RODS N WHEELS
Reality TV invades the So Cal car culture

Billy Derian and Steve Reck have been friends for years with the same dream: working in a garage that fixes up and restores vintage cars and hot rods. Now their dream has become a reality with Da Rod Shop, located in the heart of Southern California’s car culture. RODS N WHEELS, a new Discovery Channel series, premieres at 10 pm on Monday, January 27. “To these guys, they’re not just fixing cars. They’re saving a piece of American history,” says Discovery Channel’s Phil Zimmerman. In the first episode, a car collector brings in an original 1932 Ford three-window coupe—hoping that the guys can fix it in two weeks to look like something out of ‘American Graffiti.’ Concurrently, Billy and Steve’s sons are out to prove their worth when they take in an iconic American muscle car, a 1968 Camaro, and attempt to flip it. “At first, it seems like a piece of cake, says Zimmerman. “But the boys soon realize it might take a lot more money to fix it than expected.” “While Billy and Steve don’t always see eye-to-eye, they rely on each other’s strengths,” says Zimmerman. “Billy, the mover and shaker, acts as the salesman and has big plans to make Da Rod Shop the No. 1 garage in the country. He is a true entrepreneur who has tried his hands in just about everything, including a little show business but his first passion is cars. While Steve is the genius mechanic, who can literally fix anything on wheels and is fine working at his own pace and doing favors for friends—even if it doesn’t pay.” Rounding out the shop are employees that include: The Know-It-All: Shane, Steve's son, is "allergic" to grease and admittedly OCD. While honing his craft on engines, he's also obsessed with cleanliness, wearing rubber gloves and incessantly washing his hands. The Newbie: Billy Jr., son of Billy, is 20-years-old and the greenest addition to Da Rod Shop. Billy decided to change career paths and turned in his real estate license for a chance to work in the shop with his Dad. Although he grew up around old cars, his Dad is now putting him to the test as an apprentice mechanic, throwing him new challenges at every turn. The Pretty Boy: Jeff, who is never without a comb and mirror in his back pocket. He is a great mechanic, but is more concerned with his good looks and picking up chicks. The Professor: Mike, serves as the lead mechanic and is known to school the others on what it takes to fix up just about any car. The Suspension Expert: Art, just 3’ 5”, uses his size to his advantage by finishing tight jobs in half the time it takes a regular-sized person. Living so close to Hollywood, Art also pursues his side passion of being an actor when he isn’t working on cars. RODS N WHEELS is produced for Discovery Channel by Intuitive Entertainment. For Discovery Channel, Executive Producer is David Pritikin. For Intuitive Entertainment, Executive Producers are Mechelle Collins, Kevin Dill and Laura Fuest. For more Discovery Channel information, visit discovery.com.