Top Gear, 1983 (Series 11, Episode 4)

[@jamescollins943]

Thanks to Sniff and Smith for bringing William's (rare) moment of gibberish at 28:19 to our attention: "Well thank you Sue, for 99p that's got to be a bargain. Well, that's another show, done over, as it were. Next week we are heavily into second-hand cars, basically in Nottingham. Lots and lots of good advice, for you to, er, pick up, if you want to. Until then, see you then, drive safely, good night." 'Basically in Nottingham' 😂. Also, the presenters do not drive a single car in this episode.

[@STUCASHX]

Smith & Sniff have, once again, highlighted this classic piece. Thanks for the time stamp! The old TG outro brings back memories too. Meant bed time for me I think. lol

[@JackMortimer-lu6wv]

I was driving basically to Nottingham when I was listening to the podcast this week. Nearly had to pull over I was laughing so much!

[@zippy963]

Love em lol

[@darrylmac6150]

Until then, see you then. Absolute gem of a clip

[@lizzyozric9561]

Smith and Sniff, the funniest thing since Mark And Lard on Radio 1, they can make me laugh at 4 am before work, just brilliant.😂😂

[@General.Longstreet]

William Woolard was a total professional.

[@robhosking9399]

I Completley Agree.! He Was Always My Favourite Top Gear Presenter. Their Was Nobody Better Than Him.

[@christopherbusby1726]

Yes..... Greatly missed.

[@tonyhancock3912]

..and he could have a row

[@christopherdean1326]

If you look up "dapper" in the dictionary, you will find a picture of William Woolard!

[@COIcultist]

@@christopherdean1326 Think you might find it is Raymond Baxter.

[@matgee8892]

Basically in Nottingham on that side of things.

[@drawwithdan5821]

I get that reference.

[@kieranwhite6647]

Aaaannd awwwwl thaaat

[@alexnugent]

Well that’s another show “done over” as it were. Next week we’re heavily into second hand cars - basically in Nottingham. Lots and lots of good advice for you to pick up if you want to. Until then, see you then, drive safety, good night. What a hero, and he is clearly half cut as per Smith and Sniff podcast 😂 28:22

[@jamescaley9942]

Thanks for this. I missed the original as it was a school night. So finally I have caught up with the latest automotive trends.

[@richardmcgowan6383]

Wow, how cool was William Woollard? Oxford graduate, RAF pilot, international oil executive, and TV star, with a neat line in lightweight Italian suits. He could have played James Bond.

[@curtismorris1347]

and even wears a gold rolex here

[@manfacilitymetalworks1296]

He's still alive and active on twitter

[@vt761]

Look at his tie.

[@alanprior7650]

William Wollard...what a life he had. He did Tomorrow's World too. Loved his voice and delivery. Spoke with authority and the Lombard RAC rally coverage with him was fantastic.

[@L5GUK]

Basically, in Nottingham.

[@FinneyKevin]

Used to love this show when it was about everyday motors. Thanks for the post!

[@numberstation]

I think ALL car components should be able to function with two nails hammered into them. Especially the tyres. And the windscreen. And the fuel tank. And the driver.

[@yakacm]

lol

[@77funtomas]

And the coffin...

[@ridanann]

Well Jesus did start a whole f****** religion with 3 in so I mean it's not that unreasonable

[@compostcorner5934]

Nail on the Head 🤣

[@christopherbusby1726]

When Top Gear was still a serious motoring magazine.....

[@dlamiss]

@Ashley Cook Have to hand it to Hammond he has done very well for himself considering he has spent 20 years with his head up Clarksons arse

[@elobiretv]

@Ashley Cook right because watching someone talk about baby seats for 10 minutes is really entertaining... I'm glad this kind of top gear died.

[@peterhenson7201]

Yes, seriously dull.

[@gottliebdee263]

@@peterhenson7201 Projection?

[@bensmithkent22]

@@peterhenson7201 yes and no but pre internet people relied on this.

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

Woollard was brilliant hosting the secret war series, fantastic voice and demeanour.

[@geek9642]

Who's here after the Smith and sniff podcast 😉

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

Completely lost myself in the program. Really takes me back. Wonderful. Thanks very much.

[@Rentta]

Ah this is the one Porter (smith&sniff) were talking about at their live shot :D William being tad pissed at the end.

[@dommidavros2211]

100 times better than the modern Top Gear with all it's BS and "so called" entertainment! Hardly anyone will agree with me but I much prefer this format!

