Top Gear

[aipri]

Anyone else love this show as much as I do? I'm talking about the UK version not the crappy US offshoot. Anyway, I know the show has been around in one form or another for over 20 years. I was wondering does anyone know if they ever road tested or did any other type of segment on the DeLorean? It would be interesting to see their take on it. Just curious.

[JohnZ]

I like that show too, there is a TV Channel that broadcasts it here in Italy. Talking about the UK version of course, I don't like the USA Top Gear (though once they did a sort of a race between 3 fake dream cars, and one of those was a fake Delorean time machine built out of another car!).

They once interviewed a guy who had just bought a Delorean, but they said just a few words about it and I think they never seriously approached our cars in a more specific way.

[ALEXAKOS]

It is a very fun show to watch.
BUT! A while ago I downloaded a full season (cause it was not playing in my country back then)... and got sick and tired for their same and copy paste acting.
Sure they have a nice sense of humor (most of the times) but its always the same scenario. :ohcrap: and always supporting the same car makes.

I do love their videos and the shootings they do. Their director is an artist and you get to see some very hot cars driven to the limits.
No doubt BBC created a pioneering car show.

[JohnZ]

I remember once they built a kind of a living room into a car... with sofa and tiles and everything... the car just crashed soon after it began moving!

Or they once built a limousine out of an old Fiat Panda... they do pretty funny mad things! And the show is interesting when exotic cars are illustrated as well! (for example the Pagani cars, cars that I will probably never see on the road)

[aipri]

I understand what you're saying about becoming a little repetitive, but honestly that's part of what I love. I can never get enough of when they pick 3 cars and take a trip and goof on each other the whole time, I find it so entertaining. That's what the US version lacks, the three hosts on it are just plain uninteresting and when they try interact it just seems forced. Anyway, I think it's a great combo of awesome cars and dumb humor, my kind of thing, it would be great to see a DeLorean on there. I'm sure they would rag on the lack of HP, but I know they would appreciate the unique and cool factor.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

I think those snobs would do more than rag. They would pick apart the car and JZD. I would hate to see them review a DeLorean, I don't need some asshole on tv and their opinion.

When you get to drive any and every car in the world you lose your sense of awe. And for many of us a DeLorean is the closest we will,come to driving and exotic.

[Rich W]

Anyone else love this show as much as I do? I'm talking about the UK version not the crappy US offshoot. Anyway, I know the show has been around in one form or another for over 20 years. I was wondering does anyone know if they ever road tested or did any other type of segment on the DeLorean? It would be interesting to see their take on it. Just curious.

As a related side note...

Top Gear US contacted me earlier this month, through a production company based in NY and Los Angeles. Although I cannot release all the details right now,
there was a video shoot planned last week, here in the Midwest, that had to be cancelled (hopefully just postponed) due to the "hard landing" plane crash of
a Southwest Airlines plane at La Guardia, which closed all runways at the airport for a few hours and the production crew was stranded in NY. Unfortunately,
the three hosts were only available together one day (last Tuesday), so we shall see if they try for another Midwest shoot or if it will be done elsewhere.

One of the hosts, Rutledge, owns a Bricklin, so I am not sure if that will be used as a means of comparision or not. This could be good or this could be bad.

I will post an update if the video shoot is re-scheduled for here in the Midwest. The video footage was planned to be used for the next upcoming season.

Later,
Rich W.

[MML]

I think those snobs would do more than rag. They would pick apart the car and JZD. I would hate to see them review a DeLorean....

Yeah, that's exactly why I don't want to see a D on the show!

This is less than flattering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6OAPLzCfKc

[JohnZ]

I would be worried about whatching a Delorean review by Clarkson and company. They tear apart almost every car on the show, it would be a tragedy if they could comment on the Delorean. That's for sure! They would probably be right in every aspect, but I would not like the way they do it, with the sarcasm and everything (which is usually part of the fun isn't it?).

