Top Gear
1978
📺 45 Seasons
🎬 530 Episodes
📅 Ended
🌐 EN
Documentary
Motoring programme featuring reviews of and reports about cars of all types.
Seasons
Season 1
The big holiday rush begins this weekend and many drivers plan to travel through Friday night. How dangerous is this practice? What are the stress factors and what are the signs of fatigue? Angela finds out for herself by night driving to the West Country. Twenty people are killed and over 200 seriously injured each week yet these figures could be cut to one tenth if we used our seat belts. Should we leave it to persuasion or is compulsion the final answer?
Season 2
Every day in central London approximately 140 vehicles are towed away by the Metropolitan Police and taken to compounds. Angela reports on what happens to your car when you park it illegally. Noel Edmonds tests some of the new cars just coming into the showrooms and Judith Jackson takes to the country in a new four-wheel-drive vehicle. Alec Jones, Chief Instructor of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, sets a driving problem.
Season 3
Tonight "Top Gear" shows just what happens when motorcyclists run into trouble. Frank Page checks out four of the most economical cars on the market and we also report on a new cross-Channel ferry. Today a new car arrives on the British market and a new motoring newspaper comes on to the bookstalls.
Season 4
How will our motoring change during the 80s? Tonight Top Gear takes a look into the future to find out some of the new ideas and new products in road transportation likely to be seen within the decade. Top Gear also features the latest news on the motoring scene.
Season 5
Frank Page and Merrill Boulton report from the International Motorcycle Show at the National Exhibition Centre on the latest products from the industry, including a brand-new British motorcycle. One of the most spectacular offbeat car races is the All-Wheel Drive Event, and Judith Jackson reports on this cross-country race from Scotland. Back to the Drawing Board: Owners tell us of design faults with their cars, and Frank Page illustrates manufacturers' shortcomings. What's New with Sue: Sue Baker brings us up-to-date with the news of the motoring scene, together with new products and ideas.
Season 6
Top Gear takes a look at the development of the motor car during the past 100 years while Frank Page anticipates the innovators of tomorrow's cars by looking at some of today's concept cars. Stewart Woodcock tells the story of a classic car - the Aston Martin - and Sue Baker takes a long, hard drive in the new Vauxhall Cavalier.
Season 7
Easter is the first get-away weekend for many motorists and Top Gear finds out how they have fared on the motorways and what they think of the services offered. Also our cameras join a motorway police patrol car to report on typical holiday traffic problems. For those who prefer someone else to do the driving Sue Baker reports on a new super-coach which runs between Glasgow and London and Chris Goffey reports on two new garage ideas which could save time and money. Frank Page reviews some of the latest cars coming to showrooms.
Season 8
Frank Page reports on two new ideas for public transport in West Germany. Sue Baker investigates new transport concepts in overcoming some of the risks to women travelling in London at night. Judith Jackson tells the story of the resurgence in three years of one Japanese motor manufacturer from financial disaster to profitability without government aid.
Season 9
From midnight on 30 January it becomes law for most drivers and front-seat passengers to wear a seat belt. But who is exempt? How are the police going to administer the law? What happens if you are caught not wearing a seat belt? Answering questions from the motoring public are Jackie Stewart long-time advocate of seat belts Dr Murray Mackay, Head of the Accident Research Unit, University of Birmingham and Roger Birch, Chief Constable, Warwickshire Constabulary.
Season 10
With much of the motor industry's major research and development based outside Britain is there still a role for specialist centres like the Cranfield Institute of Technology and can they survive? Ex-racing driver John Miles takes to the track with a revolutionary new Lotus that has a suspension that thinks for itself. And Frank Page road tests a new car.
Season 11
Geneva — the first major Motor Show of 1984 opens today with William Woollard and Sue Baker there to look at what you could be driving in the near future. Frank Page has been on a tour of Europe, testing two of the show's new cars, the Renault 25 and Volkswagen's Jetta, and stopping off in West Germany to sample the highly personal service offered by one manufacturer to its customers.
