The third episode of the eighth series of Top Gear aired on the 21st of May, 2006. It was presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and The Stig, with Top Gear Dog in the studio. Philip Glenister was the guest star.
Synopsis[]
This episode begins with a monologue, on how an island nation with a rich maritime history and a similarly rich automotive history never once considered the prospect of an automobile capable of on-road as well as on-water traversal, following it with a quick compilation of past amphibious car attempts.
Tonight...[]
- [Jeremy] get[s] a hot head...
- Richard gets another Top Gear dog...
- And James has some trouble with wind.
Segments[]
Amphibious Car Challenge[]
- Main article: Amphibious Car Challenge
The presenters were set the challenge of building amphibious cars, and using them to get to—and across—a two-mile-wide reservoir:
- Hammond transformed a Volkswagen camper van into a narrowboat-style "damper van".
- Clarkson attached an outboard motor to a modified Toyota Hilux pick-up truck, which he dubbed the "Toybota".
- May used the rig of a Mirror dinghy to turn a classic Triumph Herald into a sailing boat.
Hammond's propeller broke off on entry to the water, and lacking effective waterproofing, the van quickly sank. Clarkson, with passenger Hammond, capsized at the pontoon finish line. May managed to sail across the reservoir, but slowly, and had to take an alternate route when on land due to a "low bridge." May was voted the winner by the studio audience.
Cool Wall[]
The Cool Wall returned for the first time in over a full season, and the following cars were added to it:
| Car | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Lotus Exige S | U (C) |
| Proton Savy | U |
| Nissan Micra C+C | SU |
| Jaguar XK | U |
| Koenigsegg CCX | C |
Trivia[]
- Most of the Journey from Keele services to the lake was supposed to have been complete on the M6. However almost as soon as the presenters set off, the producers told them to get off the motorway because Hammond and May were so slow they were in danger of getting clobbered by a lorry.
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