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Top Gear

Season 37 1997

  • 1997-01-02T00:00:00Z on BBC Two
  • 30m
  • 10h (20 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • English
  • Documentary
The original Top Gear (which was aired from 1977 to 2001) started as a monthly television series produced by BBC Midlands, based at Pebble Mill. The 30 minute programmes had a magazine format and were transmitted to viewers in the Midlands region only. Top Gear and its title, was conceived by Executive Producer Derek Smith. The programme covered motoring related issues such as new car road tests, fuel economy, safety, the police, speeding, insurance, second-hand cars and holiday touring.

20 episodes

Season Premiere

1997-01-02T00:00:00Z

37x01 Episode 1

Season Premiere

37x01 Episode 1

  • 1997-01-02T00:00:00Z30m

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.

1997-01-09T00:00:00Z

37x02 Episode 2

37x02 Episode 2

  • 1997-01-09T00:00:00Z30m

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.

1997-01-16T00:00:00Z

37x03 Episode 3

37x03 Episode 3

  • 1997-01-16T00:00:00Z30m

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 Wilson gives his verdict.

1997-01-23T00:00:00Z

37x04 Episode 4

37x04 Episode 4

  • 1997-01-23T00:00:00Z30m

Quentin Wilson 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?

1997-01-30T00:00:00Z

37x05 Episode 5

37x05 Episode 5

  • 1997-01-30T00:00:00Z30m

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.

1997-02-06T00:00:00Z

37x06 Episode 6

37x06 Episode 6

  • 1997-02-06T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson chooses the best of the latest small hatchbacks. Plus Quentin Wilson offers some tips for picking up a bargain at a classic car auction, and reveals the troubles that the unsuspecting could be lumbered with once the hammer comes down.

1997-02-13T00:00:00Z

37x07 Episode 7

37x07 Episode 7

  • 1997-02-13T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson tests the Honda Legend and Toyota Camry, and asks whether these cars have sufficient pulling power to become alternatives to the vehicles traditionally chosen by high-flying executives, such as BMWs or Mercedes. Steve Berry rides the Triumph 595, the long-awaited British bike that is expected to take on Ducatis and Honda Fireblades.

1997-02-20T00:00:00Z

37x08 Episode 8

37x08 Episode 8

  • 1997-02-20T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson assesses the flood of sports cars that have recently appeared on the market and decides which one should be top of an enthusiast's shopping list. Quentin Wilson provides a guide to the second-hand BMW market for those wanting to get the most value from the 3 series.

1997-02-27T00:00:00Z

37x09 Episode 9

37x09 Episode 9

  • 1997-02-27T00:00:00Z30m

For thousands of sales reps travelling up and down the country a company car can often feel like a second home. Tiff Needell tests the comfort of the Mondeo and the Vectra and discovers how it feels to spend hours in a fleet car everyday. Quentin Wilson reports on the startling statistic that over a million people are driving without insurance.

1997-03-06T00:00:00Z

37x10 Episode 10

37x10 Episode 10

  • 1997-03-06T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson gets behind the wheel of the latest juggernauts. One of the vehicles he tries out is the 1997 Truck of the Year the Mercedes Actros, which is reputed to make trucking up and down the motorways feel as relaxing as a jaunt in the country. Plus Chris Goffey drives the vintage car Ace of Spades, manufactured by Lea Francis. One of the great names of British motoring, it is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

1997-03-13T00:00:00Z

37x11 Episode 11

37x11 Episode 11

  • 1997-03-13T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson and Michele Newman report from Geneva on the highlights of this year's International Show, including new coupes from Mercedes and Ford, and they try out the Seat Arosa. Tiff Needell tests the Italian-sounding Ascari, in fact a high performance kit car manufactured in Wiltshire.

1997-03-20T00:00:00Z

37x12 Episode 12

37x12 Episode 12

  • 1997-03-20T00:00:00Z30m

Quentin Wilson takes a chauffeur-driven ride in a Mercedes 600 stretch limousine once owned by John Lennon , and discovers that the car still has the touch of class which made it an essential item for the rich and famous.
Tony Mason goes to the country to test the new Subaru Legacy, and asks whether the countryman appeal which made it popular with farmers has been lost in the pursuit of urban style.

1997-03-27T00:00:00Z

37x13 Episode 13

37x13 Episode 13

  • 1997-03-27T00:00:00Z30m

Jeremy Clarkson asks whether the new A6 will be another overnight success for Audi. Will the combination of cutting edge design and class-leading performance eclipse their greatest rival, BMW? Plus six cars that fall into Quentin Wilson 's no-hoper category.

1997-04-02T23:00:00Z

37x14 Episode 14

37x14 Episode 14

  • 1997-04-02T23:00:00Z30m

Michele Newman checks out the latest in a tradition of cars bent on stealing tiny parking spaces - the Seat Arosa and weighs up how it competes with the likes of the Fiat Cinquecento. Steve Berry rides with the veterans from Epsom to Brighton on the 60th annual Pioneer Run for motorbikes built before 1915.

1997-04-09T23:00:00Z

37x15 Episode 15

37x15 Episode 15

  • 1997-04-09T23:00:00Z30m

Eighty-seven different cars come under scrutiny in the fourth annual survey into customer satisfaction. Quentin Wilson reports on the M-registration cars that did well and badly when the public were asked to rate performance, reliability, economy and customer care. Plus Steve Berry nips neatly around the big city in a Japanese people mover-the Daihatsu Move.

1997-04-16T23:00:00Z

37x16 Episode 16

37x16 Episode 16

  • 1997-04-16T23:00:00Z30m

In the Swinging Sixties Roger Moore cruised the streets of London as The Saint in his white Volvo P1800. Will the new C70 coupe turn heads in the nineties in the same way? Quentin Wilson visits America to find out. Plus, Jeremy Clarkson drives a limited edition Vauxhall Vectra, a L27,000 road going version of the British Touring Car championship model.

1997-04-23T23:00:00Z

37x17 Episode 17

37x17 Episode 17

  • 1997-04-23T23:00:00Z30m

There's a new star in Hollywood - the Spectre EV1, which is the first electric car to make it to the showrooms. Although the vehicle is in great demand. General Motors provide a spare for Quentin Wilson to test-drive through downtown Burbank. Plus Steve Berry takes a ride on a monkey bike - the diminutive Honda from the sixties that is still thriving.

1997-04-30T23:00:00Z

37x18 Episode 18

37x18 Episode 18

  • 1997-04-30T23:00:00Z30m

Despite his aversion to driving diesels, Jeremy Clarkson tries out the Mercedes E Class Elegance Estate and the BMW touring version of the successful 5 series.

1997-05-07T23:00:00Z

37x19 Episode 19

37x19 Episode 19

  • 1997-05-07T23:00:00Z30m

As Ferrari celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jeremy Clarkson joins the party by driving the Maranello, the motor giant's new front-engined supe rear.
Tiff Needell tempers his racing technique when he takes a masterclass in urban driving, and Steve Berry travels to Korea for the Seoul Motor Show.

Season Finale

1997-05-14T23:00:00Z

37x20 Episode 20

Season Finale

37x20 Episode 20

  • 1997-05-14T23:00:00Z30m

In the last programme of the series, Steve Berry assesses the market potential of three new models from Daewoo.
Jon Bentley looks at the best entries in the competition to design a Rolls-Royce for the next century. And Jeremy Clarkson tries out the cars that have fallen through his road-testing net.

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