Season 12
William Woollard and the Top Gear team return with a review of highlights from the British International Motor Show. There's a detailed look at the new Scimitar sports car and at Reliant, the company that makes it. Sue Baker travels the roads of Southern Ireland in Vauxhall's latest Astra, while, just a stone's throw away from the Motor Show, William Woollard gets to see some of the hundreds of bikes on display in Britain's first National Motorcycle Museum, which opened at the weekend. And if you think regular checks on your tyres with your own tyre pressure gauge or pump keep you safe, beware. Chris Goffey reports on an investigation that reveals serious inaccuracies in many gauges on sale in Britain.
Season 13
The Geneva Show always has a surprise or two in store and this year is no exception. This is the international event that many of the manufacturers use to launch new products into Europe or show off their styling exercises. William Woollard and Sue Baker look at some of the highlights and, with Frank Page, test three new cars coming on to the market, the 150 mph BMW M635CSi, the Mercedes 200 Series and Lancia's new small car.
Season 14
William Woollard finds out just how much 'blood, sweat and tears' is needed to build your own kit car and looks at the way in which the British component car industry is cleaning up its cowboy image. For more than 20 years Allan Garland has lavished great care and attention on the exhibits in Vauxhall's own motor museum at Luton. Now he's retiring as curator and Sue Baker spent a day with Allan and some of the cars he has loved for so long. And Frank Page drives through the Yorkshire Dales to find out how Fiat's new Uno Turbo shapes up against the opposition.
Season 15
The carnage at last month's Portuguese Rally in which four spectators died, exposed the need for tougher action from rally organisers to control the crowds. Top Gear asks what the sport can do to prevent it happening again. William Woollard tests the new Ford Escort and its anti-lock brake system. As Nissan prepare for assembly of the Bluebird at their Tyne and Wear factory, Frank Page looks at the shape of things to come. And Chris Goffey looks back to the spring of 1966 and the start of the Japanese invasion.
Season 16
Metro, Maestro, Montego and now the new 800 Series of executive saloons make up an Austin Rover range aimed at enhancing the company's sales and reputation at home and abroad. But can the recently renamed Rover Group, headed by Graham Day improve Austin Rover's image for reliability and quality? Top Gear takes a detailed look at the 800 Sterling, puts the 820 Si model up against its rivals and William Woollard assesses how big a task the company faces to win back customers. Chris Goffey's also trying to keep up with the competition racing round the streets of Birmingham at last month's Superprix.
Season 17
Is the increasing cost of motor racing discouraging young British talent? Chris Goffey reports from Brands Hatch on Formula First - a new, cheaper formula designed to solve the problem by giving more new hopefuls access to the first rung of the racing ladder. Sue Baker tests the new Sierra which has a boot - the Sapphire, and Frank Page asks if this new car can return Ford to the dominant position in company car fleets it once held with the old Cortina. Also, take to the streets with the lastest trend in custom cars; and William Woollard checks the accuracy of some of the do-it-yourself alcohol breath-testing machines which claim to tell you when you are over the limit.
Season 18
From Press Day at the Frankfurt Motor Show — William Woollard and Sue Baker report the latest cars. Frank Page drives the new medium-sized Peugeot 405. On the road, there are test reports on the BMW V12, Mercedes Coupe and Porsche 959. You can still drive as fast as you like on the German autobahn, but is it just too dangerous? Chris Goffey reports on the political pressure to slow down.
Season 19
Brooklands was the first motor racing circuit in the world, the scene of many record-breaking attempts in the 20s and 30s. Now after years of decay, there are plans to build a new museum and reopen the track. William Woollard and Tiff Needell look at the nostalgia they’re trying to re-create. The British company, Cosworth, is one of the success stories of motor racing today. Their engines are found in many of the world’s victorious Formula One and Indy 500 cars. Chris Goffey examines the reasons for their success and road tests the new Sierra Cosworth. Consumer reports reveal that cars are hardly ever serviced properly. Sue Baker investigates what can be done to improve the situation. Frank Page tests the new Peugeot 405.
