Episode 6

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06'Now on Top Gear, Tanner drives a car made of wood...

0:00:07 > 0:00:10'Michelle Rodriguez falls for her Suzuki SX4...'

0:00:10 > 0:00:11Give it some.

0:00:12 > 0:00:14'..and I get my sea legs.'

0:00:14 > 0:00:16- Holy- BLEEP!

0:00:16 > 0:00:18APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

0:00:21 > 0:00:23Welcome to Top Gear.

0:00:23 > 0:00:28On this show, nobody will live in a house together, nobody will be fired,

0:00:28 > 0:00:31but if you can hold a conversation about 0-60 times,

0:00:31 > 0:00:33this is where you belong.

0:00:33 > 0:00:34I'm Adam Ferrara, that's Tanner Foust

0:00:34 > 0:00:37and this is Rutledge Wood.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39We've got a ton of great stuff coming up,

0:00:39 > 0:00:41including a race between a plane, a boat and a car

0:00:41 > 0:00:44and Michelle Rodriguez is out on our test track.

0:00:44 > 0:00:47But we start with this. It's a Morgan.

0:00:47 > 0:00:51If you haven't heard of it, it's no surprise because it's built in a tiny town in Britain.

0:00:51 > 0:00:55To buy the latest model, you've got to sit on a two-year waiting list

0:00:55 > 0:00:58and to find out why somebody would wait so long

0:00:58 > 0:01:00to own an obscure British car,

0:01:00 > 0:01:03I jumped across the pond to drive one.

0:01:08 > 0:01:11This is the tiny town of Dorchester-on-Thames.

0:01:13 > 0:01:16Neolithic people lived here 4,000 years ago,

0:01:16 > 0:01:18before the Romans marched in.

0:01:18 > 0:01:22A place where you half expect to see Shakespeare or Robin Hood

0:01:22 > 0:01:25or some other dandy Englishman running around in tights.

0:01:27 > 0:01:31The Americans that come to England always mention three things -

0:01:31 > 0:01:35warm beer, mushy food and questionable dental work.

0:01:35 > 0:01:40But we came here because the Brits are at least very good at one thing -

0:01:40 > 0:01:42and that's making cars.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44Or at least they used to be.

0:01:45 > 0:01:50Over the last few years, England's lost more car companies than they've lost colonies.

0:01:51 > 0:01:54The classic British makes have fallen to foreigners -

0:01:54 > 0:01:56Jaguar and Land Rover are now Indian,

0:01:56 > 0:02:00Rolls-Royce and Bentley, German, Lotus, Malaysian.

0:02:00 > 0:02:02Aston Martin, Kuwaiti.

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Sadly, there are only a few boutique car manufacturers left

0:02:05 > 0:02:07but one stands out.

0:02:07 > 0:02:11And it makes its cars out of wood.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14But that may not be such a bad thing.

0:02:17 > 0:02:23Because this is the Morgan Aero Supersports.

0:02:34 > 0:02:38It looks like no other car, sort of retro-futuristic,

0:02:38 > 0:02:42like something they would have drawn up for Flash Gordon in the 1930s.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45If Al Capone were still alive, this is what he'd drive.

0:02:47 > 0:02:51The Morgan family started making cars in 1911

0:02:51 > 0:02:54and it's run today by the grandson of the founder.

0:02:55 > 0:02:58Morgans are still made by hand

0:02:58 > 0:03:00and the car reflects the company's history.

0:03:00 > 0:03:03It's got the classic swooping fenders.

0:03:04 > 0:03:05The big grille.

0:03:06 > 0:03:08Side exhaust pipes.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12The chassis is built from aluminum, or as they say here, aluminium,

0:03:12 > 0:03:17but in the frame they actually use wood, laminated ash,

0:03:17 > 0:03:21a little old school, but it's light, flexible and incredibly strong.

0:03:21 > 0:03:24Because they're hand built, no two are the same.

0:03:24 > 0:03:26What we call a hood, the Brits call a bonnet

0:03:26 > 0:03:28and this bonnet opens from the side.

0:03:29 > 0:03:33No fancy buttons here. This is the retro part of retro-futuristic.

0:03:33 > 0:03:35And what lies beneath the Morgan's plaque

0:03:35 > 0:03:38is a BMW 4.8 litre V8 engine.

0:03:39 > 0:03:41Yeah.

0:03:41 > 0:03:43Let's go scare some natives.

0:03:43 > 0:03:45TYRES SQUEAL

0:03:47 > 0:03:51The first thing you notice about these English countryside roads...

0:03:51 > 0:03:54- is they drive on the wrong- BLEEP- side of the road.

0:03:54 > 0:03:55That was so close.

0:04:02 > 0:04:06This is a car that is extravagant and simple both at the same time.

0:04:07 > 0:04:12The interior is pure function. It's just minimalistic.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16You have a speedometer and a tachometer, temperature and fuel.

0:04:16 > 0:04:18You have this beautiful leather everywhere.

0:04:18 > 0:04:21It's thick and designed to be worn in like a baseball glove.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26As environmentally unfriendly as that seems,

0:04:26 > 0:04:27it was worth it.

0:04:29 > 0:04:32On the smoother English roads, the Morgan is perfect.

0:04:32 > 0:04:35The suspension is actually really, really good.

0:04:35 > 0:04:37It's soft but still controlled.

0:04:37 > 0:04:39But to really get to know the Morgan,

0:04:39 > 0:04:42I had to get it away from the 30mph speed limits.

0:04:50 > 0:04:54Once you put your foot to the floor, it's a beast.

0:04:57 > 0:05:01This thunders through the forest like a bugling elk looking for a mate.

0:05:03 > 0:05:04It's awesome.

0:05:08 > 0:05:10Forget the ancient towns.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13Buzzing through the labyrinth of country lanes,

0:05:13 > 0:05:15I'd found the Morgan's spiritual home.

0:05:17 > 0:05:19Now, that's a sheep right there.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24Empty roads twisting through fields of green -

0:05:24 > 0:05:27this is what this timeless car was designed for.

