Tim Allen Finds His Perfect Role in ‘Shifting Gears,’ Bringing Real-Life Car Passion to TV

TV titan Tim Allen has undergone a “Home Improvement” and been the “Last Man Standing,” but now the real-life car enthusiast is in his natural element with his new hit sitcom, “Shifting Gears!”

In a case of reel life imitating real life, the 71-year-old comic plays a classic car restoration shop owner who reconnects with his estranged daughter, played by Kat Dennings, and her two kids. The show’s shop was even designed after the one that Tim owns in North Hollywood. Only difference — Matt Parker is a widower, while Tim’s former and current wives are alive and kicking.

“That’s what I’ve always wanted to play,” says Tim. “I get to be more of a creative guy in grief over a loss of a wife. It’s a comedy, though!”

Tim admits that after two hit sitcoms, “I really didn’t want to do another one. When they said, ‘What would you do if you did another one?’ I said, ‘If a guy had just lost his wife and he’s still able to be funny and work on a relationship with an older daughter — and I’d like to build hot rods!’ ” So that’s what they gave him!

Tim also draws upon his relationships with his daughters, Katherine, 35, with ex-wife Laura Diebel, and 16-year-old Elizabeth with his wife of 19 years, actress Jane Hajduk. He says fatherhood is better the second time because “I’ve been sober for 27 years. My first daughter, unfortunately, was not around a sober guy. So they’re very different relationships.”