The BEST episodes of American Restoration season 3

Every episode of American Restoration season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Restoration season 3!

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.

Last Updated: 9/27/2024Network: HistoryStatus: Ended
The Big Bang
star
7.70
142 votes

#1 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Stolen Memories
star
7.44
79 votes

#2 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon
Buck Wild
star
7.37
147 votes

#3 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Double Trouble
star
7.35
146 votes

#4 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dirt Bike Duels
star
7.34
109 votes

#5 - 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?

Watch Now:Amazon
Employee of the Month
star
7.30
106 votes

#6 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon
Top Dog
star
7.30
142 votes

#7 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hot & Salty
star
7.29
139 votes

#8 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Tyler's Promotion
star
7.24
198 votes

#9 - Tyler's Promotion

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/22/2012

Rick and his crew face a sticky situation when a cement gun from 1915 rolls into the shop. Can they safely seal up this concrete hurtling contraption or will the guys crack under the pressure? And later, the shop faces the music when a client brings in a 1920s Alba gramophone. Can the guys fine-tune this retro record player or will this rotating restoration spin out of control?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pain in the Gas
star
7.23
215 votes

#10 - 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?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Treats & Feet
star
7.22
165 votes

#11 - Treats & Feet

Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/25/2012

Rick battles a brain freeze when a 1940s Good Humor bicycle pedals into the shop. Can he deliver a sweet solution to this sticky situation or will this cold cart be forever frozen in time? And later, a client brings in a 1920s Atwater Kent art-deco radio. Can the shop fine-tune this airwave apparatus, or will it be nothing but dead air for this rundown receiver?

Watch Now:Amazon
Clueless
star
7.22
50 votes

#12 - Clueless

Season 3 - Episode 43 - Aired 12/19/2012

A vintage scooter is shipped to the shop for a complete restoration. Rick is stumped on the make and model, so he calls on Danny "the Count" to take a look at it. Will Danny be able to shed some light on the mystery or will the job turn cold? A dentist stops by with his 1920's x-ray machine and Rick is concerned that the machine could be dangerous to restore.

Watch Now:Amazon
Pump & Gun
star
7.20
82 votes

#13 - Pump & Gun

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/15/2012

Rick and his crew take a shot in the dark when a 1943 trap machine lands in the shop. Can they get off to a flying start on this target practice project or will they end up missing the mark? And later, Ron and Tyler find a rare rusty pump while on the road. Can they crank out a successful sale or will this fuel find fail?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Blast Off!
star
7.19
140 votes

#14 - Blast Off!

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/11/2012

Rick and his crew take on two very large and challenging projects: a 1960s rocket slide and a Wayne gas pump conversion. Later, another meticulous toy restoration comes in. With the business' reputation on the line, the crew is pushed to capacity in order fill customers' orders.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Nut Job
star
7.17
109 votes

#15 - Nut Job

Season 3 - Episode 37 - Aired 11/28/2012

A client s expectations are sky high when he agrees to a $10,000 restoration of his early 1900 s peanut roaster. Later, Ron and Tyler go digging for gold in a California picker s backyard that is loaded with antique gas pumps and signs. Ron buys a vintage English taxi and sets out to prove to Rick that it was worth the investment.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Big Move
star
7.14
115 votes

#16 - The Big Move

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/25/2012

When a client hefts in a 1900s penny scale from the Santa Cruz boardwalk, Rick and his crew tighten their belts. Can they successfully slim down this massive mechanism or will their weighty workload tip the scales? And later, a picker strolls in with a 1930s Taylor Tot walker. Can Ron and Brettly properly push this baby buggy bargain along or will this toddler transaction need a time out?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Cold Cuts
star
7.13
113 votes

