If you have been following along with our previous reviews of Rust Valley Restorers (Season 1 and Season 2) you’ll remember that we were left somewhat… unfulfilled, earlier this year. And what I mean by that is Season 2 was only 6 episodes long and ends on a twist. Leaving Avery Shoaf, Mike’s best friend and shop manager, throwing down his gauntlet proclaiming his independence from RUST BROS. WHOA! You could call it a cliff-hanger… but does a RUSToration show really need that? It’s been about 6 months and we were legitimately surprised to see Netflix release another 6 episodes on 8/21 labeled “Season 3” for us to enjoy and maybe-just-maybe get some closure.
The opening episode definitely brings about an attitude change. Mike keeps talking about his mission to “restore cars the average person can afford” – and despite how Season 2 ended Episode 1 of Season 3 is full of apologetic sentiments which make it feel like “something” happened in between S2:E6 and S3:E1 that post-poned the show, and was left on the cutting room floor. We also note that Connor isn’t nearly as present anymore in this second half of the Season. Episode 1’s featured build is actually the Mercury Cougar and it’s heart-wrenching story we saw in the last episode of Season 2 which really does make this feel like Season 2.5 and not something really new.
Notable builds from this Season
The Mercury Cougar build that was started toward the end of Season-2 of RVR
Season 2.5 😉
On top of the builds showcased above, here are some additional highlights about this Season you might find interesting.
- Detroit Autorama 2019: JF Kustoms $1.2M build, a 1200 hp Chevy Acadia show car; they made the “Great-8” but were almost disqualified because of an IG post.
- 1966 (VW) Meyers Manx (rare 4 seater) – traded for 4 trucks including a lifted 4-spd manual 4×4 Squarebody which Mike sold for $2500 immediately!
- The team swaps a Pontiac Parisienne engine into 1969 Caddy for the Armstrong, BC demolition derby. (not the “hit-to-pass” you saw in Season 2)
- Avery builds his own Demo-Derby car from a 1977 Lincoln Continental to compete against RUST BROS.
- Mike and the team help out Cassidy (apprentice body shop worker) with her Squarebody build, and Sarah Ward (parts manager) with her 1938 Buick Opera Coupe
- Mike has been accumulating more and more cars, and putting them in a secret stash. Some new cars on the property include: 1964 Chevy Biscayne 4-dr Station Wagon; 1964 El Camino, and more! A few cars from Season 1 return as “boomerangs” and are being kept at White Post (Pinkie, the Dodge Dart – and the Chevy-powered Ford Coupe).
- Some uplifting charity events like the Dance Competition were fun and we did get to see the winner of the purple Camaro big-block from Season 2 raffled off for Habitat-for-Humanity.
- Avery picks up an M35 series Cargo Truck (made by Willys-Jeep) known to many of us as a “duece-and-a-half” 2.5 ton truck.
If you haven’t watched Season 2, I would recommend watching it together with Season 3 as a single binge/season. With all 12 episodes available it just makes more sense overall especially considering the overly produced references in S3:E1 to make Season 2 seem like it happened over a year ago. In reality, only months had passed – and I hate to say – this is very obvious because these episodes were definitely filmed in “the before times” – aka pre-COVID. #mountaintime. However, all of those references do make more sense when you compare the entirety of S2 + S3 to Season 1.
Super confusing… CHECK, Still enjoyable… CHECK, Bonkers… CHECK, is Avery leaving the show to start his own business journey… CHECK. Since “Season 3” ends with the RUST BROS going into winter of 2019, it will be really interesting to see if a Season-4 will air based on everything we know about the world post-COVID. I’m excited to see this series continue. Its fun, light and unpredictable as always and above all the work is good and the cars are cool. If you’re interested in knowing more… the best source for news about RVR and RUST BROS is to follow them on Instagram @rustbrosrestos. Meanwhile, be sure to check out Rust Valley Restorers, available now on Netflix.
