1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,340 The story of the great British motor car is shared by us all. 2 00:00:04,340 --> 00:00:10,020 Whether it's the everyday run-around, classic sports car, or the off-road workhorse. 3 00:00:10,020 --> 00:00:15,220 But these stories are rusting away, buried in the back of barns or lock-ups. 4 00:00:15,220 --> 00:00:18,660 And For the Love of Cars, something's gotta be done! 5 00:00:18,660 --> 00:00:19,900 SCREECHING TYRES 6 00:00:19,900 --> 00:00:21,900 So I've chosen six home-grown motors... 7 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:30,940 Minis, bloody thousands of them. 8 00:00:30,940 --> 00:00:34,460 And with one of the country's best mechanics, Ant Antstead... 9 00:00:34,460 --> 00:00:36,580 Ah, it's like a can of beans. 10 00:00:36,580 --> 00:00:39,700 ..we're going to scour Britain to unearth hidden wrecks... 11 00:00:39,700 --> 00:00:41,020 Get that off. 12 00:00:41,020 --> 00:00:43,220 Blimey, feel like I'm in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 13 00:00:43,220 --> 00:00:46,100 ..and then we're going to bring them back to life. 14 00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:48,460 This is turning into a nightmare. 15 00:00:48,460 --> 00:00:51,060 And while Ant gets his hands dirty... 16 00:00:51,060 --> 00:00:52,420 Foot off the brakes. 17 00:00:52,420 --> 00:00:56,260 ..I'll be finding out just why we love them. 18 00:00:56,260 --> 00:00:58,380 Think it's back in the '50s. 19 00:00:58,380 --> 00:01:01,700 But can we pull off the best restorations ever attempted? 20 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:04,580 Ha, ha, ha ha... 21 00:01:04,580 --> 00:01:07,860 This is what I want to do to our Land Rover. You're joking, right? 22 00:01:07,860 --> 00:01:10,380 And when it's all over, can we smash world records at auction? 23 00:01:10,380 --> 00:01:13,820 46... 24 00:01:13,820 --> 00:01:16,700 And find our cars new, loving owners? 25 00:01:16,700 --> 00:01:18,020 Sold! 26 00:01:22,380 --> 00:01:24,260 Tonight... 27 00:01:24,260 --> 00:01:26,900 There's nothing quite like it when you watch that bonnet lift up 28 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:28,500 as you put your foot down. 29 00:01:30,100 --> 00:01:33,180 ..we're restoring a car that represents the best.. 30 00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:35,100 It's got a lovely purr to it. 31 00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:37,820 ..and worst of British motoring... 32 00:01:37,820 --> 00:01:39,260 Don't break down! Grr. 33 00:01:40,380 --> 00:01:42,100 It's a Stag! It's a Stag! 34 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:43,340 Grr! 35 00:01:45,580 --> 00:01:49,100 With its powerful V8 engine, and sports car looks, 36 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:57,580 the Triumph Stag was to lead Britain into a new era, the 1970s. 37 00:01:57,580 --> 00:01:59,540 You can't stop smiling. 38 00:01:59,540 --> 00:02:01,300 But just seven years later... 39 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:02,260 Kill it there. 40 00:02:02,260 --> 00:02:04,060 ..it's reputation was in tatters. 41 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:08,980 And our car industry on its knees. 42 00:02:08,980 --> 00:02:12,220 I want to give it a second chance. I quite like it. 43 00:02:12,220 --> 00:02:14,420 Maybe it's time to be proud of the Stag again? 44 00:02:18,820 --> 00:02:27,300 So, Ant, the Triumph Stag? 45 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:30,820 See, I quite like this car. No. Listen, the Stag's terrible. 46 00:02:31,980 --> 00:02:34,020 It's a bad car and a really bad engine. 47 00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:36,300 It a good job we've got you, then, isn't it? 48 00:02:36,300 --> 00:02:40,420 Like it or not, Ant's going on a Triumph Stag hunt. 49 00:02:40,420 --> 00:02:42,420 I'm not a great Stag fan. 50 00:02:42,420 --> 00:02:44,580 These Triumph Stags are notorious for rust, 51 00:02:44,580 --> 00:02:46,740 but occasionally you come across a hidden gem. 52 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:50,460 There you go. There it is. 53 00:02:54,260 --> 00:02:56,500 # It's a God-awful small affair # 54 00:02:58,300 --> 00:03:00,540 Finding one should be a fairly easy job. 55 00:03:02,180 --> 00:03:03,660 It was my dad's. 56 00:03:03,660 --> 00:03:06,460 He was going to do it up, but 57 00:03:06,460 --> 00:03:09,780 Right, OK. Do you mind if I have a look? Course you can. 58 00:03:09,780 --> 00:03:13,380 Because of the 26,000 Stags that were made, 59 00:03:13,380 --> 00:03:16,140 an estimated 5,000 are waiting restoration. 60 00:03:19,460 --> 00:03:21,060 Yeah, the chassis is rotten. 61 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:29,100 That is a pile of junk. 62 00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:33,900 Stags are renowned for rusting. There's no hope for this one. 63 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:35,580 Time for Ant to move on. 64 00:03:35,580 --> 00:03:40,380 There it is. Under the cover. This is the one I've had I was 21. 65 00:03:42,900 --> 00:03:46,100 I was going to renovate it with my boys, but the boys aren't interested. 66 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:47,980 Got to move on. 67 00:03:47,980 --> 00:03:50,900 Unfortunately when the Stags weren't rusting, 68 00:03:50,900 --> 00:03:52,900 they had a habit of breaking down. 69 00:03:52,900 --> 00:03:56,420 It's had a Rover conversion? It has. 70 00:03:56,420 --> 00:04:00,900 So a lot of people simply swapped the Triumph engine for something a bit more reliable. 71 00:04:03,140 --> 00:04:06,380 An unrestored Stag can cost up to two grand 72 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:09,860 and we're willing to pay a premium for one with an original engine. 73 00:04:09,860 --> 00:04:13,660 Simon, how are you doing? Haven't seen you for a while. 74 00:04:13,660 --> 00:04:15,340 Yeah, if you're brave enough. 75 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:18,900 ENGINE STARTS 76 00:04:18,900 --> 00:04:20,380 Now that is a rare sound. 77 00:04:20,380 --> 00:04:23,020 A genuine unrestored Stag engine. 78 00:04:23,020 --> 00:04:27,700 ENGINE REVS 79 00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:31,740 Because it's a heap of (BLEEP) and I didn't think anyone would ever buy it. 80 00:04:33,660 --> 00:04:35,820 You're a trader, we're mates, I want a mate's rate. 81 00:04:35,820 --> 00:04:37,580 Let's do a deal, how much for it? 82 00:04:37,580 --> 00:04:39,980 To you, no messing, two grand. 83 00:04:39,980 --> 00:04:41,180 Not going to argue. 84 00:04:41,180 --> 00:04:42,980 # Give a little bit # 85 00:04:44,060 --> 00:04:46,340 I've chosen the Triumph Stag. 86 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:51,460 The Stag represents '70s porn. 87 00:04:53,660 --> 00:04:57,540 I mean, let's not beat about the bush...pardon the expression. 88 00:04:57,540 --> 00:04:59,620 Just the name, Triumph Stag. 89 00:05:00,940 --> 00:05:02,500 I remember it as being... 90 00:05:03,860 --> 00:05:06,540 ...Quite a tasty little motor, back in the day. 91 00:05:10,420 --> 00:05:13,940 I think a lot of people think it's a bit rubbish, really. 92 00:05:13,940 --> 00:05:16,060 But, I quite like it. 93 00:05:17,380 --> 00:05:20,460 Erm, and so I want to give it a second chance. 