0:05:31 > 0:05:34But this car is called the Morgan Supersports.

0:05:34 > 0:05:36Its makers claim it's high performance

0:05:36 > 0:05:39and that was something I couldn't test on the roads.

0:05:39 > 0:05:41I needed somewhere special.

0:05:48 > 0:05:50This is Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground.

0:05:54 > 0:05:55Two miles of open asphalt.

0:05:59 > 0:06:04Built in 1962, Bruntingthorpe was actually an American Air Force base

0:06:04 > 0:06:05during the Cold War

0:06:05 > 0:06:08and now, like so many closed military facilities,

0:06:08 > 0:06:10it's used to test cars.

0:06:12 > 0:06:14But we're not here for a history lesson, are we?

0:06:22 > 0:06:24ENGINE ROARS That's a manly sound.

0:06:24 > 0:06:28That's not a British "I drink tea at six o'clock" sound.

0:06:28 > 0:06:29Oh, no.

0:06:32 > 0:06:37At 376 horse power in a car with about 2,700 pounds,

0:06:37 > 0:06:41you're looking at the power to weight ratio of a Porsche 911 GT3.

0:06:45 > 0:06:48But high-performance cars aren't just about driving in straight lines.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Pushed to the limit at corners,

0:07:08 > 0:07:11the Supersports became twitchy and unpredictable.

0:07:15 > 0:07:18In short, a handful.

0:07:25 > 0:07:29Morgan claims a top speed of 170mph...

0:07:31 > 0:07:35and with two miles of asphalt ahead of me, it was hard to resist.

0:07:35 > 0:07:39The thing that scares me is that the car is an old-school shape.

0:07:39 > 0:07:44In reality, these curves are like wings, lifting the car off the ground.

0:07:44 > 0:07:49170mph is a very modern speed for the body shape of an old car.

0:07:49 > 0:07:53In all seriousness, this is a pretty dangerous thing to do.

0:07:53 > 0:07:55CAR REVS

0:08:19 > 0:08:23I'm at 70 already. 80, 90...

0:08:24 > 0:08:25100.

0:08:26 > 0:08:27110.

0:08:28 > 0:08:31Getting kicked by every single little bump and that's 120.

0:08:32 > 0:08:33125.

0:08:33 > 0:08:36130. Little bits of wind.

0:08:36 > 0:08:38Go to fifth gear.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40140.

0:08:40 > 0:08:43It's getting very loud in here.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46I can't hear a thing. That's 142, full throttle.

0:08:46 > 0:08:49150. It's moving around, now. This is getting bad.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51Oh, the front end's starting to float.

0:08:54 > 0:08:58That's 160. Still full throttle.

0:08:58 > 0:08:59162.

0:09:01 > 0:09:03Oh, my God.

0:09:04 > 0:09:05And I'm out.

0:09:10 > 0:09:14Flogging it on the track seemed as inappropriate as taking the Queen to a frat party.

0:09:14 > 0:09:17This car is all about being classy.

0:09:20 > 0:09:22That was about the scariest thing I've ever done.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25I don't want to do that again. That loud...

0:09:26 > 0:09:29That much speed and the front end just starts moving around on you.

0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's er...

0:09:39 > 0:09:41I don't know what to say.

0:09:47 > 0:09:50Morgan only makes about 600 cars a year

0:09:50 > 0:09:54and only 200 of them will be the Aero Supersports like this one.

0:09:54 > 0:09:56If you want one, get in line.

0:09:56 > 0:10:00And the cost? 150 to 200 grand.

0:10:05 > 0:10:09Driving this car, it's not a supercar.

0:10:09 > 0:10:13It's not made to compete with Ferraris and Lamborghinis and Porsches.

0:10:13 > 0:10:15It's a gentleman's sports car.

0:10:15 > 0:10:18It might seem a lot to pay but you have to consider

0:10:18 > 0:10:21when buying a Morgan, you're not just buying a car.

0:10:21 > 0:10:23You're buying a piece of history.

0:10:23 > 0:10:25APPLAUSE

0:10:25 > 0:10:26I like it.

0:10:27 > 0:10:31At 150, the front end started coming up off the ground and you kept going?

0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Yes, had to. - I'm very proud of you.

0:10:34 > 0:10:38Well, I mean, this is a 53 and the shape is virtually the same.

0:10:38 > 0:10:41It's not a car that's meant to be flogged.

0:10:41 > 0:10:43It's almost like a violation to drive it that hard.

0:10:43 > 0:10:47It's for cruising and when you do cruise the car in the countryside,

0:10:47 > 0:10:48it's perfect.

0:10:48 > 0:10:51- You know, there's only one of them in the US.- One of them?- One.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54Who'd want to own something so obnoxiously British?

0:10:54 > 0:10:56Simon Cowell.

0:10:56 > 0:10:57APPLAUSE

0:10:58 > 0:11:04Here on the show we pride ourselves on providing pertinent and accurate automotive information to consumers.

0:11:04 > 0:11:06Specifically, we wanted to help Floridians

0:11:06 > 0:11:10who maybe need to get from their plastic surgery appointment in Miami

0:11:10 > 0:11:13to their vacation home in Key West as soon as possible.

0:11:13 > 0:11:18This question is facing, literally, two to three people every year.

0:11:18 > 0:11:21What is the quickest way to get between these two points?

0:11:21 > 0:11:23We decided to find out.

0:11:25 > 0:11:31Miami, Florida. A steamy, sultry, tropical paradise.

0:11:31 > 0:11:34This is where America goes to party.

0:11:34 > 0:11:36But we weren't here to party.

0:11:36 > 0:11:38We were here to race.

0:11:40 > 0:11:44We were told to meet at Jones's boatyard on the Miami River.

0:11:44 > 0:11:46This was the heart of Miami

0:11:46 > 0:11:48and the starting point of the race.

0:11:48 > 0:11:52The finish line? 160 miles away in Key West,

0:11:52 > 0:11:55the southernmost point of the United States.

