The Classic Car Show - Channel 5 19th February 2015

Tonight's episode begins with Quentin Wilson is first up with an article about the E-Type Jaguar. This is a car that Enzo Ferrari described as the most beautiful car ever made. In the last five years The 1961 E-Type has quadrupled in value and is now worth around £300,000. Originally. Jaguar were only going to make 250, but the success at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 meant that over 1000 were made. Having driven an E-Type, I can relate to what Quentin Wilson has to say about it. The interior us beautiful, the view over the bonnet is amazing and if you drive it to its full, it is capable of 150mph. The steering on the car is also light and despite being over 50 years old it still feels modern and has a smooth ride. The E-Type was to cars what The Beatles were to music.

We then see the new F-Type Jaguar as the modern homage to the E-Type. With a five litre V8 and a 185mph top speed it is beauty mixed with speed.

Next up is Will Best and an article about Crystal Palace race track. First opened in 1927 it became known as London's own race track. The 3 kilometre track with six corners hosted many events. Lined with railway sleepers for safety barriers it left no room for error. Eventually saftey concerns and noise complaints meant that the track hosted its last event in August of 1972. In five days from the film, Will Best will make his Motorsport debut at a sprint run at the restored Crystal Palace track. Will enlists the help of Gordon Spice, the man that held the lap record at the old track and was the British Saloon Car champion in 1969. Gordon then describes what it was like to drive the track 45 years ago. Will then goes to his uncle to get a car do the sprint in. Will's uncle prepares classic cars for racing and has an 1972 MG Midget ready for Will to use at the event.

With two days to go, Will then heads to Mercedes Benz World to learn about car control and driving on a track. Having done an experience at Mercedes Benz World, I can relate to what Will goes through while driving around the track. Once finished there, he goes around the wet circle to learn about wet control. This is a two part report that finishes later on.

Next we have some classic car adverts, one about a Range Rover and one about a Ford Escort.

Alex Riley's article this week is about one mans car collection. Chris Tallents has spent his life collecting some unusual vehicles. He has a Ford Jeep, an Austin Ant, a crane, a 1941 Army Fire Service Truck and a Shortland Armoured Personell Carrier to list a few. This truly is a most amazing collection of vehicles.

Next up, Bruno Senna drives a Mercedes Benz M90E, the car that Ayrton Senna drove in the 1984. Bruno really put this car through its paces at the Brooklands Test Track and even managed to go sideways as he posts a time of 53.838 seconds. This will be the benchmark for all of his future laps for The Classic Car Show.

Quentin Wilson then takes us through some investment cars. First we have a Mercedes 190E. Five years ago you could pick one up for £5,000, now they are around £12,000.

We then have a Peugeot 205 GTI. These used to be around the £4000 price mark. They are now going for £15,000. Lastly we have the Bentley Arnage T. This started life in 2002 at £122,000 new and went down to £25,000 a few years ago. Now they are around £30,000.

Lastly we find out how Will Best gets on with his Motorsport debut. After a saftey briefing, all cars go for scrutineering. Once the car has passed. It's time for some warm laps. This is a point to point sprint. On Will's first practice lap he manages a 58.44. Once these laps are over. It's time for the real lap. On wills first lap he spins but does not crash the car. His second lap is much better at 45 seconds. Will then has his last lap and completes the sprint in 45.22 seconds. With 5 days of training Will Best was able to knock over 13seconds off his original time. This I would consider a big achievement.

This to me has been the best episode yet as I have been able to relate to what the presenters are saying and doing. Please keep up the brilliant work.

Below is a link to the episode

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-classic-car-show