94 00:05:28,620 --> 00:05:30,140 Oi, oi. 95 00:05:30,140 --> 00:05:32,780 Hi, man, how's it going? I'm good, how are you? 96 00:05:32,780 --> 00:05:36,340 Yeah, I'm really good, thanks. Great. Here she is. 97 00:05:36,340 --> 00:05:39,340 I only asked for an oil change, what have you done? Know what it is? 98 00:05:39,340 --> 00:05:42,300 Is it a car? It's not any car, it's the one you asked me to get. 99 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:43,580 Is it? 100 00:05:43,580 --> 00:05:45,740 This is the Stag. Come on, let's see it. 101 00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:54,340 It in a bit of a state, isn't it? 102 00:05:55,340 --> 00:05:59,660 Look, you can tell it's '70s, it held together with sticky-backed plastic. 103 00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:00,820 What a hunk of junk. 104 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:07,260 Come round, come round get in. OK. Go on, drink in that '70s aura. 105 00:06:07,260 --> 00:06:09,020 I can smell the '70s. 106 00:06:09,020 --> 00:06:12,460 Here's the key. How do I do this? 107 00:06:12,460 --> 00:06:15,340 Come on, Phil, you probably stolen cars before. Hotwired. 108 00:06:15,340 --> 00:06:16,260 Go on. 109 00:06:16,260 --> 00:06:18,060 ENGINE STARTS 110 00:06:18,060 --> 00:06:20,740 It's all coming back. Give it some beans. 111 00:06:20,740 --> 00:06:22,420 ENGINE REVS 112 00:06:26,260 --> 00:06:28,100 It's a Stag! It a Stag! 113 00:06:30,180 --> 00:06:32,220 Let me show you under the bonnet. OK. 114 00:06:34,580 --> 00:06:39,500 So this is the original Triumph engine which weren't 115 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:43,180 renowned for their reliability, were they? 116 00:06:43,180 --> 00:06:44,500 No, it overheated. 117 00:06:44,500 --> 00:06:46,740 The problem is, the cooling system is inferior. 118 00:06:46,740 --> 00:06:48,620 When it got too hot they blew up. 119 00:06:48,620 --> 00:06:50,700 That was one of the shortcomings of the Stag. 120 00:06:50,700 --> 00:06:53,820 This was designed in the '70s, so it has '70s technology. 121 00:06:53,820 --> 00:06:58,300 Well, look at me, I was designed in the '70s, mate. Exactly. So we can... 122 00:06:58,300 --> 00:07:00,220 I'm still going. Only just. 123 00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:02,580 We can not only make this engine more reliable, 124 00:07:02,580 --> 00:07:06,100 but I can make it sound better, 125 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:08,580 Looking forward to it. Let's talk about colours. 126 00:07:08,580 --> 00:07:11,660 You can choose any colour you like. I think red. Red? 127 00:07:11,660 --> 00:07:16,540 With a black interior. You seem quite certain about this. Yes, I do. 128 00:07:16,540 --> 00:07:18,220 OK. 129 00:07:18,220 --> 00:07:21,140 Because of the Stag's reputation, Ant is going to 130 00:07:21,140 --> 00:07:24,340 have to strip this car down and inspect every single part. 131 00:07:26,020 --> 00:07:28,620 The major worry is the original engine. 132 00:07:28,620 --> 00:07:31,020 This needs rebuilding from scratch. 133 00:07:31,020 --> 00:07:34,260 Only then can a modern cooling system be fitted to stop it overheating. 134 00:07:36,340 --> 00:07:39,580 The body of the car is going to be sandblasted to remove the paint 135 00:07:39,580 --> 00:07:41,620 and show any hidden rust. 136 00:07:41,620 --> 00:07:44,820 Once that's repaired Ant's going to paint it in my chosen colour. 137 00:07:44,820 --> 00:07:47,740 A beautiful deep red. 138 00:07:47,740 --> 00:07:51,540 OK. Right, Mike you give me a hand stripping out the interior. 139 00:07:51,540 --> 00:07:53,740 Ben, let's get this engine out. OK. 140 00:07:55,580 --> 00:07:58,620 Oh, my God. 141 00:07:58,620 --> 00:08:02,620 But my biggest worry about restoring the Stag isn't the car. 142 00:08:02,620 --> 00:08:04,460 It's Ant. 143 00:08:04,460 --> 00:08:08,940 OK. Absolutely destroyed it. Well, you know it took me about 30 seconds. 144 00:08:08,940 --> 00:08:11,980 But it is a Triumph Stag and I've got no respect for it 145 00:08:11,980 --> 00:08:14,940 and I just want to get it done. 146 00:08:14,940 --> 00:08:17,140 I'll be honest, the Stag is rubbish. 147 00:08:17,140 --> 00:08:20,700 I don't think I would ever, given the opportunity, 148 00:08:20,700 --> 00:08:23,340 drive, even be a passenger in a Stag. 149 00:08:23,340 --> 00:08:25,060 I just don't think it's a great car. 150 00:08:25,060 --> 00:08:26,700 What a pile of junk. 151 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:33,700 Fortunately helping Ant is specialist Stag restorer, Ben Porter. 152 00:08:33,700 --> 00:08:36,060 Ben, I can't believe you like these cars. 153 00:08:36,060 --> 00:08:40,060 I notice he's go this Stag Owner's Club wristband. 154 00:08:40,060 --> 00:08:41,420 It's cos I love Stags. 155 00:08:43,260 --> 00:08:45,540 I wish I wasn't restoring a Stag. 156 00:08:45,540 --> 00:08:48,860 I wish Philip chose another car. 157 00:08:51,700 --> 00:08:53,140 Just get on with it! 158 00:08:53,140 --> 00:08:56,300 Whatever Ant thinks, Ben isn't alone in his love affair with the Stag. 159 00:08:56,300 --> 00:09:00,580 In fact, the UK's biggest owners' club for any one model of car 160 00:09:00,580 --> 00:09:02,980 is...you guessed it. The Stag. 161 00:09:04,140 --> 00:09:08,300 I think the Stag bit like women. It's matured gracefully. 162 00:09:08,300 --> 00:09:10,780 The looks on it are absolutely stunning. 163 00:09:10,780 --> 00:09:13,620 I get little boys about seven years old shouting, "nice car." 164 00:09:18,180 --> 00:09:21,580 I just love driving it. We have lots of fun. 165 00:09:21,580 --> 00:09:23,260 Yeah, that's what it's all about. 166 00:09:25,020 --> 00:09:28,780 To find out more about Stag owners' love affairs with their cars, 167 00:09:28,780 --> 00:09:31,540 I've come to meet Roger and Leslie Philips. 168 00:09:33,140 --> 00:09:35,900 They've promised to show me a good time in theirs. 169 00:09:35,900 --> 00:09:38,860 Hello. Leslie? 170 00:09:38,860 --> 00:09:44,060 Hello. I'm Phil. Roger. 171 00:09:44,060 --> 00:09:45,420 Thank you. 172 00:09:45,420 --> 00:09:48,060 Roger and Leslie haven't just taken their relationship with 173 00:09:48,060 --> 00:09:51,540 the Stag into their hearts, they've taken it into the living room. 174 00:09:57,140 --> 00:10:01,900 Roger, Leslie, how long have you owned a Stag? 25 years. 175 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:05,220 We just love the car. 176 00:10:05,220 --> 00:10:07,980 It's really changed our lives since we've had that. 177 00:10:07,980 --> 00:10:10,900 We go to Europe three times a year. 178 00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:13,220 Down to Spain, France, Belgium, 179 00:10:13,220 --> 00:10:16,020 doing two or 300 miles a day stopping off and have several 180 00:10:16,020 --> 00:10:19,460 days down there and work our way back on a different route. 181 00:10:19,460 --> 00:10:24,220 In driving over 125,000 miles in their Stag, 182 00:10:24,220 --> 00:10:28,100 Roger and Leslie have been doing 183 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:31,300 ARCHIVE: Monte Carlo. Opulent jewel of the Cote d'Azur. 184 00:10:31,300 --> 00:10:33,980 A place of ancient elegance and modern fashion. 185 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:38,420 In the age before cheap flights and package holidays, 186 00:10:38,420 --> 00:10:43,500 the Stag was designed to let aspiring international jet-setter types see Europe in style. 187 00:10:45,460 --> 00:10:48,980 Powering down to the south of France with the wind in their hair, 188 00:10:48,980 --> 00:10:51,940 impressing those continentals. 