0:11:56 > 0:11:59Guys, I've seen Miami Vice enough to know

0:11:59 > 0:12:02the fastest way around this town is in a boat.

0:12:02 > 0:12:05I'm taking the 38-foot Donzi speed boat

0:12:05 > 0:12:07and I've a professional driver.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Look, Tubbs. What's with the boat? This is a car show.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12You see that Lotus? I'm going to get in that Lotus

0:12:12 > 0:12:15and in 160 miles, I'm going to get out at the finish line

0:12:15 > 0:12:17in air-conditioned comfort.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20You guys are both idiots.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23If you're going to go from Miami to Key West

0:12:23 > 0:12:24the only way is by air.

0:12:24 > 0:12:28Gentlemen, I have chartered myself a seaplane.

0:12:28 > 0:12:31- A seaplane?- A seaplane.- It's an airplane that lands on the sea.

0:12:31 > 0:12:33That has the skis on it, right?

0:12:33 > 0:12:37The race car driver folds and takes the plane ride out.

0:12:37 > 0:12:40- I'm not going to sit in traffic. - You should be ashamed of yourself.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43- Do you feel that breeze there? - Yeah.

0:12:43 > 0:12:45In the ocean, that is like waves this high.

0:12:45 > 0:12:48It's going to be like a four-hour roller coaster from hell.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51You are going to be in traffic the whole way.

0:12:51 > 0:12:53Traffic's going the other way.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Right. Are you guys ready for this? - Oh, yeah.- Yeah.

0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Ready?- Ready.- Set, go.

0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Enjoy your flight, mister.- I will.

0:13:04 > 0:13:10- How are you doing, Captain? - I need a taxi at Jones's boatyard.

0:13:10 > 0:13:12Yeah, as quick as you can get here.

0:13:15 > 0:13:18I knew the others would begin slow

0:13:18 > 0:13:20but soon they would be topping 100mph,

0:13:20 > 0:13:24so I had to get the best head start possible.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29Let's hit it.

0:13:35 > 0:13:38I am driving the 2010 Lotus Evora.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41This is the first new Lotus since 1995.

0:13:41 > 0:13:46This mid-engine sports car has a six-cylinder, with 276 horse power.

0:13:46 > 0:13:49I know it doesn't sound like a lot but the car is so light

0:13:49 > 0:13:52it goes 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

0:13:53 > 0:13:57Not bad for a car that is basically powered by the engine from a Toyota Camry.

0:13:58 > 0:14:02Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman started Lotus in 1952

0:14:02 > 0:14:04to build race cars.

0:14:05 > 0:14:08He is immortalised on every Lotus badge.

0:14:08 > 0:14:12Those stacked letters above the word Lotus are his initials.

0:14:13 > 0:14:17Now the others were surprised that I didn't go for the Lotus.

0:14:17 > 0:14:18Don't get me wrong.

0:14:18 > 0:14:22I love driving Lotuses on a curvy road or a race track.

0:14:22 > 0:14:26But taking the Evora out on the parking lot disguised as the road to Key West

0:14:26 > 0:14:29is just pointless, like putting mustard on a penguin.

0:14:30 > 0:14:34This is the Donzi 38 ZR Comp.

0:14:34 > 0:14:39Donzi was founded by Don Aranow, who also owned Magnum and Cigarette,

0:14:39 > 0:14:43the favourite aquatic transport of importers and exporters

0:14:43 > 0:14:45of exotic plant products.

0:14:46 > 0:14:48Donzi's sort of the Ferrari of the racing boat.

0:14:49 > 0:14:52This baby has two Mercury Marine V8s.

0:14:52 > 0:14:57They're both 502 cubic inches, supercharged and intercooled,

0:14:57 > 0:14:59so they each make 700 horse power.

0:15:00 > 0:15:03That's 1400 horse power on the water,

0:15:03 > 0:15:07more than twice what the Lotus and the seaplane have combined.

0:15:08 > 0:15:12This all sounded great but begged an obvious question.

0:15:12 > 0:15:14Why are we going so slow?

0:15:14 > 0:15:16We're going so slow because we're in a no-wake zone.

0:15:16 > 0:15:19- We're idling.- You're going to idle for about one hour.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22- An hour? At idle?- At idle.

0:15:25 > 0:15:29So far I'm liking the Evora. It's not like all the other Lotuses.

0:15:29 > 0:15:31It's wider, it has more headroom.

0:15:31 > 0:15:33It also has a back seat,

0:15:33 > 0:15:37which you could fit your passengers comfortably in if you cut off their heads and legs.

0:15:37 > 0:15:40I will tell you, the Evora is very comfortable.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43It's got Recaro seats, leather, air-conditioning.

0:15:43 > 0:15:46This is a sports car that you can drive every day.

0:15:50 > 0:15:53SAT-NAV SPEAKS IN SPANISH

0:15:55 > 0:15:57I'm glad we're not going through Arizona.

0:15:59 > 0:16:02'Finally, after 20 minutes, my cab arrived.'

0:16:05 > 0:16:09- How are you doing? - Where are you going, sir? - I'm going to Watson Island.

0:16:11 > 0:16:14- How long will it take?- 45 minutes.

0:16:14 > 0:16:1645 minutes?

0:16:16 > 0:16:18- MOBILE RINGS - Hello?

0:16:18 > 0:16:22Adam, how's the traffic? I bet you're stopped at a red light.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25There's no traffic whatsoever, my friend.

0:16:25 > 0:16:30- Where are you?- Oh, we're in the ocean.- Really? It sounds so smooth.

0:16:30 > 0:16:33All right, let me ask you something. Do you speak Spanish?

0:16:33 > 0:16:36Why? Is your GPS in Spanish?

0:16:39 > 0:16:45- I'm in a race, like where there's a winner and then two losers.- OK.

0:16:45 > 0:16:48- I don't want to be a loser.- OK.

