“The New Yankee Workshop,” the beloved home renovation series that captivated audiences for over two decades, had humble beginnings. The concept for the show was first proposed in the late 1980’s by television producer Russell Morash, who had previously helmed the wildly successful “This Old House.” Morash envisioned a new program that would focus on the skills and techniques of a single carpenter, rather than the team approach of the former series.

The search for the perfect host led Russell to Norm Abram – a master carpenter and contractor based in Massachusetts. Abram was a natural fit for the role with his expertise and easygoing demeanor, having already worked as a consultant for “This Old House” since 1979.

The pilot episode of “The New Yankee Workshop” was filmed in 1989, and featured Abram building a replica of a 17th-century Massachusetts saltbox house. The episode was well-received, and the proposed series was soon picked up by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for a full season.

The show quickly became a hit, with audiences captivated by Abram’s affable personality and laidback manner which endeared him to viewers, as well as step-by-step instructions and explanations of various carpentry techniques. He showcased the art of woodworking through a variety of projects, from functional workshop accessories to intricate reproductions of antique furniture.

Spanning 21 seasons, the program featured a total of 235 different builds. Alongside indoor furniture and cabinetry, the show also delved into outdoor constructions, including a picturesque gazebo, a functional shed, a verdant greenhouse, a sleek sailing boat, a stately flagpole, a charming mailbox, a decorative cupola, and sturdy fences. In addition, the host often toured locations of great significance to woodworking, bringing the very essence of the craft closer than ever to the average household.

One of the hallmarks of the series was its use of state-of-the-art technology and tools. Abram and his team utilized cutting-edge equipment, such as computer-aided design software and high-tech saws to create precise and accurate projects.

Although to most viewers it appeared that the series’ regular shop was situated in Norm’s garden, it was actually a space owned by Norm Morash and situated on his private land, spanning 936 square feet (87 square meters).

The back bench and drill press were located next to the west wall, which also housed the shop’s renowned sliding barn door. The radial arm saw, the miter bench and storage unit, as well as a computer, television, and a small office space, were all located against the south wall. A stairway leading to a loft area, jig storage, a horizontal edge sander, and a dust collector were all located on the east wall.

The Timesaver broad belt sander, router table, bar clamps, band saw, jointer and numerous mobile tools were all kept along the north wall, while the table saw and related outfeed tables, as well as a sizable assembly table, were located in the center of the shop. The building’s northeast corner also included a separate finishing room.

The series ran from 1989 to 2009, becoming one of the most successful home renovation programs in television history. Abram’s expert guidance coupled with his humble and relaxed behavior helped demystify the world of carpentry for millions of viewers, inspiring many to take on their own home improvement projects.

It not only entertained but also educated its audience, with Abram’s detailed instructions making even the most complex projects seem manageable. “The New Yankee Workshop” was a true pioneer in the home renovation genre, setting the standard for all the shows that followed, and cementing Abram’s status as a beloved figure in the world of carpentry.

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The show’s eventual expiration and true message

After 20 years of rather enviable success, the series came to a halt on 16 October 2009, when the decision that no more episodes would be produced was finalized, leading many to wonder what had gone wrong. However, no trouble seemed to be the case, as Norm himself later revealed to the relieved audience.

He stated that Russell’s wifehad  said ‘Ah, no one’s ever gonna watch a show like that,’ but she was obviously mistaken. He continued with ‘and then 15 years went by, and 20 years went by, and we kept getting underwriting every year, so we were fully funded for the whole twenty-plus years, and we could’ve kept it going.’

However, he also explained that ‘it starts to get a little crazy’ trying to reach the newer and higher goals that the crew kept setting for themselves. It eventually had to end, and the number 21 was a good one on which to leave the season count.

Abram made a point of clarifying what the true intent of the series really was from the get-go as well, stating that ‘Our job was to inspire people to pick up the tools, we didn’t expect them necessarily to do the projects. Morash’s whole philosophy about renovating houses and doing the woodworking and doing gardening was to get people interested until they found their own way.’

