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.

Car manufacturers will be launching their latest models at the Birmingham Motor Show in two weeks time. But tonight, Chris Goffey previews one of the latest offerings from Germany, the BMW 7 Series. William Woollard casts an eye over a selection of cars at the budget end of the market. Still with economy in mind, Sue Baker questions the increasing popularity of buying second-hand tyres. Rallying attracts people from all walks of life. The reggae band UB40 is not only sponsoring a car but is training for a more active long-term participation in the sport.

Jaguar has done very well since its recent privatisation — especially in its sales in the United States. Now it prepares to launch its most important new car in almost 20 years. Chris Goffey road tests the new XJ6 and asks if it will be a big seller in both home and export markets. William Woollard has been trying out the latest addition to the Citroën family. Top Gear viewers played their part in suggesting some of the features that have been incorporated in its design. So how will the Citroën AX fare in the fiercely competitive smaller end of the car market? And, apart from fuel consumption, running costs and the sheer aesthetics of a new car, should you pay more attention to how much it will depreciate. Why do some cars lose more value than others, and who decides, anyway?

This week sees the start of the 1986 British International Motor Show, held this year at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. William Woollard guides you round the latest creations from the world's leading manufacturers and assesses how the best of British stands up against the opposition. Sue Baker examines the slowly reviving British sports car market and road tests the new TVR 420. If luggage space is your problem, then Frank Page could supply the answer when he compares three estate cars, including the new Renault 21 Savanna.

Surprisingly, almost as many convertibles are sold in winter as in summer, in the United Kingdom. William Woollard takes an unseasonal look at the best-selling Cabriolets in Britain. Status symbol or necessity? We look at the latest in car phones and examine likely changes in the regulations governing their use.

In the last of the present series, especially for motor bike enthusiasts, Chris Goffey previews the International Bike show, which opens at Olympia tomorrow, including a look at the new super-bike from Honda. If you thought steam cars were a thing of the past, meet a new one capable of an astounding 90mph, and Frank Page talks to a man who arranges transplants for much-loved Morris Minors.

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.

‘Discretion is probably exercised more in traffic law enforcement than in any other single area of the law.’ William Woollard asks whether this Oxford University research conclusion means a fair deal for the motorist stopped by the police. Sue Baker tests two new economical models competing in the crowded super-mini class, and visits Sweden to inspect a new anti-skidding device currently in production and a prototype computer-driven suspension system. Dan Cherrington, presenter of BBC1’s Farming, tests the new Isuzu Trooper on and off the road, and compares it with the popular Mitsubishi Shogun, and the all-British vehicle that created the market for sophisticated four-wheel-drive cars, the Range Rover. Strictly off the road, Chris Goffey reports on a ‘competition safari’: four-wheel drive is essential, but pots of cash are not.

Nostalgia is the order of the day as Top Gear looks at yesterday’s road sweepers, fire engines, steam lorries and buses. William Woollard takes part in this year’s London to Brighton run of historic commercial vehicles. Frank Page tests the latest in ‘hot’ hatchbacks, the Peugeot 309 GT and the Vauxhall Astra 2000 GTE. Sue Baker drives two versions of a new small car from Japan, the Daihatsu Charade — one very fast, the other very economical. Chris Goffey rides in the new taxi, the Metrocab, and asks taxi drivers if it will replace the familiar ‘London taxi’. And Top Gear forsakes the town to examine the particular problems of road safety in the countryside.

William Woollard tests one of a new generation of stepless transmissions, soon to be available in the Fiat Uno. With the approach of summer, Frank Page looks at a range of camper vans, while Chris Goffey hears of the conflict that can arise when trail riders and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts penetrate green lanes the ramblers feel should be ceded to them. For the motorist seeking high performance, the names Lotus and Maserati carry a special cachet. Sue Baker compares two of the latest models: the Esprit Turbo HC and the Biturbo Spider.

The Skoda Trophy, the Lada Challenge, the Astra-Nova Challenge — some of the championships where car manufacturers support would-be works rally drivers; William Woollard evaluates the schemes on offer. Frank Page has been to Hungary to drive the latest version of such models as the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and Bentley Turbo R. Just after the Second World War, Britain produced the Jowett Javelin — then one of the most advanced cars you could buy. Sue Baker talks to the car’s designer 40 years on and examines why such promise turned sour. And the Highway Code. Chris Goffey investigates aspects of this quasi-legal charter for drivers.

