Top Gear

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?

The training of a British police driver is said to be the best in the world, but what makes it so good? Angela becomes a pupil of the Police Training Centre at Hendon and discovers rather more than she expected about her own driving standards. The Scottish Six-day Trial. The world's top trials riders spend a week in the mountains around Fort William in fierce and punishing competition.

The MOT test continues to be controversial. Is the interpretation consistent from station to station and does the motorist get a fair deal? Angela makes a comparison between the British system and the way it is done in Belgium, where they have been testing longer than anywhere else in Europe. Motor Caravans Reporter Mike Woodhead and family have their first experience of this fast-expanding do-it-yourself type of holiday.

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.

Three-quarters-of-a-million motorists take their cars to Europe each year and one in ten end up needing some kind of help whilst abroad. Angela investigates how motorists can best cope with unfamiliar situations. Barrie Gill reports on a special Top Gear economy run and Noel Edmonds tests some new cars coming into our showrooms now. Cars of the Stars: Dave Lee Travis tells us about his dragster. Alec Jones , Chief Instructor of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, sets a driving problem.

Would you drop your child face downwards from a third-floor window? The impact is exactly the same for an unsecured child in the passenger seat of a car crash at 30 mph. Judith Jackson investigates child seat safety. How Fair are those Speeding Fines? Dr. Vernon Coleman has made a special study of the variations in punishments handed out by magistrates and Geoffrey Norman , Secretary of the Magistrates' Association, answers the case. Noel Edmonds tests some new cars coming into our showrooms and Alec Jones, Chief Instructor of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, sets a driving problem.

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.

Frank Page continues his road tests on the ' Frugal Fellows ' - the most economical cars on the market. Peter Macann reports on Carfax, a new system of vehicle communication now under test, and Gill Pyrah takes a look at the country's first do-it-yourself motor maintenance centre at Milton Keynes. George Bailey analyses and demonstrates a recent motorcycle crash.

Are heavy lorries the lifeblood of our industrial society or are they juggernauts, destroying the environment? Mike Dornan investigates. Frank Page tests more of the ' Frugal Fellows' - the most economical cars on the market, and Noel Edmonds tries out a brand-new British car. George Bailey analyses and demonstrates another recent motorcycle crash.

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.

Top Gear continues its look into the future of road transportation in the 80s, highlights the problems of child seatbelts, looks at two new vehicles and attempts to improve your driving technique.

Top Gear takes a closer look at accident investigators; Ian Breach discovers Britain's least-known motor racing champion; Frank Page takes to the hills with the new V8 Land Rover; and Mike Dornan attempts to improve your driving technique.

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.

Garages have received much adverse publicity for indifferent servicing. Sue Baker finds a consumer watchdog service in New York which could have implications here. One of the most spectacular offbeat car races is the All-Wheel Drive Event and Judith Jackson reports on this cross-country event from Scotland. Back to the Drawing Board: Car owners tell us of design faults and Frank Page demonstrates what they mean. What's New with Sue: Sue Baker with the news of the motoring scene, together with new products and ideas.

Chris Goffey reports from Germany on the ways Volkswagen are tackling the problems of fuel economy. Which British motor manufacturer has an order book with a waiting list for the next five years? Frank Page reports. Ted Clements , Senior Examiner of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, demonstrates good driving techniques. Back to the Drawing Board: Owners tell Frank Page of design faults in their cars. 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.

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.

Top Gear checks on the servicing of cars at a busy garage, while Frank Page finds other ways to have servicing done. Stewart Woodcock tells the story of a classic car - the MG - and Sue Baker road tests a recently introduced British car.

Top Gear goes to Earls Court for the Caravan Camping Holiday Show. Frank Page reports on one of the fastest-growing areas of the motor industry - kit cars. Sue Baker reports on the value of air deflectors to save fuel, particularly as they relate to caravans.

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.

Does it pay to buy or sell second-hand car at an auction? William Woollard inquires into the world of the used car market. Martin Muncaster tells the story of how Lord Riverdale found a Sheffield Simplex in Australia and restored this unique car. Sue Baker gives her impressions of the Ford Fiesta XR2 and Frank Page on the new Austin Ambassador. Finally Top Gear reports on children's car safety.