In the tiny little interview above mentioned Jeremy did not seem a Delorean enthusiast at all.

[aipri]

As a related side note...

Top Gear US contacted me earlier this month, through a production company based in NY and Los Angeles. Although I cannot release all the details right now,
there was a video shoot planned last week, here in the Midwest, that had to be cancelled (hopefully just postponed) due to the "hard landing" plane crash of
a Southwest Airlines plane at La Guardia, which closed all runways at the airport for a few hours and the production crew was stranded in NY. Unfortunately,
the three hosts were only available together one day (last Tuesday), so we shall see if they try for another Midwest shoot or if it will be done elsewhere.

One of the hosts, Rutledge, owns a Bricklin, so I am not sure if that will be used as a means of comparision or not. This could be good or this could be bad.

I will post an update if the video shoot is re-scheduled for here in the Midwest. The video footage was planned to be used for the next upcoming season.

Later,
Rich W.

Ok, now for that I would tune in to Top Gear US!

If you guys watch the UK show you know that they may make fun of some cars, but if the car really is cool and unique they will acknowledge it. Just take a look at the shows they did on Lancia. Sure they mentioned that many Lancias broke down and were unreliable, but they still loved the car because of the essense of it. Maybe I am getting too deep here lol but I think they would appreciate the car.

[Rich W]

As a related side note...

Top Gear US contacted me earlier this month, through a production company based in NY and Los Angeles. Although I cannot release all the details right now,
there was a video shoot planned last week, here in the Midwest, that had to be cancelled (hopefully just postponed) due to the "hard landing" plane crash of
a Southwest Airlines plane at La Guardia, which closed all runways at the airport for a few hours and the production crew was stranded in NY. Unfortunately,
the three hosts were only available together one day (last Tuesday), so we shall see if they try for another Midwest shoot or if it will be done elsewhere.

One of the hosts, Rutledge, owns a Bricklin, so I am not sure if that will be used as a means of comparision or not. This could be good or this could be bad.

I will post an update if the video shoot is re-scheduled for here in the Midwest. The video footage was planned to be used for the next upcoming season.

Later,
Rich W.


Just to clarify, especially for those who may re-post threads on an impulse (without thinking it through first) or elaborating based on speculation...

I was not asked to do a "feature" on the DeLorean on Top Gear USA, however, DeLorean cars were to be featured in the Midwest video shoot.

Timing is everything with Hollywood and this was a last minute request, to try to make the timing work with a Midwest video shoot last week.

Since it did not happen last week and the new season is fast approaching, it may not happen at all or it may happen in NY or Los Angeles.

Even though this Top Gear thread just happened to start recently, I guess I should have waited to comment until after the video shoot.

Such is Hollywood.

[Dangermouse]

Your secret's safe with us, Rich. We won't say a word.

[ccurzio]

Great news!

[Kenny_Z]

I like a lot of car shows but I can't get into either of the Top Gears. I'm not sure if it's that I just don't care about the cars I've seen reviewed or the hosts themselves. I'd have to DVR a DeLorean episode and wait for the reviews from here before I watched it.

[TTait]

So when they first considered doing top gear in the US, Adam Corolla wanted the gig - and IIRC he even shot a pilot himself to prove he was the guy to anchor the show - BBC passed on him and eventually started shooting with the US cast. Not to be outdone, Corolla got his own version of Top Gear on the air at the same time and called it "The Car Show". They did a pretty awful spot on the D - which can be found here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZutfVb8tvIE Had no interest in watching the spot a second time, but Corolla was kind of a jerk. The guy who writes for WSJ was also a douche - but he writes for the WSJ so <self edited to avoid a political posting>

I'm pretty sure the show has been cancelled, as was his radio show. You still see Corolla from time to time at a Cuban joint in Glendale, sulking in a corner looking unkempt - meanwhile, my D is still working for me, and it looks great. Justice I guess...