In the last of the series, as a celebration of summer William Woollard, Sue Baker, Chris Goffey and Frank Page take to the hills of North Wales in four British designed and built sports cars, to try and recapture the lost joys of ‘wind in the hair’ motoring. Chris Goffey brings us up to date with the fortunes of Chris Goodwin and the other novice racing drivers from the first programme of the series, with a report from Oulton Park on the sixth round of the Cellnet Formula First Championship. Does the MOT test, first introduced in 1960, still serve a useful purpose? Sue Baker tries to find out how sure you can be that a car carrying an MOT certificate is, in fact, safe to be on the road. William Woollard road tests what’s claimed to be Britain’s first motor car, the 1894 Santler, and asks which eight cars would be voted the 20th century’s ‘cars of the decade’.

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.

Car design in Eastern Europe has lagged behind the west, but with the new Lada Samara, has caught up. Sue Baker visits the Togliatti factory in central Russia, to drive one of the first righthand drive versions of the hatchback. Disabled drivers using conversions, fitted to conventional cars, are faced with a confusing range of devices. Chris Goffey visited the Mobility Roadshow to see how well the market caters for their special needs. Road safety depends on good tyres, inflated to the right pressure, but how sure can you be that the gauge is accurate? Frank Page looks at new machines that may be better. This week’s car of the decade is the Austin Seven, the first genuine car for the working person. For many people, the only accessible motor sport is ‘banger racing’. Tony Mason reports from Wimbledon on the Top Gear team’s courage and skill behind the wheel.

This year’s motorcycle show at the NEC Birmingham is set against a continuing background of falling bike sales. William Woollard views the latest models the industry hopes will encourage people out of their cars and back onto two wheels. Frank Page investigates the revival of the Norton company and the new bike they’ll be launching on the private market this autumn, and Top Gear looks at some of the more radical machines on which hardened bikers keep the cult of biking alive. One of Top Gear’s family of test drivers joins Sue Baker to evaluate the new small Citroen, the AX, and compares it with its established rivals from Ford and Peugeot. And why are Britain’s motorways so frequently in need of repair? Chris Goffey reports on new ways to try to make them last longer.

This week’s car of the decade is from the 30s. William Woollard tests the Citroen Traction Avant that introduced a new level of engineering to the family car, and foreshadowed front wheel drive. Chris Goffey reports on the latest Mazda 626 which breaks new ground with a rear-wheel steering system designed to improve highspeed handling. On a lighter note, Sue Baker tests the special Buick used to take the Duke and Duchess of Windsor into exile after the abdication. Some of the presenters try out an unusual motor sport — tractor pulling.

William Woollard presents the programme from London’s Motorfair 87. Sue Baker drives the latest Lotus, and there’s a report on the apparent revival in British car manufacturing — is it a genuine success story? Chris Goffey reports on the British Truck Grand Prix and Tiff Needell monitors the progress of the ‘Formula First’ entrants whose careers were featured in the last series. The VW Beetle was the car of the decade for the 1940s — Frank Page rediscovers the car in which he learnt to drive.

Britain’s motorway network seems constantly clogged by road repairs. William Woollard asks why the surfaces need rebuilding so frequently, and looks at an alternative way of funding road repairs being tried out in Arizona. Also in America Chris Goffey reports on a glimpse into the future shape of the car, through the eyes of design students at Detroit’s Centre of Creative Studies. What was it like to race motor cars at the turn of the century? The first car to carry the British Racing Green, a Napier, has just returned to Britain, and Tiff Needell test-drives it over the tracks and lanes round its new home at Beaulieu. In the car of the decade series, it’s the 50s and a car whose shape and engineering would make it remarkable 30 years later; the Citroen DS.

Traditional car design in Eastern Europe has lagged decades behind the west, but with the new Lada Samara, the Russians seem to have caught up. Sue Baker visits the Togliatti factory in Central Russia to drive one of the first right-hand drive versions of the new hatchback. This week’s car of the decade is the Austin Mini, a symbol of the 60s. Chris Goffey samples the cheaper end of the 4x4 market — how useful are they as transport for families in rural areas?

