MFI/Gus sighting/Wheeler Dealers

[lateapex911]

So, now that the velocity program "Wheeler Dealers" has their shop in Huntington Beach, we are seeing some local shops and specialists on the shows.

Recently, they bought a BMW 2002 tii that had been sitting in a garage for 17 years in CA, and went about restoring it.

Of course, there were issues with the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, and that necessitated a trip to see Gus in South San Fransisco.

All of us old longhood owners probably know of Gus because of the MFI pumps in the Es and Ss, and to me, he's a bit of a legend, so it was way cool to see even a brief glimpse into the shop. he had a cut-away model and mounted it on the dyno to run it a bit.

yes, it's not a 911, but I thought it was pretty interesting.

They run reruns of that show constantly, so, set your DVR for that episode if you missed it.

[Ferrino]

Love the show (well, Edd China, anyway). Had no idea they were up the road in Orange County!

[onboost]

Yes, saw that too.. good to see the Injection-Miester doing his thing!

[RSBob]

Sent Gus my '73 S pump to be revamped to RS spec for a 2.7 RS spec motor being built. What came back was a jewel of a pump even though it wasn't the one I sent. Gus replaced my pump with a totally refurbished RS pump at no extra charge. Great guy.

[Hanzo]

lol Gus is the man! nice to associate a face with the voice. he rebuilt my pump for my 69E

[BK911]

Just watched that episode this morning. Way cool. Gus has a serious shop.

[KNS]

Watched the episode the other day. What amazed me is that the guy's son (selling the car) showed zero remorse in letting the car go..! I'd be all over my dad to sell it to me.

[JRSIII]

Love WD. Edd China is friggin brilliant. I do have to admit I cringe somewhat watching the episode where they do a 911 Targa (the dark green one). All they can focus on is how disturbed they are by the "hideous" American over-riders on the rear bumper. Of course my 88 Targa has these. Are they really that offensive, or is that just a Mike and Edd thing?
John

[lateapex911]

No, sorry, they really are awful. But thats just my, Eds, and Mikes opinion. (And the rest of Europe) LOL. (I will say I'm a visual guy, and more sensitive than most) Also, remember that all of Europe sees the car without them normally, so they really stick out.

I loved the part of the episode when the ask price goes UP, and Mike wisely pays it, then Ed flips.."you paid MORE!? And it doesn't eve run!?"...

.....and it is their highest profit ever.


Theres a 2002 with a tii drivetrain selling locally for $5K. Runs, red is solid, needs a few details. Tempting, but, it's not numbers matching...

[amg463]

My favorite part about the show is how Ed China's labor is all free, I can't wait to take all my projects to their shop in HB!

[KNS]

Just curious - are they staying in SoCal now or was this just a one season thing?

[Ferrino]

I think they're just shooting a couple of seasons in the US. I haven't seen the show in a while - looks like Mike has really taken to the US and developed a much wider waistline!

[acme911]

Big fan. Over the many seasons of the show it amazes me how Mike finds such great deals here in California.

[Dpmulvan]

I love WD wish I had my own personal Ed China

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by lateapex911

No, sorry, they really are awful. But thats just my, Eds, and Mikes opinion. (And the rest of Europe) LOL.

Without America, Porsche would no longer be.

Without America, Europe would be speaking German.

Long live the fat black American things on the back of short hoods. They rock and help keep the rear heavy as per design.

More Edd, less Mike.

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by amg463

My favorite part about the show is how Ed China's labor is all free, I can't wait to take all my projects to their shop in HB!

Yeah, but that was the original idea, waaaaaay back it was as simple homegrown BBC programme where do-it-yourself car flippers could see what it took to get a somewhat dilapidated nice car into good saleable shape to make money on.

If you see the very early Wheeler Dealers, they look more like college auto repair courses than entertainment (which is what endeared them to me), plus they took on some relatively low end cars (Cortina's, Escorts etc) that the average British joe could afford to buy and either make into a great car for themselves or to flip.

I think that basic DNA has stuck with the show, even though they have gone far upmarket with some of their projects.

Contrast that to Overhaulin', which I love when they do not have the daft chicks "pretending" to help, complete with FMP high heels, fingernail polish and the "oh isn't this so INTERESTING" attitude.

A couple of seasons ago Overhaulin' had a couple of girls who really knew their way around a car (other than the back seat) and were actually functional members of the team. Liked that season the best.

Now I don't even record it any more.

Dennis

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by KNS

Watched the episode the other day. What amazed me is that the guy's son (selling the car) showed zero remorse in letting the car go..! I'd be all over my dad to sell it to me.

I had the same thought. Not only was it bought by the seller's dad brand new but neither the seller nor the son had any desire to keep it and fix it up. And a tii to boot.

[dicklague]

I had a 1974 Tii just like that one....bought it new in Quebec when I was living there. I should have never sold it, but I was worried about CA smog reg problems when I moved from the Province of Quebec to Los Angeles.

I too was surprised to see Gus....he is such a legend and a MFI guy. I liked the fact that he made them wait a month like everyone else.

I love the show.

[lateapex911]

Originally Posted by Iciclehead

Yeah, but that was the original idea, waaaaaay back it was as simple homegrown BBC programme where do-it-yourself car flippers could see what it took to get a somewhat dilapidated nice car into good saleable shape to make money on.

If you see the very early Wheeler Dealers, they look more like college auto repair courses than entertainment (which is what endeared them to me), plus they took on some relatively low end cars (Cortina's, Escorts etc) that the average British joe could afford to buy and either make into a great car for themselves or to flip.

I think that basic DNA has stuck with the show, even though they have gone far upmarket with some of their projects.

Contrast that to Overhaulin', which I love when they do not have the daft chicks "pretending" to help, complete with FMP high heels, fingernail polish and the "oh isn't this so INTERESTING" attitude.

A couple of seasons ago Overhaulin' had a couple of girls who really knew their way around a car (other than the back seat) and were actually functional members of the team. Liked that season the best.

Now I don't even record it any more.

Dennis

Enjoy it while you can. This is the last season. About 3 episodes to go.

I don't mind the girls. They're fine to look at, they don't have a ton of involvement, nor do they really claim to...and I like watching Chip work. He's very talented, and one of the most diverse designers I know, in that he can work metal and paint and draw and lots of things in between. Lots of designers can use their hands, but, usually the design world locks them to the screens and paper. Chips somewhat unique in that, and I respect him for it. I'll miss the show.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by amg463

My favorite part about the show is how Ed China's labor is all free, I can't wait to take all my projects to their shop in HB!

This is not true. I have it from a authority that Edd gets paid $0.10/hr just like Peter Egan on his projects.