Top Gear Xmas Special 2014 (Esprit in Patagonia)

[jfitz981]

Just watched the special and considering over here in the states we have hardly any good auto shows, Top Gear is by far the best. As an Esprit owner, the car in the show made us all proud that it did so well. I enjoyed it...matter of fact, makes me want to take mine out for a cruise now.

[Bibs]

The Esprit wasn't prepped or maintained in Argentina by Ed China's firm in this instance Chris.

[internets]

Lakeside I'm guessing in this case, was there not some pictures posted at some point of Max from Lakeside working on the Esprit at the side of the road in Argentina?

[Jacques]

Haven't seen the second episode yet, but I enjoyed nr. one. I agree, that most car programmes and "testers" take the cars to the max, and then some. Usually they may well shorten the expected lifespan of that car rather much. I think Chris Harris et al are more not to my liking, than TG. I enjoy their shows, and in reality, there's nothing else to see in the telly (well, 99% of the time), and certainly not other car programmes. Ed China and his irritating Little friend, can go heywire for my sake. It annoys me to see them, so I usually don't, apart if someone tells me there's been a particularely good episode.

I don't mind some Things being repeated, as long as it's good. And the landscapes in the season finishers are usually very good, like this year too. What I don't need is the smashing, thrashing or whatever it's called, that they do to the cars. Luckily they didn't weld a house on top of each car this year, so in my view that is a positive Development.

That is also why I didn't pay to go and see their show, when it passed my house. It does not represent what I would like to see.

But what I DO like to see, are the truly great and fun episodes, where they try to find the Worlds best road. I've been there and can confirm, that Transfegerashan is really great, apart from being closed most of the time. And the Transalpina nearby is just as good, maybe even better.

Those were really great episodes. And I like the car vs public transportation etc too, as it's very hard to repeat, because of... roadwork and campers and trucks. But I give it a try every now and then.

 

Before I go into too much selfspin about TG and other programmes, like this link below, ha ha, I'd say that all in all TG is great in my view, and in my view, James May is just as good or even better than the other two at doing this programme. The three Guys make up something that is more than three; they make a really great combination.

 

Happy New Year!

Jacques

 

Link to fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afg0m-MtysQ

[TBD]

Took a bit longer to see the Christmas Special over here, but finally got around to it on the net.

 

Must say, I liked it. OK, doesn't have much to do with a typical car show, but it is fun to watch. Look at it more as a nature film with great mountain scenes and a couple of non-native maniacs. Does make one want to visit Patagonia (OK, maybe not if you're British  ).

[molemot]

Jacques...Edd China's "Little friend" isn't little....it's just that Edd is a giant!! The shows annoy me, too...especially when they disregard the cost of the work put in when they calculate their "profit".....

 

Found this:

 

http://www.mikebrewer.tv/

 

AAAARRRGGGHHHHHHH.....!!

[Advantage]

Mike is a good chap. Yes, his on screen persona certainly is played up for the camera, but both him and Ed are proper petrol heads.

[CaptainSlow]

But what I DO like to see, are the truly great and fun episodes, where they try to find the Worlds best road. I've been there and can confirm, that Transfegerashan is really great, apart from being closed most of the time. And the Transalpina nearby is just as good, maybe even better.

Those were really great episodes. 

 

 

Slightly off topic for this thread, but I'd love to read more about your trip to Transfegerashan. Have you written about it elsewhere? I've been looking at the map and it's still far off even though it's still in Europe. So would be interesting to read about what way you went to get there, any issues with getting petrol etc. And of course some photos!

[internets]

Had a blast with Mike Brewer and Ed when filming the DeLorean episode. Mike had a funny story about a certain Lotus vendor

As Mr A mentioned a good guy and not how I thought he might be.

[Jacques]

I have nothing against them as persons and human beings. I don't even know them, so naturally I cannot say anything on that. But what I just don't like is the attitude of Mike on the show. An annoying Little Fellow, who use this sort of gipsy-Trading middle East way of buying and selling cars. A pain to Watch, so I don't, ha ha. Most times I am sure we don't see what they really do on the cars, and frankly I just don't care.

