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.
Written by Sophie and last updated on sep 02, 2021.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
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.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 23 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.63 from 24 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.63 from 30 votes.
It's time for rusty rehab after Rick and his brother Ron pick up two 1950s service station showpieces. Can they successfully salvage these auto antiques or will one minor mistake turn this retro refurbishment into a first-rate fiasco? And later, a client carries in a turn-of-the-century Edison film projector. Can the guys capture movie magic on this complex contraption, or will this reel-to-reel restoration hit a snag?
The episode was rated 7.66 from 32 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.66 from 32 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.67 from 24 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.68 from 28 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.68 from 28 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.68 from 25 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.71 from 34 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 21 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.72 from 29 votes.
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?
The episode was rated 7.77 from 26 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 23 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 28 votes.