Introduced by William Woollard from Turin Motor Show, the show where the Italian stylists illustrate why they are among the world's leaders in car design. Frank Page and Sue Baker report on the latest motoring products. Maintaining the Italian theme, Chris Goffey interviews perhaps the world's most eminent car designer, Pininfarina, reports on a new Italian tyre designed for increased grip in the wet and discovers the Mille Miglia is about to be revived.

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.

In the next few years the technical changes in lorries are likely to be considerable and this week William Woollard reports on quieter, heavier trucks, improved fuel consumption through better aerodynamics and a new vibration rig. Chris Goffey reports on the finals of the Lorry Driver of the Year competition and Bob Friend, in Tokyo, reports on a strange car-blessing ceremony.

Britain's best-selling car, the Cortina, is replaced by the Ford Sierra. Frank Page traces the story behind the launch of this new multi-million pound model. Sue Baker visits Dunlop's new facility at the Motor Industry Research Association's track, which enables motorcycle tyres to undergo more stringent safety tests. Bob Friend reports on a new computerised navigation system aimed at easing Tokyo's traffic problems.

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.

As Britain's latest and perhaps most important new car, the Austin Maestro, is launched, Top Gear goes to the production centre to find out how it is being assembled. Sue Baker gives the Austin Maestro a rough ride in Spain, and Frank Page compares it with some of its competitors. Chris Goffey road-tests another new car to reach the showrooms, the BMW 3 series.

'The shop window of Europe' is how the international motor manufacturers describe Geneva. Sue Baker reports on some of the latest models on show. Chris Goffey continues the Swiss theme by visiting a car factory at Iverdon, testing out the new Audi 80 Quattro on the snowy slopes and reporting on a bus driver's nightmare. Frank Page jungle-tests a new British four-wheel-drive vehicle.

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.

This week William Woollard Introduces the programme direct from the Frankfurt Motor Show where major manufacturers will be putting their latest technology on display. Sue Baker takes to the autobahns and tests the new Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes' first 'small' car, the 190, and she enjoys the luxury of West Germany's latest super buses.

There's more to motor sport than the glamorous and very expensive world of Grand Prix racing. William Woollard introduces tonight's programme from Prescott near Cheltenham, where vintage and special cars do battle over the twisting hill-climb course. And he goes back to school to learn all about the gentle art of driving sideways - the rough way. In addition Chris Goffey reports on the successful return of 'big cat' Jaguars to the race track.

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.

The Top Gear team takes to the road with A Second Chance for Motorists: William Woollard 's report on a unique scheme set up by police in Nottinghamshire. Now drivers are no longer automatically prosecuted if they're found with a faulty vehicle; they have a chance to put the defect right. Office on the Move: a look at the limousine that has a video, a computer, a word processor - everything for today's jet-setting businessman. Toy Cars: replicas of famous vehicles that children can drive - if dad's got 12,000 or more to spare.

It is ten years since wearing a crash helmet became compulsory, but today you're still 25 times more likely to be killed riding a motorcycle than driving a car. Helmets are vital, of course, but just how safe are they? Are the tests conducted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) good enough? Does the BSI pick the right designs to reduce death and injury in the future? In a special report Tony Baker investigates the helmets you can buy in Britain. Over in Holland, Frank Page tries out Saab's latest offering which sports a 16-valve engine, and nearer to home turns his hand to DIY panel beating.

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.

If you've ever wondered how police drivers chase bank robbers, then watch Top Gear tonight. William Woollard visits the Metropolitan Police Driver Training School at Hendon, which celebrates its golden jubilee this year. Every day on Britain's roads there are eight accidents between vehicles and horses. Chris Goffey climbs into the saddle to report on new guidelines. And an exclusive look at this year's British Grand Prix - or at least a scaled-down version.

Giant racing monsters take to the track in a special Top Gear from the first British Truck Grand Prix. William Woollard meets the stars and the working truckers who unhitch their trailers to push five tons of highly-powered steel to the limit round the Donington Park circuit, while reporter Chris Goffey climbs into the cab in an attempt to fight his own way to the final. And between races there's a chance to see spectacular two-wheel stunts, a jet truck and Britain's fastest delivery service -the 170 mph Supervan.