Maybe they could see which is faster, The Delorean completing a 500 mile road course vs. Corolla getting a meeting in Hollywood with anyone willing to hear his next pitch. (Hint: the Delorean can wait for Houston to make and send a binnacle before it hits the road and it will still win that race).

[aipri]

So when they first considered doing top gear in the US, Adam Corolla wanted the gig - and IIRC he even shot a pilot himself to prove he was the guy to anchor the show - BBC passed on him and eventually started shooting with the US cast. Not to be outdone, Corolla got his own version of Top Gear on the air at the same time and called it "The Car Show". They did a pretty awful spot on the D - which can be found here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZutfVb8tvIE Had no interest in watching the spot a second time, but Corolla was kind of a jerk. The guy who writes for WSJ was also a douche - but he writes for the WSJ so <self edited to avoid a political posting>

I'm pretty sure the show has been cancelled, as was his radio show. You still see Corolla from time to time at a Cuban joint in Glendale, sulking in a corner looking unkempt - meanwhile, my D is still working for me, and it looks great. Justice I guess...

Maybe they could see which is faster, The Delorean completing a 500 mile road course vs. Corolla getting a meeting in Hollywood with anyone willing to hear his next pitch. (Hint: the Delorean can wait for Houston to make and send a binnacle before it hits the road and it will still win that race).

Wow, that show looked awful and definitely a blatant Top Gear ripoff. I think for me I just love the combo of Clarkson, Hammond, and May on Top Gear, you really have to have funny hosts with a good rapport. Corolla, an ex basketball player, and whoever the hell the other two guys were (although the bald guy gets points for backing the D) are not entertaining at all.

[Stainless]

One of the hosts, Rutledge, owns a Bricklin, so I am not sure if that will be used as a means of comparision or not. This could be good or this could be bad.


According to a Jalopnik article from 2012, he says that he sold the Bricklin. See the interactive comment section at the bottom:

http://jalopnik.com/5909252/im-rutledge-wood-host-of-top-gear-usa-ask-me-anything

[Rich W]

According to a Jalopnik article from 2012, he says that he sold the Bricklin. See the interactive comment section at the bottom:

http://jalopnik.com/5909252/im-rutledge-wood-host-of-top-gear-usa-ask-me-anything

No luck with the comments section. Maybe its a firewall issue at work?

20896

However, I did see the Bricklin is mentioned before the comments section.

"For those of you who don't know Rutledge,well, the man loves cars. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he learned from his father the business of buying, restoring and selling new and old vehicles. Wood has owned over 55 cars and trucks ranging from a Volkswagen Rabbit pickup truck to Hondas, Chevys, a 1966 VW Double Cab, a Buick Roadmaster Wagon, even an obscure 1975 Bricklin SV-1."

[Stainless]

No luck with the comments section. Maybe its a firewall issue at work?

20896

However, I did see the Bricklin is mentioned before the comments section.

"For those of you who don't know Rutledge,well, the man loves cars. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he learned from his father the business of buying, restoring and selling new and old vehicles. Wood has owned over 55 cars and trucks ranging from a Volkswagen Rabbit pickup truck to Hondas, Chevys, a 1966 VW Double Cab, a Buick Roadmaster Wagon, even an obscure 1975 Bricklin SV-1."

Someone asked him what ever happened to his Bricklin. This was his reply:

"I sold it to my friend Fran...his son was driving it when the transmission mount broke and the tail shaft almost hit the ground. Whoops!" 5/10/12 12:52pm

[john 05141]

We get both shows here and I LOVE Top gear. The US version indeed is not that good, and that is that they try to copy the UK guys. It is the dry English humor that makes it so good. Top Gear USA should get its own personality.
But they know the DeLorean car... But Clarkson was a bit younger and thinner on the picture.

I agree they do have their favorite brands. But you should not see it as a car show. It is a humorous show and thye use cars as a subject.
My wife gave me Jeremy Clarkson's book as an x-mas gift, and his remarks are just funny.

Jan