0:16:48 > 0:16:50Losing to Adam would be bad enough

0:16:50 > 0:16:53but losing to a man with a big head in a bedazzled carrot

0:16:53 > 0:16:55would be just too much to handle.

0:16:58 > 0:16:59HORN TOOTS

0:17:01 > 0:17:04I now 30 miles ahead of the others.

0:17:04 > 0:17:07Rutledge was idling in the Miami River slow zone

0:17:07 > 0:17:10and Tanner was still five miles from his seaplane base.

0:17:10 > 0:17:13SAT NAV SPEAKING SPANISH

0:17:15 > 0:17:18Lotus always had sort of an identity crisis.

0:17:18 > 0:17:21It's a mid-engine sports car made in England, not in Italy.

0:17:21 > 0:17:24It doesn't have the horse power of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini

0:17:24 > 0:17:26but they also don't have the price tag.

0:17:26 > 0:17:29This Evora starts around 73 grand.

0:17:29 > 0:17:32It is kind of exotic-looking and they're only making 2,000 of them,

0:17:32 > 0:17:36so you'll be the only one in your neighbourhood that has one.

0:17:39 > 0:17:41Key West. Keep left.

0:17:41 > 0:17:44From here it was a straight shot to victory,

0:17:44 > 0:17:47down US1 all the way to Key West.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50El Navigationo was historio.

0:17:50 > 0:17:53So now I'm on Highway 1, which is called the Overseas Highway

0:17:53 > 0:17:56because... look at it.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59You're basically over water the entire time.

0:17:59 > 0:18:01There's 42 bridges on this stretch of road alone.

0:18:01 > 0:18:05It's mostly two lanes and it's the only way in and out of the Keys,

0:18:05 > 0:18:07so traffic can be heavy.

0:18:07 > 0:18:09But it wasn't the traffic that was killing me.

0:18:09 > 0:18:11It was this 50mph speed limit.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14People in Florida drive slow

0:18:14 > 0:18:17to make the most out of whatever time they have left.

0:18:17 > 0:18:20Let this baby out.

0:18:20 > 0:18:21Let's go.

0:18:22 > 0:18:27Not me. I didn't come down here to die, I came down here to win.

0:18:34 > 0:18:36SIREN WAILS

0:18:37 > 0:18:38Oh, not now!

0:18:50 > 0:18:53I warned the crew when I came up on the bridge ten minutes ago

0:18:53 > 0:18:54not to speed on the bridge.

0:19:02 > 0:19:03Can we just, you know...

0:19:03 > 0:19:06go right towards the airplane?

0:19:07 > 0:19:10After being released by Sheriff Buford Pusser,

0:19:10 > 0:19:11I was back on the road -

0:19:11 > 0:19:13at 50mph.

0:19:14 > 0:19:17The Donzi had finally reached Biscayne Bay.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Are we ready?- We're ready. I'm ready to go fast.

0:19:21 > 0:19:23ENGINES ROAR

0:19:33 > 0:19:35Now we're cooking. Now we're cooking.

0:19:35 > 0:19:37'It was time to play catch-up.'

0:19:42 > 0:19:45This thing rides like a Cadillac.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54After a smooth ride across the bay,

0:19:54 > 0:19:57we passed under the Rickenbacker Causeway.

0:19:57 > 0:19:59No more speed limits.

0:20:02 > 0:20:08That, my friends, is 91mph on the water.

0:20:13 > 0:20:18I would equate it to maybe removing the springs and shocks from your car

0:20:18 > 0:20:21and then finding the bumpiest road you can

0:20:21 > 0:20:23and then see how fast you can hit it.

0:20:29 > 0:20:33How long are I going to be on this thing? I want to do some open-field running.

0:20:33 > 0:20:35HORN TOOTS AND HE SIGHS

0:20:36 > 0:20:40There's 42 bridges. What, are you building another one? Come on.

0:20:40 > 0:20:43After an hour and a half of involuntary sight-seeing,

0:20:43 > 0:20:46I finally saw a seaplane.

0:20:46 > 0:20:48Miami Seaplane Base.

0:20:53 > 0:20:59This is the Cessna 206, often called the SUV of the sky.

0:20:59 > 0:21:04With a 520 cubic inch, 285 horse power engine,

0:21:04 > 0:21:06she'll do about a buck 20.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09That is awesome, getting on the water like that.

0:21:22 > 0:21:23Oh, right!

0:21:23 > 0:21:27Now we're talking.

0:21:27 > 0:21:30Two hours down and Adam was still way ahead.

0:21:30 > 0:21:31The race was on.

0:21:33 > 0:21:37As I flew south over the azure waters and palm-fringed paradise below,

0:21:37 > 0:21:40I got this strange feeling of deja vu -

0:21:40 > 0:21:45a desire to wear a pink t-shirt and roll up my pastel jacket sleeves.

0:21:45 > 0:21:48I keep hearing the theme to Miami Vice.

0:22:06 > 0:22:09- APPLAUSE - I like that!

0:22:09 > 0:22:11It's great.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14All right, OK.

0:22:14 > 0:22:16And now it's time for the news.

0:22:16 > 0:22:19Now here's something you won't believe.

0:22:19 > 0:22:22GM has just announced a special edition Camaro SS.

0:22:22 > 0:22:26- Oh!- It's convertible. It's very limited to 100 models.

0:22:26 > 0:22:29It's the Neiman Marcus edition Camaro.

0:22:31 > 0:22:35Yeah, and get this. They pre-sold it. It sold out in three minutes.

0:22:35 > 0:22:42100 people paid 75 grand for a Neiman Marcus edition Camaro,

0:22:42 > 0:22:45three words which have never been uttered in the same sentence before.

0:22:46 > 0:22:51- Neiman Marcus Camaro?- Yeah. - It's like an Del Taco Lamborghini.

0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Right?- Rolls-Royce by Sears.

0:22:56 > 0:23:01I obviously, being from the South, I would have painted that yellow and black

0:23:01 > 0:23:03and made the Waffle House edition Camaro.