189 00:10:51,940 --> 00:11:00,860 ARCHIVE: This is the final act from the creation of a new car. 190 00:11:10,460 --> 00:11:14,380 They sound beautiful, you don't need a radio, to us that's music. 191 00:11:15,820 --> 00:11:17,660 As a teenager I'd seen them 192 00:11:17,660 --> 00:11:21,500 and heard them coming down the road and thought they were a lovely car. 193 00:11:21,500 --> 00:11:23,500 It's a nice car for a lady to drive actually, 194 00:11:23,500 --> 00:11:25,500 because it's got powered steering and so on. 195 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:28,300 Yes, nice touch for the ladies. Yeah. 196 00:11:28,300 --> 00:11:30,660 There wasn't just power steering. Oh, no. 197 00:11:30,660 --> 00:11:34,180 Electric windows, power assisted 198 00:11:34,180 --> 00:11:36,140 And it was a four-seater, 199 00:11:36,140 --> 00:11:40,020 giving the Stag saloon car luxury with sports car performance. 200 00:11:41,540 --> 00:11:42,820 What's the top speed on this? 201 00:11:42,820 --> 00:11:45,580 We've had it up to 120. Really?! 202 00:11:45,580 --> 00:11:47,060 Slam your foot hard down. 203 00:11:50,580 --> 00:11:51,900 Nice 204 00:11:56,060 --> 00:11:59,340 I can safely say that Roger and Leslie's car Stag is beautiful to drive. 205 00:12:00,620 --> 00:12:03,660 I'm just really hoping that Ant is also beginning to appreciate 206 00:12:03,660 --> 00:12:05,740 just what a lovely motor this is. 207 00:12:10,820 --> 00:12:11,820 Oh, yeah. 208 00:12:15,820 --> 00:12:18,500 Our Stag is back from the blasters. 209 00:12:18,500 --> 00:12:23,140 This isn't the same car. 210 00:12:23,140 --> 00:12:25,620 Now Ant can easily spot any problems that had been 211 00:12:25,620 --> 00:12:28,380 hidden by the layers of filler and paint. 212 00:12:28,380 --> 00:12:29,380 It's had an accident. 213 00:12:30,420 --> 00:12:32,500 And that's been poorly put right. 214 00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:35,020 The inside of the car has been buckled and bent. 215 00:12:35,020 --> 00:12:37,140 What the person's done to repair it, 216 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:39,980 they've taken a new section of the wing 217 00:12:39,980 --> 00:12:42,380 And a lower portion of wing 218 00:12:42,380 --> 00:12:44,620 And made three bits make one wing. 219 00:12:44,620 --> 00:12:46,860 That was hidden under a load of filler. 220 00:12:46,860 --> 00:12:50,900 What were going to have to do is take this whole wing off. 221 00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:52,540 And there's worse to come. 222 00:12:52,540 --> 00:12:53,740 Oh, God. Look at the floor. 223 00:12:55,380 --> 00:12:57,260 The whole body is riddled with rust. 224 00:12:58,460 --> 00:13:00,900 I can literally pick that off with my fingers. 225 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:07,220 Ant already disliked the Stag, now he's going to have to spend 226 00:13:07,220 --> 00:13:10,980 a whole lot more time in its company than he'd imagined. 227 00:13:10,980 --> 00:13:14,540 This car has gone from a fairly simple restoration into a... 228 00:13:15,980 --> 00:13:17,060 Mammoth rebuild. 229 00:13:34,265 --> 00:13:36,865 Ant and his team are hard at work 230 00:13:36,865 --> 00:13:40,065 repairing the body of our 1976 Triumph Stag. 231 00:13:41,145 --> 00:13:45,785 And I'm delighted to say Ant's mood is only getting worse. 232 00:13:47,785 --> 00:13:51,385 The Triumph Stag was known as the Triumph 'Snag'. Now I know why. 233 00:13:51,385 --> 00:13:53,465 When I start cutting one panel, 234 00:13:53,465 --> 00:13:55,505 it reveals another problem on the next panel. 235 00:13:56,585 --> 00:13:59,785 It's hard to believe this rusty, battered old body was designed 236 00:13:59,785 --> 00:14:03,865 by one of the greatest names in the history of sports car design. 237 00:14:03,865 --> 00:14:05,985 And he wasn't even a Brit. 238 00:14:05,985 --> 00:14:12,225 He was a foreigner. 239 00:14:12,225 --> 00:14:14,785 This is Giovanni Michelotti - 240 00:14:14,785 --> 00:14:21,385 the Pablo Picasso of car design. 241 00:14:21,385 --> 00:14:23,025 really good. 242 00:14:24,105 --> 00:14:28,025 Based in Turin, he designed Lancias, BMWs, 243 00:14:28,025 --> 00:14:29,785 even Maseratis. 244 00:14:29,785 --> 00:14:31,745 Lovely. 245 00:14:31,745 --> 00:14:37,105 At Triumph, he styled the Herald, the Spitfire, the GT6 and the TR4. 246 00:14:37,105 --> 00:14:39,265 Not a dud among them. 247 00:14:39,265 --> 00:14:43,425 When he took another one of his own designs, the Triumph 2000 saloon, 248 00:14:43,425 --> 00:14:47,745 chopped the roof off, cut the middle and sexed it up a bit, 249 00:14:47,745 --> 00:14:50,065 Triumph immediately saw the potential 250 00:14:50,065 --> 00:14:51,905 for a British world-beater. 251 00:14:55,865 --> 00:14:58,025 But it never happened. 252 00:14:58,025 --> 00:15:00,825 Just seven years after its launch in 1970, 253 00:15:00,825 --> 00:15:02,985 Stag production came to a sudden end. 254 00:15:02,985 --> 00:15:04,505 It was curtains. 255 00:15:06,585 --> 00:15:09,305 I want to find out where it all went wrong, 256 00:15:09,305 --> 00:15:12,465 and what better way to do that than by taking a Stag 257 00:15:12,465 --> 00:15:15,625 on a grand tour with somebody who knows a bit about cars. 258 00:15:15,625 --> 00:15:17,305 Morning. Good morning. 259 00:15:17,305 --> 00:15:24,305 Comedian and motoring journalist Alexei Sayle. 260 00:15:24,305 --> 00:15:28,225 Paris? Why not? Jolly decent of you, old man. 261 00:15:28,225 --> 00:15:31,145 We've got a nice day for it. Yes, lovely. 262 00:15:31,145 --> 00:15:34,785 In the past, Alexei has survived a string of affairs 263 00:15:34,785 --> 00:15:37,505 with classic British cars. 264 00:15:37,505 --> 00:15:42,065 His first was with the Stag's close relative - the Triumph 2.5. 265 00:15:42,065 --> 00:15:44,545 His second, a Rover P5B. 266 00:15:44,545 --> 00:15:48,505 So he's quite familiar with this sort of thing. 267 00:15:48,505 --> 00:15:51,225 We need to go... was that a backfire? 268 00:15:51,225 --> 00:15:53,945 I think it was a backfire. Don't break down. Grr. 269 00:15:55,025 --> 00:15:58,145 It doesn't sound very happy, this car, I have to say. 270 00:15:58,145 --> 00:16:00,265 Oh, (BLEEP). We've stalled. 271 00:16:00,265 --> 00:16:02,785 It's bringing it all back, owning the Rover. 272 00:16:02,785 --> 00:16:04,825 I remember leaving Lenny Henry 273 00:16:04,825 --> 00:16:11,825 sitting in a restaurant called Pomme de Maur for two hours, 274 00:16:11,825 --> 00:16:15,025 The AA always used to say, "Very reliable, these cars." 275 00:16:15,025 --> 00:16:19,425 "Well, why do I see you...why do I know what your kids' names are?" 276 00:16:21,585 --> 00:16:27,825 By 1968, Triumph, Rover and most of the big names in British motoring 277 00:16:27,825 --> 00:16:30,425 had been sucked into one mega car company. 278 00:16:30,425 --> 00:16:32,545 'Austin, MG, Triumph, Mini, 279 00:16:32,545 --> 00:16:35,585 'Jaguar, Daimler, Princess, Morris, Rover.' 280 00:16:35,585 --> 00:16:37,985 The British Leyland Motor Corporation. 281 00:16:39,105 --> 00:16:41,865 The dream was to compete in a tough global market. 282 00:16:41,865 --> 00:16:44,385 The reality was very different. 283 00:16:44,385 --> 00:16:48,025 Disappointing cars that struggled against the competition. 284 00:16:49,105 --> 00:16:54,945 #.. a great deal more from Leyland, Leyland cars. # 285 00:16:54,945 --> 00:16:57,425 It's stalled again, it's stalled again. 286 00:16:58,505 --> 00:17:04,625 There we go. That's dead isn't it? 287 00:17:05,665 --> 00:17:10,905 Shall we push it...? Yeah, I need a push. 288 00:17:14,305 --> 00:17:21,425 Actors and comedic car journalists, of course, do not push cars. 289 00:17:23,825 --> 00:17:27,785 Never mind getting to Paris, we haven't even made it out of London. 