If you’re a fan of car restoration shows, Roadworthy Rescues is a must-watch! This reality TV series, first released in 2024 on HBO Max, takes viewers on an exciting journey where Derek Bieri, a talented mechanic and car enthusiast, brings abandoned and forgotten vehicles back to life.
The show, which stars Derek Bieri, his wife Jessica Bieri, and his brother Sean Bieri, has become popular for its realistic approach to restoring cars. It is directed by Sandon Voelker. This article goes into detail about the interesting places where Roadworthy Rescues was filmed across all of its seasons. It also talks about the show’s unique charm and captivating cast.
Roadworthy Rescues Plot Summary
Roadworthy Rescues is all about fixing up old, broken-down cars and trucks so they can be used again. Derek Bieri goes all over the United States looking for cars that have been left behind for decades. From rural fields to urban junkyards, he picks up neglected vehicles and repairs them using simple tools that any home mechanic could own.
The show puts an emphasis on accessibility by showing repairs that regular car fans can relate to and do themselves. Derek shows why these old cars are still important and deserve a second chance on the road with a mix of humor, mechanical know-how, and a deep love for car history.
Where Was Roadworthy Rescues Season 1 Filmed?
Season 1 of Roadworthy Rescues takes place in beautiful places in Michigan and Kentucky. It combines the thrill of restoring classic cars with the beauty of rural America. Let’s look at the most important places to film:
Michigan
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula takes center stage in Season 1, offering a picturesque backdrop for Derek’s car rescue adventures. Here Derek discovers a 1964 Ford Galaxie, tucked away and abandoned for decades in the heart of the region. The show captures the essence of the area’s rich automotive history, paying homage to Michigan as the birthplace of American car culture.
“The Upper Peninsula is a treasure trove for people who love old cars,” Derek said in an interview. “It’s incredible to see how these forgotten vehicles reflect the area’s deep connection to the auto industry.”
Along with the Galaxie, Derek also finds and saves a 1937 Chevrolet Deluxe that is stuck in Michigan’s cornfields. Having the show take place in these peaceful, rural areas gives it a nostalgic feel and makes the restoration process feel personal and real.
Kentucky
The rolling fields of Kentucky are another important place where Season 1 was filmed. Derek goes out into the country to fix up a 1964 Chevy Bel Air that had been left outside in the weather for a long time. The setting not only shows how hard it is to rescue cars that have been left out in the open, but it also shows off Kentucky’s beautiful scenery.
Derek thought about what he had done and said, “The countryside in Kentucky is both beautiful and hard for car rescues.” You never know what you’ll find in these out in the middle of nowhere fields, but bringing these cars back to life is worth all the work.
Whether it’s the harsh winters in Michigan or the lush greenery of Kentucky, each setting adds to the show’s realism and appeal.
Where Was Roadworthy Rescues Season 2 Filmed?
Viewers of Season 2 of Roadworthy Rescues are taken on another exciting journey through beautiful landscapes, with Derek Bieri’s determination to bring old cars back to life. The main filming took place in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan and the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Both of these places give the series a new perspective.
Michigan’s Northern Peninsula
One of the best rescues of Season 2 took place on Michigan’s Northern Peninsula, which is snowy & rough. Here Derek finds a 1964 Ford Galaxie that has been left alone for more than 30 years, left to the harsh winters and the relentless grip of nature.
In an interview, Derek said, “This place is the perfect mix of challenge and opportunity.” “Rescuing a car that’s been frozen in time for decades brings out the best in our skills and creativity.”
The beautiful snow-covered scenery not only shows how hard it is to fix up cars in bad weather, but it also gives the show its own style and makes the process of bringing the Galaxie back to life even more impressive.
The Black Hills, South Dakota
Season 2 also went to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, which are known for their rough terrain, winding roads, and views of the mountains. Natural beauty in the area makes for an interesting background and makes the car rescues feel more like an adventure.
Derek said, “The Black Hills felt like a dream place.” “This season will go down in history because it had both beautiful scenery and difficult roads.” It’s a spot where you can really enjoy the sense of adventure that comes with these rescues.
Because the Black Hills are so different from other places on Earth, Derek and his team had to change how they did things to get their remote cars back and fix them up.
Why These Locations Matter?
The places where Season 2 was filmed bring out the connection between the cars and the places where they’ve lived for decades. Each setting, from the snowy places of Michigan to the rough beauty of South Dakota, gives the series more depth and realism.
Where Was Roadworthy Rescues Season 3 Filmed?
In Season 3 of Roadworthy Rescues, Derek Bieri goes on even more exciting adventures in beautiful places in Michigan and beyond. Each filming location not only shows a different part of American car history, but also brings its own problems that make the restoration process even more interesting.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
In Season 3, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is very important. Derek finds a 1964 Ford Galaxie that has been left in the snow for more than thirty years. The car was in bad shape because of the harsh winters and natural disasters. Derek had to use his skills and determination to fix it.
“The Upper Peninsula is a treasure trove for classic car enthusiasts,” Derek said. “It’s amazing to uncover vehicles that have stood the test of time in such remote and rugged conditions.”