0:23:03 > 0:23:06- That's cool.- Yeah.- And if you think three minutes is fast,

0:23:06 > 0:23:09that sucker would sell out instantly.

0:23:09 > 0:23:13All it is is it's burgundy and two-tone leather interior.

0:23:13 > 0:23:15Maybe I'm missing where the extra 25 grand went.

0:23:15 > 0:23:18There's probably cocaine in the trunk.

0:23:18 > 0:23:23- What else you got, Rut?- I don't know about you but I spend a lot of time on-line looking at cars

0:23:23 > 0:23:27and some of favourite time to do that is looking on Craig's List

0:23:27 > 0:23:31because you can find these insane descriptions of cars

0:23:31 > 0:23:35but as soon as you read it, you think I've got to meet this person.

0:23:35 > 0:23:36Like this is a great one.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39"I have a '91 Olds POS.

0:23:40 > 0:23:44"It runs but you have to be able to bypass the computerized key."

0:23:44 > 0:23:47Well, that sure sounds like it doesn't run, sir.

0:23:48 > 0:23:52"Been sitting for a few weeks, neighbour and spouse are getting annoyed.

0:23:52 > 0:23:56"Would be perfect for a welding class demolition derby."

0:23:57 > 0:24:01Now, that was good. Here's another one I really liked.

0:24:01 > 0:24:03'94 Buick Century.

0:24:03 > 0:24:05"Inside is in great condition and has very low miles.

0:24:05 > 0:24:09"Everything works. Only thing it needs is a new transmission.

0:24:10 > 0:24:13"And may need a new muffler."

0:24:13 > 0:24:16See that, in my eyes, when you're reading a car description

0:24:16 > 0:24:20if it needs a new transmission and mufflers, everything does, in fact, not work.

0:24:20 > 0:24:21I believe you're right.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25When we were all turning 16, Craig's List wasn't there.

0:24:25 > 0:24:29We'd go to the grocery store and we'd look at the board and see what cars were for sale

0:24:29 > 0:24:32and if you liked the car, you would tear all the numbers off,

0:24:32 > 0:24:35so that no-one else would have the chance to call.

0:24:35 > 0:24:37LAUGHTER

0:24:37 > 0:24:42In another story, you know The Stig? You're familiar with our fourth member, yes?

0:24:42 > 0:24:44Tireless.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48We decided that we needed to reward him,

0:24:48 > 0:24:53so we found ourselves a one-of-a-kind in this country Lamborghini

0:24:53 > 0:24:58- and we've let him take this machine around the track. Let's take a look.- OK.

0:24:58 > 0:24:59ENGING REVVING

0:24:59 > 0:25:02Very rare. One of a kind.

0:25:02 > 0:25:05There it is.

0:25:05 > 0:25:07It's a Lamborghini tractor.

0:25:07 > 0:25:11Look how comfortable he looks on that thing. It's amazing.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15It's surprisingly smooth in the corners.

0:25:15 > 0:25:21- Look at that.- Now, this tractor has a top speed of 15mph.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's a 12-speed.

0:25:24 > 0:25:27First gear goes to 0.3 mph.

0:25:27 > 0:25:290.3 mph out of first gear.

0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Is this the tear drop? - This is the tear drop.

0:25:32 > 0:25:35Having to avoid wheel spin in this part of the track.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37The slowest part of the track.

0:25:37 > 0:25:41All I'm hearing in my head right now is # Da-da da dah-dah da da. #

0:25:42 > 0:25:43Do you see the rear fenders?

0:25:43 > 0:25:47This was built the year before the Countach hit paper for the first time

0:25:47 > 0:25:51and those angles went straight into the Lamborghini Countach.

0:25:51 > 0:25:53Amazing how it all connects together.

0:25:56 > 0:25:58Oh, he's coming up to the finish finally.

0:25:58 > 0:26:02And he is across the line.

0:26:02 > 0:26:04- APPLAUSE - Wow!

0:26:06 > 0:26:10Now, not a lot of people know that Lamborghini started out as a tractor company

0:26:10 > 0:26:12and he owned a Ferrari

0:26:12 > 0:26:14and his wife kept burning the clutch out,

0:26:14 > 0:26:16so he put his tractor clutch in the car,

0:26:16 > 0:26:19went and told Mr Ferrari, "I've fixed your car for you."

0:26:19 > 0:26:22That was so offensive, they got into a fight,

0:26:22 > 0:26:26and Mr Lamborghini hired the Ferrari engine and suspension technician,

0:26:26 > 0:26:28- started his own car company - the rest is history.- Wow.

0:26:28 > 0:26:32Isn't that great? Don't you love it when Italians get pissed off?

0:26:32 > 0:26:33Great things happen.

0:26:33 > 0:26:37Most of our times are in the minute and a half range.

0:26:37 > 0:26:41That tractor went around the track in five minutes and 22 seconds.

0:26:41 > 0:26:44- Wow!- Yes, yes. It's pretty respectable.

0:26:44 > 0:26:46It's still an amazing machine.

0:26:46 > 0:26:48Each wheel and tyre combo on that tractor,

0:26:48 > 0:26:50each side weighs 1,000 pounds.

0:26:50 > 0:26:55As a man from the South, that was an inspiring, inspiring piece.

0:26:55 > 0:26:59That... Who knew a tractor could look so good on a track?

0:26:59 > 0:27:02- That was the Neiman Marcus edition. - Oh, was it?- Yes.

0:27:02 > 0:27:04APPLAUSE

0:27:09 > 0:27:12And now it's time to put a Big Star In a Small Car.

0:27:12 > 0:27:15Please help me welcome Michelle Rodriguez.

0:27:15 > 0:27:17CHEERING

0:27:18 > 0:27:21- Hi.- How are you doing? Good to see you.- How are you?

0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Hi, guys.- Thank you so much for being here.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30I have to ask because they told me and I didn't believe it.

0:27:30 > 0:27:35You actually got your driver's licence for The Fast And The Furious?

