Whether you’re straightening a late-model frame or bringing a ’68 Mustang back to life, the challenges—tight timelines, picky customers, and parts that never seem to arrive on time—are often the same.
Hollywood, California — For many collision repair professionals, the lines between restoration and repair have always been blurred. Whether you’re straightening a late-model frame or bringing a ’68 Mustang back to life, the challenges—tight timelines, picky customers, and parts that never seem to arrive on time—are often the same.
While most TV depictions of auto shops lean toward wild custom builds or reality-show drama, Shifting Gears takes a more grounded—and surprisingly relatable—approach. Set in a classic car restoration shop, the new sitcom stars Tim Allen as Matt, a widowed business owner whose personal life gets a jolt when his estranged daughter and her teenage kids move in.
Shifting Gears taps into that shared experience. The show’s shop setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s central to the story. Much of the action unfolds between the hoists and toolboxes, where Matt’s old-school approach to work (and life) clashes with the new realities of modern family dynamics.
Allen, familiar to many from his Home Improvement days, plays the role with trademark grit and charm. Co-starring Kat Dennings as Riley, Matt’s outspoken daughter, the show mixes garage humour with heartfelt moments—making it a light but enjoyable watch for anyone in the trade.
Now streaming, Shifting Gears gives repair pros something rare: a prime-time sitcom that feels just a little bit like home.