William Woollard tests the new right-hand-drive version of the Honda Civic hatchback. Sue Baker returns to Birmingham’s ‘Wheels’ project to see how the scheme to give people real experience of driving before they go on the road is working. The 70s saw the birth of the ‘hot hatchback’. Tiff Needell drives the nominated ‘Car of the Decade’, the Alfasud. In ten days’ time, the Lombard RAC Rally gets under way in Chester. Tony Mason visits a rally school to see aspiring drivers improve their technique.

In this final programme of the autumn series, William Woollard puts the spotlight on more complaints made by Top Gear viewers about car design and performance. Sue Baker looks at the way photographer David Bailey goes about selling a new model as he directs his first car commercial. The MOT test: should Great Britain adopt the Northern Ireland solution of government-run testing stations? With the start of Britain’s premier rally three days away, Tony Mason sees how Ford whittled down 15,000 aspiring drivers to find a single winner to be given an entry in the Lombard RAC Rally. Plus the final ‘Car of the Decade’: the rally-bred Audi Quattro is the Top Gear car of the 80s.

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.

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.

Introduced by William Woollard from the South of France, where he road-tests the latest Jaguar XJS, at last offered in fully convertible form. Jaguar’s 20-year-old V12 engine is challenged by another from BMW. Chris Goffey compares the two power plants and the cars they propel. Car road tests can help you make an informed choice, but what about buying tyres? Which provide the best grip, life and handling? Also Sue Baker visits an adventure school in Scotland to learn how to drive ‘cross country’ and Frank Page test-drives current kit cars.

What is a classic car? Seemingly anything from an Aston Martin to a 1960s Ford Anglia. William Woollard presents Top Gear from the National Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham, and looks at the varied range of cars on display, He also roadtests the Lynx D-Type, a modern replica of the legendary cars that won at Le Mans for Jaguar in the 50s. BMW is about to replace its rather old-fashioned five-series. Sue Baker drives BMW’s latest offering for the up-and-coming executive and compares it with the recently revised Audi 100. Also in the programme, Top Gear asks which new cars depreciate least and Tony Mason samples the thrilling world of Formula One stock car racing.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Land Rover. But has the company done enough to update this once world-beating product? William Woollard looks at the Land Rover’s past achievements and examines its future. The Passat has never had a reputation as the most exciting of Volkswagen’s model range. There’s a more spacious and aerodynamic replacement, but is it much of an improvement? A Top Gear family tests the new car with Chris Goffey. And Sue Baker asks why manufacturers don’t do more for the driver that’s taller or shorter than average.

In the last of the current series, William Woollard joins a cavalcade of memorable cars celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Prescott Hill Climb in Gloucestershire, and also reports the serious side of this motorsport — where the competition may last no more than 35 seconds. Horses and traffic are an uneasy mixture. Chris Goffey asks what can be done to reduce the number of accidents involving horses and riders. Frank Page talks to some of the winners of the first Prince Michael Safety Awards — launched this year to help awareness of road safety. Plus, Sue Baker tries out the new hatchback version of the successful top of the range Rover — the 800 Fastback.

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?

William Woollard at the British International Motor Show which opens on Saturday. Chris Goffey road tests the estate version of Peugeot’s successful 405; and reports on Malaysia’s emergence as a car-building nation with the Proton. Tom Boswell sheds some light on lead-free petrol. Beki Adam looks at the late Sir Alec Issigonis’ ‘poached egg’, the Morris Minor, 40 years old this year.

When police surveillance systems catch motorists breaking the law, the onus is increasingly on drivers to prove their innocence rather than on the police to prove guilt. William Woollard investigates this apparent change in emphasis. Tony Mason reports on preparations for the Lombard — RAC Rally. Chris Goffey drives the 440 — the new Volvo made in Holland and Tom Boswell tackles rust warranties — how much protection do they offer? Jeremy Clarkson visits a firm that pulls apart new Rolls-Royces, and rebuilds them.

From the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in Berkshire. William Woollard reviews the progress on computerised systems to ease traffic congestion and Chris Goffey reports on ways to make motorcycling safer. Beki Adam talks to some dedicated supporters of three-wheelers and Tiff Needell assesses the latest Reliant Robin as practical transport. Plus a road test on the Honda Concerto, the Japanese equivalent of Rover’s Maestro replacement, out next year.