290 00:17:32,345 --> 00:17:34,945 Yeah, that's an engine. Yeah! 291 00:17:37,265 --> 00:17:38,705 It's broken. 292 00:17:39,905 --> 00:17:44,185 Expect assistance at 11.15pm. OK. That's half an hour. 293 00:17:44,185 --> 00:17:46,665 See his face when he brings his computer out 294 00:17:46,665 --> 00:17:49,305 and tries plugging it in. Diagnostic! 295 00:17:49,305 --> 00:17:53,705 Where...where? Where's your USB port? "Get your hands dirty." 296 00:17:54,785 --> 00:17:56,825 As a fan of the Stag, 297 00:17:56,825 --> 00:17:59,985 I think it's fair to say I'm feeling a bit frustrated. 298 00:17:59,985 --> 00:18:01,985 POLICE SIREN 299 00:18:03,105 --> 00:18:06,985 Sadly, as two mechanically challenged luvvies, 300 00:18:06,985 --> 00:18:10,065 the only thing we can do is sit and wait for rescue. 301 00:18:11,225 --> 00:18:13,825 I'm all right, thank you. What can I do for you, sir? 302 00:18:13,825 --> 00:18:16,465 You can try and get this car started. 303 00:18:16,465 --> 00:18:18,225 There you go. 304 00:18:19,825 --> 00:18:24,865 This is the ownership experience of having a classic car. 305 00:18:24,865 --> 00:18:28,065 It makes you feel like less of a man as well. You feel emasculated. 306 00:18:29,145 --> 00:18:32,105 Stags were notorious for overheating 307 00:18:32,105 --> 00:18:35,345 but this time it seems our car's problem is just a dodgy battery. 308 00:18:35,345 --> 00:18:38,945 So, will it get us to Paris? 309 00:18:38,945 --> 00:18:41,785 No, no, not to Paris. To a garage, yeah. 310 00:18:41,785 --> 00:18:44,385 To a garage. Ha-ha-ha! 311 00:18:45,425 --> 00:18:48,025 Sensible people would take this breakdown man's advice 312 00:18:48,025 --> 00:18:49,825 and take it straight to the garage. 313 00:18:49,825 --> 00:18:52,785 I think we'll probably just keep going. 314 00:18:52,785 --> 00:18:54,865 So, we're off to Paris! 315 00:18:54,865 --> 00:18:57,065 And anyway, back in the day, 316 00:18:57,065 --> 00:19:00,025 breaking down on the side of the road was a quintessential part 317 00:19:00,025 --> 00:19:02,345 of a Stag driving experience. 318 00:19:04,465 --> 00:19:08,665 'Finnish cars are still subject to a stringent over-check procedure...' 319 00:19:08,665 --> 00:19:11,825 I spent ten years working in British Leyland dealerships 320 00:19:11,825 --> 00:19:14,305 and quite a bit of that time was on the Triumph Stag. 321 00:19:14,305 --> 00:19:16,745 We had them breaking down and overheating. 322 00:19:16,745 --> 00:19:20,825 The workshop, as such, was chock-bang full of Stags. 323 00:19:20,825 --> 00:19:24,265 99% was blown engines. 324 00:19:24,265 --> 00:19:27,305 'This is quality control with a vengeance.' 325 00:19:27,305 --> 00:19:30,545 You'd have some customers who had an engine replaced 326 00:19:30,545 --> 00:19:34,225 and even a replacement engine would suffer from overheating issues. 327 00:19:34,225 --> 00:19:37,065 Some of our mechanics used to disappear 328 00:19:37,065 --> 00:19:40,385 because they hated working on the bloody thing. 329 00:19:45,025 --> 00:19:49,465 Some people believe the Stag engine is fundamentally flawed 330 00:19:49,465 --> 00:19:52,825 because of a rushed development period and underfunding. 331 00:19:54,105 --> 00:19:57,825 Back in the late '60s, when the Stag was being developed, 332 00:19:57,825 --> 00:20:01,865 Triumph knew that if it was going to appeal to the all-important 333 00:20:01,865 --> 00:20:06,985 American market, it needed a big gutsy engine, known as a V8. 334 00:20:09,065 --> 00:20:12,385 Triumph had long been interested in developing a big brother 335 00:20:12,385 --> 00:20:15,425 to one of their smaller engines called the Slant 4. 336 00:20:16,545 --> 00:20:19,305 By using the same parts and technology, 337 00:20:19,305 --> 00:20:24,745 they could quickly and cheaply produce an engine 338 00:20:24,745 --> 00:20:27,465 V for victory. 339 00:20:27,465 --> 00:20:30,505 Or very, very bad idea! 340 00:20:34,585 --> 00:20:38,425 Amazingly, our Stag has made it across the channel. 341 00:20:38,425 --> 00:20:41,825 Right, we're in France. It's completely different to the UK. 342 00:20:41,825 --> 00:20:44,985 Completely. Look, there's Toys'r'Us there. 343 00:20:44,985 --> 00:20:48,265 Shall we put some stickers on? Yes. To show that we're British. 344 00:20:48,265 --> 00:20:50,185 British, mate. British! 345 00:20:50,185 --> 00:20:52,225 Triumph does not exist. 346 00:20:52,225 --> 00:20:55,705 It goes straight from Toyota to VW. 347 00:20:55,705 --> 00:20:57,705 DRUMS BOOT OF CAR 348 00:20:58,905 --> 00:21:00,745 That looks in keeping. 349 00:21:00,745 --> 00:21:06,425 What side do we drive on? I've forgotten. 350 00:21:06,425 --> 00:21:10,705 But, sadly, after our breakdown, we're not going to make it to Paris. 351 00:21:10,705 --> 00:21:12,785 This stag has let me down. 352 00:21:12,785 --> 00:21:18,145 Time magazine apparently named it as one of the worst cars ever made. 353 00:21:18,145 --> 00:21:20,665 Do you think it deserves that? No. 354 00:21:20,665 --> 00:21:24,745 It was a decent car apart from the engine, which was a catastrophe. 355 00:21:24,745 --> 00:21:29,105 The reasons for the failure of the Stag are obviously complex 356 00:21:29,105 --> 00:21:33,785 but I think people blame both the workers and the management... 357 00:21:33,785 --> 00:21:36,305 You mean the unions? Yeah. 358 00:21:37,345 --> 00:21:39,305 During production of the Stag, 359 00:21:39,305 --> 00:21:41,865 British Leyland was in terminal decline. 360 00:21:41,865 --> 00:21:44,745 Strikes were commonplace. 361 00:21:45,825 --> 00:21:49,625 It's a protest against the company's refusal to buy what they agreed to buy. 362 00:21:49,625 --> 00:21:52,185 Management style out of touch 363 00:21:52,185 --> 00:21:57,905 and quality control ineffective. 364 00:21:57,905 --> 00:22:00,705 Boy, did it ever suffer. 365 00:22:07,065 --> 00:22:10,305 Our jolly to Paris may have been cut short, 366 00:22:10,305 --> 00:22:13,345 but this journey has definitely been an eye-opener for me. 367 00:22:14,465 --> 00:22:18,825 All in all, the intention behind it was all very well and good... Yeah. 368 00:22:18,825 --> 00:22:21,825 ..but it didn't quite make it, a bit like us. 369 00:22:21,825 --> 00:22:25,145 Never made it to Paris. Just about made it across the Channel. 370 00:22:25,145 --> 00:22:28,545 In the end it's a story of what might have been, really. 371 00:22:28,545 --> 00:22:30,505 If the engine had worked, 372 00:22:30,505 --> 00:22:33,825 I think it would have been a very successful car. 373 00:22:33,825 --> 00:22:38,545 As it was, it was a catastrophic failure because everything else 374 00:22:38,545 --> 00:22:41,425 in Britain was a catastrophic failure. 375 00:22:43,785 --> 00:22:45,505 Ant, hi. It's me. 376 00:22:45,505 --> 00:22:47,705 Yeah. No, I'm in France. 377 00:22:48,785 --> 00:22:51,065 Normandy. 378 00:22:51,065 --> 00:22:54,425 We were supposed to go to Paris but we didn't make it. 379 00:23:03,265 --> 00:23:04,825 Mm. 380 00:23:04,825 --> 00:23:07,585 No, no. I'm going to get the train back. 381 00:23:09,865 --> 00:23:12,025 Drag it over to the bench. 382 00:23:12,025 --> 00:23:15,985 In the workshop, Ant is finding out that before he can check the engine 383 00:23:15,985 --> 00:23:20,705 he has to take it apart. 384 00:23:24,025 --> 00:23:25,785 They're pretty right. 385 00:23:27,585 --> 00:23:30,185 It's not having it. It's really seized. 