[@NewmanAutomotive]

Dommi Davros I agree with you, but this old type of format simply wouldn't work today. The majority of the public is so dumbed down, they're not interested in anything remotely informative, don't care how the car they drive actually works and need to be "entertained" with hysterical nonsense every 10 minutes!

[@dommidavros2211]

NewmanAutomotive Haha. I think 5th Gear is the closest we've got to this format although I'm not sure how successful it is.

[@sim6699]

What a great informative top gear, although wouldn't this be less popular for women and those who just want entertaining. I suppose one who was retired or worked part time could recreate a similar show on KZbin.

[@dommidavros2211]

Monster LMA Yeah, I mean to be honest I couldn't care less about all these supercars they review nowadays which can do 0-60 in 3 seconds and cost £100k. I and most people will NEVER be able to afford such a car so it doesn't interest me at all! I can see why this would never work now, people just want to be entertained with wacky challenges! People will obviously disagree with me as the newer format was very popular but I couldn't stand it to be honest! I found it funny at the beginning but after a while it just irritated me!

[@ericgeorge5483]

Dommi Davros I prefer the comradeship the new format brought (as is now defunct) but would have liked some real world car tests too.

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

So much more enjoyable and informative than today's TG.

[@blacktemplar2377]

TG?

[@somegoodfella]

@@blacktemplar2377 TG=Top Gear I suppose. And I agree with the guy. Since the old trio left, Top Gear isn't as informative.

[@36minutesago7]

@robloxbear52 TG means top gear, how could you not put that together..?

[@fastasfox]

God, it ain't half dull, though.

[@crashbox7130]

William Woollard nailed the piece about the new type car battery.

[@dcanmore]

he really hammered it home

[@twincammikev]

Yes he put his cock on the line..

[@wyntog]

I love how much faith people had in car alarms in the eighties.

[@palebeachbum]

Call me old fashioned, but I like the tangibility of turning the key to start a vehicle. We push buttons to run our microwave and electronic devices. A car is more fun when it's more involved. I have no doubt that ALL cars with have push button start standard in the next 10-15yrs.

[@Stickleback]

R.I.P Sue Baker

[@Xstof]

7:50: I never knew that the main purpose of being able to lay down the back seats was to access the boot from the cabin. What do you know, learning all the time! :)

[@michaelkennedy8573]

it wasn't, It's just a possibility, The main feature is too increase boot size sacrificing passenger space.

[@ianhudson9177]

In pre dogging times of course

[@easydrive3662]

Life was so simple back then, plus a proper informative top gear! Tv producers seem to think we prefer the big ego's of today's car shows but for me and all on here from what i can tell this style of program is far more popular

[@golgotha3938]

It's called being Americanised.

[@MisterHughes]

Happy 75th, William. The only man who can save Top Gear now.

[@nickhickson8738]

He's out of his time like myself.

[@davechristie6988]

He's 85, born August 1939

[@video99couk]

A26MHK didn't even last 10 years. Could have been bumped of course, but probably just disintegrated. Jumped into a 10 year old Insignia TD SRi today and feels almost like a brand new car, everything works (except possibly the heated leather seats) and it's spotless. Modern car build quality has improved.

[@compostcorner5934]

I have a 20 year old vauxhall astra van and it's still in great shape No rust even the rear wheel arches are clean 😁 Also a 26 year old Calibra which is rust free

[@androo4519]

When I was a kid I was so cross when Top Gear spent the full half hour wittering on about locking petrol caps and wiper blades!

[@leonshackleford9585]

Man I Wish I was William Woolard in Top Gear in the 80’s & 90’s / he’s a Very Talented Presenter

[@kieranwhite6647]

Keep coming back to this just for 'Basically in Nottingham'

[@spanishpeaches2930]

So smooth. No ums, no ah's..just fluid, erudite and articulate. In the 70s and 80s we had some very good presenters.

[@grantjohnstone9787]

Did you miss the absolute gibberish piece to camera at the end? I don't think that was erudite and articulate.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

​@@grantjohnstone9787 have to admit, i only watched five mins of it. Will check out the gibberishness. Edit. Glad you posted because i would have missed out on that fantastic Aston ! As for that gibberish..basically a few seconds of waffle, that's all. Hasnt changedy mind about his smoothness.

[@NewmanAutomotive]

@23:00 Wow, that brings back memories, I had a Selmar pendulum alarm back in the day. Damn thing would go off all the time on a windy day!

