All Episodes 1999 - 2020

Part 1 of the first in the now legendary "Is Born" series, A Car is Born follows Mark Evans as he builds a Pilgrim Sumo 5.7 litre V8 super car.

Part 2 of the first in the now legendary "Is Born" series, A Car is Born follows Mark Evans as he builds a Pilgrim Sumo 5.7 litre V8 super car.

Part 1 of A Plane is Born. This Series takes the viewer, for the first time, through the step-by-step process of building a 200 mph kit aircraft capable of flying from England to the South of France on a single tank of fuel.

Part 2 of A Plane is Born. This Series takes the viewer, for the first time, through the step-by-step process of building a 200 mph kit aircraft capable of flying from England to the South of France on a single tank of fuel.

Part 1 of A Car is Reborn Follow presenter Mark Evans as he tackles the restoration of the classiest of classic cars, a 1965 series 1.1 E-Type Jaguar, from farmer's field to concourse condition.

Part 2 of A Car is Reborn Follow presenter Mark Evans as he tackles the restoration of the classiest of classic cars, a 1965 series 1.1 E-Type Jaguar, from farmer's field to concourse condition.

Part 1 of A Chopper is Born A Chopper is Born follows the step-by-step build of a fully functioning helicopter from a kit - a Rotorway Exec 162F, the world's most successful helicopter kit.

Part 2 of A Chopper is Born A Chopper is Born follows the step-by-step build of a fully functioning helicopter from a kit - a Rotorway Exec 162F, the world's most successful helicopter kit.

Part 1 of A Racing Car is Born A Racing Car is Born focuses on the world of the budget race-car. We follow presenter Mark Evans as he builds, tunes and races a 7-type circuit racer - his very own Westfield 1800, a Ford Zetec powered car with independant rear suspension.

Part 2 of A Racing Car is Born A Racing Car is Born focuses on the world of the budget race-car. We follow presenter Mark Evans as he builds, tunes and races a 7-type circuit racer - his very own Westfield 1800, a Ford Zetec powered car with independant rear suspension.

Part 1 of A 4x4 is Born Four wheel drive vehicles are more popular today than ever before. With this in mind, presenter and engineering fanatic Mark Evans takes on a brand new "Is Born" challenge. The build is inspired by the late 1970s special vehicles, of which a limited run of only 25 were produced for the Swiss and French Army, and are quoted as being "the best Land Rovers ever made". Mark's aim is to take an old rust-bucket Range Rover rescued from the scrap-heap and transform it into the ultimate boulder-crawling beauty!

Part 2 of A 4x4 is Born Four wheel drive vehicles are more popular today than ever before. With this in mind, presenter and engineering fanatic Mark Evans takes on a brand new "Is Born" challenge. The build is inspired by the late 1970s special vehicles, of which a limited run of only 25 were produced for the Swiss and French Army, and are quoted as being "the best Land Rovers ever made". Mark's aim is to take an old rust-bucket Range Rover rescued from the scrap-heap and transform it into the ultimate boulder-crawling beauty!

Part 1 of An MG is Born Mark Evans is back in his workshop to restore a sewage-coloured, 1973 MGB Roadster back to showroom condition. It's one of the last chrome-bumpered cars ever built and Mark intends to turn it into a unique collector's item.

Part 2 of An MG is Born Mark Evans is back in his workshop to restore a sewage-coloured, 1973 MGB Roadster back to showroom condition. It's one of the last chrome-bumpered cars ever built and Mark intends to turn it into a unique collector's item.

Mark visits a Kit Car show to decide which kit to build.

A donor car is found and disassembled.

The chassis arrives and the front suspension is installed.

The rear suspension, steering, and fuel tank go on the car.

Brakes are installed, then brake and fuel lines are run.

Disappointed with the donor engine, Mark goes shopping for a new one. The new engine and gearbox are dropped in.

Radiator and engine electrics are installed. Add some fluids, and fire it up!

Mark visits the factory to see the body being made, and begins the bodywork when his is delivered.

More bodywork! The doors, boot lid, gas cap, and headlights are fitted.

The body is back from paint. Exhaust, lights, and brightwork are bolted on.

The dash is assembled and installed.

The carpets are glued in, and the rest of the interior trim soon follows.

Finishing up the details. More exterior trim is added, the bonnet hinge is attached, wipers are installed, the steering wheel goes in. A soft-top is also added.

The car is done, but can it pass inspection?

