Collision centers have long been a staple of Hollywood storytelling, from the gritty backdrops of The Sopranos to the heartwarming tales in Corvette Summer. Now, body shops are back in the spotlight, with ABC and Hulu’s new sitcom, Shifting Gears, diving into the world of custom car restorations and family dynamics.
A Classic Restomod Storyline
Airing Wednesdays on ABC and streaming early Thursdays on Hulu, Shifting Gears stars Tim Allen as Matt, a widowed, old-school car enthusiast and owner of a classic restoration shop. The show’s premise revolves around Matt’s life taking a turn when his estranged daughter (played by Kat Dennings) and her kids move into his home. With the tagline “The real restoration begins,” the sitcom blends car culture with family drama.
Tim Allen brings his well-known love of cars to the role, with his personal collection of restomods influencing the series. Allen, who has previously electrified hot rods and collaborated on unique car builds, ensured the show’s shop felt authentic. Production designer Stephan Olson even drew inspiration from Allen’s real-life SoCal restoration garage and the famed BS Industries, a custom hot rod shop in Los Angeles.
A Shop Designed for TV
The production team worked meticulously to replicate a believable working shop. With a dedicated transportation department, multiple cars rotate on and off the set, creating the illusion of an active restoration business. Attention to detail—like oil stains on the floor—grounds the shop’s appearance in realism while maintaining Tim Allen’s signature charm.
Olson noted that Allen was hands-on in the design process. “He wanted this to reflect him,” Olson said, adding that Allen’s feedback included making the shop “less clean” to capture the gritty, hands-on vibe of real restoration spaces.
The Cars Are Co-Stars
Tim Allen’s personal car collection plays a major role in the show. Featured vehicles, such as his modernized 1956 Ford F-100 and a Tesla-powered hot rod, double as shop projects. Even deeper car-culture Easter eggs make their way into the storyline, from debates about carburetors versus electronic fuel injection to callbacks to Allen’s earlier sitcom, Last Man Standing.
In one plotline, a 1956 Ford F-100—stolen in the final episode of Last Man Standing—reappears as a restoration project, tying Allen’s characters across two shows.
Industry Reactions
Real-life collision and custom shop owners have weighed in on Shifting Gears. Ken Pike, a Northern California custom shop owner, praised the show’s authenticity, noting details like an inverter in a hot rod. “They got it pretty close,” said Oregon shop owner Mike McQuigg, who also appreciated the inclusion of female shop workers—a nod to the growing diversity in the industry.
While some shop owners wished the show spent more time on the technical side of restorations, most agreed that Shifting Gears successfully captured the spirit of the collision and restoration business.
Shifting Perceptions
Though the show leans into drama—something shop owners admit they avoid in real life—it offers a glimpse into the world of restoration through a Hollywood lens. With its mix of Tim Allen’s humor, heartfelt family moments, and stunning cars, Shifting Gears is a feel-good ode to the industry.
The sitcom has resonated with audiences, becoming ABC’s most-watched series debut in six years, with over 17 million viewers tuning in its first week. For fans of Tim Allen, classic cars, or family comedies, Shifting Gears promises an entertaining ride.
Whether it’s showcasing a body shop’s grit or celebrating the artistry of custom builds, collision centers are proving once again they’re ready for their close-up.
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