386 00:23:32,425 --> 00:23:34,465 I already dislike this car. 387 00:23:34,465 --> 00:23:35,985 Argh! 388 00:23:39,625 --> 00:23:42,265 Ant is a man with a lot of tools. 389 00:23:42,265 --> 00:23:45,625 When he's forced into customising them before they fit, 390 00:23:45,625 --> 00:23:47,665 you know there's a problem. 391 00:23:50,825 --> 00:23:53,985 That was close. That was nearly in the crown jewels. 392 00:23:54,905 --> 00:23:58,865 This is now the new patented British Leyland get-out-of-jail spanner. 393 00:23:58,865 --> 00:24:00,665 And it turned. 394 00:24:02,385 --> 00:24:06,665 Years on the road have caused the engine to, sort of, fuse together. 395 00:24:08,585 --> 00:24:10,265 Oh, you're joking! 396 00:24:13,425 --> 00:24:15,865 from the block, the bottom half of the engine. 397 00:24:15,865 --> 00:24:19,545 On a Stag engine, this is notoriously difficult. 398 00:24:19,545 --> 00:24:22,865 The head, the top portion, is made of aluminium, 399 00:24:22,865 --> 00:24:25,545 and the bottom portion is made of cast iron. 400 00:24:25,545 --> 00:24:27,985 These metals, over time, fuse together. 401 00:24:27,985 --> 00:24:30,705 You bled on my desk. I know. 402 00:24:36,185 --> 00:24:38,825 This is turning into a nightmare. 403 00:24:38,825 --> 00:24:42,425 Ant's relationship with this car was already troubled, 404 00:24:42,425 --> 00:24:46,785 but, like so many Stags, now it's completely broken down. 405 00:24:46,785 --> 00:24:48,705 This is a disaster. 406 00:24:57,237 --> 00:25:01,597 'We're halfway through the restoration of our 1976 Triumph Stag.' 407 00:25:01,597 --> 00:25:05,877 Let's have a look. Oh, wow! It's got quite a lot of corrosion. 408 00:25:09,317 --> 00:25:13,797 I've got a lot of Triumphs. They rust, they are unreliable. 409 00:25:13,797 --> 00:25:16,917 You know, British Leyland took technology that already existed 410 00:25:16,917 --> 00:25:18,837 and fudged it to make it happen. 411 00:25:18,837 --> 00:25:21,837 They cut an engine into pieces and made it kind of work. 412 00:25:21,837 --> 00:25:24,237 They never really threw their soul into it. 413 00:25:24,237 --> 00:25:25,717 Oh, that is proper grimy! 414 00:25:25,717 --> 00:25:28,477 'It seems Ant is having something of a crisis with the Stag. 415 00:25:31,677 --> 00:25:34,757 'I need to show him that this car is worth restoring. 416 00:25:34,757 --> 00:25:39,557 'Because the Stag has one thing going for it that I think is just unbeatable.' 417 00:25:39,557 --> 00:25:42,597 ENGINE REVS 418 00:25:44,797 --> 00:25:47,157 The V8 engine, it plays a wonderful tune. 419 00:25:47,157 --> 00:25:50,677 It sounds absolutely awesome! ENGINE REVS 420 00:25:52,157 --> 00:25:56,157 The most fantastic burble. That V8 burble. Lovely V8 burble. 421 00:25:58,477 --> 00:26:02,917 When I'm driving my mine, I, um, dip the foot and rev it a little bit. SHE LAUGHS 422 00:26:02,917 --> 00:26:06,997 'But even on this, Ant is determined to prove the Stag is second rate. 423 00:26:10,757 --> 00:26:13,837 'So he's borrowed a Stag and asked me to meet Him at MIRA 424 00:26:13,837 --> 00:26:25,277 'a car testing facility where they can analyse engine sound.' 425 00:26:25,277 --> 00:26:28,637 'The Stag's here but where's Ant?' 426 00:26:28,637 --> 00:26:30,717 We've got to be back by Tuesday, but, er... 427 00:26:33,437 --> 00:26:36,117 Oh! Here we go. 428 00:26:43,317 --> 00:26:45,037 Even I know what that is! 429 00:26:45,037 --> 00:26:46,837 'The Jaguar E-type. 430 00:26:46,837 --> 00:26:48,837 'One of the most beautiful cars ever made.' 431 00:26:50,837 --> 00:26:52,877 'And with its more powerful engine, 432 00:26:52,877 --> 00:26:55,597 'the Stag could well be in for another kicking.' 433 00:26:56,997 --> 00:27:02,757 What better way to test the theory that our V8 sounds so wonderful 434 00:27:02,757 --> 00:27:07,037 than against a British icon? You up for it? Let's go meet Josh. 435 00:27:07,037 --> 00:27:08,917 Look at me, I can't wait. 436 00:27:08,917 --> 00:27:10,997 Phil, Josh. Nice to meet you. Josh! 437 00:27:12,517 --> 00:27:15,717 'Dr Josh Reiss has been studying how the human ear reacts 438 00:27:15,717 --> 00:27:18,957 'to mechanical sounds for over 20 years. 439 00:27:18,957 --> 00:27:24,277 'And I'm guessing for much some of that time, 440 00:27:24,277 --> 00:27:28,077 Wow! It's a lot like a sort of...weird movie set, isn't it? 441 00:27:28,077 --> 00:27:32,117 What's it made of? Just like foam. Yeah, it's foam. 442 00:27:32,117 --> 00:27:38,117 But it's the shape of it that absorbs all of the sound. 443 00:27:41,397 --> 00:27:43,277 'First up - the Jag. 444 00:27:43,277 --> 00:27:45,197 'And Ant's looking confident.' 445 00:27:45,197 --> 00:27:48,477 You're really excited about this, aren't you? This is proper. 446 00:27:48,477 --> 00:27:51,557 This is science and cars. Does it get any cooler? 447 00:27:51,557 --> 00:27:53,477 Thrilling(!) 448 00:27:53,477 --> 00:27:55,197 Start the car. Start the car! 449 00:27:56,797 --> 00:27:59,117 Rev! 450 00:27:59,117 --> 00:28:02,117 ENGINE REVS 451 00:28:03,317 --> 00:28:05,637 That should do it. Done? Yeah. 452 00:28:05,637 --> 00:28:10,277 So now comes the interesting bit - we're going to take tape those recordings and analyse them 453 00:28:10,277 --> 00:28:13,397 and see if we can find out what's so interesting in the sound. 454 00:28:13,397 --> 00:28:17,557 'As Josh gets stuck in to his data - I'm off.' 455 00:28:17,557 --> 00:28:20,117 Where is he? I don't know. Where is he? 456 00:28:20,117 --> 00:28:22,117 'I'm going to fetch my secret weapon.' 457 00:28:29,037 --> 00:28:30,637 Now this is driving, baby! 458 00:28:38,637 --> 00:28:41,237 ANT LAUGHS 459 00:28:42,597 --> 00:28:46,837 'This Kubota G21 ride-on mower is going to be the baseline for our experiment.' 460 00:28:48,597 --> 00:28:50,757 Can you drive a little faster? I need grass! 461 00:28:50,757 --> 00:28:52,917 I wouldn't go any further, though. 462 00:28:52,917 --> 00:28:58,077 'So even if the Stag loses out against the E-type, it has to beat this thing. Surely?' 463 00:28:58,077 --> 00:29:01,717 I think we're finished. What? I think we're finished. You're done. 464 00:29:06,397 --> 00:29:09,877 analyse and see if it's an interesting sound. 465 00:29:09,877 --> 00:29:17,837 Yeah, that doesn't really provoke images of... 466 00:29:17,837 --> 00:29:20,677 'Finally, it's up to the Stag to show what it's got. 467 00:29:21,957 --> 00:29:23,077 SOUND ON ENGINE REVVING 468 00:29:23,077 --> 00:29:26,597 'Can it outdo Ant's E-type and my lawnmower? 469 00:29:26,597 --> 00:29:28,877 Look, this is why he doesn't like Stags, 470 00:29:28,877 --> 00:29:30,757 because his head sticks out the top. 471 00:29:30,757 --> 00:29:33,117 'Well, at least the engine's running.' 472 00:29:33,117 --> 00:29:34,797 And that's good. I think you can cut it now. 473 00:29:36,597 --> 00:29:39,797 'With all his years of experience, Dr Josh sets to work 474 00:29:39,797 --> 00:29:40,997 'comparing the data. 475 00:29:40,997 --> 00:29:42,637 'This could take some time...' 476 00:29:46,797 --> 00:29:49,437 Let the lesson beginneth. 477 00:29:49,437 --> 00:29:52,997 The Triumph shared some aspects in common with the lawnmower. 478 00:29:53,957 --> 00:29:55,877 'This does not sound good.' 479 00:29:55,877 --> 00:30:00,877 They're both very rhythmic. In comparison, the Jag signal also 480 00:30:00,877 --> 00:30:05,597 has a lot of noise and a lot of power and big blasts of energy, 481 00:30:05,597 --> 00:30:07,077 but it doesn't have much rhythm. 