Speaking at Festool Connect 2013 in Providence, Rhode Island, Abram recalled an anecdote from work, detailing how someone once told him ‘You know, you guys are amazing, I can’t believe what you do. A lumber truck pulls up and dumps a whole bunch of lumber there, and the first thing you know, you guys are cutting and nailing, and then, all of a sudden, a house just comes into place.’

Abram replied with ‘It’s not that hard, you know, and especially if you love it.’ He then turned to the audience and said ‘So, I just hope that all of you here love what you do as much as I do. I mean, I love still working, I have an older house that I’m working on, I built the house that I live in. It’s still not done, but, you know….’ He then explained that it’s only his office that’s unfinished, meaning that his family doesn’t suffer any discomfort due to the state of the house.

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An interesting fact to point out is that when the series started back in 1989, hyperproduction and unrealistic construction times were still an age away from television, meaning that each build actually took as long as the producers portrayed it lasting.

To that end, Abram commented ‘Well, the first 10 years of the show, I was on the site all day long, every day. It was like a regular job. My guys would be working there, and the homeowners would be given jobs to do on weekends.’

However, the genre changed significantly since then, as Norm further elaborated: ‘We haven’t had as many homeowners in the last several years who have had hands-on, and I miss that as part of the show, I think it’s better for our viewing audience to see people actually doing the work – homeowners themselves.’

‘But, you know, it’s expensive to do renovations and construction now, so usually both people are working, and they’re willing to pay for people to do it. I will also say something about that. When we first started doing this whole house, I had a lot of guys come up to me when I go down to the builder’s show or something like that.’

Everyone expected Abram to quote some sort of complimentary speech, but it was in fact the opposite. In his words, people would tell him ‘What are you doing? You’re giving away all the secrets. You’re telling everybody how to do the work.’

To that, he said ‘Not really, there’s always gonna be do-it-yourselfers, they’re gonna be amongst us. Isn’t it better that homeowners are more informed about what we do and how difficult it can be at times, and be up-to- date with technology, and understand the terminology of the whole process of construction and renovation?’

It turned out that he was right in assuming the benefits of the show’s airing, as even companies approached him frequently, and asked where to get the equipment shown in one of the recent episodes, the best way to employ it in their projects, and how to service it.

With this in mind, it’s no stretch to say that “The New Yankee Workshop” birthed its own little silent revolution in the homebuilding market, leading many businesses to adopt the superior techniques and technologies shown in the series, and numerous DIY enthusiasts to take up the craft, gifting the US many more homes with far greater quality.

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The man behind the title

Norman L. Abram was born on 3 October 1949, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island USA, later moving with his family to Milford, Massachusetts where he grew up. He was introduced to the craft by his father, a carpenter himself, who taught him many of the relevant practical skills of the time.

At the age of nine, Norm worked on his first client site, aiding his father with the installation of hardwood floors, and continued to work with him throughout the summer breaks in both high school and college.

He initially studied mechanical engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), where he became a brother of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, but found theoretical engineering courses uninteresting, and so switched to business administration. However, he soon realized that he preferred practical, hands-on work, and left UMass just short of his degree.

Abram then embarked on a career in the construction industry, spending three years working for a prominent construction company in New England, quickly climbing the ranks thanks to his obvious talent, and was soon promoted to a supervisory role.

Norm established his own business in 1976 – Integrated Structures Inc. – and successfully managed it for 13 years. One of his initial independent endeavors was the construction of a retail store on Nantucket island in Massachusetts.

It was only three years later that Abram was hired to construct a backyard workshop for Russell Morash. As the project neared completion, the producer became greatly impressed with the carpenter’s expertise and efficient work ethic, which led to an invitation for Abram to assist in the renovation of a dilapidated Victorian home in Dorchester, which was being filmed for a Russell reality TV series brainchild entitled “This Old House.”

