Edd China is back. But this project by the former star of Wheeler Dealers isn’t the Garage Revival series recently reviewed here.
A new and weekly YouTube series named Built by Many is to debut by the end of summer, with a preview trailer launching Friday.
“We want to celebrate our automotive heritage by keeping classics cars on the road. Not just housed in museum collections or rusting away at the back of a shed,” China is quoted in the news release about the YouTube program.
“I’m all for the preservation of historic vehicles and want to get this beauty back on the road for all to enjoy. I’m looking forward to being a grease junkie again and inspiring others to join me on this road trip.”
According to the news release, the series opens with the restoration of a 1968 Jaguar E-type Series 1 fixed-head coupe featuring China, his long-time friend Al Cox, and Jaguar authority Philip Porter, who will showcase his 848 CRY (license number) E-type roadster from The Italian Job movie as well as what is believed to be the oldest surviving example of the model, the car used by Jaguar as a 1961 road-test model.
Porter’s publishing company, Porter Press International, will produce a book on the project, which will produce a series of how-to videos as part of the effort, according to the news release. The project also will be chronicled in the E-type Club magazine and in Practical Classics magazine.
For Practical Classics, “Readers will also be encouraged to get actively involved by rolling up their sleeves to assist with restoring key parts of the car,” according to the news release.
The E-type project also will involve driving at Shelsley Walsh and Chateau Impney and will feature such collectors as William Hunt, a Saville Row tailor, and Paul Stewart, drummer for The Feeling.
Cox was founder of the Google Creative Academy and explained the collaborative nature of the project in the news release:
“It’s collaborative because we’ll be working interactively with the audience in real time,” Cox said. “Each week, we’ll also share our latest progress on YouTube. Critical support for the project has already been secured from Jaguar parts specialist SNG Barratt, which will provide parts and expertise, plus more specialist engineering companies like Spin-It, which has developed a bespoke ‘car restoration turntable’ – a key and quirky part of the show.”
Welcome back – if you get to Southern California contact me…I have an original 75 MGB you must see !
Happy Ed is back. Hope we can follow his show in the Netherlands. He is great and fun to watch on tv. Ed welcome back.
We’re glad to have you back, Ed.
Can’t wait to see your projects.
Thanks for the education, in advance.
Welcome back to TV ! Always liked you better that that peter head on the other show.
Happy to see Ed is continuing to impress us with his knowledge of automobiles and how to rehab them. Wish he could find a network and sponsorship.
Super.
Good Luck Ed, we’re glad to see you coming back. TV hasn’t been the same without you.
This sounds way more interesting than someone flipping cars like much of the Velocity channel lineup.
If Edd can become an executive producer or creative director for these shows so he doesn’t get stuck in the details, Velocity or someone like them (perhaps BBC) will have a winner or two.
this makes me happy!