The first London to Brighton veteran run in 1896 marked a newly-won freedom for early motorists — being allowed to drive their vehicles without a man walking in front carrying a red flag. William Woollard joins this annual motoring spectacle. Tiff Needell visits a firm of car restoration specialists, who have prepared some of the vehicles for this year’s London to Brighton event. And taller-than-average Jeremy Clarkson follows up your letters about difficulties with fitting into your cars. Tom Boswell asks why owners are unable to find out more easily which vehicles are safer than others.

William Woollard visits the Caravan, Camping and Holiday Show at Earls Court to review the latest in mobile homes, while Tom Boswell assesses the luxury end of the market, the bespoke motor caravan. Tiff Needell reports on the coming sport of supercross — motorcycle scrambling in an arena. Tony Mason previews Top Gear’s coverage of next week’s Lombard RAC Rally.

Next Sunday a beautifully restored 1907 Itala sets out to repeat an epic expedition from the pioneering days of motoring. In that year, the same car won the famous Peking-Paris race by three weeks. William Woollard tried it out in Turin, before it left for China. In 1989, a Range Rover might prove a more appropriate choice for such a trip. Chris Goffey compares this latest model with the best Japanese competition, the new V6-engined Mitsubishi Shogun. At 110 mph sideways over slippery dirt on slick tyres, Tiff Needell reports on his initiation into the sport of rallycross at the British Grand Prix.

William Woollard visits the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland in Lancashire to sample Britain’s unique contribution to the truck and bus industry. The original Audi Quattro was a tough act to follow. Tiff Needell drives the new Audi Coupe with four-wheel drive to see whether it makes the grade. Chris Goffey samples Britain’s latest turbo-charged diesel Montego. Tom Boswell examines how anti-lock brakes work and whether they’re always an asset. 1989 marks 30 years of the Mini. Beki Adam looks at the way this brilliant family car has been raced, rallied, customised and abused.

William Woollard looks at ways to mitigate traffic congestion, while Jeremy Clarkson examines some of the competing solutions to London’s problems and comes to a novel conclusion. Off-road motorcycle rallies have given rise to a new breed of commercial bikes. Chris Goffey assesses their leisure use off the road, and their practicality in towns. The AC Cobra still evokes a special excitement among enthusiasts. Beki Adam reviews this marriage of a big American V8 engine and a sophisticated British sporting chassis. Tiff Needell tests two Grand Prix Karts — 250cc machines capable of 150 mph.

What better way to drive old racing cars than on the limit at Silverstone? William Woollard meets enthusiasts of the Vintage Sports Car Club who do just that. Four-wheel drive has enormous benefits for road cars. Chris Goffey tests the latest Cavalier 4x4 against newcomers from Citroën and Peugeot. Tony Mason reports from the Radio Times Rally Quest finals, and Tiff Needell performs stunts with some of the best drivers.

William Woollard reports from the new Langbaurgh complex on Teesside, catering for a series of two-and four-wheel motorsport events. Tiff Needell looks at the design of Jaguar’s Le-Mans-winning XJR9 and puts it to the test at Silverstone. Back in the north east, Washington is now the site of an important new Nissan car plant. Chris Goffey reviews this spring’s changes to their range and takes a particular look at their redesigned Prairie. Beki Adam assesses the new deal for cyclists in Middlesbrough.

Presented by William Woollard with reports from Tiff Needell, Tony Mason, Chris Goffey. Aston Martin owners from all over the world met last weekend at Brands Hatch to race their cars. William Woollard traces the history of the marque while Tiff Needell drives their latest car, the Virage. Why is Britain one of the very few countries in the world not to close public roads for rallying? Tony Mason investigates. And Chris Goffey drives two new sporting hatchbacks — the Maestro Turbo and the 16-valve Vauxhall Astra GTE.

Presented by William Woollard with reports from Beki Adam, Tom Boswell, Chris Goffey, Tony Mason. For the last of the current series, William Woollard and Beki Adam travel to northern France to report on the pleasures and perils of taking your car abroad, and Tom Boswell looks at how to learn to love your caravan. Lancia are making a determined effort to win back lost markets with their new mid-range saloon. Chris Goffey test drives the Dedra in Spain. For a seasonal touch, Tony Mason takes his car on to the beach at Weston-super-Mare, but finds tough competition in Britain’s only sandrace meeting.