It didn’t take long before the audience caught wind of his talent, which allowed him to secure a permanent position among the series’ cast, and eventually be selected as the face of “The New Yankee Workshop” in 1989. As his reputation grew in the business, Abram’s efforts expanded to other areas as well, such as philanthropy, writing and even acting.

The reality TV star has released eight books so far, all of which provide significant guidance to enthusiastic would-be carpenters all around the world. These are “Norm Abram’s New House,” “Ask Norm,” and “Measure Twice, Cut Once,” as well as five books related to the 20-year-long series that made him truly famous, including “The New Yankee Workshop” and “The New Yankee Workshop Kids’ Stuff.”

After over four decades, #ThisOldHouse’s Master Carpenter & pioneer of home improvement, Norm Abram is hanging up his toolbelt. Help us celebrate Norm & his career by tuning into a tribute special, The House That Norm Built, on 10/3 on @PBS & @TheRokuChannel❤?

?1:Bob O'Connor pic.twitter.com/tVqKqoa0jJ

— This Old House (@ThisOldHouse) May 19, 2022

Norm continued with his presence in “This Old House” throughout the filming of “The New Yankee Workshop,” and resumed it full-time after 2009, up until May 2022, when Abram retired from the former series after 43 years of uninterrupted presence in it, wanting to focus more on his family, and enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

To honor one of the greatest names in woodworking, PBS released a one-hour special program entitled “The House that Norm Built” on 3 October 2022, which detailed many of his achievements in the business, and summarized the star’s truly impressive career.

Away from the limelight, hes served on the trustee board of Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, and was additionally awarded the honor of giving the 2001 commencement speech as a celebrity admired by both the staff and students of Boston’s North Bennet Street School.

Norm and his wife reside in his childhood state, in the aforementioned house built in colonial style, where they engage in a variety of fun pastimes, such as kayaking, fishing and boating. As far as the media is aware, this is what the celebrity is mostly occupied with in 2023, while he also engages in personal woodworking projects from time to time, even at the age of 73.

“Car Warriors” was a reality-TV series that centered around the world of automotive restoration. Brought to life by BASE Productions, the first two seasons were aired by Fox Sports Speed throughout in the US, and on the affiliates of Discovery Communications internationally. The format of the show is a competition between rival teams from different cities, who are tasked with restoring and modifying a car within a limited time frame of 72 hours for the first season, and 48 hours for the second season.

The stakes are high, as the winning team not only gets to keep their own car, but takes possession of that of the rival team as well. The outcome is dire for the losing team though, as they go home with nothing. The series’ high-stakes setting greatly bolsters the viewership, giving the fans a lot to bet on and hope for. Season two introduced a new twist, in which instead of the All-Star team, a different local restoration crew is brought in to compete.

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In the first season, the show’s concept revolves around a time-sensitive competition, reminiscent of the popular culinary TV show “Iron Chef,” but instead of cooking, the competition is focused on car restoration and modification.

In every episode, a team of elite automobile industry specialists, known as the All Stars, competes against a rival team from a distinguished automotive shop in their local area, to restore and enhance a car within a 72-hour time frame. Both crews are provided with a comparable mystery vehicle to upgrade, as well as their own workspace within the studio, and an abundance of car pieces, attachments and equipment provided by NAPA Auto Parts and Hankook Tire.

As part of the competition, both teams participate in an engine challenge, which can take one of two forms: either moving the car into a lift, removing the engine, and transporting it to the so-called ‘victory box’ marked by a square, or installing the wheels on the car, removing the jack stands, and wheeling the car into the victory box. The first team to reach the goal gets to choose one of the two available specialty engines to install in their car as part of their build.

As the clock counts down, both teams must focus on the five key steps in car building: design, interior, fabrication and suspension, engine installation, paint and reassembly including interior installation. Once the clock runs out, both cars are evaluated by a judging panel according to four criteria: interior, exterior, engine bay, and performance, with the victorious team rewarded as mentioned, and the loser leaving empty-handed.

