At Image Wheels, we’ve had the privilege of working on some unforgettable builds — but few were as iconic (and loud) as the one we helped bring to life on Wheeler Dealers, Season 10, Episode 8.
In this 2013 episode, Mike Brewer and Edd China took on the challenge of restoring a humble 1958 Ford Popular 103E. What started as a tired old British saloon car with a dodgy steering system ended up as a full-blown V8-powered hot rod, complete with a Jaguar suspension setup, a thundering Chevrolet 5.7L V8 engine… and of course, a custom set of Image Wheels.
The Brief: Classic Roots, Custom Power
The Wheeler Dealers team came to us with a clear vision — they needed a set of wheels that would do justice to this radical transformation. The car was getting a completely reworked chassis and drivetrain, so the wheels needed to deliver on three fronts: aggressive stance, period styling, and hot-rod attitude.
And so, we designed and built a set of custom 2-piece billet alloy wheels, in 17-inch diameter for the front, and a massive 22-inch diameter for the rear — giving the car that unmistakable raked hot rod look.
The Build: Polished, Powerful, and Proudly UK-Made
Built right here at our West Midlands facility, the wheels were machined from billet aluminium for strength and precision. Completely customised to the required fitment, width and diameter needed to compliment this incredible restoration.
We finished the wheels in a highly polished finish, giving them a mirror-like shine that matched perfectly with the car’s medium flake Purple base coat and Holographic flake Gold stripes. The wheels tucked into the custom bodywork flawlessly — a testament to the attention to detail from both our side and the Wheeler Dealers crew.
Behind the Scenes: Filming at Image Wheels HQ
We were thrilled to welcome Mike Brewer and the production crew to our premises during the build. Cameras rolled as we discussed the wheel design process, showed off our machining setup, and saw members of our team busy at work.
You might’ve seen this episode on the Discovery Channel, or caught reruns on Quest, as well as Amazon prime, — but if not, you can watch clips from the episode, including their visit to our workshop, right here on YouTube:
The Result: A British Classic with an American Heart
The finished Ford Popular rolled out of the Wheeler Dealers garage looking like nothing else on the road. With its Jaguar XJ front suspension, Chevrolet small-block V8, and our custom wheels anchoring it all together, it became a true hybrid of British heritage and American hot rod culture.
Why This Build Stands Out
This project wasn’t just about wheels — it was about helping transform a forgotten classic into something jaw-dropping, drivable, and media-worthy. It showed the world what custom wheels can really do — not just in terms of performance, but as a centrepiece of automotive expression.
Specs Recap:
- Wheel Type: 2-Piece Billet Alloy
- Front Size: 17″ diameter
- Rear Size: 22″ diameter
- Finish: Fully polished
- Vehicle: 1958 Ford Popular 103E (Hot Rod Conversion)
- TV Episode: Wheeler Dealers, Season 10, Episode 8 (Sept 2013)
- Broadcast: Discovery Channel, Quest, Amazon Prime
- Watch It: YouTube Clip
More from the Workshop
Stay tuned for the next Behind the Wheel post, where we’ll look back at our work with Ed China on some of his wildest automotive inventions. From quirky engineering challenges to off-the-wall concepts, there’s never a dull day when Ed’s involved.
Want your build featured? Reach out to us — you don’t need to be on TV to get Image Wheels quality.