Mark puts his driving skills to the test in his new car.

Mark visits the Popular Flying Association Rally at Cranfield to see some of the 3000 or so home-built and vintage aircraft that have flown in for the weekend. He talks to Graham Newby, the Chairman of the PFA and the Editor of Flyer Magazine who takes him through the perils and pit falls of building his own plane.

Mark travels to the Europa Factory in North Yorkshire where after seeing all the components that go into making a kit, he takes a test flight with Technical Director Andy Draper. In part 2, he starts his private pilot training at Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire with instructor Carl Bowen.

Mark learns that before he starts to build his aeroplane he must attend a workshop on composite building techniques. His crash course is instructed by expert Neville Eyre. In part 2, back at the workshop, he begins work on his kit plane, starting with the Rudder. Some respite from plastics is provided at Gloucester airport where his flying training continues apace. In a regular feature, Dudley Pattison shows us the Isaac's Fury biplane he took fifteen years to build.

Filming in the workshop, work begins on the Europa's wings and Mark puts his composite skills to the test. In part 2, he continues his flight training as he learns about climbing and descending. Nigel Marshall and Rob Cooper talk about the Pitenphol Air-camper they built at work in their lunch-hours.

Work on the plane continues with the Cockpit module and control yokes. Mark also receives a visit from Neville Eyre, his PFA inspector who checks to see that his work so far is air worthy. Over at Staverton Airport, it's pass the sick bag when he is introduced to "stalling". Finally, we are introduced to an American aircraft owned by Michael Wells where the propeller is at the back.

Work on the aeroplane moves to the Tailplane and Mark gets to grips with an electronic spirit level. Back at the Flying School, he attempts circuits and touch and go landings. And in another profile of kit aircraft builders, it's the turn of Olle Berquist, an enthusiast from Sweden.

This episode sees the building gathering pace as Mark installs the cockpit module and seats into the aeroplane as well as the trim tabs and actuator into the tail plane. In our regular look at the world of kit aircraft, we meet Steve Pike and Kevin Fagan who have just finished an Australian aircraft - The Jabiru. Back at Staverton Airport, it's a milestone in Mark's Flying progress - with his first solo flight.

Mark is back on familiar ground as he fits brakes, wheels and undercarriage to his aeroplane, Martin Dovey introduces us to his vintage Kit-Plane, the Kit Fox, and it is the turn of Navigation to further perplex Mark as he continues his flying lessons.

A packed programme sees major progress on the plane with the rudder assembly completed and the fuselage top on and finally bonded. Back at Staverton, Mark learns how to talk - important for a presenter but vital for a pilot as he masters the rudiments of radio communication. In another look at other kit-planes, we meet fellow Europa constructor Peter Kember who was the first ever to home-build a Europa Kit.

It's a red-letter day down at the workshop as the brand new engine arrives with Europa's Andy Draper. Mark takes on the delicate task of fitting the engine to the fuselage as well as connecting fuel lines, the Plenum chamber and exhaust manifold . In his flying lesson, he undertakes his first solo cross-country flight. In another feature on the world of home-built aircraft, we meet John Shanley and his futuristic Rutan Long-EZ.

Part two of the engine installation and Mark takes on the fitting of the ducting, oil and water cooling, radiators, cowlings and finally the propeller. Safety is the theme in Mark's next visit to flying school as he takes us through the A-Check, vital before any flight, while this programme's homebuilder is Lincoln Summers with his motorbike-engined Avid Speedwing.

It's the bit Mark has been dreading since he started - the wiring and instruments. To give him a better idea, he meets Robin Walsh who explains the differences between instruments and avionics and Ashu Mehta who helps him install the instrument panel. The instrument theme is continued at Aeros Flying School where Mark gets to fly just inches from the ground - in a simulator. In another look at the achievements of other home builders, it's the turn of Bob Harrison and his Europa.

The interior starts to get the red carpet treatment (well Blue actually) as Mark takes on the job of carpeting and upholstering his aeroplane with aircraft trimmer Matthew Leach. At Aeros, it's advanced flying as he gets to grips with steep banked turns and spinning while vintage aircraft feature in another look at PFA aircraft, this episode profiles Steve Leach's 1941 Taylor craft BC65.

A Red letter day as Mark prepares for his PPL Test at Aeros, and we recap his flying lessons from throughout the series; meanwhile, his aeroplane is transformed with a coat of paint and Mark applies the decals to make it unique. Finally it is the turn of Tony Palmer to show us his own pride and joy - his Avid Speedwing.

