For all you Fantom Works Fans, the last show is tonight @ 9 PM Eastern time. Motor Trend Network has decided to cut the show. It has been playing all day in marathon mode. This is one of my favorites and I am going to miss it immensely.

 

Too bad, it was my favorite of all the "REALITY" TV shows. For me it was the closest to being real than any of the other goofy shows of rot bucket cars with crate engines and clear coat over rust, oh excuse me, "Patina" car shows. It showed what it actually took in time and money to get a car done. It did follow the "REALITY" TV formula of getting a project, getting into a project only to find at the last minute a major problem was found but was eventually solved but no where near any of the others, especially Grease Monkey Garage. I haven't had cable for some time because of the cost to watch only a few channels but when I got a chance to watch I'd try to watch Fantom Works.

 

Personally, I think Bitchin Rides shows more of what it takes to build some of these cars, than any of the rest. That said, I like Fantom Works and will miss it. Most of the others, save possibly Wheeler Dealers. However, I'm not an "ant" fan.

 

At home today recovering from a minor surgery. I have been enjoying the marathon. I too will miss this show, more realistic then most. Lots of first drives don't go well, something I can relate to.
Very disappointed it is not being renewed, tried to cancel my Motor Trend App but they wont take my password, maybe I am not the only one unhappy?

B

 

I liked that he went over actual hours worked on the car, the parts totals and labor. Only show I've seen that did so. I guess they feel the need for some kind of drama added to the shows. The more drama, the more I tune out. Dan came across as a real jerk in the beginning but, seemed to tone it down a bit. Overall, I liked the show.

 

Thinking about those test drives, particularly the ones in the high performance cars. Odd that there was never a cop around.

B

 

I use to like the show for a long time until he had a Model T restoration that someone had brought in. I happen to have a 1926 Model T touring. The information that he gave the client, was total BS! And I found that after that episode, many other instances were total Bull S#%t!
Like all so called reality programs, this one has to be one of the best staged, yet still nothing but nonsense. It seems his favorite statement is to tell his clients that "This will be a total tear down."

 

Hey, Dirtrack, that's a real classic picture you put up! Authentic, unlike Dan and his crew. I agree with you on Dan's attitude. Every aspect of the customer's vehicle is always bad, and I think "real" people wouldn't put up the money to do what he ends up doing. I wonder if there aren't kick-backs to customers from the TV producers to help fund the huge bills that Dan presents.

Jim

 

From what I have read the show was not cancelled, DRS didnt want to do the show anymore and quit.

 

Dirtrack, the model T pic looks like it was taken in my area. Antelope valley in spring time with all the orange poppies in the background.

​​​​​​​

 

from some time ago, my epistle on "hot rod" shows..

https://jniolon.classicpickup.com/ar...tordshows.html

 

I thought I heard last week that next week would be the last show. They didn't elaborate whether it was the season finale or the series finale. It is one of the two shows I watch on MT, the other being Full Custom Garage on Friday night. Down to earth stuff, no over the top, "I am the center of the show" like Graveyard cars. I know the guy knows his stuff, because he keeps telling us so. And then there is the other guy who thinks he is bigger than the show, Grease Monkey garage and all of his spin offs. The Count was OK until it went the way of so many others with the added drama.

Later!
Mr. Ed

 

 

avf100, yes the picture was taken in the Antelope Valley in spring. On 110th Street in Antelope Acres where I use to live up until 2010.

Jim, I agree with you 100% on the show. The 26 Ford touring is all stock. The interior and top have been redone. Rebuilt coils, tires and tubes, and all the other stuff to maintain a 93 year old car including a paint brush repaint sometime in the 40's. From what I can tell from some history on the car, I am probably the fourth owner. The engine is original with standard pistons. Still have it running on it's four ignition coils and 6 volt negative ground as it came from the factory. This car came with the upgraded electrical system as an option. So...you can get in and start it with a button on the floorboard.

John Niolon, what a great write up on the "Hot Rod" shows. Everyone needs to take a read.

It really is too bad how some of these shows have gotten out of hand. Just too much BS and not enough real context. I use to like Wheeler Dealers when the tall guy use to give you a run down on what he was doing. Chasing Classic Cars I always liked since the show was more into finding classics and telling you something about their history. But unfortunately, all of the so called reality programs are all so heavily staged, that they seem to lose any true reality that they might of had at one time. Way to many of these programs spend to much time on creating an urgency as to getting the project done in time for the so called client. Sorry...to much BS!

Tom L.

 

Just having a bite of lunch and I must say I am glad to see it go. I think jniolon is covering the subject well. Thank you!

At 70+ I have seen most if not all the vain attempts to produce a "reality" show. Dan was just as bad as the rest in promoting himself and his business. I know most of you noticed the "Phatom Works" license plate displayed on every featured vehicle when the camera was rolling. The fact that he gave client's a itemized list was encouraging but the bottom line it was just as revolting when he tried to quote some labor hours when his crew seemed to move at a snails pace on most projects where they were "paid by the hour".

Just makes you want to throw-up when you tune in to most of them and as any experience car enthusiast will be able to see all the fluff and vain attempted to promote something or someone. How many times do you say "ya got to be kidding me" after watching most of this BS. Even in the early years most of us saw Boyd Coddington's crew do some nice work but at the cost of too much drama and waste of viewers time. Let's hope the trend improves and Motor Trend and Discovery execs change the direction for the better.