[@ArmandKarlsen]

I miss that VHS wobble...

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

On certain videos it would go fuzzy on the" interesting" bits...

[@a.tanner8524]

Hammers 2 nails into a car battery whilst telling kids at home not to “try this on dad’s battery at home”. Oh I miss the early 80’s.

[@sanchoodell6789]

Hard ti beliwve this was made *40 years ago* back in 1983. It still feels modern and contemporary. 40 years before this show would be *1943!* In the midst of World War Two! People were flying around in Spitfires, Welllington & Lancaster bombers listening to Glen Miller on the wireless! That's just shear crazy!

[@grotekleum]

The REAL top gear, about cars and not 'Look what a big ego I've got' x 3

[@marrrtin]

The car alarm is one of the greatest blights ever to be invented by humanity.

[@jameslatimer1432]

William was a great presenter

[@timorgano]

The feeling when you hover over the progress bar and see when the "most watched" section of this video is, and know full well why it's there. Yeah.... that.

[@carbiify]

Old Top gear kills todays Comedy Gear.

[@bratattack5]

I love Sue. She's a legend.

[@peteowen3539]

RIP

[@tegarachsendo9730]

RIP Sue 😢

[@compostcorner5934]

Rip Sue Baker

[@ewaf88]

Fighting rust was one of the biggest headaches I had with my 1.0L Metro back in the 80's. A bit slow but it went round corners like a Go-cart. The above video talks about the new seat belt law. I remember being 4 up with my 21 year old friends in an early Ford Fiesta. Goodness knows what would have happened if we'd hit anything without any seat belts on. I can't believe they were once optional to wear.

[@SnazzBot]

Scratch and Smith should link to things like this in the show notes.

[@drawwithdan5821]

Reference got.

[@Madrat-tw2in]

they do but only for patrons unfortunately

[@demoskunk]

I really want to see a review of that awesome-looking Aston Martin! That thing looks so tough and bad ass!

[@SuperCoolio72]

R.I.P. Sue.

[@GF-ep1pf]

Were flat batteries a really big issue back then? Surprised they spent so much time discussing them. Loved this version of Top Gear when I was in primary school.

[@stevenoneill7166]

When Top Gear was a proper sensible motoring programme

[@ewaf88]

Car magazine used to call the Orion the 'Dagenham dustbin' . Made 30 years ago and the Orion cost £6000. You can get a decent small family car for around £14,000 now so modern cars are so much better value & far safer. In 1983 'Traction control' probably referred to a light foot on the accelerator. Great post.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Can you remember walking down the street as a kid and the odd car would have some dad legs sticking out as he was faffing around with it, almost a full time job. now every car has power windows, power steering, abs, 4 valves per cylinder, can out run a Mk 2 jag, and do 200,000 miles. Now they can even park themselves, imagine taking a modern car back to the 80s, let alone a mobile phone.

[@ewaf88]

@@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391 Yep I can remember - my mate used to fix his Triumph Dolomite. Far too technical now to fix anything. The nearest I saw to a smart phone in the early 80s was the hand held Encyclopedia Galactica from Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy

[@mat5267]

Comment aged like Milk.

[@ewaf88]

@@mat5267 Yes a lot has happened in 10 years. I'd completely forgotten about it.

[@MrAlitrab]

can you imagine jeremy clarkson talking about child seats in 2012!!

[@PhaQ2]

I guess keeping your shirt clean was high priority back in '83.

[@ijaen]

Pha Q In Britain!

[@russkate88]

People naturally had more style back then.

[@soundseeker63]

@@russkate88 More style back in the early 80's....? Erm NO! Just loads of yuppies.

[@russkate88]

@@soundseeker63 no. There was definitely more style back then. The hairstyles and fashions were alot more classy than what they are today. Look at the original Miami Vice which is just one out of many examples. As soon as the grunge movement of the nineties kicked in, everything just started going downhill.

[@soundseeker63]

@@russkate88 More "styled", perhaps. Classy? I think not. The 80's was THE decade of bad taste. Well known for it.

[@tangerinedream7211]

Back when it was a proper serious motoring programme of consumer information, not just entertainment. Thanks for the upload, the like of Woolard, Chris Goffey and Barrie Gill were totally professional.

[@sarwat18]

This man is really concerned about getting his shirt dirty 🤣.

[@willzer808]

Old top gear kicks new top gear's ass. end of.

