Top Gear - Season 26 (1991)

The motoring series returns with a visit to the Frankfurt motor show; an assessment of the VW Golf’s market dominance; and, in One Careful Owner, dealer Quentin Willson guides viewers through the minefield of buying a second-hand car. Racing driver Tiff Needell tries out a Honda Pilot.

Mazda believes its new MX-3 will dramatically change the sports hatchback market, claiming it’s not in the normal GTi tradition of a family car with additions, but a purpose-designed four-seater coupe. Jeremy Clarkson reports. Chris Goffey examines problems viewers have found with their new cars, and Tony Mason reviews this year’s Pirelli Classic Marathon.

Tiff Needell visits a drag racing museum in Florida. Chris Goffey tests Toyota’s new executive Camry. Plus Jeremy Clarkson on the future of ‘pollution free’ transport.

Tractor millionaire Ferrucio Lamborghini decided in the 60s to beat Ferrari at his own game by building some of the world’s most desirable cars. Do latest models live up to the legend? Plus a look at the merits of the Range Rover as a second-hand buy, and at ‘air bags’, balloons of gas which cushion the impact of a crash. With Chris Goffey, Jeremy Clarkson and Quentin Willson.

Motorfair ‘91 opens this week at London’s expanded Earls Court and there’s a review of the new models. Plus a road test on the latest version of the Vauxhall Astra and a report on rising Formula 3 star David Coulthard.

Small cars have been getting longer, fatter and heavier: Peugeot believes its new 106 sets a different trend. Chris Goffey tests it and evaluates the company’s marketing strategy. Quentin Wilson assesses the BMW 5-series as a used-car buy. Plus Tony Mason on the Bouley Bay Hillclimb from Jersey.

News from the Motorcycle Show at the NEC; a road test on the new Ginetta G33 V8 two-seater sports car; and the risks lone women drivers may run when they break down.

In this week’s edition: a report on car auctions; a profile of Francine Bogg, the winner of this year’s Radio Times Rally Quest Competition, and a test drive in the new Honda Civic.

How Citroën’s new XM Estate measures up to Audi’s 100 Avant; the Ford Bronco is put through its paces in the mud at Millbrook; and a look at plans to charge drivers using the streets of Cambridge.

A test drive for Rover’s new 800 series, which went on sale yesterday, reveals how it rates in the competitive executive car market. Plus an examination of the Metro’s popularity as a used car buy, and a look ahead to the Lombard RAC Rally.

For the past four days, Top Gear has been following entrants in this year’s Lombard RAC Rally, the final round in the 1991 World Rally Championship. There are reports from Harrogate and Chester, and news of Radio Times Rally Quest competition winner Francine Bogg.

The Jaguar Mk II, Inspector Morse’s runabout, was one of the classic investments of the 80s, but as values tumble is it still so? And another classic: Tony Mason welcomes the revival of the Morecambe Illuminations Rally.

Reports on Vauxhall’s new off-road car, the Frontera; the truth behind the car industry’s recycling claims; and vehicles that could go twice round the world on a tankful of petrol.

Jeremy Clarkson takes an exclusive drive in the first new Bentley for 40 years. And at the other end of the scale, Quentin Willson offers some advice on buying a car for just £1,000.