BBC Top Gear Programme - Lancia Feature 29th Nov 2009

[MattNoVAT]

I wonder if the green Coupe used in TG was that 1300 that was seen on Ebay for absolute ages for £550?? 

It was down Littlehamption way IIRC & was parked up next to what looked like an early Integrale.

 

[rossocorsa]

can't tell if it's a 1.3 but no sunroof so not likely to be a 2 litre could have had a good scuttle though and reasonable sills without those damn drain tubes

[Pete]

After looking at the trailer and the various web pages containing location shots I would hazard a guess that Clarkson and his lackey Hammond are going to say "look at these fabulous world championship winning rally cars that Lancia produced, and look at this heap of junk" referring to the Beta. Then they will go about their defamation of the Beta by driving and "Rallying" them, only for the cars to fail miserably due to the TG team's deliberate sabotage or lack of preparation; and for the "rally Lancias" to perform admirably.

It's just my opinion and I could be wrong, but Clarkson is so unoriginal and predictable that I doubt that he can think any further than that. I hope he surprises me but I'm not holding my breath.

[rossocorsa]

and they tend to forget that the beta provided the basic design building blocks for the Integrale, thema, alfa 164,saab 9000 and suspension wise far more cars than you can shake a stick at from many countries

[TreviDash]

That depth of knowledge doesn't sell TV though...

But sabotaging and setting one on fire?  That will.

Whatever happens, it's likely the Lancia brand gets some long-forgotten exposure outside of our playing field, and that's a good thing, no?

[MattNoVAT]

Why not wait until the programme is aired?

BTW - if you are irritated by Jeremy Clarkson so much why watch him?  Theres plenty of other programmes on TV?  If you watch TG because of the cars then there has to be some give and take - they cannot please all of the people all of the time!  Also worth remembering that these days it is a "Light Entertainment" show. 

TG was a car show............... back in the days of William Wollard !!!

Seems that some may have already made up their minds before the full show has been seen and started spreading the ( un-necessary IMHO) doom and gloom.

[MattNoVAT]

                *****  I'm so paranoid that now I think it's a huge BBC Conspiracy !!!!    ******

 Is "Pete" a BBC secret agent ?

   Did he join this forum (recently) to stir up some Lancisti / Beta emotions prior to airing the show claiming to hate JC when actually he's providing the inside info on what Beta owners are saying and thus providing Jeremy with some comedy material?

  Also, I think I heard that the BBC are spending our license fees on Ferrari 599's for everyone on a salary over £100, 000 and Dacia Sanderos for everybody under the £100,000 salary threshold. Whether they can drive or not.

  Finally, its a little known fact outside of the BBC, that Richard Hammond was actually born on "Fraggle Rock"



And if you haven't already guessed.... it's Friday and I'm having a laugh !
   

[lanciamad]

BTW - if you are irritated by Jeremy Clarkson so much why watch him?

My dad does the same everytime he watches it, says how stupid it is (which it is sometimes) but carrys on watching every second. Its an entertainment program, if you want a more suitable car program watch fifth gear and forget top gear exists?
I'm going to keep it  for now If its anything like the Botswana episode it'll be hilarious

[rossocorsa]

That depth of knowledge doesn't sell TV though...

But sabotaging and setting one on fire?  That will.

Whatever happens, it's likely the Lancia brand gets some long-forgotten exposure outside of our playing field, and that's a good thing, no?

yep 'any publicity is good publicity' so they say I just hate the thought of the smug grins on the faces of all the LMC old codgers with their 'proper' Lancias if the prog is toned that way

[thecolonel]

and remember the last Beta on Top Gear was the Botswana one and that wouldn't die

which in my view proves a point, anyway you're all safe 'cause they've got a Gamma............

nuf said 

the Rallying Lancias on the CLS stand at MPH confirm the essence of the marque and this
should overide any negative opinions AND I really don't care what anyone thinks of my choice
of cars as they're my choice and everyone knows I'm completely mad, I mean who else would
fit a full Luke 3" race harness in a Gamma and try to bend the exhaust to fit twin turbos and
if you're still reading this you really should find something better to do with your time I haven't
read it and I wrote it, oh and all opinions are mine unless otherwise stated by someone who's
opinion I've borrowed, etc etc....

[Pete]

  I too am sure that it will be another feast of pure entertainment which is why I watch the programme, however I only offered my opinion on the format the show might take, I have no hidden agenda.

imho fifth gear needs a serious makeover.  

[rossocorsa]

imho fifth gear needs a serious makeover. 

yes very rarely watch it whereas top gear is entertainment at its best, to be honest I wasn't even too upset over the cardboard magnet and Beta berlina programme all those years ago....but at that time I owned a Flavia

[rossocorsa]

this is funny

found a website with a model of Clarkson's Botswana Beta.............in LEGO!!


http://lugnuts-cars.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html






 

[turbospider]

We know our Betas are great cars so does it really matter what Top Gear do?  It's a proper 'headturner' car and now more recognised for what it is thanks to Top Gear.  If anything it makes people even more interested to see an unrestored rust free example like my coupe. My car responds to all the misplaced rust reputation in the best way possible.  In reality I suspect Clarkson has a soft spot for the Beta, whatever happens, so let's maintain a sense of humour. 

On the LMC front, I have enjoyed the well organised Goodwood track days with the coupe.  I recommend the experience, taking advantage of the great engine, all round independent suspension, all round discs and 5 speed box!   

[TreviDash]

imho fifth gear needs a serious makeover. 

You hadn't heard that Fifth Gear has been canned then?

In reality I suspect Clarkson has a soft spot for the Beta, whatever happens, so let's maintain a sense of humour.

He does.  Remember his newspaper column the day after the Standford Hall visit?  He raved about the silver Coupe he saw (wasn't it Tony's?)

[Pete]

You hadn't heard that Fifth Gear has been canned then?

Which proves my point I suppose. There was a time when Top Gear was dire and off-air for a long time only to be resurrected in its current format.

[MattNoVAT]

Good lead into next weeks show by J. C. In this weeks Top Gear, so far so good !

The fact that they are asking who has made the most 'great cars' is a positive sign.

Looking forward to next weeks show even more. :-)

[thecolonel]

Yes probably very good news for you but........

they didn't call their car MattNoVat did they ?
and then they added a silly moustache didn't they ?

I think a strongly worded letter to the times is in order.

geoff 'thecolonel' (the one with the moustache)

[MattNoVAT]

Ha ha !

Geoff I never thought of that ! How ironic :-)

Maybe you have made an impression on JC and it's subliminally making it's way into the show!

But at least you have been immortalized in Top Gear history!
Now that is cool !!

[Thotos]

The headlights and the seatbelts in the "geoff" car on Top Gear came from a Fiat Panda (the original 'classic' Panda) so geoff's Italianess was maintained.