0:27:35 > 0:27:37Yes, I did and my crash course in driving

0:27:37 > 0:27:40was at the car-racing school in Arizona.

0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Really?- Yeah.- My father took me to a parking lot.

0:27:45 > 0:27:49- And you got to...- Yeah, my dad tried that but I don't consider that...

0:27:49 > 0:27:51- It didn't work.- Really?- Yeah.

0:27:51 > 0:27:53But you know, when you go to car-racing school

0:27:53 > 0:27:57and you learn how to go really fast, it just becomes normal.

0:27:58 > 0:28:00And then you get a lot of points on your licence

0:28:00 > 0:28:02and then, you know...

0:28:02 > 0:28:05you end up having to buy a Prius so the cops leave you alone.

0:28:05 > 0:28:06LAUGHTER

0:28:06 > 0:28:09- Do you have a Prius? - Yeah, I own a Prius now.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12- AUDIENCE: Ah! - Wah, wah.

0:28:12 > 0:28:15But I'm about to get my points back down to a reasonable level

0:28:15 > 0:28:17so I can buy a sports car again.

0:28:17 > 0:28:19CHEERING

0:28:19 > 0:28:21Yeah! Wha-hoo!

0:28:23 > 0:28:26All right, cos I thought like, a Prius, you're the fast and the frugal.

0:28:26 > 0:28:28Yeah.

0:28:28 > 0:28:33Did you buy the Prius on your own or did the State of California go, "Lady, this is a good idea."

0:28:34 > 0:28:38Well, after using, you know...

0:28:38 > 0:28:41- and that not working with the cop... - Oh.

0:28:41 > 0:28:45..it was like you realise you've either got to slow down or get a car that's slower.

0:28:45 > 0:28:48- OK, so you were being responsible. - Yeah, yeah.

0:28:48 > 0:28:53Because I thought not only did we think that Priuses were punishment but so did California.

0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Now, you drove a 240 SX in The Fast And The Furious.- Yeah.

0:28:56 > 0:28:59WHOOPING Oh, somebody there likes that car.

0:28:59 > 0:29:02- Right on.- And you liked the Nissans after that

0:29:02 > 0:29:06- and because of the movie you went and bought a truck Nissan?- I did.

0:29:06 > 0:29:08I bought the truck for surfing

0:29:08 > 0:29:11because that was back in my I'm-an-idiot, Jackass days.

0:29:11 > 0:29:13If there were a female version of Jackass,

0:29:13 > 0:29:16me and my home girls from Jersey would have been the show.

0:29:16 > 0:29:22Yeah, 80mph on the turnpike on top of my Nissan Frontier, that's my record.

0:29:22 > 0:29:24- Whoo-hoo!- That's great.- Yeah.

0:29:24 > 0:29:29I love Jersey girls surfing. "Come on, we're gonna go fricking surfing."

0:29:30 > 0:29:34Now, you were in Avatar, you were a helicopter pilot.

0:29:34 > 0:29:37I have to ask. Did you get your pilot's licence just for Avatar?

0:29:38 > 0:29:43No but I sure as heck did get some really awesome lessons

0:29:43 > 0:29:46where I got to fly over Los Angeles.

0:29:46 > 0:29:49The guy actually let me control the damn thing.

0:29:49 > 0:29:51I thought he was crazy, you know?

0:29:51 > 0:29:55But yeah, right over Burbank, baby. It was so awesome.

0:29:55 > 0:29:57See, I can't... I have ADD. I cannot...

0:29:57 > 0:29:59I'd be flying around, "Oh, look a bird."

0:29:59 > 0:30:01I just, I couldn't do it.

0:30:01 > 0:30:07I think you'd find it fun. There's something really awesome about being able to control that thing.

0:30:07 > 0:30:08Very cool.

0:30:08 > 0:30:10So did you have fun doing this?

0:30:10 > 0:30:14I'm sure your race-school stuff must have come in handy with the Suzuki.

0:30:14 > 0:30:16It actually...

0:30:16 > 0:30:18The car-racing school stuff is with the pedals.

0:30:18 > 0:30:20You're in a Formula 2 car.

0:30:20 > 0:30:22But it's different, this whole thing, than this.

0:30:22 > 0:30:24- Right.- So I had to get used to it.

0:30:24 > 0:30:29So today, I learned how to manoeuvre a stick-clutch vehicle.

0:30:29 > 0:30:32This is the first time you drove a stick is on our track?

0:30:32 > 0:30:36The first time I was actually able to do it appropriately, yes.

0:30:36 > 0:30:38- A-ha!- Yeah.

0:30:38 > 0:30:40- You want to see how she did? - Yeah!

0:30:40 > 0:30:41So do I!

0:30:42 > 0:30:43Uh-oh!

0:30:46 > 0:30:48All right, nice start.

0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Oh, I'm looking angry there. - You really wanted that gear.

0:30:53 > 0:30:55I totally did.

0:30:55 > 0:30:56It's the first turn. It is wet.

0:30:56 > 0:30:59I do! Why do I look so angry?

0:31:00 > 0:31:02You're focused. Look at you.

0:31:02 > 0:31:05You're moving pretty good, even though it is a wet track.

0:31:05 > 0:31:07This is the tear drop.

0:31:07 > 0:31:11I almost flipped it. It felt like I almost flipped it a couple of times.

0:31:11 > 0:31:14OK, this is really difficult and you're doing very well.

0:31:14 > 0:31:17- Dude, I'm keeping it nice and safe. - Nice and composed.

0:31:17 > 0:31:20Here you come. Now this is where you can really pick up some speed.

0:31:20 > 0:31:22LAUGHTER I want some gum.

0:31:22 > 0:31:25Apparently you're chewing tobacco while you drive.

0:31:26 > 0:31:29This is the back straight, the fastest part of the track.

0:31:30 > 0:31:31Give it some.

0:31:36 > 0:31:37Whoa!

0:31:39 > 0:31:41Here we go again.

0:31:43 > 0:31:45Here we go, coming into the last corner here.