A new format was introduced in the second installment, pitting two local teams against each other in a race against time. As the clock ticks down, they are given only 48 hours to complete their project, with each crew being assigned a lead technician to guide them throughout the process.

The build essentials were also streamlined, focusing on four key areas: the engine and transmission, suspension, body and paint, and interior. As the teams work tirelessly to complete their vehicles, a mid-way ‘home stretch challenge’ is introduced, providing a chance for the crews to showcase their skills in a specific task, such as welding or carburetor reassembly, with the winning team receiving an additional hour to finish their build.

When the time is up, the cars are scrutinised by a panel of judges, chaired by Jimmy Shine, who returns to the studio to award the key to the winners, sending the losing group home with absolutely nothing to show for their effort.

Jimmy Shine was undoubtedly one of the leading figures in the entirety of the series, primarily judging the vehicles in the first season, and then taking over as the host instead of Marc Istook, while still keeping his judging rights and position. Shine was chosen for this key place in the project thanks to a lifetime of automotive expertise, that has propelled him to stardom and cemented his name in the industry.

The abrupt end of “Car Warriors”

Unfortunately, Jimmy couldn’t remain on the TV screen for too long under this particular title, as the production team ran into two significant issues that upended the series after only two seasons, in spite of its undeniable success across the audience.

In 2011 Rick Sheley, the owner and operator of renowned automotive restoration shop SKJ Customs, based in St. George, Utah, took legal action against Speed TV and its parent company FOX Sports, alleging that the network had violated its own rules and regulations during the production of “Car Warriors.”

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Specifically, Rick claimed that the program’s All-Star team had threatened to quit if they were not declared the victors over his crew, and that this had resulted in him being denied the opportunity to take home not only his own car, but also the All-Stars’ car, as per the show’s rules, incurring significant emotional and financial strain.

The lawsuit sought a total of $2 million in damages, and was met with intense media scrutiny, generating significant buzz within the automotive community. Many experts and industry insiders weighed in on the case, with some expressing support for Sheley’s claims, and others dismissing them as disingenuous and without merit.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, the parties eventually reached an agreement and the lawsuit was ultimately dropped. The specific details of the settlement have not been made public, but it is believed that both Speed TV and FOX Sports were eager to avoid a prolonged and costly legal battle that could have resulted in negative publicity for the network and its future titles.

Additionally, the upcoming shift of the network from Speed TV to Fox Sports 1 meant that the program would generally seem unsuitable for a channel meant to broadcast sports-related content, making it less likely for the show to be picked up again in the future.

However, fans of the show were still able to enjoy it in re-runs, as it continued to air on Fox Sports regional networks starting from 2014. The end of the show’s run may have been disappointing for many viewers, but the impact it had on the automotive reality-TV genre will always be remembered.

Jimmy Shine – the beginnings of a passionate connoisseur

Born James D. Falschlehner on 23 October 1970, in California USA, Jimmy’s entrance into the world was marked by Gary Gabelich becoming the fastest man on the planet by setting the land speed record at 622.407mph (1,000kph). Growing up in the suburbs of Orange County in his birth state, Jimmy was surrounded by a family deeply ingrained in mechanics and engines.

His father Denny, mother Lynn, and brothers Jon and Ned all shared a passion for building and riding their own vehicles, with Denny competing in boat, hot rod, off-road bike, and drag racing. The vast fields and orange groves near their home provided the perfect playground for the brothers to safely test their motorcycles and other vehicles, all while evading the watchful eye of a local law enforcement officer nicknamed ‘Strawberry.’

As they navigated through the carefree and less restrictive society of the 1970’s and early 1980’s, James and his friends spent their afternoons exploring the groves, hunting, and riding motorcycles. This period of freedom and experimentation instilled in Jimmy a deep passion for automobiles and motorbikes, and he began to channel this passion into building his own machines.