The final episode in the series sees the newly-built plane go through the final checks it needs for its certificate of air-worthiness. Will it pass and can Mark finally realise his dream to fly his very own aeroplane?

Mark visits the Classic Car Show at the Birmingham NEC where he meets like-minded car-obsessives. From wrecks in need of a complete restoration, to fully-restored Ferraris. Mark asks the visitors to the show which car he should restore

The Jaguar factory in Coventry is home a private collection of classic Jaguars. Mark meets Tom Jones (no, not that one) the man who designed the E-Type chassis and a man who had a most enviable job. Norman Dewes, Jaguar’s chief development test engineer - the test driver. We see the car Mark will restore; found on a farm and left to rot, the 4.2 E-Type Roadster is in a sorry state. Paul Clerkin shows us his E-type Jaguar - fully restored to concourse condition, a job that took him 6 years to complete.

The Jaguar arrives at the garage and the laborious job of restoring the car begins. Bolt by bolt, the car is taken to pieces, the parts that can be re-used are kept and anything beyond repair is discarded. Racing Instructor Ian Forrest introduces new regular feature 'Classics on Test’ A Jaguar V12 owned by James Wilson is put to the test around the Knockhill circuit. David Rochford shows us his restored Ferrari 246GTS.

Stripped down to its shell, the car is sent to be blasted; a process whereby tiny plastic beads are fired at the car under great pressure to remove paint, underseal and any grime. This process reveals many problems that were not apparent when the car was first seen on the farm. Every panel on the car will need to be repaired or replaced. This is going to be a big restoration job. At Knockhill, Ian Forrest drive the Alpha 200GTV belonging to, Steve Barberi. John Jackson shows his Jaguar XK150.

Work has begun on the car’s body with new floor sections going onto the car. Mark turns his hand to spot welding and lead loading. After a ‘small accident’, he also learns a little about panel beating and heat shrinking. Ian Forrest drives the TVR Griffith owned by Steve Wallace around Knockhill and John Janes guides us around his Riley Winchester; the last car of its type in existence.

Attention is turned to the glorious engine that powered the E-Type. The engine needs to be stripped completely with parts removed and sent to be polished, so they look as good as they did when the car was new. The Jenson FIFA 1R belonging to Leonard Bolton is featured and at Knockhill, Ian Forrest drives a 1977 MK II Triumph Stag.

The Jaguar gets a new coat of paint - several coats of paint in fact. The seven-stage paint process sees the car transformed. Its original colour [white] is replaced by a new colour, classic E-Type carmine red at a cost of £7,000. Back at the garage, Mark cuts and polishes one wing of the car to reveal the gleaming new paintwork. Mick Clifton shows his MG V8 GT - a concourse winner and Ian Forrest drives a 1963 Austin Healey 300 around the Knockhill circuit.

With the paintwork finished, cut and polished, it’s time to start putting the car back together. Washer jets, a new brake servo, a rather complicated-looking wiring loom and the rear suspension are among the first bits to go back on the car. Jim Scott’s restored MKI Ford Cortina 1200 Deluxe is featured and Ian Forrest drives a Triumph TR3 around Knockhill’s racing circuit.

The fuel tank, piping and the boot lid are fitted to the Jaguar. The dashboard wiring is completed and work begins on the car’s electrics. Alistair Ross shows us the car he spent two years restoring, his MG L2. Ian Forrest drives the 1965 Hillman Singer Chamois around Knockhill.

The restored engine and gearbox are ready to go back into the Jaguar. The oil filter, exhaust and fan are put onto the car and the big moment is almost here: the moment when the start button is pressed. Will the engine start? A Sunbeam Alpine belonging to Geoff Parr is featured and Ian Forrest drives a 1973 Lotus Elan around Knockhill.

The doors are hung on the car, a tricky job which needs care, not least of all to avoid damaging the new paintwork. The windscreen is tackled with the help of a specialist windscreen fitter. Paul Wilkinson’s Volkswagen Beetle is featured and Ian Forrest drives one of his favourite cars around Knockihill: a Lotus Cortina.

The unmistakable bonnet of the Jaguar E-Type is fitted to the car along with the newly-chromed bumpers and the light clusters. The old wheels have been replaced with more sturdy 18” wheels. Roger Philips’ Triumph Stag MKII is shown and the MGB GTV8 of John Walpole is driven around the Knockhill circuit by Ian Forrest.