0:31:45 > 0:31:49Nice bit of speed and you're across the line.

0:31:49 > 0:31:51CHEERING

0:31:51 > 0:31:53Good job. Good job.

0:31:53 > 0:31:55Have mercy on me, man.

0:31:55 > 0:31:58I am merely the reporter. How do you think you did?

0:31:58 > 0:32:02I think I sucked worse than those guys. That's what I'm thinking.

0:32:02 > 0:32:04Well, let's see how you did.

0:32:04 > 0:32:09You did it in one fifty-five...

0:32:12 > 0:32:13point two.

0:32:13 > 0:32:15- CHEERING - 1:55.2

0:32:15 > 0:32:16Ah, dude!

0:32:16 > 0:32:20- So...- I'm going to put a W on it because it was a very wet lap.

0:32:20 > 0:32:23- So I'm right under Buzz Aldrin? - You're on top of an astronaut.

0:32:26 > 0:32:28- Oh! So...- There you go. 1:55.2.

0:32:28 > 0:32:33- CHEERING - Michelle Rodriguez.

0:32:41 > 0:32:43Tonight we're trying to find the fastest way from Miami

0:32:43 > 0:32:46to the southernmost point of the United States - Key West.

0:32:46 > 0:32:48I'm in a Lotus Evora,

0:32:48 > 0:32:51Rutledge is an a 500,000 Donzi speed boat

0:32:51 > 0:32:53and Tanner is in a seaplane.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55Let's rejoin the action.

0:33:02 > 0:33:04All three of us were racing as fast as we could

0:33:04 > 0:33:06for the finish line in Key West.

0:33:09 > 0:33:13Adam lead in the Lotus and was just 60 miles from the finish.

0:33:13 > 0:33:16Rutledge in the Donzi was just 20 miles behind him

0:33:16 > 0:33:18and I was 10 miles behind the boat.

0:33:18 > 0:33:20The race was truly on.

0:33:22 > 0:33:26Right over there there's a yellow Lotus cruising along somewhere

0:33:26 > 0:33:29with a metrosexual New Yorker in it.

0:33:30 > 0:33:34How big do you think the alligators get down here? They scare me.

0:33:35 > 0:33:37It's Rutledge I'm worried about, in the boat.

0:33:37 > 0:33:39Whoa! Yeah!

0:33:39 > 0:33:42That boat will do the same speed as the plane.

0:33:42 > 0:33:4780mph in the boat. It feels like a gang initiation.

0:33:49 > 0:33:54The downside to having 1,400 horse power is we already blew through half a tank of gas.

0:33:55 > 0:34:00To guarantee we make it to Key West, we needed to top off.

0:34:02 > 0:34:04Once we get through here, it's open ocean,

0:34:04 > 0:34:07wide open throttle the whole way down.

0:34:07 > 0:34:11These huge supercharged motors use a lot of gas.

0:34:11 > 0:34:14This thing will hold 210 gallons and at four bucks a gallon,

0:34:14 > 0:34:17it's almost 800 to refuel

0:34:17 > 0:34:21but if you had a Donzi, would probably wouldn't care, would you?

0:34:21 > 0:34:23So did you see the Lotus at all?

0:34:23 > 0:34:27Yeah, it passed me just before we came across the bridge.

0:34:27 > 0:34:30- It passed you just before this little bridge right here? - That's right.

0:34:35 > 0:34:40That's about 15 minutes. OK, make sure it's real good and full.

0:34:47 > 0:34:49The island of Marathon.

0:34:50 > 0:34:54Marathon marks the start of the world-famous Seven-Mile Bridge.

0:34:55 > 0:34:57It was first completed in 1912

0:34:57 > 0:35:01and has been destroyed by hurricanes and rebuilt twice since then.

0:35:02 > 0:35:07But the most important fact was it meant I was only 50 miles from the finish line.

0:35:08 > 0:35:12All that open water, I don't see an orange boat,

0:35:12 > 0:35:15nor do I see anybody up in the sky in a seaplane.

0:35:16 > 0:35:19What I did see was the opening I was looking for.

0:35:19 > 0:35:24No traffic, no cops and a bridge that was all mine.

0:35:29 > 0:35:32Back in the open ocean, the swell had picked up

0:35:32 > 0:35:35and I'd left my sea legs back at the gas station.

0:35:39 > 0:35:41I was on the verge on puking

0:35:41 > 0:35:44and was beginning to rethink my mode of transportation.

0:35:58 > 0:36:00Man, I think that's him on the bridge.

0:36:00 > 0:36:03Oh, no. Not now! Damn it!

0:36:03 > 0:36:06At the Seven-Mile Bridge I finally caught up to the Lotus.

0:36:06 > 0:36:08Let's go, let's do him!

0:36:08 > 0:36:11Passing Adam was like a dose of Dramamine

0:36:11 > 0:36:13but then Tanner crashed my party.

0:36:24 > 0:36:2780mph and being passed by a plane!

0:36:27 > 0:36:31The lead was finally mine and nothing could stop me now.

0:36:31 > 0:36:35In this part of the world, the seaplane reigns supreme.

0:36:35 > 0:36:38Down here in Key West there used to be a navy base

0:36:38 > 0:36:42where seaplanes would go out into the ocean looking for German submarines

0:36:42 > 0:36:45and when they found them, they dropped grenades on them.

0:36:45 > 0:36:48Inspired by history, we went hunting,

0:36:48 > 0:36:51though we had a much larger target in mind than a submarine -

0:36:51 > 0:36:53Rutledge's bobbing head.

0:36:56 > 0:36:57- Holy- BLEEP!

0:37:04 > 0:37:05Holy crap!

0:37:08 > 0:37:09- Oh,- BLEEP.

0:37:11 > 0:37:13Tanner just gave me a haircut with the plane.

0:37:16 > 0:37:19- Holy- BLEEP.- That was close.

0:37:20 > 0:37:2420 minutes later and Key West was in my sights

0:37:24 > 0:37:29but rough seas by the Southernmost Point meant we had to land three miles to the northeast.

