Overhaulin'

Overhaulin' follows a hands-on team that secretly refurbishes beloved cars and surprises their owners with dramatic makeovers. In each episode a participant hands over a vehicle under some pretense, while host Chris Jacobs and presenter Adrienne Janic meet the owner and narrate the process. Chip Foose leads the design and fabrication, directing a crew that strips, repairs, customizes and repaints the car on a tight schedule. The show mixes technical shop work with personal stories about why each vehicle matters to its owner, building toward a final reveal where the owner sees the restored ride for the first time. No plot twists are spoiled, just the steady dismantling and rebuilding that leads to those emotional moments.

Created by Bud Brutsman, the series premiered on TLC in 2004 and ran through 2009, later returning on networks like Velocity and Discovery. Chip Foose, Chris Jacobs and Adrienne Janic were the faces people associated with the show.

The series didn’t collect major mainstream television awards, but it earned a loyal following and respect within car-restoration circles. It helped raise the profile of the designers and shops involved and led to ongoing opportunities for some crew members in the automotive media world.

Overhaulin' left a clear mark on car culture, popularizing the surprise-restoration format and making the big reveal a staple of automotive TV. Chip Foose became a household name among enthusiasts, and the show encouraged hobbyists and small shops to try higher-end custom work. Its format and pace influenced later programs that combine technical craft with personal storytelling.

Critical and fan reaction was generally positive, with the series praised for showcasing skilled fabrication and emotional moments when owners see their cars renewed. Viewers liked the mix of mechanics and design, though some critics pointed out staged elements common to reality TV. On user-driven sites the show averages about 7.0 out of 10 from a small pool of votes, reflecting steady fan approval.