[@somegoodfella]

Doubt.

[@robhosking9399]

Totally Agree.!

[@themanontheedge2243]

That's because it's about cars and not egos.

[@somegoodfella]

@H HOUR HOTEL That's very juvenile of you.

[@musicvibesproductions]

No just no

[@terryjones9987]

This is so much better than those three fools who took over in 2000s. Wish we could see programmes like this again on TV

[@napierlion1]

Nice quality transfer. Cheers

[@lewis72]

9:38 Ford DID bring out an L spec. Orion the following year.

[@douglasgreen437]

How dare you.

[@richardtattersall647]

rear seat belt came in under law in 1988 but they were fitted to cars from around 1985.

[@moodyguymick]

When the show was actually about motoring.

[@bruce5799]

Very good Top Gear well presented and informative,much better than smashing cars up and burning rubber tyres

[@aljack1979]

Baby seat 😂 I was 3 in 83...no rear seat belts in the back of my dad's Cortina 2.3 ghia, just thrown in the back 🤣

[@benwilde3415]

Don't watch Top Gear any more. This is far more informative and relevant to most people

[@dommidavros2211]

I agree 100%! Despite the fact that it makes the BBC millions and is really popular, I find the stupid challenges and reviews on cars I'll never be able to afford really annoying! And I couldn't give a toss how fast a celebrity can drive round a track! Wish it would go back to this format but I'm probably in the minority!

[@UKSCIENCEORG]

I agree 100%

[@sameyers2670]

I agree

[@paulmcgee1867]

Yep a much more interesting real motoring programme.

[@bobstreet8840]

​@dommidavros2211 yep it's puerile contrived shite

[@safirahmed]

Back when motoring and car programmes were about motoring and vehicles not the presenters being paid millions to live their fantasies and appease their egos.

[@peterharvey1762]

My thoughts as well

[@Snizzle_Fizzle]

It's hard to see why nobody bothered watching it.

[@peterward2275]

Back when Top Gear was a car and driving programme and not a Lads Mag. Why didn't they change the format again after Clakson and co.'s era ended? Why just effectively RIP themselves off?

[@jameslatimer1432]

Why not bring William Woollard back on Top Gear he was a great presenter one of the best 100%

[@dcanmore]

he's 80 and well retired :)

[@TheFullSalesCycle]

Yes he was a very complete presenter.

[@gwishart]

I doubt he'd be available, he retired from TV; found religion and now writes books about Buddhism.

[@paulwarrington1966]

The end credits music is cool AF 😎 love it.

[@ThermionicValve]

It is called 'Out Of The Blue' by Elton John from the album 'Blue Moves'. One of the best tracks from the album. I've even used it as a ring tone. The full version lasts around 6 minutes.

[@themanmaschine]

I remember sitting in a Ford Orion at the Scottish Motor Show in 1983, I've liked them ever since but oddly I've never owned one!

[@FirstDan2000]

I had one of those stick on alarm locks. But I've never sniffed petrol.

[@leer9951]

Why would you consider driving 6" nails into your car battery?

[@grotekleum]

Helps ventilate the gas.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Good point

[@tonydoherty2190]

Because you can

[@nickhickson8738]

Oh, come off it! To keep it stable when in motion. How else could you fix it in a car such as a Morgan zb.

[@Paulruk]

Hammering nails into batteries must have been some precursor for today’s top gear antics.

[@easydrive3662]

Wow that aston martin would look fantastic now, in fact far better than most high performance cars of today!

[@jamesinbradford5882]

Putting your registration number on windows was a big thing back then !!

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Oh yeah I totally forgot those old alarms where you had to have a key drilled into the bodywork which then gave you a rust streak every time it rained. LOL

[@KretinoSantino]

@00:45 Montego ........ straight out of factory to hydraulic lift :D

[@RCapricot]

Basically in Nottingham

[@Lukeno52]

Viewers ratings show that more people like the new top gear than the old one - I do enjoy both, however

[@palebeachbum]

Heck, it's 2012 and I'm still amazed with smart keys and push button start. I might actually own a car so equipped in another 10yrs. Seriously.

[@dimashevchenkoua]

And do you? :)

[@palebeachbum]

@@dimashevchenkoua haha, currently the answer is no! Though I did between my comment 10yrs ago and right now.

[@dimashevchenkoua]

@@palebeachbum damn, I was not expecting to get a reply at all! What do you have now if you don't mind me asking?

