I watched a few times, but seems they aim too high on their builds, and the ambience of talking with gangsta hands, tattoos, and ZZ Top beard turns me off.
My favorite "fixin cars" show is Wheeler Dealers. They seem most authentic in showing the real effort behind the work, and the British accents and terminology is captivating. In one episode, they came to the States and bought a 70's Charger. Another had a rare British Interceptor (?) sports car with Chrysler 383.
Texas Car Wars is interesting. I like Rodriguez work, like the GreenGo racer he made from a Mercury and his comment when passing on a M-B, "no Eurotrash in my shop".