482 00:30:08,277 --> 00:30:15,557 The Triumph has rhythm and also power but without being noisy across all frequencies, so it doesn't 483 00:30:15,557 --> 00:30:16,997 appear just like... 484 00:30:16,997 --> 00:30:20,997 'I think what Dr Josh is saying is that the Jag is a bit like a lunatic 485 00:30:20,997 --> 00:30:23,557 'playing a piano. Lots of notes. 486 00:30:23,557 --> 00:30:25,957 'Very loud. Not much rhythm. 487 00:30:25,957 --> 00:30:31,957 'Whereas the Stag has just one deep note being played quite fast, very, very nicely. 488 00:30:34,717 --> 00:30:37,477 'And the lawnmower? Well, that's just a lawnmower.' 489 00:30:39,197 --> 00:30:43,397 If we're thinking that what we want out of an engine sound 490 00:30:43,397 --> 00:30:46,037 is something somewhat musical or at least having rhythm 491 00:30:46,037 --> 00:30:50,077 but also conveying a sense of power, the Stag does very well 492 00:30:50,077 --> 00:30:52,557 and seems to do better than the Jag. 493 00:30:52,557 --> 00:30:53,997 Yeah, I'm a little bit gutted. 494 00:30:53,997 --> 00:30:56,157 The Stag sounds better than an E-type... 495 00:30:56,157 --> 00:30:57,877 I can't get my head around it! 496 00:30:57,877 --> 00:31:00,117 Plus, it means Phil's got one over on me. 497 00:31:02,357 --> 00:31:04,797 I'll leave you to it, Chief. 498 00:31:11,037 --> 00:31:14,357 'Just another six weeks' work, and the Stag's off to auction.' 499 00:31:15,677 --> 00:31:18,717 This shell is finished and ready to go to the paint shop. 500 00:31:21,797 --> 00:31:23,757 Do a good job, please. I'll have a go. 501 00:31:29,237 --> 00:31:31,797 The car's transformed, just in the last 20 minutes. 502 00:31:32,957 --> 00:31:35,877 That is unbelievable. It looks like a brand-new car! 503 00:31:37,797 --> 00:31:40,637 'Our engine is also looking rather tasty. 504 00:31:40,637 --> 00:31:44,277 'Once it's slotted in, Ant's got a plan to make it sound better than ever.' 505 00:31:47,677 --> 00:31:51,117 These tail pipes are larger than the standard exhaust that Triumph 506 00:31:51,117 --> 00:31:54,877 put on the car. This is going to help produce that really throaty V8 sound. 507 00:31:54,877 --> 00:31:56,637 Let's have a look. 508 00:31:56,637 --> 00:31:58,557 (That's proper.) Yeah? 509 00:31:58,557 --> 00:31:59,317 That's awesome. 510 00:32:01,517 --> 00:32:06,357 'Ant's suddenly appeared to have 511 00:32:06,357 --> 00:32:08,037 'Unlike many drivers back in the '70s. 512 00:32:13,117 --> 00:32:17,437 'Leyland had dreamt they'd sell 12,000 Stags a year. 513 00:32:17,437 --> 00:32:19,237 'Instead, its terrible reputation 514 00:32:19,237 --> 00:32:22,077 'for overheating meant it was struggling to sell just 3,000. 515 00:32:23,557 --> 00:32:27,237 'In 1977, finally, Leyland pulled the plug, 516 00:32:27,237 --> 00:32:30,517 'and production of the Stag came to an end. 517 00:32:31,917 --> 00:32:34,677 'Thing is, plenty of Stags are still on the road. 518 00:32:34,677 --> 00:32:38,277 'So what's the story with the engine? Why did it keep breaking down?' 519 00:32:40,557 --> 00:32:46,077 'To find out, Ant's taking our Stag to somebody who's been testing engines their whole adult life.' 520 00:32:47,677 --> 00:32:50,997 Hi, you must be Jeff? I am. Yeah, nice to meet you. 521 00:32:50,997 --> 00:32:54,157 'Jeff Peters has been studying car engines since he fell in love 522 00:32:54,157 --> 00:32:58,037 'with Patrick McGoohan's Lotus 7 in '60s TV show The Prisoner. 523 00:33:00,237 --> 00:33:02,357 'But today, he's not a number - 524 00:33:02,357 --> 00:33:06,397 'he's a principal lecturer in motorsport engineering! 525 00:33:06,397 --> 00:33:08,597 'And just about every Formula One racing team 526 00:33:08,597 --> 00:33:11,357 'has at least one of his graduates working on their cars. 527 00:33:12,917 --> 00:33:16,117 'In other words, if anybody can test our engine 528 00:33:16,117 --> 00:33:19,317 'and tell us if the cooling system is up to the job, 529 00:33:19,317 --> 00:33:21,597 'it's Professor Jeff.' 530 00:33:21,597 --> 00:33:24,677 So, really after today, we're going to be able to put this rumour to bed? 531 00:33:26,197 --> 00:33:28,157 that other people probably haven't got so far. 532 00:33:28,157 --> 00:33:29,557 This is science. A bit of science. 533 00:33:31,317 --> 00:33:35,117 'Our Stag is placed on a rolling road, a sort of treadmill for cars. 534 00:33:36,797 --> 00:33:39,197 'And Jeff wires up the engine to gather the data that 535 00:33:39,197 --> 00:33:40,637 will show if it is overheating. 536 00:33:40,637 --> 00:33:42,557 That's perfect. And there's... 537 00:33:42,557 --> 00:33:45,757 On a race car, we'd have instrumentation all over it. 538 00:33:45,757 --> 00:33:49,917 760 channels of data. 539 00:33:49,917 --> 00:33:51,677 That's why we're putting these things on now. 540 00:33:54,597 --> 00:33:58,037 measure the hot water. And another temperature sensor in the bottom hose 541 00:33:58,037 --> 00:34:00,877 which in theory should be cooler cos it's come via the radiator. 542 00:34:00,877 --> 00:34:03,757 And a pressure...gauge which will measure 543 00:34:03,757 --> 00:34:06,917 the pressure in the whole water system. Yes. 544 00:34:06,917 --> 00:34:12,197 'This will be the first time our rebuilt original engine has been put through its paces. 545 00:34:12,197 --> 00:34:14,917 'And Ant is getting a bit protective about the old girl.' 546 00:34:17,717 --> 00:34:20,397 I just... I'm a bit precious about it. 547 00:34:20,397 --> 00:34:23,597 It's just been rebuilt... 548 00:34:23,597 --> 00:34:29,517 Obviously, we've just spent ages rebuilding our new Stag engine, restoring the whole car - 549 00:34:29,517 --> 00:34:34,197 the last thing you want to do is take a brand-new built engine and rev the nuts off it on a rolling road. 550 00:34:40,717 --> 00:34:43,517 Certainly, the radiator's working really, really well. 551 00:34:43,517 --> 00:34:46,157 This is the...the water in. So that's the hot water. 552 00:34:46,157 --> 00:34:48,677 And down here - blue being cold - absolutely text book. 553 00:34:51,357 --> 00:34:52,997 'The experiment underway. 554 00:34:52,997 --> 00:34:56,677 'To everyone's relief, the engine appears to be working perfectly. 555 00:34:56,677 --> 00:34:58,797 'No overheating, no breaking down. 556 00:34:58,797 --> 00:35:02,237 'Jeff's test appears to be rewriting over 40 years of hurt...' 557 00:35:05,477 --> 00:35:08,877 NOISY RATTLING, SCREECHING 558 00:35:09,877 --> 00:35:11,117 '..or maybe not. 559 00:35:11,117 --> 00:35:14,557 That didn't sound good. Yeah, let's kill it there. 560 00:35:14,557 --> 00:35:20,197 'It seems the Stag's reputation for unreliability is here to stay.' 561 00:35:28,785 --> 00:35:30,265 Yeah, kill it. 562 00:35:30,265 --> 00:35:34,025 Even after he and his team spent 1,000 man hours rebuilding it, 563 00:35:34,025 --> 00:35:38,265 just like so many Stags in the '70s, it's broken down. 564 00:35:38,265 --> 00:35:41,065 Right, something on the engine made a horrible sound. 565 00:35:41,065 --> 00:35:44,825 I'm really concerned now, because it's a freshly built engine. 566 00:35:44,825 --> 00:35:46,905 Shouldn't make a noise like that. 567 00:35:46,905 --> 00:35:48,865 Good news or the bad news? 568 00:35:48,865 --> 00:35:51,625 Any news. The viscous has gone. 569 00:35:51,625 --> 00:35:53,705 Oh, this is typical. 570 00:35:53,705 --> 00:35:56,825 On the front of the engine, there is a plastic fan, 571 00:35:56,825 --> 00:35:58,825 known as a viscous fan. 572 00:35:58,825 --> 00:36:01,985 And the coupling that holds the fan to the engine has broken. 573 00:36:01,985 --> 00:36:03,945 So, the test's over. 574 00:36:05,105 --> 00:36:08,185 But, even though the experiment might be over, 575 00:36:08,185 --> 00:36:11,425 Professor Jeff has managed to collect enough data. 576 00:36:11,425 --> 00:36:13,305 We're finally going to find out 577 00:36:13,305 --> 00:36:16,385 whether the Stag's cooling system actually works. 578 00:36:17,825 --> 00:36:21,585 The data's been perfect. I mean, absolutely textbook. 579 00:36:21,585 --> 00:36:25,705 The waters, we've been getting 35 to 40 degrees C delta, 580 00:36:25,705 --> 00:36:28,225 difference between the hot water going in 581 00:36:28,225 --> 00:36:29,945 and the hot water going out. 582 00:36:29,945 --> 00:36:31,185 It's textbook. 583 00:36:31,185 --> 00:36:32,705 Million-dollar question. 584 00:36:32,705 --> 00:36:35,665 Is this British Leyland radiator - yes or no - 585 00:36:35,665 --> 00:36:38,025 sufficient to cool the British Leyland engine? 586 00:36:38,025 --> 00:36:40,785 Yes. Categorically yes? 587 00:36:40,785 --> 00:36:42,185 Categorically yes. 588 00:36:42,185 --> 00:36:46,425 Which begs the question, what's the difference between our Stag 589 00:36:46,425 --> 00:36:49,865 and the ones breaking down back in the '70s? 590 00:36:49,865 --> 00:36:51,785 This is a properly built car. 591 00:36:51,785 --> 00:36:53,705 You've probably spent time bleeding it, 592 00:36:53,705 --> 00:36:55,425 make sure there's no air in it. 593 00:36:55,425 --> 00:36:57,505 It's a careful... You've got time. 594 00:36:57,505 --> 00:37:00,345 In a factory, you've got to put a car together in 20 hours. 595 00:37:00,345 --> 00:37:04,305 You're saying, actually, the cooling system is sufficient to do the job. 596 00:37:04,305 --> 00:37:07,545 It's a combination of the pressures that British Leyland staff were 597 00:37:07,545 --> 00:37:09,785 under at the time, and after the cars were sold, 598 00:37:09,785 --> 00:37:11,425 the owners that maintained them... 599 00:37:11,425 --> 00:37:13,865 Maybe didn't spend as much as they should have done 600 00:37:13,865 --> 00:37:15,385 on getting the right coolant, etc. 601 00:37:15,385 --> 00:37:17,065 This is the root of the rumour, then. 602 00:37:17,065 --> 00:37:19,265 The problem isn't actually the engineering... No. 603 00:37:19,265 --> 00:37:21,585 I think, clearly, it works, because it works as a car. 604 00:37:21,585 --> 00:37:23,305 A lot of Stag owners still running them. 605 00:37:23,305 --> 00:37:25,145 They haven't done anything different. 606 00:37:25,145 --> 00:37:27,385 They just put it together carefully, correctly. 607 00:37:27,385 --> 00:37:29,785 There's nothing in there that scares me. 608 00:37:29,785 --> 00:37:31,905 And I'm easily spooked. 609 00:37:31,905 --> 00:37:33,745 I'm a little bit surprised. 610 00:37:33,745 --> 00:37:35,945 I mean, the car has a reputation for overheating, 611 00:37:35,945 --> 00:37:38,585 but, actually, what Jeff's done is proved that it doesn't. 612 00:37:38,585 --> 00:37:39,985 What should have happened is, 613 00:37:39,985 --> 00:37:43,025 instead of the Stag having a history of failures, 614 00:37:43,025 --> 00:37:46,505 it really should have been replaced with a history of success. 615 00:37:50,665 --> 00:37:52,225 Back at the workshop, 616 00:37:52,225 --> 00:37:56,385 it's time for Ant to eat some good old-fashioned humble pie. 617 00:37:56,385 --> 00:37:59,225 But he has to be quick, because after today, 618 00:37:59,225 --> 00:38:03,625 our Stag is released from the workshop back into the wild. 619 00:38:03,625 --> 00:38:05,345 Now, I managed to get hold of - 620 00:38:05,345 --> 00:38:07,665 in fact, I'd already ordered, stubbornly - 621 00:38:07,665 --> 00:38:09,545 a modern aluminium radiator. 622 00:38:09,545 --> 00:38:11,825 But, I think, based on all the evidence I've seen, 623 00:38:11,825 --> 00:38:13,425 we've got to keep it original. 624 00:38:13,425 --> 00:38:16,225 Finally, yes. Let's crack on with it. OK, mate. 625 00:38:17,785 --> 00:38:20,145 There, look. There you go. 626 00:38:20,145 --> 00:38:22,385 Don't scratch it! 627 00:38:22,385 --> 00:38:24,225 Our Stag's really good. 628 00:38:24,225 --> 00:38:28,665 Better than it would have been back in the day. 629 00:38:28,665 --> 00:38:31,505 British Leyland built these cars under a circumstance that 630 00:38:31,505 --> 00:38:33,585 meant it was probably destined to fail. 631 00:38:33,585 --> 00:38:37,305 And it will be remembered as a car that always overheated. 632 00:38:37,305 --> 00:38:38,945 That looks the business. 633 00:38:38,945 --> 00:38:41,905 But, we've put our car together using the same technology, 634 00:38:41,905 --> 00:38:46,865 the same components. 635 00:38:48,505 --> 00:38:54,625 CAR ENGINE REVS 636 00:38:56,425 --> 00:38:58,825 Well done, man. We made it. Yeah. 637 00:38:58,825 --> 00:39:05,465 We're done. 638 00:39:05,465 --> 00:39:10,345 Off to see Anthony and see the completed version of the Stag. 639 00:39:10,345 --> 00:39:13,225 Basically, I want to get into the workshop before Ant 640 00:39:13,225 --> 00:39:16,185 so I can have a look at it before he starts slagging it off. 641 00:39:16,185 --> 00:39:20,985 So I'm just intrigued to see if he's had a change of heart 642 00:39:22,825 --> 00:39:26,505 Because I've got a feeling it's going to look a bit tasty, actually. 643 00:39:28,305 --> 00:39:31,185 'Ant wasn't happy when the Stag arrived four months ago, 644 00:39:31,185 --> 00:39:35,065 'bearing all the signs of a car left unloved for decades. 645 00:39:35,065 --> 00:39:38,425 'Its battered blue body was a patchwork of rust. 646 00:39:38,425 --> 00:39:45,665 'It's cream interior was shabby and stained, 647 00:39:49,025 --> 00:39:51,665 Oh! Wow. 648 00:39:51,665 --> 00:39:53,505 Look at that! 649 00:39:57,305 --> 00:39:59,225 I think it looks really great. I do. 650 00:39:59,225 --> 00:40:02,425 It looks like the sort of car you want to get in 651 00:40:02,425 --> 00:40:06,025 and go for a spin, taking it down the boozer. 652 00:40:06,025 --> 00:40:07,945 My lovely red Stag. 653 00:40:10,785 --> 00:40:12,705 A few finger marks there. 654 00:40:15,425 --> 00:40:18,305 I'm getting quite possessive with it now. 655 00:40:22,825 --> 00:40:24,785 Hi, you've let yourself in, then. 656 00:40:24,785 --> 00:40:26,145 Ha-ha! Hey? 657 00:40:26,145 --> 00:40:28,945 What do you think? 658 00:40:28,945 --> 00:40:31,665 Well, I think it's amazing! It's a beauty. 659 00:40:31,665 --> 00:40:34,105 Put a lot of work into this, mate. 660 00:40:34,105 --> 00:40:36,385 Yeah, tough, tough job. 661 00:40:36,385 --> 00:40:39,585 Like the colour. You chose it. I know. 662 00:40:39,585 --> 00:40:40,865 This is called Carmine Red, 663 00:40:40,865 --> 00:40:43,185 which is a British Leyland colour, with a gold stripe. 664 00:40:43,185 --> 00:40:45,105 It looks classy, though, don't you think? 665 00:40:45,105 --> 00:40:47,465 I tell you what it is. It's an Italian designed car 666 00:40:47,465 --> 00:40:49,945 and, when you think of Italian cars, you think red. 667 00:40:49,945 --> 00:40:52,425 I think it's stunning. My front room is this colour. 668 00:40:52,425 --> 00:40:54,905 Your front room? 669 00:40:54,905 --> 00:40:56,425 Is this why you chose it? Mm. 670 00:40:58,065 --> 00:41:00,625 Under here is where a lot of the work was done. 671 00:41:00,625 --> 00:41:03,145 So I don't know if you remember how it looked, 672 00:41:03,145 --> 00:41:04,505 but now it's a work of art. 673 00:41:04,505 --> 00:41:06,465 That's very clean and tidy. 674 00:41:06,465 --> 00:41:10,225 You know, the Stag has rumours about reliability, cooling issues. 675 00:41:10,225 --> 00:41:12,065 But we've rebuilt the same engine, 676 00:41:12,065 --> 00:41:13,665 we've not changed anything. 677 00:41:13,665 --> 00:41:15,185 It's the original engine. 