Top Gear is a Whole different ballgame and -lague. Even if it's been used to death. It's stil entertaining.

Fifth gear I just don't know if it still exist. I enjoyed Tiff's way of describing cars, but that is about it.

Electric cars on their way, it sort of rules out, or at least partially, programmes like Topgear, who speaks  to the viewers about sound, vibration, exhaust etc. And of course the totally useless flappy shift gear stuff. So what shall we see in the future? A Top Gear with a review on computermade false engine sounds? Titanium bolts on the Electric engines? Uhhhh! Wauw! ...  Not.

And one can only review old school cars like a Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, Lamborghini, and all the others so many times. Then there's nothing new. And that is a possible death to shows like that. Especially when I think of Automatic driving control, all directed by the one worls government a small computer. It'll bore us to death. To me, it's a clear sign, that life itself is getting more and more threatened by virtuality. So is Topgear if somone gets their way.

Untill then, I view the show, and start my old Esprit and Laverda, even if I have to invent a fuel myself!

 

Happy new year,

Jacques.

[TBD]

How is this for some good news:  http://www.elpatagonico.net/nota/263120-ahora-los-ingleses-quieren-recuperar-los-autos-de-top-gear/#galleryintv91725v5. From the looks, it seems they have been fixed up before transport, atleast all windows seem OK

 

Anyone want to buy a badly mistreated TV star ?

[lotusesprit1]

On 2 January 2015 9:32:20 pm, TBD said:

How is this for some good news:  http://www.elpatagonico.net/nota/263120-ahora-los-ingleses-quieren-recuperar-los-autos-de-top-gear/#galleryintv91725v5. From the looks, it seems they have been fixed up before transport, atleast all windows seem OK

Anyone want to buy a badly mistreated TV star ?

So they might make it on to the top gear display after all.

Still looks like they are claiming the number plates were false.

I do wonder if the Argentinian government stirred up the riots to distract from the current economic problems they are having.

Seems daft to pick on a car show...

[Advantage]

From the link:

 

 

 

 

[Simon350S]

Cool, nice they are returning home.

Would love to see the underside of that Esprit

[internets]

Be an ideal car for you Si, it would feel at home getting to your place;)

[Simon350S]

Awesome Chris, you're absolutely right.....

May well be within budget as well after all it's been through. Bibs, can you make some enquiries for me with the right people

[Andy Esprit SE]

I think it was the two passenger side windows that were smashed, they will archive the cars in the museum i guess, cant bare to think how the previous owners of the cars must feel.

[Advantage]

I expect they feel pleased that someone purchased the cars they no longer wished to own and have most likely already spent the money.

[Loose Cannon]

TBH who cares if they are coming home or not? TG cars are good for nothing after the treatment they get, (well the Esprit looks OK, but the other two are scrap and be honest would you buy one?)

[TBD]

The value of a classic is often determined not by its condition, but by its history. In that sense buying one of these would be a great investment, if only you could get your hands on one of them.

 

Think of the DB9 that was crashed in Casino Royal or the DB7 that was executed in Skyfall.

[molemot]

On 3 January 2015 12:18:37 am, lotusesprit1 said:

So they might make it on to the top gear display after all.

Still looks like they are claiming the number plates were false.

I do wonder if the Argentinian government stirred up the riots to distract from the current economic problems they are having.

Seems daft to pick on a car show...

 

If you remember back to 1982....the whole of the Falklands thing started up because the Argentinian government needed to distract their population from their current economic problems. That time they went to war and got hundreds of their young men killed...and quite a few of ours, too. It did result in a change of government in Argentina, which was a short term benefit...as it seems the idiots are back in charge....

[Bibs]

Illegal, really?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34675073

[ramjet]

Well if the UK have an extradition deal with the Falklands, it could get untidy. If they don't, I doubt Clarkson and Wilman could care less.

[Bibs]

The UK don't even have a civil conversation treaty with Argentina! 

[ramjet]