The BEST episodes of Top Gear (1977) season 35
Every episode of Top Gear (1977) season 35, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Top Gear (1977) season 35!
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.
#1 - Episode 01
Season 35 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/15/1996
The motoring series returns with Jeremy Clarkson marking the centenary of the British auto industry and looking at some of the world's most luxurious saloons. Plus, Andy Willman meets car private eyes who reunite stolen cars with their owners.
#2 - Episode 02
Season 35 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/22/1996
Jeremy Clarkson mourns the passing of powerful cars such as the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, the Audi S2, Mazda RX-7 and Nissan 300ZX. He takes his personal favourite, the Escort Cosworth, down to an Essex racetrack to bid it farewell, joined by rally driver Gwyndaf Evans. Tiff Needell is in Daytona Beach, Florida, to celebrate the rebirth of the British sports marque Lister, driving its 200mph-plus Storm model in the gruelling 24-hour race.
#3 - Episode 03
Season 35 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/29/1996
Jeremy Clarkson travels to Germany to test out BMW's new Z3, and Quentin Wilson discovers an easy way to earn money when he sells a second-hand Lada Riva.
#4 - Episode 04
Season 35 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/7/1996
Personalised registration plates are big business. Quentin Wilson examines the history of these often-costly items and quizzes owners about their particular choices. Jeremy Clarkson tests both the road and race version of the Honda Accord, taking the latter for a spin around the track at Donington.
#5 - Episode 05
Season 35 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/14/1996
Quentin Wilson drives the new mid-range Volvo S40 and V40. Steve Berry meets people obsessed with Ford Escorts, while accepted views linking cars with environmental pollution are challenged.
#6 - Episode 06
Season 35 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/21/1996
The HMC Mkl V's striking resemblance to the old Austin-Healey 3000 is a deliberate attempt to capture the essence of that classic sixties sports car while adding refinement. Quentin Wilson finds out if it's worth £43,000. Plus, Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman sample Siamese banger racing.
#7 - Episode 07
Season 35 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/28/1996
Jeremy Clarkson travels to deepest Gloucestershire to take part in a group car test with a difference - driving amphibious vehicles into a lake. Featured models include the Dutton Marinerand a replica of the Lamborghini Countach. Quentin Wilson considers the pros and cons of buying a used VW Golf VR6, tipped to be one of the year's most popular second-hand performance cars. Wilson praises the model but advises that it may be difficult to find. And Michele Newman compares the latest small sports coupes from Honda and Toyota that have been aimed with the youth market very much in mind.
#8 - Episode 08
Season 35 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/4/1996
Jeremy Clarkson looks at Renault's new Megane, which replaces the 19 model. He drives the fastest Megane, the 16-valve, 150bhp two-litre coupe. Plus, Quentin Wilson checks out the Ford Escort as a second-hand buy.
#9 - Episode 09
Season 35 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/11/1996
Jeremy Clarkson drives two new Aston Martins - the DB7 Volante convertible and the V8 coupe. He travels to the cars' Buckinghamshire base to ponder the future of this great British marque. Quentin Wilson delivers the results of Top Gear's third annual survey, conducted jointly with an American market research organisation, in which viewers assess the performance of their three-year-old cars. The 14,000 replies are compiled into a league table rating 72 different models.
#10 - Episode 10
Season 35 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/18/1996
Jeremy Clarkson runs his eye over the new BMW 5-Series, which goes on sale in Britain this week. The manufacturer hopes that it will rival the Mercedes E-Class. Plus, Quentin Wilson looks at the classic style of the Saab 92.
#11 - Episode 11
Season 35 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/25/1996
Maserati's s latest effort comes under the scrutiny of Jeremy Clarkson as supercar designers strive to produce a truly successful four-door saloon car. He road tests the company's new Quattroporte model, and finds other supercars that put passengers near the top on the list of design priorities. Tiff Needell tests two modern replicas - one for racing, one for the road - of one of the most exclusive race cars ever built: the 5.0 litre Jaguar XJ 13.
#12 - Episode 12
Season 35 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/2/1996
The new Esprit is an important car for Lotus. Its brand new V8 engine could keep the company alive in the vital US market where increasingly tough emission laws will mean that the old Esprit engine is illegal. Jeremy Clarkson puts it to the test. Plus, Steve Berry finds out how big men cope with cars that were designed for Mr Average.
#13 - Episode 13
Season 35 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/9/1996
Jeremy Clarkson goes to Italy to test the L350,000 Ferrari F50, the nearest thing to a Grand Prix racer to hit the road, while Tiff Needell drives the Formula 1 Ferrari that inspired it. Plus, Quentin Wilson road tests the American-built Chrysler Neon.
#14 - Episode 14
Season 35 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/16/1996
The series concludes with Jeremy Clarkson's trip to the motor industry's secret show at a Bedfordshire test track - a chance to catch up on all of the new cars Top Gear hasn't looked at in the past year. Plus, Steve Berry rides a motorbike on the Wall of Death, an original fairground attraction dreamed up as a publicity stunt.