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Private Notes
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 pressure is on! Between next year and 1990, legislation will be introduced in stages to reduce the level of pollution caused by car emissions. William Woollard examines the various options open to motor manufacturers, and the price motorists will have to pay. Frank Page meets up with a motor club with no cars, and nowhere to go. The recently-launched Citroen BX Estate is road tested by Chris Goffey and compared with one of its predecessors.
For most people a Grand Prix starts with a green light and ends with a chequered flag, but for the organisers work starts a year in advance. Tonight William Woollard tells the story of the army of 15,000 that makes it happen. Top Gear spent five days leading up to the British GP looking at the side of motor racing the spectator never sees. William Woollard also reports from the M1 on the unnecessary risks drivers take, and Frank Page tries out an interesting newcomer to the British motoring scene, the Bitter SC two-door coupe.
Tonight William Woollard, Sue Baker and a 1930s Bentley Tourer represent Top Gear in the Great English Wine Run. One hundred teams driving a variety of vehicles leave Alfriston in Sussex en route for Paris. Sue Baker also reports from Transport in Action, the trucks 'shop window'. Chris Goffey tries out the new Volvo 760 Estate car for size; and Peter Burgess travels to Sardinia to get to grips with Ford's latest additions to their range: the 4WD Granada and 4WD Sierra XR4.
Four out of ten motorists break down each year — everything from running out of petrol to bursting into flames. William Woollard explores some of the organisations that could come to your rescue. What will succeed the Vauxhall Astra as Car of the Year? Chris Goffey looks at the contenders and discovers how the judges make their choice. Sue Baker looks at the future for the micro car: cheap to buy and tax and economical to run.
Next year, Austin Rover unveil their latest executive saloon car, code-named Project XX. Much of its success, or otherwise, will depend on its penetration into the lucrative US market where Austin Rover have been absent for a number of years. William Woollard visits Canley in Coventry to see the preparations for this important launch, and to find out what the future holds in terms of design and further collaboration with Honda. Frank Page tries out an interesting newcomer to the British motoring scene, the Bitter SC two-door coupe, and Peter Burgess explains your rights, and what to do if the second-hand car you bought is not what it seemed.