Season 20
William Woollard presents the first of the autumn series from the Paris Motor Show. Long one of the most prestigious venues for the world’s motor manufacturers to show off their latest products, it benefits greatly from France having a very strong domestic car industry. Tom Boswell, a new recruit to the team, reflects on the constantly changing fortunes of that country’s two mighty domestic producers — Peugeot Citroen and Renault. Chris Goffey road tests the most important new model at the show — the Renault 19 and, on its 40th birthday, Beki Adam looks back at that most typical of French cars — the Citroen 2CV. Plus a look at some of the problems that motorists have to contend with in France.
Season 21
Once again Radio Times Rally Quest is searching for a budding rally driver to win a chance-of-a-lifetime drive in November’s Lombard RAC Rally. William Woollard presents the first of a new series from the qualifying rounds at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. Tony Mason offers advice on rally driving technique with the help of top rally driver Louise Aitken-Walker. The Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling supermini, is relaunched this spring. Chris Goffey assesses whether the new model is good enough to retain class leadership. Sue Baker has been to the Geneva motor show to preview the rest of spring’s new cars while the latest executive toy is the chauffeur to answer the car phone. Jeremy Clarkson reports.
Season 22
William Woollard and Sue Baker present the first of a new series from Europe’s biggest and brightest motor show at Frankfurt. On the road, Chris Goffey has been driving the new Citroën XM — will it live up to the French company’s reputation for innovation and comfort? And there’s a road test of Mercedes’s new SL sports car, soon to be launched in Britain. But are German motorists’ attitudes to the car changing? Jeremy Clarkson reports on how the nation with more cars than any other in Europe is coming to terms with congestion and pollution.
Season 23
This year Britain’s Louise Aitken-Walker was at the Monte Carlo rally with a full works team in her first bid for the ladies’ world championship. Tony Mason follows her progress. Why are more child pedestrians killed on British roads than in most other European countries? William Woollard looks at some possible ways to reduce the statistics. Sue Baker and Chris Goffey report from the Geneva show on the new models.
Season 24
Earlier this year, Tiff Needell and Tony Mason joined a remarkable collection of sports racing cars assembled on the Ecurie Ecosse Historic Motor Tour of Scotland. Vauxhall’s new Calibra is a sleek four-seater performance coupe. Radio Times’s motoring columnist Chris Goffey assesses how well it fills the gap left by the Ford Capri. Traffic congestion can turn serious accidents into fatal ones by delaying medical help. Helicopters have proved a cost-effective answer in Germany. Presented by William Woollard from the Midland Motor Museum in Shropshire.
Season 25
From the Retromobile classic car show in Paris. Tony Mason visits Chamonix, near Mont Blanc, a new venue for motor racing — on ice. And Radio Times columnist Chris Goffey road tests the new Nissan Sunny. Presented by William Woollard.
Season 26
The motoring series returns with a visit to the Frankfurt motor show; an assessment of the VW Golf’s market dominance; and, in One Careful Owner, dealer Quentin Willson guides viewers through the minefield of buying a second-hand car. Racing driver Tiff Needell tries out a Honda Pilot.
Season 27
Return of the motoring magazine programme. Jeremy Clarkson investigates rumours of the Ford Capri’s comeback and test-drives the Mazda MX-6; Radio Times writer Chris Goffey looks at cult cars; and second-hand car dealer Quentin Willson reveals the workings of the motor trade.
Season 28
The motoring series returns with a test drive of the new Dodge Viper, an ultra-high performance sports car that demonstrates renewed self-confidence in the American car industry, and a report on the sinking values of classic cars in Europe. Plus British rally news. With Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Willson.
Season 29
The motoring magazine series returns with a road test of the new Mondeo, which Ford hope will become the Cortina of the 1990s. There’s a second-hand report on the Sierra, the car the Mondeo replaces, and a look at the Jeep Jamboree. With Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Willson.
Season 30
The motoring series with a report on the best small car in Britain today — with Jeremy Clarkson and Michele Newman sifting through the ten leading contenders. And Kristian Schmid (who played Todd Landers in Neighbours) gets advice on good second-hand cars that teenage drivers like him can afford to insure. Plus a report on the new semiautomatic Ferrari Mondial.
Season 31
The latest series of the motoring magazine kicks off with a look at the new Probe. Could it be Ford’s Capri of the 90s? Jeremy Clarkson tests it against coupe rivals. And Tony Mason reports from the Monte Carlo Rally on the performance of Paddy Hopkirk’s born-again Mini Cooper.