The beautiful scenery of dense forests and open roads adds to the sense of adventure and the love of old cars in the community warms up the cold, difficult environment.
Michigan’s Cornfields
The huge cornfields of Michigan are another important place in Season 3 because that’s where Derek saves a 1937 Chevrolet Deluxe. This old car had been sitting idle, waiting for someone to bring it back to its former glory.
“This rescue was special because it reminded me of the heart and soul of America’s automotive past,” Derek said. “The cornfields symbolize the simpler times when cars were built to last and became a part of families’ stories.”
There is a calm and nostalgic feel to the large cornfields, which makes the restoration process feel like going back in time.
Additional Filming Locations for Season 3
In addition to Michigan, Season 3 includes visits to well-known auto hubs and garages such as:
- Pole Barn Garage
- Junkyard Digs
- Junkyard Mook
- Puddin’s Fab Shop
- Mortske Repair
- JT’s barn and grill
- Mustie1
- Salvage Workshop
The places where Derek works with other car fans to share their knowledge and bring old cars back to life are lively and conducive to working together.
Why Michigan Is the Perfect Backdrop for Roadworthy Rescues?
Michigan is still an important part of the series because it has a lot to do with American auto history. The state is perfect for showing how strong classic cars are and how determined the people who restore them are. The Upper Peninsula’s rugged beauty and the state’s nostalgic cornfields are two examples.
Is It Worth Watching ‘Roadworthy Rescues‘?
In the world of car shows, Roadworthy Rescues stands out because it is easy to watch and relate to. This show shows that anyone with basic garage tools and a passion for building can do amazing things. Other shows require expensive tools and professional knowledge. You’ll enjoy it, learn something from it, and it’s great for people who like cars or stories of people changing for the better.
Roadworthy Rescues Cast Details
Roadworthy Rescues brings together a group of skilled and devoted car fans and each of them adds to the show’s lively appeal. If you want to know more about the main actors and how they help bring the classic car restorations to life, read on:
Derek Bieri
As both the show’s host and main mechanic, Derek Bieri is the heart and soul of Roadworthy Rescues. Derek is a YouTuber and 38-year-old car fanatic who is known for being easy to talk to and having a lot of hands-on experience. Both his father and grandfather taught him about cars, and his deep love for old cars shines through in every episode.
His YouTube channel, Vice Grip Garage, is where he shares projects to fix up old cars, do-it-yourself tips, and cheap builds. Derek started the channel. His down-to-earth approach makes the technical parts of restoring cars easy for a lot of people to understand, and his sense of humor keeps things fun all the way through. Derek’s knowledge and enthusiasm are what make Roadworthy Rescues work, whether he’s bringing an old classic back to life or giving tips on how to get things done with few tools.
“I’ve always loved the challenge of bringing an old car back to life,” he says. “It’s about more than just fixing a car—it’s about understanding its history and giving it a new lease on life.”
Jessica Bieri
Derek’s wife, Jessica Bieri, is very important to both the show and the business of Vice Grip Garage. She’s not always in front of the camera, but her help behind the scenes is very important to the team’s success. Jessica has been helping Derek with his car projects for years, running the YouTube channel and fixing up cars among other things.
She adds another level of expertise to the show by helping with the restoration process, especially on bigger projects. Jessica and Derek have been together for more than twenty years. They work together at Roadworthy Rescues so it feels more personal.
“We both really enjoy restoring old cars,” Jessica says. “It’s a team effort, and it’s amazing to see the progress we make together, whether it’s on the road or at home.”
Sean Bieri
Derek’s brother Sean Bieri adds more knowledge and energy to the show. Since Sean and Derek are both car fans, they work together on some of the more difficult restorations. His experience helps the team and the way he and Derek work together on screen is fun and interesting.
Sean works more behind the scenes than Derek, but you can still see him helping with hands-on tasks, making suggestions and sometimes adding a funny comment. The fact that they are siblings adds a special touch to the show, as they often joke around with each other while working on cars.
It’s always fun to work with my brother. Sean says, “Since we were kids, we’ve fixed cars together. It’s awesome to see how far we’ve come.”
Dan Dosemagen
Dan Dosemagen is a close friend of Derek’s and has also been very helpful with the restoration projects shown on Roadworthy Rescues. Dan is a co-host and a very good mechanic who helps fix and figure out what’s wrong with cars on the show. His skills and knowledge are a good match for Derek’s and the way he handles even the most difficult repairs with calmness makes the team work better as a whole.
Dan is an important part of the team because he is direct and likes to solve problems. When a restoration runs into trouble, his ideas often lead to new ways to fix it. No matter how hard the fix looks, he’s a big part of making sure that no car is left behind.
“I love the challenge of figuring out what’s wrong with a car,” Dan says. “It’s like solving a puzzle—once you figure it out, the reward is getting that car back on the road.“
More Cast Members
Derek, Jessica, Sean, and Dan are the main characters on Roadworthy Rescues, but the show also has a number of experts and car fans join the team for special projects. There are new ideas and skills on the show thanks to these new cast members, who can help with complex restorations or give specific information about a certain model of car.