With most of the bodywork now restored, attention turns to the car’s interior. The original seats have been reupholstered and put back into the car. New carpets and upholstery are fitted with the help of specialist Steve Frost. The roof frame, roof and the door fittings are also put back onto the car. Ian Proudfoot’s Jenson 541S is shown and Ian Forrest drives a Mark I Ford Capri around Knockhill.

With all of the bodywork now back on the car, it’s time to test the car before driving it. The engine is tuned and the suspension is set up. The car’s tracking is adjusted and then it’s a final polish of the paintwork before the car is back on the road. An Aston Martin Le Mans - once owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, but now proudly owned by Philip Haslam is featured. Ian Forrest picks his favourite car from all of those which he has driven during the series.

After six months solid work, the Jaguar E-Type Roadster is back where it belongs: on the road. Looking resplendent with its new carmine red paintwork, the car is driven around the test track. Mark, Ian Forrest and Norman Dewes, (who’s job it was to test drive the Jaguar E-Types) all drive the car. As a fitting tribute to all the hard work done to restore the car, it and Mark are invited to take part in the William Lyons Memorial Rally in Coventry with other Jaguar owners. 36 years after it left the factory, the Jaguar E-Type Roadster is back home.

Starting the series, Mark decides on the helicopter to build and takes a tour of their factory.

The kit arrives! Mark examines the kit and goes over the contents. The assembly start out with the skids and then moves to the frame and tail boom.

Mounting the trim fins and the tail rotor. Also a demonstration of a pre-flight.

Avid aviator Mark Evans turns his attention to the main rotor shaft, while his flight training covers the controls and throttle

Mark installs the engine in his home kit helicopter; countering typical mistakes made by beginner pilots.

Flight training lessons offer Mark Evans the chance to learn how to deal with engine failure and autorotation

Mark Evans learns to take off from both the ground and a hover position, and the exhaust and cooling systems are installed in his helicopter

Mark fits the muffler and installs the fuel system, pressure regulator and all the hoses into his home kit helicopter.

Installing the instrument cluster. Also in this episode is a visit by a RAF Search And Rescue helicopter and crew. The SAR crew takes us for a tour of their Sea King helicopter.

Calibrating the fuel gauge and installing the last of the gauges. The instrument cluster is then installed in the airframe. Testing the engine and matching the engine control computer to the engine. The engine is wired up and the lights are installed. The bodywork is started as well.

The seats are fitted while Mark Evans turns his attention to the body panel of the home-made helicopter

Mark Evans fits the main rotor blades and gets to grips with taxiing during his helicopter flight training session

Mark Evans practises the quick stop, and installs the rigging into his homemade helicopter

The upholstery of the home kit helicopter is installed, and Mark Evans paints the bodywork as his project nears completion

Avid aviator Mark Evans reveals the complete helicopter and takes it up into the skies for its first flight

Mark introduces his first project - a 1942 Harley Davidson WLC motorcycle which is an ex military bike. Mark plans to civilianise the motorcycle and give it a complete restoration. Whilst stripping the Harley, Mark discovers some writing in the primary chain case, which reveals something about our bike's celebrity history. The gearbox is stripped and explained, and Mark begins to strip the engine.

The stripped engine is rebuilt. The cylinder barrels are painted, and there’s a bit of valve grinding, and the carburettors are fitted to the engine. And of course, it's packed with Mark’s wit!

The newly powdercoated frame is revealed, and the engine and gearbox are fitted to it. Mark repairs the badly dented primary chain case with a spot of metalwork. The bodywork is assessed and prepared ready for paint.

The maze of the wiring loom is tackled, we see expert sprayer Danny Boswell, paint the Harley in it's new colour, which is later revealed. Mark fits the lights and bodywork to the frame.

Mark fits the last of the bodywork and adds some chrome to brighten the Harley up. After final tuning, Mark goes for a ride with expert Harley rider Joe Sylvester to learn the ropes

Mark introduces his next project - a 1970 Triumph Bonneville. Mark strips the bike down to its frame and discovers that our British bike was built for America. The bike appears to be someone’s unfinished project, which poses the question, will there be any pistons in our engine?

Mark completely dismantles the engine, strips the wheels and refurbishes the brake drum. The frame is shotblasted, and Mark embarks on a spot of welding.

Mark reveals the completely painted frame and begins to build the forks which are not as straight forward as Mark hoped. Alec Jay, expert wheel builder, respokes our wheel and Mark starts on some bodywork.