0:37:32 > 0:37:34I was now on the outskirts of town.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37The traffic gods were smiling down upon me.

0:37:37 > 0:37:39I got to be close to the end.

0:37:41 > 0:37:44This is 69 Whiskey Tango, we'll be landing now.

0:38:05 > 0:38:09With three miles to go, running wasn't going to cut it.

0:38:09 > 0:38:12I needed something that burns fuel - anything.

0:38:14 > 0:38:17- You rent scooters?- Yeah. - Can I rent one?

0:38:17 > 0:38:19- OK.- All right.

0:38:19 > 0:38:23- How do I get to the Southernmost Point?- On this road, there's signs.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26So the quickest way would be right down the street?

0:38:26 > 0:38:29- Can I take a copy of that?- Yeah.

0:38:31 > 0:38:37It might not have been superbike but the little Honda did have a top speed of 22mph.

0:38:43 > 0:38:46I was finally on shore with just a mile to go.

0:38:49 > 0:38:51Hey, how are you doing?

0:38:51 > 0:38:53Enjoy Key West.

0:38:54 > 0:38:58- Hey, which way's the marker? - The marker?- The Southernmost Point.

0:38:58 > 0:39:02- It's all way the way down the street there.- All right, thanks.

0:39:02 > 0:39:05It was hot, the finish was far

0:39:05 > 0:39:08and I hadn't run this fast since I tried out for the '96 Olympics.

0:39:10 > 0:39:11Right, there's a taxi.

0:39:14 > 0:39:16Come on, we're almost home!

0:39:16 > 0:39:19This has to be the last right turn in the United States.

0:39:27 > 0:39:30How far would you say we are from the marker?

0:39:30 > 0:39:32And this is definitely the quickest route?

0:39:32 > 0:39:36Incredibly, all three of us were less than a mile to the finish.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40Come on. I'm running out of country.

0:39:55 > 0:39:58Oh, you little miserable...

0:39:58 > 0:39:59Come on!

0:40:09 > 0:40:11- Yes!- No!

0:40:16 > 0:40:18Where are you, scooter boy?

0:40:20 > 0:40:21By just that much.

0:40:21 > 0:40:24That's.. I was... I...

0:40:24 > 0:40:26Oh, crap.

0:40:27 > 0:40:28Here's good.

0:40:28 > 0:40:30Look who's come ashore.

0:40:30 > 0:40:32Hey, it's the pirate. APPLAUSE

0:40:34 > 0:40:36CHEERING

0:40:40 > 0:40:43All I want to know is how many times did you throw up?

0:40:43 > 0:40:44None.

0:40:44 > 0:40:46Come on. Seriously.

0:40:46 > 0:40:48Three or four, tops.

0:40:49 > 0:40:53What I want to know is how fast the Lotus goes around our test track

0:40:53 > 0:40:56at the hands of our silent racing driver. Take it away, Stig.

0:40:56 > 0:40:58Now, even though the track is wet,

0:40:58 > 0:41:01an experienced racer like the Stig has driven in all conditions,

0:41:01 > 0:41:03so let's see what it'll do.

0:41:04 > 0:41:06That's a lot of wheel spin off the line.

0:41:06 > 0:41:090-60 in about five seconds in the dry,

0:41:09 > 0:41:12with the mid-engine weight balance helping the Lotus in the wet.

0:41:12 > 0:41:15Surprisingly grippy out there for how much rain has fallen,

0:41:15 > 0:41:18as he finds his way through the crows.

0:41:18 > 0:41:22That's one of the heaviest Lotuses ever built - 3,000 pounds.

0:41:22 > 0:41:26He heads through the chicane and into the tear drop.

0:41:27 > 0:41:30Wow, Stig looking amazingly comfortable.

0:41:30 > 0:41:32Dives his way into the tightest section.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35This is where there's typically a lot of wheel spin in the wet.

0:41:35 > 0:41:39Very difficult, even with only 270 horse power, to put the power down.

0:41:39 > 0:41:41A little bit of a wag of the tail

0:41:41 > 0:41:45but he does get great momentum out and onto the back straight.

0:41:45 > 0:41:48Oh, he's moving there at 120mph.

0:41:51 > 0:41:54Diving into the most treacherous part of the track, the S's,

0:41:54 > 0:41:57at over 100mph, into Camera Man's Corner.

0:42:04 > 0:42:07Diving into the last section of the track,

0:42:07 > 0:42:09moving those crows out of the way,

0:42:09 > 0:42:12sawing at the wheel as he finds his way into the last corner...

0:42:13 > 0:42:15and across the line.

0:42:15 > 0:42:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:42:19 > 0:42:21Wow!

0:42:21 > 0:42:22Pretty good, right?

0:42:22 > 0:42:26This is a very difficult one to call because it's wet.

0:42:26 > 0:42:28We know the Lotus is going to be quick.

0:42:28 > 0:42:30It's one of the heavier Lotuses at 3,000 pounds

0:42:30 > 0:42:33but only 270 horse power.

0:42:33 > 0:42:35On the board we have a lot of fast cars.

0:42:35 > 0:42:39On the top of the board we still have the Viper ACR at 1:22.

0:42:39 > 0:42:43and the VelociRaptor at 1:39 is the slowest.

0:42:43 > 0:42:47The Evora somehow puts in, in the wet, a 1:28.4,

0:42:47 > 0:42:49- two tenths slower than the Vantage. - Wow.- Wow.

0:42:51 > 0:42:52Wow.

0:42:54 > 0:42:56Really quick.

0:42:56 > 0:43:00That could potentially be one of the fastest wet times we ever have.

0:43:00 > 0:43:02So far it's the only wet time we have.

0:43:02 > 0:43:05So far it is and that's all the time that we have.

0:43:05 > 0:43:07Thanks for watching. Goodbye.

0:43:07 > 0:43:08CHEERING

0:43:08 > 0:43:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:10 > 0:43:12E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk