With Jeremy Clarkson officially booted from his wildly popular BBC show, we think it’s safe to say that the good ol’ days of Top Gear as we know it are finally over. While we don’t condone his bratty action, we’ll certainly miss his dry wit, eccentric suggestions and unrivalled knowledge about cars. To mark the end of a truly entertaining era, we’ve put together a nostalgic countdown of some of the greatest Top Gear episodes of all time.
Trying to Kill the Toyota Hilux – Series 3, Episode 5/6
The Toyota Hilux is one of the hardiest sets of wheels on the planet, and the Top Gear lads were out to prove it. This episode saw them take the model to the limits and had jaws dropping across the nation. How could anyone forget the moment when they parked the Hilux on the roof of a building, blew it up and still managed to get the thing up and running again? Amazing!
Road trip: In Search of Driving Heaven – Series 10, Episode 1
On a mission to hunt down the ‘greatest driving road in the world’ the boys get behind the wheels of three of the world’s lightest supercars. Clarkson cruises around in a luxurious Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Hammond pushes a Porsche 911 GT3 RS to the edge and James May has an amusing experience with a seriously slow Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24. With no air con to cool off, prepare to feat your eyes on a naked James May!
1949 Race to the North: Jaguar XK120 vs. Vincent Black Shadow vs. Tornado locomotive – Series 13, Episode 1
When it comes to stunning scenery, swoon worthy vintage wheels and plenty of action, this episode takes the cake. Inspired by the glory days of 1949 when Britain boasted the fastest vehicles on the planet, the boys race a Black Shadow motorbike, Jaguar XK120 motorcar and a British-built train England’s rainy north.
U.S. Special: $1,000 American car road trip – Series 9, Episode 3
A nod to the greatest Top Gear episodes of all time wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the US road trip. Restrained by a $1000 budget, the lads head across the pond to Miami where they seek out some seriously past their prime wheels. En route to New Orleans, they encounter some good ol’ southern charm, as well as plenty of laughs and near misses with disgruntled hillbillies.
Are you a Top Gear loving motor trader? While it can be a thrill to spend your working hours surrounded by luxury wheels, even the Top Gear boys themselves would testify that motor trade insurance is an absolute must.