Throwing Wrenches is a new show about working on vintage Willys jeeps. Viewers will learn interesting tips on what to do and what not to do, when restoring Willys Jeeps. The show is hosted by Merlin Hanson, owner of Hanson Mechanical, and Mike Gardner, vintage Jeep expert, Joe Beadenkopf, master mechanic, as well as a cast of jeep mechanics and enthusiasts. Throwing Wrenches is filmed on location at the Hanson Mechanical Garage in Westminster, Maryland.
Currently the show is filming the next episode, and seeking additional sponsors.
Show Hosts:
Merlin Hanson: Merlin’s family had Jeep trucks and Cherokees in the 70’s and 80’s and he found his WW2 Jeep around 1995. Merlin purchased his Willys Mb from a friend around 2000 and everything Jeep has snowballed from there. Merlin has taught History, currently runs the middle school library at Boys’ Latin in Baltimore, and owns and manages Hanson Mechanical Restorations, his Willys Jeep restoration shop in Finksburg, MD (not far from Westminster). Merlin loves teaching people how to work on their antique cars and has done a few projects with his students including prepping his Willys Mb for its run on the Alaskaorrust.com trip during the summer of 2017.
Mike Gardner: Mike eats, sleeps, breathes, and bleeds Jeep. Since he was seven years old he knew he wanted a Jeep, picturing a big, lifted CJ. Mike has driven and owned over 23 Wranglers and CJ’s, both vintage and new. He has also worked for and represented the Jeep brand in a variety of ways, from working at dealerships to representing various specialty aftermarket parts manufacturers. Chances are if you wheel a lot, you have met him either here or out West. Mike’s baby, his “hunk of junk”, is his rare 1945 CJ2A which he drives hard on and off road. This Jeep was featured in our first episode.
Joe Beadenkopf: Joe is a Master Mechanic at the paving company M.T. Laney. If it has an engine, he can fix it. Joe’s life with cars began as a kid helping with muscle cars in his neighborhood. He was 18 when he bought his first CJ7 and he has been addicted to Jeeps ever since. Joe drives a 1953 CJ3B for which he built a custom frame and drivetrain. He has been cross country in his Jeep twice, first a day after he first built it, and again this summer on the www.AlaskaorRust.com trip.
Currently the show is filming the next episode, and seeking additional sponsors.
Show Hosts:
Merlin Hanson: Merlin’s family had Jeep trucks and Cherokees in the 70’s and 80’s and he found his WW2 Jeep around 1995. Merlin purchased his Willys Mb from a friend around 2000 and everything Jeep has snowballed from there. Merlin has taught History, currently runs the middle school library at Boys’ Latin in Baltimore, and owns and manages Hanson Mechanical Restorations, his Willys Jeep restoration shop in Finksburg, MD (not far from Westminster). Merlin loves teaching people how to work on their antique cars and has done a few projects with his students including prepping his Willys Mb for its run on the Alaskaorrust.com trip during the summer of 2017.
Mike Gardner: Mike eats, sleeps, breathes, and bleeds Jeep. Since he was seven years old he knew he wanted a Jeep, picturing a big, lifted CJ. Mike has driven and owned over 23 Wranglers and CJ’s, both vintage and new. He has also worked for and represented the Jeep brand in a variety of ways, from working at dealerships to representing various specialty aftermarket parts manufacturers. Chances are if you wheel a lot, you have met him either here or out West. Mike’s baby, his “hunk of junk”, is his rare 1945 CJ2A which he drives hard on and off road. This Jeep was featured in our first episode.
Joe Beadenkopf: Joe is a Master Mechanic at the paving company M.T. Laney. If it has an engine, he can fix it. Joe’s life with cars began as a kid helping with muscle cars in his neighborhood. He was 18 when he bought his first CJ7 and he has been addicted to Jeeps ever since. Joe drives a 1953 CJ3B for which he built a custom frame and drivetrain. He has been cross country in his Jeep twice, first a day after he first built it, and again this summer on the www.AlaskaorRust.com trip.