Business & Tech
Reality Show ‘Overhaulin'’ Restores Local Man's Car
The Velocity by Discovery Channel show revealed the secret fix for an Imperial Beach man at a fundraiser held Tuesday to benefit the family of a late Coronado-based Navy SEAL.
A producer of the Velocity by Discovery Channel reality show Overhaulin' said the latest person to have their vintage car restored lives in Imperial Beach, but the show's crew was wary of revealing too much.
“We can’t let anything out until the show airs a month from now,” producer Josh Kameyer said.
But he did give hints, allowing that the owner's name is Dave, that he lives in Imperial Beach and is in the Navy.
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On Tuesday, guys from the cable television show crew were seen pushing a 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 along First Street and Orange Avenue in Coronado.
Residents and patrons clustered, cell phones in hand, to record the event outside the Coronado Firehouse Bar and Grill.
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Many were fans of the program and were well versed in its schtick–a ruse is created so producers can abscond with a vintage clunker.
They then have it completely refurbished to mint condition by legendary auto designer Chip Foose and return it to the owner. The only mystery: Who the owner is, or “mark” as the person is known in the show’s parlance.
While the design team from the show pushed the car up toward the Firehouse, where the owner awaited, the eatery hosted a “Hats Off to Our Heroes” fundraiser.
All tips collected by bartenders Tuesday went to support the Connected Warrior Foundation, an Annapolis-based charity working to improve the quality of life for wounded veterans.
It was founded by the family of Patrick Feeks, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan last August who was stationed in Coronado.
Last week, Overhaulin' producers contacted Firehouse owner Steve Biafore about holding the reveal of the revamped Oldsmobile in conjunction with the fundraiser.
As far as he was concerned this was all about Feeks and having the show tape outside the restaurant helped draw more people to the event.
“We are all here to honor him,” Biafore said.
This was not the first time the show has spotlighted a good cause.
“The restoration projects feature deserving individuals ranging from returning veterans to those negatively impacted by the tough economy,” a Discovery spokesperson said.