#17 - Cold Cuts

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/1/2012

Rick and his crew sharpen their service skills when a client ships in a 1900s Berkel meat slicer. Can they carefully carve out a mechanical masterpiece, or will they lose a few fingers on this slice and dice device? And later, a 1950s stamp vending machine arrives at the shop. Can they refurbish this snail mail mechanism or will this correspondence contraption be postmarked return to sender?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Busted Beemer
star
7.12
83 votes

#18 - Busted Beemer

Season 3 - Episode 35 - Aired 10/31/2012

A customer brings by a disassembled 59 BMW motorcycle with a side car for Rick to restore. Will he be able to return the bike to its glory days or will missing parts force him to abandon the project? Later, the guys work on an antique pencil dispenser that will be auctioned off for a special cause and Rick is visited by a Picker who has some unique items for sale.

Watch Now:Amazon
Call the Count
star
7.11
79 votes

#19 - Call the Count

Season 3 - Episode 39 - Aired 12/5/2012

When a 1960 s Pak Trak hunting scooter lands at the shop, Rick calls Danny "The Count" to check out the unique dirt mobile. Later, Kelly purchases a classic Mosrite guitar for Brettly s birthday and asks Rick to restore it even though he s never done one before. Will Rick be able to figure it out in time for Brettly s big day or will he leave Kelly disappointed?

Watch Now:Amazon
Right Here, Rum Now
star
7.10
48 votes

#20 - Right Here, Rum Now

Season 3 - Episode 30 - Aired 9/26/2012

Sammy Hagar hires Rick to restore a vintage refrigerator into a rum dispenser. Will Rick's re-invention turn out to be a huge hit or will this fridge flop? And later, the shop sets to work on a horse-themed slot machine that has been dropped and no longer works.

Watch Now:Amazon
Break In
star
7.10
79 votes

#21 - Break In

Season 3 - Episode 40 - Aired 12/12/2012

When a 1930 s Custer Car ride from an amusement park arrives, the crew puts it on the fast track. Later, a heavily damaged, 8000 pound safe is dropped at the shop. Since it hasn t been opened in years, its contents are a mystery. Can Rick crack the vault and pull off a miracle restoration?

Watch Now:Amazon
Train Trouble
star
7.09
140 votes

#22 - Train Trouble

Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/6/2012

It's time for some soon-to-be stepbrothers bonding when Tyler and Brettly volunteer to tow in a 1947 railroad speeder. Can the shop hop aboard this rapid restoration express or will a low estimate from Tyler cause the job to jump the tracks? And later sirens sound when a client brings in a NYC police call box. Can the shop get away scot-free with this cop calling configuration or will this end up a cuffing mess?

Watch Now:Amazon
Motor Mayhem
star
7.08
138 votes

#23 - Motor Mayhem

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/9/2012

Rick roasts up a pipin' hot coffee grinder overhaul after a client spies a recently picked 1800's coffee grinder sitting in the shop's boneyard. Can Rick and the boys brew up a perfectly caffeinated contraption or will a little decaf spoil the fun? And later, the shop revs up a collectible 1930's fishing boat motor. Can the guys go full throttle on this nautical tune up or will this high seas speeder sputter out?

Watch Now:Amazon
Hammered
star
7.06
109 votes

#24 - Hammered

Season 3 - Episode 34 - Aired 10/24/2012

The shop's super strength is tested when a 1940's Hi-Striker carnival game is dropped off for restoration. Can Rick and his guys ring the bell or will the crew strike out? Later, the guys hammer away at fixing up a rare, handmade nail gun from the 1800's.

Watch Now:Amazon
Planes and Flames
star
7.06
109 votes

#25 - Planes and Flames

Season 3 - Episode 36 - Aired 11/28/2012

Rick is contacted by Nellis Air Force Base to restore their replica of an F-105 fighter jet. Will the crew be able to execute their plan of attack to restore the fighter, or will they miss the mark and abort the mission? Later, Tyler's skills are challenged when a unique Buffalo Forge Grill rolls into the shop requiring a much needed tune up.

Watch Now:Amazon