Top Gear 37

Episode 1 (1997)

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.

Episode 2 (1997)

Contestants in last November’s Network Q RAC Rally faced some of the worst weather conditions for decades, and more than half the entries failed to finish because of heavy snow and sheet ice. Tiff Needell, who was one of the hardy competitors to complete the 1,100-mile trip around Britain, recounts the inside story of the event.

Episode 3 (1997)

Three thousand people have already put money down for the BMW Z3, which is scheduled to hit the road in February. Tiff Needell visits Madeira to test the new six-cylinder version and asks whether buyers should be hanging on even longer for this meaner, faster brother, expected in Britain in the summer. Plus is the Daewoo, Korea’s effort at angst-free motoring, all it’s cracked up to be? Quentin Willson gives his verdict.

Episode 4 (1997)

Quentin Willson considers the merits of buying an accident-damaged car and repairing it to become a runner. Andy Wilman looks at the controversial sport of classic banger racing, where drivers can crash any car provided it was built before 1968. Is it harmless fun, or the destruction of the nation’s motoring heritage for the sake of cheap thrills?

Episode 5 (1997)

Since 1991 the Ford Explorer has been the world’s biggest selling off-roader, and now it is finally available in Britain — Tiff Needel finds out whether it was worth the wait. Fifty years after the first Vespa, Steve Berry reports on the revival of the scooter. Tonight’s show also includes Top Gear’s contribution to the Count Me In numeracy campaign.