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.

With the recent launch of Sir Clive Sinclair's controversial new electric vehicle, interest has been rekindled in using electric traction for personal transport. This week William Woollard tests the Sinclair C5 and other contenders in the market, from both the UK and Denmark. Chris Goffey, meanwhile, points the way ahead with Peugeot's research vehicle - the 205 Electrique. Sue Baker road tests the latest sporting offer from Japan, the Toyota MR2. With the Budget only a week away Top Gear reports on the pressures on the Chancellor to replace Vehicle Excise Duty with a higher tax on petrol.

Over 3,000 young hopefuls try their hand at Brands Hatch Racing School every year and William Woollard follows in the tyre tracks of James Hunt to discover the joys and costs of single-seater racing. William Horsley reports from Japan on a prison where motoring offenders are taught to drive legally. Sue Baker travels on a novel form of public transport in Hong Kong, and David Minton checks on just how protective motorcycle clothing is.

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.

Top Gear turns its attention to West Germany tonight with a special programme direct from Europe's major motor show of the autumn which opened its doors just a few hours ago in Frankfurt. William Woollard and Frank Page report from the giant exhibition halls on the latest trends and technical developments. Sue Baker gets to grips with VW's new 16-valve version of its cult car, the GTI, and looks at an accident alert system still under test in Germany. Away from the show, Frank Page tries out Subaru's hi-tech XT model, and there's news from Berlin of a spectacular driving simulator.

Chris Goffey reports on an £8 billion-a-year business — the company car. The motor manufacturers sell about half their cars to the company fleets, so it's vital that they get their models right. How do companies choose and what do the manufacturers do to woo them? Sue Baker rediscovers her youth when she tests the new Naylor sports car. It looks and feels like the old MG she drove as a teenager. Frank Page rides a new BMW motorcycle and there's some advice on how to transport the family pet happily and safely.

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.

Cosworth engines have powered their way to more than 100 Grand Prix victories. Tonight William Woollard revs up in the Sierra Cosworth, the first road car to carry the famous name, and looks behind the scenes at the company's Northampton headquarters. There are road tests on two of the winter's newcomers, the Peugeot 309 and Vauxhall's Belmont. Are the days of motorists struggling with road maps numbered? Chris Goffey travels to Holland to try out an amazing in-car navigation system.

The Turin Motor Show is traditionally the place where the top European car-designers exhibit their latest fantastic creations. William Woollard examines tomorrow's shapes and reports on what the manufacturers are offering today. Chris Goffey visits the Pininfarina Museum and discovers 'what might have been' for some of Britain's most popular cars. Frank Page road tests the latest executive model from Fiat, the Croma Turbo, ie, and sees how they put fire into the Panda 4x4.

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.

The emphasis this week is on performance cars. Jackie Stewart shows William Woollard that what he learnt as a racing driver can help people to drive more safely on the roads. And Sue Baker tests the new Renault GTA V6 Turbo. But, with so many powerful cars on the market at the moment, do the glossy ads that sell them actually encourage drivers to break the law? Top Gear talks to the ad men and their critics.

For most of us, owning a Ferrari is just a dream, but at the annual meeting of the Ferrari Club of Great Britain, owners come together to show off their pride and possession. The petrol companies desperately offer everything from glasses to cricket bats to induce people to buy more of their products. Why do the giants place such an emphasis on free gifts and forecourt shops? And the new Audi 80 is roadtested.

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.

As the Eurotunnel consortium prepares for the second phase of its fund-raising effort, William Woollard examines the full-scale models of the special car and truck wagons that could be carrying thousands of vehicles a day under the Channel by 1993. Each year over 1,000 children are killed or seriously injured while travelling in cars, but 83 per cent of children wear no form of restraint. Sue Baker reviews the wide range of safety devices now available for children, and talks to parents about why they ignore their obvious benefits. Frank Page road-tests the new three-litre Vauxhall Carlton , which eased out the new Jaguar XJ6 and BMW series as Car of the Year of 1987. Chris Goffey investigates the esoteric world of sporting trials, off-road hill-climbing, known as ‘mud-plugging’.

