Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is the third episode of the one-off Wrecks To Riches 2004 series, where Mike Brewer trades his way from 300 pounds in his pocket to the prize car (MG ZR).
EDIT: To clarify, this is the UK version of Wrecks To Riches, not to be confused with the American version of Wrecks To Riches debuting in 2006. There was also a 2005 reboot planned (found on a 2005 Discovery Real Time continuity by @junk_vhs_tapes_palyoutube.com/watch?v=TaLDR6L79ik) featuring Vicki Butler-Henderson, but ultimately is lost media, alongside the rest of the episodes from the original 2004 run.
Wrecks To Riches was very disliked back in 2004 (on a few motoring forums) due to the programme being too staged and mostly unrealistic in terms of the second-hand dealing, especially in the dealer bits. The programme aired dominantly on ITV1, with re-runs on Discovery Home and Leisure (Sky 133) and Discovery Real Time. Also was available in other countries in dubbed form, such as Poland.
For those interested, here are the episode dates which featured the vehicles Mike Brewer eventually got to:
14/03: Fiat Cinquecento
21/03: Rover 400
28/03: Toyota Corolla, Audi A4
11/04: "half the programme was an ad for Fords of Winsford (a car supermarket)" (from honestjohn forum)
18/04: Alfa 156 (VBZ5 252)
25/04: Demonstrator scooter, quadbike
02/05: W-reg Japanese-spec Mazda MX-5 (Eunos Roadster)
09/05: Prize car: MG ZR
Despite the criticism, I actually liked it (and my dad did as well, especially when he watched it from start to finish nearly 20 years ago). Shame it isn't available on Discovery+ in full, let alone on MotorTrend.
Thanks for @assortedvideos4899 for providing this episode.
This is the third episode of the one-off Wrecks To Riches 2004 series, where Mike Brewer trades his way from 300 pounds in his pocket to the prize car (MG ZR).
EDIT: To clarify, this is the UK version of Wrecks To Riches, not to be confused with the American version of Wrecks To Riches debuting in 2006. There was also a 2005 reboot planned (found on a 2005 Discovery Real Time continuity by @junk_vhs_tapes_palyoutube.com/watch?v=TaLDR6L79ik) featuring Vicki Butler-Henderson, but ultimately is lost media, alongside the rest of the episodes from the original 2004 run.
Wrecks To Riches was very disliked back in 2004 (on a few motoring forums) due to the programme being too staged and mostly unrealistic in terms of the second-hand dealing, especially in the dealer bits. The programme aired dominantly on ITV1, with re-runs on Discovery Home and Leisure (Sky 133) and Discovery Real Time. Also was available in other countries in dubbed form, such as Poland.
For those interested, here are the episode dates which featured the vehicles Mike Brewer eventually got to:
14/03: Fiat Cinquecento
21/03: Rover 400
28/03: Toyota Corolla, Audi A4
11/04: "half the programme was an ad for Fords of Winsford (a car supermarket)" (from honestjohn forum)
18/04: Alfa 156 (VBZ5 252)
25/04: Demonstrator scooter, quadbike
02/05: W-reg Japanese-spec Mazda MX-5 (Eunos Roadster)
09/05: Prize car: MG ZR
Despite the criticism, I actually liked it (and my dad did as well, especially when he watched it from start to finish nearly 20 years ago). Shame it isn't available on Discovery+ in full, let alone on MotorTrend.
Thanks for @assortedvideos4899 for providing this episode.
