The WORST episodes of American Restoration

Every episode of American Restoration ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.

Last Updated: 12/22/2024Network: HistoryStatus: Ended
Big Boom
star
5.70
109 votes

#1 - Big Boom

Season 3 - Episode 27 - Aired 6/20/2012

After a 1900s signal cannon bursts into the shop, Rick prepares for the big boom. Can he gather his troops to launch this field firearm or will this restoration offensive backfire? Then, the shop attempts to hold their first auction. Will they profit on this pet project or will they end up footing a big bill? And later, the shop says ciao to a 1950s Italian folding bicycle. Can they zoom through this bendy bike or will they get stuck on a steep slope?

Bombshell
star
6.04
134 votes

#2 - Bombshell

Season 3 - Episode 41 - Aired 12/12/2012

A unique electric wheelchair made from parts of a 1940's B-17 bomber lands at the shop. Will the crew hit the target with this one of a kind job or will they bomb the restoration? Later, Kelly makes Tyler and Brettly super uncomfortable by doing a risqu photo shoot as an anniversary surprise for Rick.

Boys Meet Whirl
star
6.52
71 votes

#3 - Boys Meet Whirl

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/20/2014

Rick tries to "step right up" when a 1940s Tilt-A-Whirl carnival car spins into the shop. Can he take this piece from beat-up and broken down to fairground fantastic? Then, returning customer Big Mike brings in a 1960s Schwinn bicycle as a 60th birthday surprise for his business partner. Can Ron and Leonard successfully search for its hard-to-find seat to make this present pop?

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Soda Jerks
star
6.67
80 votes

#4 - Soda Jerks

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

A client has high expectations of Rick and the crew when he agrees to a $10,000 restoration of his 1950 s soda fountain. A repeat customer challenges the guys to revive his vintage phone booth. Kelly thinks Rick works too much and challenges him to spend some time away from the shop.

Suck Up
star
6.69
113 votes

#5 - Suck Up

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/13/2011

An antique railroad vacuum; a client's childhood red wagon.

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Bear Down
star
6.71
79 votes

#6 - Bear Down

Season 3 - Episode 47 - Aired 1/9/2013

A rare "Shoot The Bear" arcade game arrives at the shop needing so much work that Rick is forced to call in an electronics expert to assist with the restoration. Later, Kowboy clashes with Rick about the shop s uniforms and tries to persuade him to change the color of their work shirts.

Bumper Balls
star
6.78
86 votes

#7 - Bumper Balls

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/1/2012

After Rick agrees to restore a vintage Italian bumper car from a local antique shop,the shop braces for immediate impact. Can they effectively electrify this dented delight or will this entertaining endeavor give them whiplash? And later, the shop pedals away on a 1970s kiddie tractor. Can they sow the seeds of success with this rusty ride, or will this plowing plaything buy the farm?

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Ridin' Route 66
star
6.79
178 votes

#8 - Ridin' Route 66

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/11/2012

While cruisin' down historic Route 66, Rick and his brother Ron stumble across a 1950s Wurlizter jukebox in need of some fine-tuning. Can the guys help this musical machine soar to the top of the charts or will they end up bopping their heads along to a broken record? And later, Tyler is challenged to restore a 1940s chocolate bar vending machine for a local picker. Will this candy contraption satisfy this choosy customer's sweet tooth or will this delicious deal go sour? chine.

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Big Macs and Cool Tracks
star
6.80
79 votes

#9 - Big Macs and Cool Tracks

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/12/2014

A Califone portable record player from 1950 and a bit of a McDonald's playground from the 1970s are restored to their former glory.

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Tune-in & Tune-up
star
6.80
45 votes

#10 - Tune-in & Tune-up

Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/27/2014

When a one-of-a-kind quarter-scale model of a 1932 Hudson car arrives in the shop, Rick and the guys put the wheels in motion for a museum-quality makeover. Can they turn this small car into a big deal or will the restoration run out of gas? Then, a 1950s pillow speaker--a radio used by hospitals to play music for bed-ridden patients--arrives looking for a dreamy restoration. Can Rick bring the music back to this sleepy speaker or will the project hit a clunker?

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Escorter Service
star
6.84
109 votes

#11 - Escorter Service

Season 3 - Episode 46 - Aired 1/9/2013

A rare "Escorter" from the 1964 World s Fair scoots into the shop for a restoration. Will Rick and the crew give this vintage vehicle a restoration that out of this world or will it be a world-class flop? Later the guys work on an antique tool sharpener that a client picks out of the Boneyard.

Bimbo and the Beasts
star
6.85
97 votes

#12 - Bimbo and the Beasts

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/30/2013

Rick puts the pedal to the metal when a toy 1950's Ferrari "Bimbo" Racecar cruises into the shop. And later, Ron, Tyler and Brettly go on a big pick finding not only a rare safe, nickelodeon, and cigar dispensing slot machine, but also live tigers.