678 00:41:15,185 --> 00:41:18,505 We've kept the original cooling system and this car is fine. 679 00:41:18,505 --> 00:41:21,985 So what was the fault then? Man or machine? 680 00:41:21,985 --> 00:41:23,585 It's difficult to say, 681 00:41:28,105 --> 00:41:30,745 not necessarily an engineering problem. Right. 682 00:41:30,745 --> 00:41:36,545 So we're sort of re-addressing the history of this car, a little bit. 683 00:41:36,545 --> 00:41:38,625 Or quite a lot. Yeah, I guess we are. 684 00:41:38,625 --> 00:41:41,425 And by doing it properly, we've proven that the Stag is reliable. 685 00:41:41,425 --> 00:41:44,065 I can't get over the colour. Who thought of that colour? 686 00:41:44,065 --> 00:41:46,745 I can't get over it. Yeah, you got it. 687 00:41:47,745 --> 00:41:53,865 Love the walnut dash. This is lovely. I like all this. 688 00:41:53,865 --> 00:41:55,505 That's why it's marvellous! 689 00:41:55,505 --> 00:41:57,305 Just the colour alone. 690 00:41:57,305 --> 00:42:00,065 Yeah, changing the colour was... Who thought of that colour? 691 00:42:00,065 --> 00:42:02,025 Damn, if only that was me! I know. 692 00:42:02,025 --> 00:42:03,705 Good job. Thanks. 693 00:42:03,705 --> 00:42:09,065 Shall we take her for a spin? Yeah, yeah. Go for it. 694 00:42:09,065 --> 00:42:10,505 Oosh! Oosh! 695 00:42:14,225 --> 00:42:17,105 Yeah. 696 00:42:20,985 --> 00:42:23,665 Yeah. This is a car. That is a burble. 697 00:42:23,665 --> 00:42:25,305 HE LAUGHS 698 00:42:25,305 --> 00:42:27,345 You can't stop smiling! It's great. 699 00:42:31,265 --> 00:42:33,385 Hello! Getting waved at. 700 00:42:33,385 --> 00:42:38,065 It just wants to get going, doesn't it? 701 00:42:38,065 --> 00:42:41,185 You're converted, aren't you? I have been converted. 702 00:42:41,185 --> 00:42:42,985 Is it the colour? 703 00:42:45,025 --> 00:42:48,505 This is the British countryside. 704 00:42:48,505 --> 00:42:50,185 We are going off-piste. 705 00:42:50,185 --> 00:42:52,825 Look, even the horses are having a little look. 706 00:42:52,825 --> 00:42:55,025 Thinking, "Is that a Stag?" 707 00:42:55,025 --> 00:42:57,545 So, now that you've driven it, would you change anything? 708 00:42:57,545 --> 00:42:59,185 No, I wouldn't change a thing, mate. 709 00:42:59,185 --> 00:43:01,625 So, we've ticked all the boxes. 710 00:43:01,625 --> 00:43:03,265 All we're missing, really, is having 711 00:43:03,265 --> 00:43:04,865 a little teasmaid in the car. 712 00:43:09,985 --> 00:43:11,385 Hello. 713 00:43:16,945 --> 00:43:18,465 Red, white and blue. 714 00:43:18,465 --> 00:43:21,425 I have this overwhelming surge of patriotism. Yeah. 715 00:43:23,025 --> 00:43:30,345 # Land of Hope and Glory... # 716 00:43:30,345 --> 00:43:33,145 'It's taken a long and winding road for the Stag to become 717 00:43:33,145 --> 00:43:35,345 'a classic British motor. 718 00:43:35,345 --> 00:43:39,145 'From its start as a GT car for the masses, it's endured 719 00:43:39,145 --> 00:43:42,225 'a troubled production and dismal sales, 720 00:43:42,225 --> 00:43:45,825 'but, these days, it's become something of a phoenix, 721 00:43:45,825 --> 00:43:48,905 'rising from the ashes of British Leyland. 722 00:43:48,905 --> 00:43:52,265 'In fact, a quarter of all the Stags ever made are still on the 723 00:43:52,265 --> 00:43:54,825 'road over 40 years later, 724 00:43:54,825 --> 00:43:59,065 'largely thanks to a fanbase who've proved there's more to the Stag 725 00:43:59,065 --> 00:44:01,345 'than a roadside recovery bill.' 726 00:44:06,265 --> 00:44:07,705 Don't touch it! Get back. 727 00:44:07,705 --> 00:44:09,545 LAUGHTER 728 00:44:09,545 --> 00:44:11,345 Who wants to have a sit in? 729 00:44:11,345 --> 00:44:13,185 Where's the oil leaks? They're standard. 730 00:44:13,185 --> 00:44:15,065 Very nice. The dash is very nice. 731 00:44:15,065 --> 00:44:17,145 Probably better than the original, to be honest. 732 00:44:17,145 --> 00:44:18,705 This is brilliant, yeah. 733 00:44:18,705 --> 00:44:21,825 He's resurrected another Stag. He's done a damn good job. 734 00:44:21,825 --> 00:44:25,065 Lovely to see it standard, no additional cooling fans 735 00:44:25,065 --> 00:44:26,945 and all the other bits and pieces. 736 00:44:26,945 --> 00:44:28,105 As it was supposed to be. 737 00:44:28,105 --> 00:44:30,305 How does it compare to your dad's car? 738 00:44:30,305 --> 00:44:34,425 Probably a bit in better condition. 739 00:44:34,425 --> 00:44:35,905 What do you think of the colour? 740 00:44:35,905 --> 00:44:37,985 I took the advice of a lot of standards. 741 00:44:37,985 --> 00:44:40,225 It's nice, isn't it? That was my choice. Was it? 742 00:44:40,225 --> 00:44:43,825 It's very difficult to kill a reputation. They did give trouble. 743 00:44:43,825 --> 00:44:47,825 But I think this is exactly the sort of way to kill the myth, hopefully. 744 00:44:47,825 --> 00:44:49,945 Bit of a problem with the wiper. It's not on right. 745 00:44:49,945 --> 00:44:52,185 Oh, there we go. There's got to be one, hasn't there? 746 00:44:52,185 --> 00:44:53,865 There's always one. 747 00:44:59,145 --> 00:45:00,865 So, the Triumph Stag. 748 00:45:00,865 --> 00:45:04,665 Has there ever been a more maligned British car? 749 00:45:04,665 --> 00:45:07,945 I think it's about time that we drew a line under the nagging 750 00:45:07,945 --> 00:45:10,505 doubts about the Stag's reliability. 751 00:45:10,505 --> 00:45:13,785 I mean, after all, the engine worked. We proved that. 752 00:45:13,785 --> 00:45:14,865 Well, Ant proved that. 753 00:45:17,265 --> 00:45:18,985 'It's a car with a lot to offer. 754 00:45:18,985 --> 00:45:21,065 It's a great design, Italian design. 755 00:45:21,065 --> 00:45:24,425 'A great sounding engine.' 756 00:45:24,425 --> 00:45:30,505 had an air of rather British, caddish sex appeal. 757 00:45:30,505 --> 00:45:33,345 Maybe it's time to be proud of the Stag again. 758 00:45:41,105 --> 00:45:42,345 'Next time...' 759 00:45:42,345 --> 00:45:44,465 What do you think? I love it. 760 00:45:44,465 --> 00:45:47,945 'The car that didn't just "blow the bloody doors off."' 761 00:45:47,945 --> 00:45:49,305 Don't start the engine! 762 00:45:49,305 --> 00:45:51,625 "It blew up the whole bloody drawing board!" 763 00:45:53,585 --> 00:45:54,825 my face is going to light up. 764 00:45:54,825 --> 00:45:56,745 'Revolutionising car design...' 765 00:45:56,745 --> 00:45:58,785 'Nothing short of wizardry on' wheels. 766 00:46:03,065 --> 00:46:05,425 Today we're going to show you an act of magic. 767 00:46:05,425 --> 00:46:07,825 '..and rewriting British racing history.' 768 00:46:07,825 --> 00:46:10,745 The Mini was extremely good, no two ways about it. 769 00:46:10,745 --> 00:46:13,865 'Sometimes you meet a car that changes your life...' 770 00:46:13,865 --> 00:46:15,225 Wow! Is that my Mini? 771 00:46:15,225 --> 00:46:19,225 '..but we'll be reunited with the car that changed everything.' 772 00:46:19,225 --> 00:46:22,065 AS MICHAEL CAINE: "Minis, bloody thousands of 'em." 773 00:46:26,305 --> 00:46:28,585 Kill it. You want a Coke or anything? 774 00:46:28,585 --> 00:46:30,505 No, I'm all right, mate. Thank you. 775 00:46:31,865 --> 00:46:35,025 I need the keys. That would help. 776 00:46:39,185 --> 00:46:40,985 Why won't they come out, Ant? 777 00:46:46,145 --> 00:46:47,905 Foot on the brake again. 778 00:46:54,025 --> 00:46:57,545 # Well, you can bump and grind 779 00:46:57,545 --> 00:47:00,945 # It is good for your mind 780 00:47:00,945 --> 00:47:06,065 # You won't fool the children of the revolution 781 00:47:06,065 --> 00:47:09,065 Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd