The 19 Greatest Automotive TV Shows Of All Time
Gearheads know that car shows make for some of the most exciting and intense television. Jumping into the world of cars, motorcycles, restoration garages, and racing, more than one series has grabbed the attention of viewers.
From the intenseness of Formula 1: Drive to Survive to the comedic relief of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, here are some of the best car shows of all time. Did your favorite make the list? Read on to find out!
The Grand Tour
The Amazon Prime original series The Grand Tour ran for five seasons between 2016 and 2024. Many fans thought it was more than a car show; it also showcased some amazing shots of places around the world. Hosts Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, and James May took classic cars, drift cars, dune buggies, and tanks to rugged coastlines. They even swam down rivers!
Needless to say, this car show was never boring!
Le Mans: Racing is Everything
Le Mans: Racing is Everything is a mini-series about the prestigious 24-hour race, which has been an annual event since 1923. The show follows six race teams as they try their hand at winning the title.
A need for speed is the name of the game, with some of the racers hitting 200 miles per hour during some legs of the race.
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Inside West Coast Customs
Ryan Friedlinghaus and his team on Inside West Coast Customs took car restoration to a whole new level. The show centered around the WCC team as they took factory-model vehicles and turned them into intense custom rides.
These aren't everyday alterations, either. The team has turned cars into Mad Max-styled vehicles and even Batmobiles.
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee
While it is simple in nature, Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a happy-go-lucky series that not only gives amazing shots of the open road but also a history of classic cars.
Not only that, but Seinfeld picks up some of his famous friends along the way, grabbing a cup of coffee and talking about life, careers, and, of course, cars.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
After the release of Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive, many people began to understand the intrigue of F1 racing. And it is not hard to see why.
The speed, danger, and overall excitement of racing are shown throughout the docuseries, with interviews by some of the leading athletes in the sport, footage of crashes, and the drama that comes on and off the track.
Hyperdrive
For the adrenaline lovers out there, Hyperdrive is one car show that can't be overlooked. Starring 28 international competitors, this show sends the racers onto the track, gearing up to take on some intense obstacles while competing for the fastest time.
Showcasing custom cars and ridiculously fast action shots, this show is definitely one of the best out there.
Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans
Actor Michael Fassbender takes on the world of racing in the YouTube series Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans.
Having a life-long dream to become a top-tier racer, this series brings viewers into Fassbender's intense training as he sets his eyes on one of the most prestigious races in the world, the annual 24-hour Le Mans race.
Bad Chad Customs
A different type of restoration show, Bad Chad Customs, followed Chad Hiltz as he took run-down vehicles and suited them up using very interesting methods.
Not interested in the "typical" way of restoration, Hiltz uses pretty much any materials he can get his hands on to bring cars back to their former glory, including parts from planes, boats, and even some home furnishings.
Diesel Brothers
David "Heavy D" Sparks and David “Diesel Dave” Kiley know a thing or two about restoring beat-up diesel trucks. Diesel Brothers follows the duo in their garage, Sparks Motors, as they take in trucks, flip them, customize them for clients, and even do a few giveaways.
Of course, when two car enthusiasts get together, viewers can expect to see an intense stunt or two!
Counting Cars
Danny "The Count" Koker and his team are some of the best in the business.
Counting Cars followed the team out of their Las Vegas auto shop, Count's Kustoms, watching as they restored classic cars, customized rides, and set their sights on buying motorcycles and cars and flipping them for profit. The series ran for 10 seasons between 2012 and 2021.
Long Way Around, Long Way Down, Long Way Up
Ewan MacGregor and his friend Charlie Boorman take viewers on a crazy motorcycle trip in the Apple+ series Long Way Around, Long Way Down, Long Way Up.
While this is a motorcycle show, it also serves as a travel show, giving viewers insane footage of exotic places such as Asia as the two friends travel upwards of 19,000 miles per season.
Rust Valley Restorers
Mike Hall, his son, and his best friend are the heart and soul of Rust Valley Restorers. Working out of their lot, Hall and his partners take in classic cars that have seen better days, restoring them to pristine condition.
While they could sell the refurbished classics for a nice chunk of change, Hall is not in it for the money. His goal is to find the cars loving homes at an affordable price for the buyer.
Hoonigan Autofocus
Hoonigan, by definition, means someone who handles cars in an unorthodox manner. So, it only makes sense that Hoonigan Autofocus would be an amazing show to watch for those who like to see people driving some of the coolest cars in the world.
The YouTube series follows Larry Chen and other photographers as they maneuver incredible stunts in picturesque locations, getting the perfect shot while doing so.
Highway To Sell
The Discovery Channel series Highway to Sell follows Dennis Pittsenbarger and his mechanic Slick as they work with clients to restore their run-down vehicles. This show is interesting, though, as the team uses their own time and resources to clean up and restore the cars and get them auction-ready.
The episodes end with their clients making a difficult choice: buy back their restored car at a discounted price or take a cut of the profit made at the auction. While there is only one season of this show, it's worth checking out!
Street Outlaws
Set in Oklahoma City's underground street racing scene, Street Outlaws follows a group of racers as they vie to move up the ranks in the illegal racing world.
Driving everything from suited-up farm trucks to race-ready classic muscle cars, these racers show off the culture and their passion for street racing. Buckle in for 15 seasons of thrilling adventures!
Misfit Garage
After getting fired from Gas Monkey Garage and the show Fast N' Loud, Tom Smith, Jordan Butler, Scot McMillan, and Thomas Weeks banded together to open Fired Up Garage, featured on the Discovery Channel in the show Misfit Garage.
The reality series follows the men as they deal with the drama of opening a new garage while restoring cars for their clients. It ran for six seasons.
Iron Resurrection
Joe Martin, along with his wife Amanda and best friend Jayson "Shag" Arrington, travels the country searching for beat-up cars and rusted motorcycles. Iron Resurrection follows the team as they take the vehicles back to their shop in hopes of giving them new life.
In the end, they sell the creations to the highest bidder.
Overhaulin'
People down on their luck don't know what hits them when they believe their run-down cars are being towed away. Little do they know that Chip Foose and his team on Overhaulin' make it their mission to restore and give their beat-up old vehicles custom looks.
It's a feel-good series that shows the car owners' reactions by the end of each episode.
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Fast N' Loud
Richard Rawlings, along with his team of experts at Gas Monkey Garage, were the leading figures in Fast N' Loud, which ran for 16 seasons between 2012 and 2020. They went around finding old cars and restoring them for a solid profit.
This particular show is part restoration, returning cars to their former glory, and part car show, having a little something for everyone.
