While it is true that most auto-lovers are willing to watch any auto TV show that doesn’t mean that any car TV show is worth your while. Some auto-lovers are picky about the car shows they watch, some only watch the shows that have the best ratings and recommendations, while others are able to scan through any show (good or bad) and find something beneficial. Since we can’t really tell what kind of auto-lover is reading this list, we will only include some must see car TV shows that have proven their ratings are real and you should definitely watch. Without further ado, here we go.
1. Top Gear
IMDB score: 8.9
This one is a favorite not only to auto enthusiasts, but to many who simply drive their cars without strings attached. There is no way an auto-lover has missed any episode of this show. In fact, I am positive that most auto enthusiasts have seen the show many times. Produced by BBC, the show first aired in 1977 as a motoring show, and was later relaunched in 2002. Since 2002 the show has come a long way, winning numerous awards and breaking audience records. Lately, after BBC decided to not renew Jeremy Clarkson’s contract, Clarkson’s co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May as well as executive producer Andy Wilman quit the show, according to a BBC article.The British series are expected to air in May 2016 with Chris Evans as the show host.
2. Pass Time
IMDB Score: 8.7
This American game show first aired on Speed in 2008 and lasted five years. Created by Rich Christensen and hosted by Brett Wagner, the show aired for 9 seasons with 149 total episodes. The game show, which had a running time of 30 min, featured contestants competing against each other trying to guess drag racers’ pass times. As you can see, the show has a great IMBD score, but depending on what you personally like I would suggest that you see a couple of episodes (since they’re not too long) and judge by yourself.
3. Wheeler Dealers
IMDB Score: 8.4
Also known as “Wheeler dealers” On the Road, this British show first aired on October 7, 2003 and ran on Discovery Real Time until 2010. From 2011 until now, the show airs on Discovery Channel while in the States, you can watch the series on Discovery’s Velocity Channel HD. Created by auto-lovers Daniel Allum and Michael Wood, and produced by Attaboy TV where Allum and Wood are also the founding directors. The series so far have aired for 12 seasons and is still running. The show’s story-line, according to IMDB, “Hosts Mike Brewer and Edd China team up in “Wheeler Dealers” to find and flip serviceable used classic cars. Mike scours the Internet and local trade rags for bargain-priced modern classics needing attention. Edd China applies the elbow grease to bring the cars up to a nearly new condition, allowing Mike to “sell them on” for a profit,” which sure sound interesting and worth your time.
4. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
IMDB Score 8.3
Don’t you just love everything Jerry Seinfeld does? I know I do! As a big fan of the popular Seinfeld series, where Jerry Seinfeld stars as himself, I happen to appreciate Seinfeld’s work a lot. Even though Comedians in cars getting coffee is in fact a web series, not a TV show, according to an article by the New York Times, “its episodes have been streamed nearly 100 million times since its 2012 debut, and it is now a central part of Sony’s ambitions to make Crackle a more formidable combatant in the arena of online content.
Season 7 premiere featured President Barack Obama. Yes, you read that correctly! Seinfeld took the President for a spin in a 1963 Corvette Stingray Split Window Coupe. “I always wanted to be in a show about nothing, and here I am,” Obama said to Seinfeld. It is definitely a must see, one of the show’s most hilarious episodes. In case you do watch the series, but have no idea about the popular sitcom Seinfeld, I strongly recommend the series.
5. Chasing Classic Cars
IMDB Score: 7.4
For all classic car lovers, this one sound like a great show to watch. Chasing Classic Cars first aired on Discovery Channel September, 2008 and is still running today. According to Essex Television Group, the show “follows Ferrari expert and master car restorer, Wayne Carini, as he takes viewers on his personal mission to uncover the world’s most rare and exotic cars. Filmed entirely in high definition Chasing Classic Cars gives its audience a true insider’s look at the elite club of car restorers and collectors as Wayne buys, restores and sells vintage rides, and the owners of the most exclusive and secret garages open up their doors only to Wayne.” The US documentary series are hosted by Wayne Carini and created by Jim Astrausky. As a big fan of documentaries and classic cars, this show is already on my to must see all series list.
6. Jay Leno’s Garage
IMDB Score: 6.8
Although Jay Leno’s garage has a lower IMDB score compared to the shows mentioned above, the US web and TV series are a must see. A 6.8 score is not that bad, but taking into account that the show has started airing in 2015 and has so far aired only 8 episodes, there is a great chance the IMDB score will go higher and higher as more people start to watch the series
According to The Wall Street Journal, the show is one of the most popular ones on YouTube. “The Leno’s Garage YouTube channel boasts of over 900,000 subscribers and generates over 5 million views a month, landing it in fifth place on OpenSlate’s most recent ranking of the category.” As you may know already, Jay Leno used to host The Tonight Show, the popular show that is now hosted by Jimmy Fallon. So, if you’re a fan of Leno, I bet you’ve already watched the series; if not, you already know what to do.
7. Overhaulin’
IMDB Score: 6.8
With the same IMBD score as the previous show, the concept of Overhaulin’, according to IMDB, is about people tricking ‘unsuspecting car owners into thinking their car was towed and instead fix them up.’ Starring Chip Foose, the original series of the reality TV show first launched on April 13, 2004 and aired until June 26, 2008. The revived series started airing on October 2, 2012 and continued until November 18, 2015. Its ninth and final season aired four episodes and started the season finale on November 4, 2015 with Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
According to Chip Foose website, “since 2004 OVERHAULIN’ has changed the lives of more than 100 car owners by transforming their beloved but rundown rides. Through the years countless family members and friends have surprised their deserving loved ones with the amazing imagination of renowned car designer Chip Foose, the cunning of co-host Chris Jacobs and the hard work of the A-Team that have defined the OVERHAULIN’ franchise.”
So, these are the 7 must see car TV shows I would suggest you add to your must-see list. If you haven’t done your New Year’s resolution list yet (not that you need one), maybe watching any of the above shows that you haven’t watched yet can be a small resolution for 2016, because let’s face it, watching TV series is way more easier and faster to accomplish compared to any other goals you might have! We would like to hear your thoughts on the car TV shows we listed. Moreover, feel free to suggest more great shows you think belong to this list. For more interesting thoughts about cars visit our “Cars” section and browse our “Blog” for even more about the auto and transport industry. Thank you!