Mark rebuilds the engine and fits it to the frame. The rocker box and heads are built, along with the gearbox. The 1970 Triumph's paint job is revealed in traditional Astral red and silver. Mark attempts to recover the seat.

The bodywork is fitted and brightworks. The finishing touches are made and Mark starts her up for the first time. Mark takes his Triumph Bonneville out for a ride.

Mark introduces his next project - a VW Lowrider Trike, often described as low, wide and dirty! To start off his project, he demolishes a VW Beetle to obtain the parts he needs. A large delivery arrives at the workshop and a very special manual is found. The base of the trike is built. On the road, we meet the Miniature Motorcycle Sidecar fraternity and see what it is like to ride something smaller but just as powerful.

The 1600cc VW carb engine is fitted to the trike along with its transmission. With the aid of the Manual, Mark tries to figure out the complex wiring and fits the clutch and brake cables.

Mark fits the fuel system and discovers a problem with the bodywork after dressing up the engine with a bit of chrome. Air Brush artist Steve Mohacsy shows Mark how to to jazz up the paintwork on his flash trike.

Mark fits the lights and the clocks. He has a problem bleeding his brakes. Mark tests the timing and starts to fit the bodywork. Mark can't resist starting her up and hearing what she sounds like.

The trike is fitted with leg protection bars, the rest of the bodywork and given the final touches. Mark and Petemate go out for a test ride and suss out the locals reactions!

Mark Evans embarks on a project to build a Westfield sports car to compete in racing events across the UK.

A visit to the Westfield factory where the car kit is manufactured, before Mark Evan begins the first stages of construction.

Work continues with the installation of the drive shafts, fuel tank and upper steering column.

Mark Evans installs the engine, propshaft, starter motor and gear lever of his Westfield sports car.

In addition to building the dashboard, the instruments are installed with the assistance of Mike Topp from the 750 Motor Club.

Mark Evans concentrates on the chassis of the Westfield sports car as he continues his self-build project.

Work turns to the interior of the car, as Mark Evans chooses seats for the Westfield.

Mark Evans begins fitting out the interior of his kit car, focusing on the door lining, lights and dashboard finish.

Adding the finishing touches to his creation, Mark Evans prepares for the Single Vehicle Approval test.

Mark Evans takes his newly completed Westfield sports car to the track for its biggest test.

With his vehicle now complete, Mark Evans takes the opportunity to try out his creation and takes part in a driving masterclass.

The hand-built Westfield is entered into a hillclimb competition at Gurston Down near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Mark Evans gains his first racing experience in the Westfield when he attends a track day at Donington Park, near Derby.

Mark Evans takes part in practice laps in France and qualifies for a circuit race, going behind the scenes to watch preparations for the event.

Mark Evans decides to put his creation to the ultimate test - a circuit race in France. He first cleans the car in the hope it will increase his speed.

World-renowned engineering enthusiast Mark Evans dusts off his overalls to take on his first off-road project - the transformation of a 4-door, 1985 Range Rover into a unique 100" wheelbase Land Rover. It's a 21st Century tribute to 25 special vehicles that Land Rover built for the French and Swiss armies in the late seventies. First Mark cleans 30 years of crud off his donor vehicle and gives it a mechanical health check. In the workshop, Mark buys the body panels, and sets about modifying the chassis to support it all. There's a lot of metalwork to be done. He starts with some new outriggers and quickly gets into a spot of bother

Mark makes the brackets and plates necessary to fix the Land Rover bodywork to the strengthened chassis. Only one problem - the rear wheels don't fit under the wheel arches!! The rear tub is salvaged from an old 110 pick-up. Mark fires up his plasma cutter and finishes the customisation of the rear bodywork. But will it fit….

With so much metalwork to do, Mark calls in professional welder, Paul Harris to run a MIG-welding masterclass. There's also some TIG welding to be done to stitch up the seams on the new tub - it's a nightmare of a job !

Mark shows how to assess, renovate and upgrade the transmission. He rebuilds the axles from scratch, and shows in detail how to fit air-operated diff locks. Mark's attention turns to the front axle. He refurbishes the swivel joints and fits fused, 24-splie drive shafts and new cv joints

It's Mark's favourite part of the project - rebuilding and upgrading the monster V8! Cleaned, stripped of its ancillaries and decapitated, Mark assesses its condition. Mark visits a gearbox specialist to rebuild an R380 gearbox and transfer box from scratch for his project vehicle. Meanwhile, the completed, blasted chassis is galvanised by the hot-dip process. It's a very dangerous procedure but the finished chassis looks magnificent.

