Buick specifically i can see sorta because parts are hard to find and expensive, if you can even get aftermarket stuff. I have a 65 Wildcat that id like to do something with (think dax shepards continental) but youre so limited with the nailhead which is NOT going anywhere, way too cool and too much history.
Well, ya, a nailhead might be asking too much, nostalgia or not. In that case I'd get the more modern 455 type engine (though not necessarily that big) and upgrade that (with an overdrive transmission). But no LS, please, not again. TA Performance has many parts for the more modern Buick though I'm sure that prices would be higher than for Chevy versions. But so what, do something different! We already know that LS engines work and are reliable and are easy performance, we don't need another dozen car conversions to sell that idea. It makes me think of those NASCAR years where the driver is driving an "Oldsmobile" or a "Pontiac" but they're all tube-frame cars with Chevy motors underneath. I'm even starting to get tired of Gen III Hemis in every old Mopar, too.
VGG guy is good about fixing stuff on the real. The tempest or whatever he bought with the OHC 6 is cool as hell, so glad he didnt swap it. He seems to have about the same eclectic taste in vehicles as i do, although he likes chevys way too much. I dont really watch many of the shows besides the roadkill spinoffs, engine masters, HRG, and VGG. Will watch engine power or w/ever tf its called once in a while, they just did a sleeper granada with a 500whp 302 on the bottle thats pretty dope, cant stand the co-host guy tho.
I've started getting into Vice Grip Garage (and the Roadworthy Rescues version on MotorTrend), I like the oddball cars he decides to revive. He's funny as well. But again, some of those things are just rolling rust, I'd love to see him do a Part 2 where he gets them beyond just functioning to actually driveable by regular people.
There's Engine Power (mostly just engines) and Detroit Muscle (car projects that usually use a motor built by the Engine Power guys), along with a couple other shows I don't really watch. The Detroit Muscle guys are at least more willing to stick with the original engine family of the car being worked on, though they have done a few LS/Gen III Hemi/Coyote swaps.
I would include Garage Squad as a good middle ground. They get usually projects or abandoned family cars to practically complete and ready to drive daily condition. They may skimp on body repairs or paint because that's not the focus (beyond making them safe and no longer eyesores), it's mostly drivetrain and suspension (and interior). And usually some performance improvements (disc brakes, headers/limited-slip rear maybe, dual exhaust, better wheels, etc.) to go along with the rejuvenation.
Part of the reason i think roadkill-esque shows avoid finishing stuff is thats where people run into conflicting design ideas. Also, theres no shortage of shows out there that cover that stuff. Everything from your socks with sandals beige vinyl with billit accent everything, to concours restos. Those shows dont show the fun nitty gritty parts of getting an abandoned and molested beater back to running / driving.
True, but running ain't driving. Running means it moves without breaking down, driving means you can use it to drive to work (at least for me) with normal expectations of comfort and functionality (gauges work, heater/air works, no leaks, stereo works if it exists, doesn't smell like wet dog). Some of those Roadkill cars are useless except for beating them unmerciful on a racetrack.
I do also like watching shows like Hand Built Hot Rods (Steve Strope) but those are 2-year projects that are shown at SEMA that only celebrities and CEOs can afford. Still great to see the subtle design mods they do, things that you wish the auto companies would have done. That Nova with the '69 Camaro body lines looked amazing, and
stock in badass way.
I think Tony Angelo is too focused on making cars that can compete on racetracks and in rally races (or drifting) no matter what was originally called for. He's sometimes too eager to rip out functioning parts of a car like the air-conditioning or the back seat. His YouTube show seems to be a little less racer, maybe because the cars are mostly his own so he doesn't want to butcher them as much. But on Hot Rod Garage I remember they did do a Javelin where he and Lucky actually built up an AMC V8, along with going over oiling mods to improve longevity, that was very cool. Made some solid power. Most shows, that would have been a Hemi swap.