As Jaguar prepares to launch its new Sovereign in the United States, William Woollard compares it to its deadly rivals from Mercedes and BMW. At the cheaper end of the market, a look at the range of mopeds available — how well do they perform and how safe are they? Chris Goffey asks whether car manufacturers can learn from the sophisticated electronics fitted to the latest tractors, and Frank Page investigates some deals and discounts available when you try to buy a new car. And the end of an era - as the last Ford Capris reach dealers’ showrooms around the country, Sue Baker looks back on the British motorist’s love affair with the car you always promised yourself.

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.

Surrounded by the glories of Britain’s motoring past at the Heritage Motor Museum, Syon Park, William Woollard introduces a new feature — the Top Gear Car of the Decade — and road tests nine cars with a claim to be the most significant designs of their decade. In the first test, the programme looks at the original 1906 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, a car that set a standard of excellence in engineering that has been a benchmark for designers ever since. Ten pre-1915 Rolls Royces were among the 26 veteran cars that set out on a 2,500 mile tour of Britain earlier this summer. Sue Baker viewed £2 million worth of machinery at Stratford-Upon-Avon. Frank Page has been sifting through viewers’ suggestions on how to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists on rural roads, and visits Water End in Hertfordshire to illustrate how some of them might work in practice. Chris Goffey tests Toyota’s new family saloon out this autumn.

Are Top Gear viewers dissatisfied with their cars? Several hundred of you wrote in to complain last series, in response to an invitation to air your problems. William Woollard investigates some of the more interesting cases. Sue Baker road-tests Vauxhall’s new flagship, the Senator. Is it prestigious enough to compete with established luxury cars? At the Acropolis Rally earlier this year Hannu Mikkola became the first driver ever to take part in 100 world championship rallies. Tony Mason was there to discover why Hannu is regarded by many as the world’s greatest rally driver. Chris Goffey drives a Ford Model T, the car that put America on wheels — and much of the rest of the world, too — and which Top Gear viewers have voted their ‘car of the decade’ for 1910-20. Frank Page, meanwhile, has been to Southend to examine the latest in car customising — California-look Volkswagens.

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.

From the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull. Can motorcycling be made safer without destroying its inherent excitement? The ‘Feet First’ design concept is claimed to offer just that. Paul Blezard reports on various British attempts at designing such machines and tests the extraordinary Swiss Oekomobil — a fully enclosed motorcycle capable of 160mph and yet offering 90mpg at 75mph. Four-wheel steering is said to offer safety advantages to car drivers. Chris Goffey compares the two cars, both Japanese, that are now available fitted with the system. It also forms the basis for a new technique for teaching all drivers how to control a skidding car. William Woollard tries out the new device that may offer the key to skid training for all learner drivers. Tony Mason reports on the result of the Radio Times Rally Quest 88 competition.

The Turin Motor Show is the showcase of the Italian motor industry — a chance to show off the latest design concepts and, increasingly, the latest in high tech. But does the Italian view of style and innovation still lead the world? And has the Italian industry — dominated by the Fiat Group — had too easy a time in its home market for too long? William Woollard and Sue Baker report from the show. Chris Goffey road-tests two new cars — the Fiat Tipo, which its makers hope will supplant the Volkswagen Golf as Europe’s best-selling car, and the executive-class Alfa 164. With Lancia set to dominate the World Rally scene for a second year, Tony Mason looks at their latest contender — the Integrale.

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.

Forty years to the day after the first post-war British Grand Prix was held there, William Woollard visits a much developed Silverstone circuit for the final round of the Formula 3 Championship. To complete his reports on the various training formulas leading to Grand Prix status, Tiff Needell track tests a Formula 3 and Formula 3000 racing car. Forty years ago this month, the motoring world was astonished by the arrival of the Jaguar XK120. Frank Page reassesses a classic sports car that lifted a little of the gloom of post-war Britain. Plus a road test on the new Vauxhall Cavalier, and Chris Goffey investigates the arcane world of the salvage trade.

William Woollard and Tom Boswell at the Motorcycle Show at Earls Court, and a look at a vintage bike rally. But it’s not all two wheelers — Beki Adam enters the world of drag racing involving prize custom cars and Chris Goffey reflects on 40 years of Porsche sports cars. And do motorists get a good deal from specialist fitting centres?