatus, or will this rusty restoration grind to a halt?
#18 - Gone to Pieces
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 6/11/2013
When Rick's favorite customer Big Mike comes in with a 1964 Ducati motorcycle in a basket, the search is on for rare parts. Can the shop complete this Italian job or will the pressure cause them to crash? Later, Tim from the Pinball Hall of Fame needs Rick's help on a 1960s Gatling gun arcade game. Can the crew hit the mark or will the restoration go up in smoke?
#19 - Employee of the Month
Season 3 - Episode 44 - Aired 1/2/2013
The team is challenged when a late 1800's Penny Farthing bicycle is delivered to the shop needing a major restoration. Rick tries to motivate some of the crew to work harder at the shop by implementing an Employee of the Month award. And later, the guys work on a 1930's parlour stove that hasn t been functional in decades.
#20 - Dirt Bike Duels
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 6/6/2012
Rick puts the pedal to the metal when NASCAR driver Greg Biffle asks him to restore his 1970s Montesa motorcycle. Can Rick steer this speed demon dirt bike to the finish line or will this muddy motorbike wipe out before the checkered flag? And later, the shop drives forward on a 1950s Kidillac. Can they keep this classic kiddie car cruising or will they need to swiftly step on the baby brakes?
#21 - Hot & Salty
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/18/2012
The heat is on for Rick and his crew when they restore a salty 1960s popcorn machine. Can they freshen up this corny contraption or will this snack server get too hot to handle? And later, a client brings in an antique Michelin Man air compressor. Can the guys fill up this pressure pump or will they accidentally blow a hole in this aged apparatus?
#22 - Top Dog
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/8/2012
Rick prepares for battle when a 1940s dog tag maker comes into the shop. Can he successful stamp out this embossing endeavor or will this military mechanism have a major malfunction? And later, the shop reins in the restoration of a 1950s toy horse. Can they gallop through this tin toy transformation or will they need to put this pony plaything out to pasture?
#23 - Buck Wild
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/25/2012
Rick and Ron take restoration by the horns when they agree to revive a vintage mechanical bull. Can they stay steadily astride this rough ride or will they be bucked off? And later, a client drops in with a 1940s Pepsi "Gullwing" cooler. Can they swiftly swallow this ice-cold challenge or will they need to put this soda service on ice?
#24 - Double Trouble
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/18/2012
Rick and his guys get an eye full when a 100-year-old mutoscope comes into the shop. Can they comfortably crank out a motion picture masterpiece, or will this restoration be a flippin' formula for a major flop? And later, it's double the fun when Rick's brother Ron and son Tyler spot a tarnished tandem bike at a client's house. Is two better than one when trying to make a deal on this retro racer or will the guys crash and burn on this ten-speed transaction?
#25 - Pain in the Gas
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/11/2012
When a client petitions for a pair of 1920s visible gas pumps, Rick recruits Ron and Tyler to search far and wide on this petrol pursuit. Will they stumble upon a gasoline goldmine or will they end up empty-handed on their fuel field trip? And later, the shop goes all in on a 1930s horse gambling wheel. Can the guys play the ponies for a perfect patch up or will this game of chance spin out of control?