One student and two instructors from Universal Technical Institute (UTI) were among more than 20 crew members rebuilding a car for The Learning Channel’s Overhaulin’ series, which brings together a team of individuals with special technical skills to rebuild a car whose owner is tricked into believing their car has gone missing. UTI, a nationwide provider of automotive technical education training, sent Brittany Horne, William Spiekerman and Albert “Lee” Linn, Jr. to the taping in Las Vegas.
Overhaulin’ co-hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne "AJ" Janic lure the keys away from the unsuspecting car owner, while auto designing legend Chip Foose and his team of fabricators and engineers rebuild the vehicle. The Overhaulin’ cameras follow the twists and turns of keeping the car away from its owner while following the renovation process of the vehicle.
UTI crew members Horne, Spiekerman and Linn each specialize in key areas that will be utilized in transforming the car. Horne, 19, is a student at UTI’s Avondale campus and works at North Scottsdale BMW. She specializes in performance building and wiring.
“I grew up working on cars with my dad,” Horne said. “When he passed on his ’81 Camaro Z28 to me, it was the first engine I put together myself.”
Spiekerman, 59, is a Hot Rod U instructor at UTI’s Avondale campus, where he has worked for almost 20 years. He specializes in engines, suspension, steering, brakes, drive line, fabrication and welding.
Linn, 46, has been a UTI instructor for 18 years and specializes in engines, brakes, steering and suspension. Linn rebuilt his first car when he was 15.
Though the team participating in the overhaul knows the year, make, and model of their project, the owner is kept in the dark so that when the refurbished car is unveiled it is a surprise.
“UTI is a fan of Overhaulin’ and we are thrilled for the opportunity to demonstrate the technical training that our students receive,” said Kimberly McWaters, president and CEO of UTI.
The show was taped in Las Vegas for one week in conjunction with the annual SEMA show, the automotive specialty products trade event where more than 100,000 automotive, truck, SUV, marine and RV industry leaders from more than 100 countries meet to see more than 1,400 new parts, tools and components and participate in educational seminars, product demonstrations and special events.
This episode of Overhaulin’ is scheduled to air on the TLC on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 9-10 p.m. ET/PT.