For actress Adrienne Janic, life is better when it includes cars.
In 2005, when she became co-host of "Overhaulin'," the TV show devoted to giving much-needed attention to derelict classic cars, Janic suddenly found herself surrounded by all things automotive for the first time. Now, nearly a decade later, Janic is a self-professed car girl and is returning to co-host the show for its 100th episode.
We spoke with Janic ahead of the November 4 season premiere of "Overhaulin'" on Velocity, to gain some insight into car restoration, her fondness for the Pontiac brand, and what it's like to influence car culture around the world.
Tell us a bit about how you got involved with cars.
To be honest, I knew nothing before I joined the show "Overhaulin'." That was a little bit of a challenge, especially with the audience. The automotive world knows who's a fake and who isn't. When I did agree to become the co-host of "Overhaulin,'" I said, "Listen, I think it's an amazing opportunity, but please don't make me pretend I know about cars because I don't." The way I explained it was that I was going to be asking the questions that some of the audience at home would be asking. They are genuine questions because I genuinely wanted to learn about cars. Forty-seven episodes later I definitely caught the car bug. I definitely learned a thing or two about cars. I had an appreciation for American classics before, but I didn't really get it. It definitely clicked on the show. From "Overhaulin'" I went over to Speed where I built my own classic car: a '68 [Pontiac] Firebird. That was an amazing experience. I had such a great time being so hands-on with the car. From not knowing about cars to becoming a "car girl," it's definitely been a roller coaster ride in a good way.
Are you now your friends' automotive expert?
There is a big range to my friends. I started in the entertainment industry in modeling, so I have my modeling friends, and then I have my friends who are actors. Now, being in the automotive world, I have my automotive group of friends. I am lucky to meet so many amazing people in this business.
You didn't know a lot about cars before starting the TV show about cars, and then that show led to another. Are you sticking with cars?
If the opportunity is there. ... In this industry, you have to take chances: stay with the show that put you on the map in the automotive world or leave and try and pursue other opportunities. I took that chance and that's when I built my '68 Firebird. I also hosted another show, "Hot Import Nights," which is more about tuners and imports, a complete departure from "Overhaulin'." I had seen American classics, and now here was this other branch of the automotive industry that was just as fun. It ended up working out: I don't want to have any regrets. I had to take that chance. I ended up starting a family, and I took a break from the industry for about two years to be at home with my son.
A few months ago, I got a call from the Discovery Channel that they were about to shoot the 100th episode of "Overhaulin'" and that they would love to have me back. Of course, I said yes. To celebrate 100 episodes of a show is a big deal these days. It's going to be a very fun and memorable episode to watch. After doing the 100th episode, they had me stay for two more. I had a blast and if they call me back for more, of course I'm going to say yes.
What's in store for the 100th episode?
Definitely some trips down memory lane. [Janic's co-host] Chris Jacobs and I talked about a lot of our pranks, our favorite cars, and some of the people that we overhauled. There was so much to talk about, and I don't know how they're going to fit it in. On top of the build that we did for the episode, it's going to be a pretty packed hour. I have yet to see it, so I'm very excited.
When you're not driving the Firebird, what do you drive?
I have my "mom car," which is a Lincoln Navigator. I [need] enough room for toys and the things that kids require. I also have a daily driver, which is a Mercedes CLK320. I just got a supercar, a 2015 Audi R8, which is one of my dream cars. I still pinch myself that I have this car. It's just perfection.
Your show is about car culture. What's your take on car culture today, and how has "Overhaulin'" affected that?
The fact that "Overhaulin'" is syndicated worldwide goes to show that car culture is more than just in the United States. I didn't realize how big the automotive world really was. The classic cars are such a part of American history. To be part of a show that's so globally known is overwhelming, in a good way. I'm so proud to be a part of it. I receive messages from fans in Australia and England suggesting I do a car show there. I realized, "Wow, this is a lot bigger than I thought it was!" When I did "Hot Import Nights," I got to travel across the United States for the events. I got to see the different styles and trends of cars, and see how the East Coast and the South were different from Los Angeles. You can definitely see the different styles in each part of the country. To me, car culture is really what your taste is, whether you like classic cars, imports, or tuners. There's something for everybody.
What's your ideal barn find? What do you want to overhaul next?
A GTO Judge. I am drooling over it. Once I built my Firebird, I thought that I had my classic American dream car. I'm a Pontiac girl, and the Judge is an iconic American car. I'm not sure I'd want to overhaul the Judge for someone else. I'd want to overhaul it for myself. I know that sounds selfish, but I'm not sure how much I would change about it. I'd definitely want to restore it. For someone else, I've worked on everything from a Mercury Comet to Mopars, so it's really hard to pick and choose, because they all come out amazingly at the end of the day.
Will you ever do any work on the Navigator?
No. It's my daily driver, and it's hard to keep that car clean. I know a lot of parents out there would probably agree with me. It's better to keep it as is, in case my son were to do something [to mess it up].
Is there an "Overhaulin'" project that you would not want to undertake?
There were some cars on "Overhaulin'" where I thought, "Oh, this is going to be a nightmare," mainly for the rust factor. Between the metalwork and grinding down the welds and bondo work-I know that's not really fun-but it's a big part of car restoration. Any car that's basically a rust bucket, I would personally want to steer clear. We don't have that choice on the show. Rust is the enemy of the automotive world.
What are your top tips for enthusiasts starting on their first restoration project?
One, know what you want: When I did my '68 Firebird, I knew [it] was for me. [Know] your classic dream car.
Two, know what you want it to look like. When the crew presented me with a rendering, I looked at it and said, "What's that?" They told me it was [my] car. In my mind, I already had completed-down to the color, wheels, and interior-what my dream car would look like. Go in with a game plan, because if you don't, you're going to be all over the place and end up with something you don't really want.
Three, take your time. Don't expect it to be done in a couple of months. On the original "Overhaulin'," we'd redo cars in seven days, which is pretty unheard of, but we somehow always made it happen. These cars are classics and they're going to be around for a long time. Before you know it, you're going to be driving that classic down the road.
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