It was during this time that Jimmy took on the ambitious project of constructing a street-purposed 327 c.i. Chevy-powered gasser, which included a 2” by 3” square-tube chassis, a 4-link suspension with a Turbo 400 transmission, and a narrowed 9” Ford rear end. He spent two years and two days meticulously crafting the car, investing over $6,000 in the process.

27 April 1985 marked the start of Jimmy’s journey as a hot rodder, as on this day he made the financially savvy decision to invest in an all-steel ’40 Willys pick-up truck for the reasonable price of $950, with an additional $25 for trailer rental.

On 29 April 1987 his dream machine came to life and took its maiden voyage down Bryan Ave. at high speed. This fateful drive further solidified James’ future as a car enthusiast and builder, earning him the nickname ‘Jimmy Shine’.

Jimmy had the luck of starting his journey into the world of hot rodding and automotive customization in the 1980’s, as it was a period in which the industry was thriving and cars were still relatively affordable. During this time, there existed a community of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who were eager to share their expertise with aspiring enthusiasts like Jimmy, free of charge.

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With the guidance and support of his father, an accomplished welder and fabricator, Shine was able to get a solid foundation in the craft, and acquire the necessary tools to pursue his passion. Through years of hard work and dedication from the tender age of 14, Jimmy was able to save up enough money through various odd jobs such as lawn mowing and other menial tasks.

This acquisition would prove to be the catalyst that would launch Jimmy’s career in the automotive industry, and set him on a path to becoming the renowned car enthusiast and builder that he is today.

As Jimmy progressed through the years following his high school matriculation, he found himself constantly seeking opportunities to improve his skills and knowledge in the world of hot rods and motorcycles. He spent time working in various shops, gaining valuable experience and learning from accomplished professionals in the industry. This period of his life also marked his debut in the world of television, in the early 1990s.

He faced new responsibilities in adolescence, including the arrival of his first child, a daughter named Morgan. Despite the demands of fatherhood, Jimmy remained committed to his passion for the automotive lifestyle, continually expanding his collection of vehicles, which started in his early days of schooling.

This assortment included an array of vehicles such as a ’47 Indian Scout motorcycle, a ’55 Chevy pickup, a chopped ’31 Ford coupe, a ’48 English Ford Anglia, a Watson-style ’56 Mercury Monterey which he took on a road trip to Louisiana, a 1952 Chevy lowrider pickup, a ’61 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, and an ’81 H-D stroker rigid Shovelhead motorcycle. All of these vehicles served as a testament to his unyielding dedication to his love for automobiles.

Jimmy’s life after the series

By 2012, Jimmy was already the lead fabricator of his So-Cal Speed Shop, and with the series undeniable reach across the planet, his popularity grew massively throughout the two seasons. He and his wife sold their prized ’34 Ford pick-up truck at the famous Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona’s Scottsdale, for a whopping $215,000.

They decided to use this money to start a legacy of their own, investing it in the premises that they subsequently named the Jimmy Shine Work Shop, idea coming from the collaboration of Jimmy Shine and Pete Chapouris from the So-Cal Speed Shop.

#wheelsonthebay @Wheelsonthebay #jimmyshine @lkerrigan77 #carshow #belleville Car Warriors -jimmy shine was at show meeting and greeting- pic.twitter.com/no6wewyCX3

— larry kerrigan (@lkerrigan77) July 23, 2017

Pete not only worked closely with Jimmy, but also taught him many things about the craft known only to world-renowned experts. Having learned everything that he could, Jimmy fully launched his business in 2015, naming it the Shine Speed Shop, which has been in operation ever since, attracting customers from all over the globe.

Jimmy also went on to appear in an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” in 2020, at which point he got to showcase many of the possibilities that he was able to create in the Shine Speed Shop, servicing various high-profile vehicles, and building many from the ground up. This is what he continues to do, even in 2023, with enviable success.