Summary
Canadian can-do spirit triumphs in this absurdly likable and satisfying restoration show.
This review of Rust Valley Restorers Season 2 is spoiler-free.
If it helps, think of this review as more of a public service announcement — if you are even remotely into cars, reality TV, uplifting family camaraderie or white guys with dreadlocks, you owe it to yourself to watch Rust Valley Restorers Season 2, out now on Netflix. Just trust me on this.
Since I’m not one to make outlandish claims without evidence — if I was I’d be a newspaper columnist and not a media critic — allow me to qualify this recommendation. When I reviewed the first season back in August of last year, I said it was going to be a niche hit for the streaming giant, and as tends to be the case, I was right. Petrolheads love this show, and for good reason, but I also insist that it has plenty to offer to a much wider audience than that.
Like Restaurants on the Edge (a second season of which also dropped today, if you’re interested), this is a Candian import, and there’s something rather infectious about Canada’s national attitude that works well in a concept like this. But unlike that show, which is a glossy, happy-clappy affair, Rust Valley Restorers delights in things going wrong and getting dirty. Still concerning Mike Hall and his business, Rust Bros Restoration, as they restore classic cars with as much infectious enthusiasm as they can muster, this is great enthusiast TV.