Season 32
In the first programme of the autumn series Jeremy Clarkson test drives the £180,000 Bentley Continental R to find out if it’s just a stately home on wheels, while Quentin Willson takes the new Mazda 323 out to see if its performance matches its good looks. And Steve Berry takes a nerve-shattering trip with motorcycle stunt rider Gary Rothwell.
Season 33
Jeremy Clarkson and the team return with a look at Ford’s new Scorpio, the most controversially styled carto appear in years. Plus Tiff Needell drives the latest three-wheeled Grinnall Scorpion.
Season 34
In the first of a new 14-part series, Jeremy Clarkson drives the first all-new MG sports car for two decades, the long-awaited MGF, and asks if we are about to see the rebirth of the two-seater open-top sports car. Plus, Steve Berry visits Pebble Beach in California for the most prestigious concours d’elegance event (competition for high-pedigree marques like Rolls-Royce and Bugatti) in the world.
Season 35
The motoring series returns with Jeremy Clarkson marking the centenary of the British auto industry and looking at some of the world’s most luxurious saloons. Plus, Andy Willman meets car private eyes who reunite stolen cars with their owners.
Season 36
The return of the motoring show. Jeremy Clarkson test-drives the Audi A3 hatchback, the latest addition to the range of a booming car manufacturer, while Tiff Needell takes the two-seater Lotus Elise for a spin. Off the road, Quentin Willson looks at worrying EU plans to make car parts more expensive.
Season 37
Aston Martin’s story is one of engineering triumph in the face of financial adversity. In a special profile of the company, Jeremy Clarkson has the chance to drive some of its finest cars, including the post-war Atom, a DB4GT, the DB5 used in the film Goldeneye, a DB6 Volante and the latest V12 DB7. He tells the story of the company’s decade-long struggle to win Le Mans, and talks to Stirling Moss about what the old racing Astons were like to drive.
Season 38
The motoring series returns for a 17-week run with Jeremy Clarkson test-driving Ford’s new Puma — a tiny coupe based on the Fiesta-through the Yorkshire Dales. Quentin Willson travels to Long Beach, California, to try out the latest Chevrolet Corvette. Now with right-hand drive, is it ready to be taken seriously in Britain?
Season 39
Jeremy Clarkson looks at the new Volkswagen Beetle. Will its combination of retro styling and new technology gain it the same cult status as its older brother? We also see Tiff Needell pit a pair of uncompromising sports cars against each other as the latest BMW Z3, with a more powerful engine than an earlier model, meets Britain's TVR Griffith.
Season 40
Jeremy Clarkson slips behind the wheel for the new 15-part run of the motoring magazine and road-tests the Ford Focus, while Tiff Needell sees how Aston Martin’s latest DB7 compares with a flying Jaguar. Plus a report from Quentin Willson on used cars imported from Japan.
Season 41
Presenter Tiff Needell tries to break a British speed record in the McLaren F1, while new recruit James May test-drives the Rover 75.
Season 42
The motoring magazine returns with a new presenter, as Kate Humble joins Quentin Willson and the team. Tonight’s programme looks at the future of motoring in the next millennium: will cars be floating on air, or be powered by recycled vegetables? Plus Tiff Needell drives the new Porsche 911 GT3, and there are tips on buying a first car.
Season 43
The series returns after a short break with a special edition from Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Tiff Needell test-drives the new Shelby Series land talks to the car’s creator, Carrol Shelby. Plus a night-vision Cadillac and an appraisal of the new Ford F-150 Lightning.
Season 44
The motoring show returns, with new presenter Jason Barlow joining the team. Tonight, there’s a road-test of the new Audi A2, a look at 17 cars set to re-define the market, and Tiff Needell goes head-to-head with Formula One’s Jenson Button in the new BMW 330.
Season 45
Tonight, chasing the Mondeo and the Renault Laguna, the Lamborghini Miura and how it will blow your doors off, and the future may well be bright but does it make sense.
Related
Cast
Crew
Producer
Andy Wilman, Lloyd Washbrook
Network
BBC Two
Production
BBC