Wheeler Dealers: Motoring's restoration men are back for a 15th series

Returning to our screens on Monday at 9pm on Discovery, the car enthusiasts tell James Ruppert they have a few surprises under the bonnet

California dreaming: hosts Ant Anstead (left) and Mike Brewer (Pictures by Velocity)

Wheeler Dealers is back as the new team begin work on an array of second-hand motors in need of a second chance. From their southern California shop, automotive valuation expert Mike Brewer and master mechanic and fabricator Ant Anstead go to work finding, fixing and flipping a wide variety of unique used cars.

New host Ant is a man of many talents. Best known for his day job as a car builder, he is also a designer, artist and a former semi-professional football player. A total car nut creating true works of art, Plymouth-born Ant has built an enviable reputation supplying cars and art works to museums, private collections and enthusiasts all around the world. Now he’s joining former car trader Mike on a quest to find and restore some of the most iconic cars they can get their hands on.

​What’s new with the 15th series of Wheeler Dealers?

Mike Brewer: There is one big, significant change, which is a new co-host. Ant Anstead has now joined me as the master mechanic in the workshop. Other than that, the show is sticking true to its traditional format. Continuing where we left off, we are making 16 episodes plus two specials in the United States.

Have you used up all the cars in the UK?

MB: That is part of the reason, we had got through a lot of cars, but we were being drawn by the prospect of Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes. And the audience tend to like it a lot so we have stayed there for another series.

Do you and Ant actually get on, are you mates?

Ant Anstead: We can’t stand each other, to be honest.

MB: They have to pay me to work with the guy. Me and Ant have known each other professionally for five years. We have done live stage shows and we are involved in some charitable work together so we have become very close buddies. When the change was inevitable, that Edd China was leaving, there was only going to be one mechanic beside me in the show and that was Ant.

Resident mechanic Ant on grinder (Velocity)

What should viewers take away from Wheeler Dealers?

AA: My role as a mechanic in the show is to give people the confidence to do it. In the last century cars have fundamentally remained the same, so you should have the confidence to be able to tackle this in your own garage. Yes, there has to be an entertainment element to grab people’s attention. There is only 42 minutes in the American show so we have to get as much in as possible. The format of Wheeler Dealers has been the same for years. Mike finds a wreck, we do four primary jobs and we have to be selective about what those jobs are and tell that story in a way that makes the viewer think, ‘oh, I’ll have a go at that’, but if they don’t want to have a go, then they can still learn about that particular car. Normally we do get cars that have particular problems and that is the problem we deal with. Knowledge is given as to how you tackle a problem, but also if you buy this car then this it is notorious for doing that. So we are sticking to that Wheeler Dealers DNA, which means it still feels like the same show.

Were there any cars that were difficult to love?

AA: Yes. So far in this series Mike bought the Ford Ranchero an absolute heap. I was surprised that he bought it, I wouldn’t have, the car was amazing by the end. I am not going to be in love with every car; everyone knows I have a reputation for not liking Triumph Stags, but I am sure that if one turns up I will be professional and get on with it.

MB: Funny you should say that because I’ve just bought a Triumph Stag.

Eventually will you get around to restoring a Nissan Leaf or Toyota Prius?

AA: The car market changes and people are always asking us what are the classics of the future, I don’t know whether I can tell you, but I will... we will be doing the BMW Mini. There is no doubt in my mind that the early Mini will be a classic of the future. Even though they have built thousands, some of them are going to become a classic. We have to tackle one because it is an affordable car at the moment, it accessible to a lot of people. It is a Wheeler Dealers car. So would we do a Nissan Leaf? I think absolutely not.

MB: I can answer that. What makes a classic car and worthy of being on Wheeler Dealers is when a car creates its own fanbase, so you get a owner’s club. When people gather in a car park to look at a car and stare at it – and I can’t ever imagine a future where people are going to stand around staring at a bunch of Nissan Leafs.

AA: We don’t just pick cars that we both like; Mike picked a Wagoneer on this show and it wasn’t a car we liked, but the market demand means that there is a story to be told. It is irrelevant whether either of us like the car.

Mike and Ant get the measure of an old Ford Mustang (Velocity)

When does the show start?

AA: Monday evening. It is the perfect hangover cure, if you’ve had a boozy celebration the night before then this is the perfect programme to watch at 9pm on Discovery UK. Plus the first car is a proper one, a Ford Escort Cosworth. It is the most requested car in the history of Wheeler Dealers. Now, getting hold of a Cosworth has been difficult and Mike has been on the lookout for a long while. The story behind how we got this is very interesting. The show has moved on and the viewers will see that. It is not just a change of host, it is a lot more ambitious than that. We brought one of the original designers in. We actually reveal a hidden history of that car which has remained a secret. It is all about the third wing which split opinion and for that reason alone I am very proud of Wheeler Dealers.

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