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Golf Ball and Chain
star
6.86
92 votes

#13 - Golf Ball and Chain

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/7/2013

When a 1920's chainsaw arrives, the crew powers up for a razor-sharp restoration. And another customer brings in a unique slot machine–one that dispenses golf balls instead of coins. Both items present Rick and his team with what look like insurmountable problems.

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American Respiration
star
6.87
92 votes

#14 - American Respiration

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/7/2013

When a 1937 Iron Lung rolls into the shop for a restoration, Rick visits a strange former client in hopes of unlocking the project's mysteries. Then, a prank war breaks out after Ron gives Tyler lip and no one knows who's getting the last laugh. Later, Brettly brings in a big haul after his first solo picking trip.

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NASCAR History 300: Dales of Thunder
star
6.88
41 votes

#15 - NASCAR History 300: Dales of Thunder

Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/27/2014

Champion driver Kyle Bush and Charlotte Motor Speedway's Marcus Smith call on Rick to create a trophy inspired by NASCAR's past for the History 300 race. But with the event only weeks away, Rick must speed into action to deliver. When Ron hears about the race he reveals a crush on NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and makes it his mission tag along with Rick to the History 300 and win her heart.

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Mixed Signals
star
6.88
99 votes

#16 - Mixed Signals

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/16/2013

When a 1920's "wig wag" train signal arrives, Rick and his crew move full steam ahead on the restoration. Will this restoration stay on track or get run off the rails? Later, Kelly plans a car show at the shop, and Rick challenges the crew to find the baddest ride for a mystery prize.

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Knockout Restoration
star
6.88
78 votes

#17 - Knockout Restoration

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/20/2014

When a client looks to restore a vintage arcade Punch-Out Game given to the shop by Rick Harrison, Rick Dale and his guys put up their dukes for a knockout restoration. Then Rick and Tyler make a bet on who'll pack a bigger punch when the job is done. But they might not find out if Rick has to throw in the towel on this heavyweight project.

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King of Signs
star
6.89
142 votes

#18 - King of Signs

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/18/2012

While Rick is away from the shop, his brother Ron takes matters into his own hands when a client brings in a 1900s love tester. Is this a match made in overhaul heaven or will this romantic restoration break his heart? And later, the guys put their work on display when a weather worn 1950s casino billboard arrives at the shop. Can they preserve this aging desert advertisement, or will this shabby sign be better left to rot roadside?

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Sparks Will Fly
star
6.89
44 votes

#19 - Sparks Will Fly

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/26/2014

Rick negotiates for a rare 1963 Simplex Sportsman Shriner's Bike; Ron bargains with a bar.

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Back to Four Square
star
6.90
90 votes

#20 - Back to Four Square

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/12/2014

When a rare British 1950s Ariel Square-Four motorcycle speeds into the shop, the crew goes full throttle to restore this vintage ride. Can Rick take this broken-down bike and make it road-trip worthy? Then, when Ron and Leonard need lessons on how to use the shop's fork-lifts, Tyler makes them practice using giant excavators. But when the master, macho-man Ron, challenges his 98-pound proteg , Leonard, to a big-rig contest, no one's sure who will be student and who will be teacher.

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Slap-Shots and Stogies
star
6.93
74 votes

#21 - Slap-Shots and Stogies

Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/3/2014

When a broken-down 1950s Table Hockey Game slides into the shop, Rick takes a shot at taking this toy from the sidelines back into play. Then, the shop goes all in on an antique 1910s Slot Machine which once paid out cigars instead of cash. Can the guys take this gambling gadget and make it a showpiece, or will the restoration go up in smoke?

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Atomic Restoration
star
6.94
105 votes

#22 - Atomic Restoration

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/23/2013

Rick shoots to beat the clock with a 40's high-school electric scoreboard. Can this restoration score, or will Rick run out of time? Also, an atomic age Uranium Detector arrives for a scientific spruce-up. Will the finished product be rad enough to detect this rare element?

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Restoration Rivalry
star
6.96
163 votes

#23 - Restoration Rivalry

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/25/2012

Rick and his son Tyler kick off a restoration race after a pair of vintage scooters wheel into the shop. Can Tyler show up his dear ol' dad or will Rick prove father always knows best? And later, the shop makes cents of a 1940s candy vending machine. Can they sweeten up this nickel-and-dime device or will this sugary service leave a bad taste in their mouths?

Prank War
star
6.96
106 votes

#24 - Prank War

Season 3 - Episode 32 - Aired 10/10/2012

Rick suits up to restore a basketball arcade game from the 1950's but problems with its electronics force him to enter into a unique business agreement. At the shop, a simple disagreement between Tyler and Ron escalates into an all-out prank war. Later, Rick and the team are challenged by a client to make an antique barber chair resemble his Shelby Cobra.

Harleys and Horsies
star
6.97
103 votes

#25 - Harleys and Horsies

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/16/2013

When a hacked up 1970's Harley-Davidson Golf Cart is dropped into the shop, Rick vows to give it a restoration worthy of its manufacturer, inspiring a bet that will guarantee the loser ridicule. And a vintage 1950's toy horse pedal cart trots in for much needed rejuvenation. Can Rick and his crew meet the challenge?

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