Car Masters: Rust to Riches

A ragtag crew at Gotham Garage takes a scattershot assortment of classics, oddballs and wrecked pickups and turns them into attention-grabbing restorations that can sell for a profit. Led by Mark Towle, the team blends careful restoration with bold customization, fabricating missing pieces, reworking engines and reimagining interiors to raise each vehicle's market value. The episodes follow the practical side of making something salable, from sourcing parts and welding late into the night to staging a big reveal and negotiating a sale. There’s a steady pressure to balance creativity, cost and timing, and the show is as much about problem solving and small-business hustle as it is about the finished car.

Released on Netflix in 2018, Car Masters: Rust to Riches is a reality series centered on Gotham Garage, featuring Mark Towle, Shawn Pilot, Constance Nunes, Tony Quinones and Michael 'Caveman' Pyle.

The series hasn’t been a major awards contender, but it’s found a loyal audience and steady online discussion. It’s more of a fan favorite than an awards circuit staple, with viewers praising the hands-on work and personality of the crew.

The show has helped put custom car restoration on mainstream streaming, inspiring hobbyists and small shops to try ambitious builds. Specific episodes and standout makeovers have circulated on social media, and a few cars featured on the show have drawn attention at local car meets and collector circles.

Critics and viewers tend to like the mix of mechanical detail and shop banter, reflected in a vote average of 7.478/10 from 91 votes. Themes include craftsmanship, creative problem solving and the risks of flipping vehicles for profit. If you enjoy seeing how things are rebuilt from the ground up and watching a tight team hustle to turn ideas into money, this series delivers steady, practical entertainment.