The galvanized chassis arrives back at the workshop. When Mark has finished admiring it, he starts to fit the running gear ! First up: suspension. Mark continues playing with bushes, trailing arms, and panhard rods, before experimenting with springs and dampers.

With the help of some "specialist" friends, Mark makes himself a unique roll cage out of the longest piece of tube he could fit in his van. He shows how to bend, assemble and fit it. Mark strips down and assesses the internals of his V8. Is it as really as good as he first thought?

Mark cleans his pistons, prepares and lubricates the crankshaft and engine block. Mark shows in detail how to rebuild the 3.5L Rover V8, including fitting an upgraded cam. Then it's on with the heads ! Keen to learn another trade, Mark turns his attention away from his greasy old garage to attend a course for car painters at a multi-million pound paint shop.

Mark paints his rocker covers and sets the variable valve timing kit on his newly assembled engine. Mark fits his core plugs, before venturing to his bench to show how to correctly remove a broken stud. Attention is then turned to rebuilding the oil pump. The clutch and gearbox is fitted to the engine and then unites the newly fitted clutch and gearbox to the engine. Mark then takes the strain as he fits the rebuilt engine/gearbox combo into the rolling chassis.

Mark fits and assembles the bulkhead to the chassis. The wiring transforms from a jumble of multicoloured spaghetti to the vital veins of the beast's electrical system. Then it's back to school for Mark at the specialist paint shop.

Mark's very special Land Rover is really starting to take shape, and he turns his attention to the brakes. Then it's on to the fuel system and there's a problem with the fuel tank filler. Mark fits his new racing exhaust with its ceramic coated headers and Y-pipe. Finally, Mark fits the ancillaries to the V8 engine. Can he get the monster to roar ?

Mark can see the light at the end of the tunnel and continues fitting the renovated body work. One of the few "newish" bits of bodywork is the truck cab - but it too needs a lot of Mark's attention. With the project nearing completion, Mark throws off his overalls, and finds how to drive Land Rovers off-road.

Not wanting his unique vehicle to be stolen under his nose, Mark invests in a state-of-the-art alarm system that will call his mobile of his Land Rover is touched ! He also makes his own tailgate, fits a powerful winch, side protection bars and snorkel. Oh. And forgets his Wedding Anniversary! Mark learns how to operate his new winch on an Off-road driving course.

The racing bucket seats are fitted, plus the last of the windows and door panels; plus Mark gets all scientific when he uses lasers and a computer to set up his suspension geometry. Mark learns more about driving off-road on side slopes and in deep water to prepare him for the big day ahead, when he gets to drive his own Land Rover off-road for the first time !

It has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears that has taken Mark, Les and Phil (the team) 2500 hours to complete over 5 months. Mark put the finishing touches to his unique 100" Land Rover, before bringing it outside into the Spring sunshine. It's bright outside but it doesn't dim Mark's enthusiasm for fitting some extra lights ! Mark runs into a problem with his suspension while testing outside the workshop, but he gets its sorted in time for the big test. Off road, Mark has the time of his life at the helm of his latest creation

Mark Evans embarks on a brand new project, aiming to transform a 1973 Chrome-bumpered MGB Roadster from an unloved rust-bucket into a pristine classic car. In the first programme Mark tracks down a suitable car for restoration in an old chicken shed in Surrey. The deal done, it's back to his workshop to start the strip down.

In the second episode of An MG is Born, Mark strips the engine down step by step, starts work on the body-work and takes a trip to the Heritage factory where, 20 years after production stopped, new body shells are still being made.

Programme 3 sees Mark continuing to restore his 1973 MGB. While the body is away being bead blasted, it's the turn of the sills and rear axle as Mark replaces the 3-part sill structure, strips and refurbishes the rear axle and dismantles the differential.

With the body of Mark's MGB back from the bead blasters, it's easy to see how much restoration work is now needed. New wings are fitted and a new steering rack fitted to the body. Mark also visits a specialist engineering company who are refurbishing the over-drive unit to find out just how it works.

More metalwork as Mark repairs the shell and fits new panels. It's a long hard slog. Meanwhile the engine is being overhauled with a rebore. By the end of the programme the engine is rebuilt and the shell has had its first coat of paint. Phew!