Top Gear is often derided for being childish and not taking the important things in motoring seriously, but last week’s season finale was a turn up for the books.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond brought the series to a close with a touching tribute to British manufacturing and engineering.
The trio have previously derided the state of British industry, particularly the decline in the automotive sector since the strikes of the 1970s.
However, they set the record straight last Sunday (4 August), highlighting success stories such as the Honda plant in Swindon and the Ford factory in Essex.
The interesting trivia came thick and fast, such as the fact that the Nissan factory in Wearside produces more cars per year than the entire Italian automotive industry put together.
This all culminated in a procession to London, where the great and the good of the British automotive manufacturing and engineering industries gathered on the Mall.
And despite Top Gear being repeatedly critical of caravanners, they reserved a place in their cavalcade for Bailey of Bristol, whose Approach SE motorhome sat alongside land speed record cars and the tiny Peel P50.
Simon Howard, Marketing Director at Bailey of Bristol, said: “We were very proud to be selected to represent our industry in this celebration of the Best of British motor vehicle manufacturing and engineering.”
Given the sheer number and variety of vehicles involved, and the prestigious location, they all had to be delivered in a five-hour window, starting at midnight, the company explained.
“Looking up and down The Mall during the shoot it was great to see the tremendous variety of world-class British-made motor vehicles in Britain in one place at the same time. It made you feel that you were part of something really special,” Simon added.
To watch the episode in full on BBC iPlayer, click here.