[@palebeachbum]

@@dimashevchenkoua right now I'm driving a 2007 GMC Canyon. Keyed ignition and manual everything.

[@malikroy9069]

That Aston Martin Alarm is basically still the same alarm we use today over 40 years on..

[@mmmbilly]

Until then, see you then…. Basically in Nottingham

[@keithnewton8981]

The spray curtains do not work, we still havevthevsaje issues. Alloy wheel are very much the norm today

[@pit_stop77]

I had one of those pendulum car alarms, never flipping worked 😂

[@crazyman1650]

Funny thing about aging audio and sound on recorded video from decades ago is it has that odd sound especially in music

[@paulanderson79]

Tiny wheels on cars back then. I had a Fiat 127 (1981) with 13" rims. 18" is considered modest nowadays.

[@stephenholmes1036]

William Woollard this consummate professional

[@homiepug189]

t There was no more leg room in an Orion . The doors were a direct fit from the five door escort.

[@GordonHudson]

That battery is the first AGM battery. Now fitted to all cars.

[@safuanr9875]

The great Sue Baker RIP

[@moodyguymick]

She was good but I preferred Michelle Newman.

[@ewaf88]

Back in 1988 I bought a Citroen AX. Really very little to go wrong - no airbags - traction control or ABS. Great to drive - very economical and with a thrilling 45bhp. I used to do the simple stuff myself - so yes I agree about working on them. Just one note of caution though - avoid being in an accident in one - tin foil would give more protection.

[@GF-ep1pf]

Learnt to drive in one, thankfully avoided any scrapes!

[@ewaf88]

@GF-ep1pf Excellent, I do miss mine because it was simple, cheap motoring, and got me down from South East England to the South of France quite easily way back in 1988

[@davidsharp6390]

This is when it was about informing the common man about the common car not just a platform for three "comedians" to play with cars that only lottery winners or BBC presenters can afford.

[@six7191]

Thanks for fixing your tie after 1:11.

[@chrislockey7706]

Rip Sue

[@KingCast65]

I love Earl's Court. Spent some time there gosh, in '97 with a LOVELY young lass!

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Blooming heck William woollard

[@peterharvey1762]

Re the HGV mud flaps , basically still the same types being used today

[@tsr207]

Aplain down to earth motoring show- presented by a true professional. Shame it went downhill...

[@iOSAndroidRebelForever]

This was the month I was born in 1983. I wss born when this video was on aire.

[@ajs41]

I can remember 1983 pretty well even though I was only 4 years old.

[@russkate88]

@@ajs41 same

[@twincammikev]

Yep I was born 1983 too..

[@compostcorner5934]

I was 22 in 1983 🤣 Old git 🤣

[@nickhickson8738]

I was senile then.

[@BRI535D]

Ah happy days! I remember following the ‘D’ engined Orions that were used by local taxi operators.How on earth they used to pass emissions test was beyond me.Chucked out so much crap that you could be forgiven for thinking they were burning coal.

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

I had a diesel Orion 22yrs ago when my mrs went into labour with our eldest son, poor woman wasnt to sure if she was going to get to the hospital in time lol..

[@PixelVogue]

21:20 the simple times of boggo security lol

[@Holeyguagaamoley]

Trucks in Canada still have no requirement to suppress spray, very bad.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

A block on our street had an XR3, it seems odd that he's probably a grandad by now, perhaps even a great grandad. Makes me fell well old.

[@darrensmith6999]

Had one of those Torque starter batteries superb!!

[@H.K_R]

*Basically In Nottingham*

[@davidbowie2046]

Ford Orion at 6.00 I had a 1.6i Ghia. Great car. My tags come off the back seat too!

[@Paulruk]

😂 worked out they would cost £21k in todays prices. Not cheap for what you got.

[@abcbcde9985]

In about 1984 Mark Lawrenson overtook me (in my trusty Simca) on the dual carriageway leaving Preston towards Blackpool. I knew it was him as his Orion was pasted all over with his name and team (Liverpool - I think he has left PNE a few years earlier). Can you imagine a Premier League, International footballer having an Orion as their car nowadays!? Also can you imagine a player born and bred in Preston playing for another country because his Grandad happened to have been born there? Oh yeah, that still happens!

[@palebeachbum]

After owning a gas guzzling Volvo turbo for the last 3yrs, I'm thrilled to be getting 40+ MPG in the Versa. I just hope that the dang CVT transmission holds up for many years.