Episode Archive - Series 7

In a 1970s-playboy-style Top Gear, we gave Jeremy, James and Richard £10,000 each to go and buy a classic Italian supercar. Captain Slow raced a bicycle. And the Stig did something remarkable in a Zonda.

Ellen MacArthur may have sailed around the world on her own quicker than anyone else, but most would agree that her stirling performance on our track was a far greater achievement.

Armed with three ancient supercars, the lads were set the challenge of driving from Bristol to a 'gentleman's' club in Slough without using the M4 (the highway code prohibits taking a car on the motorway if you suspect it might break down).

Jeremy was in a Maserati Merak, and Richard a Ferrari Dino 308GT4. James was in a Lamborghini Uracco, which arrived on a tow truck - not a great start.

So, which one eventually made it to Slough? Sadly, none of them. Jeremy shredded his engine and chucked it out of his exhaust. Richard melted the entire electrical system, seemingly giving James an easy win. At the last minute however, the Lambo lost the plot, and James made it onto the traffic news.

Was the new Clio good enough to beat a mad mountain biker down a hill? Well, no. But then it was driven by Captain Slow, who seemed to want to change his name to Captain Crash. If you owned a bin, wall or washing line in Lisbon, sorry that James destroyed it.

First shown on: 04/12/2005