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00:00This is the final signature I need, which means I can go and race at Silverstone in a really big race.
00:12Oh, God. Time to inspect the newbies.
00:14Chaps, good to see you finally here. Great to have you.
00:18I'm immensely relieved to see that Europa in paint at last.
00:22Have I come to the right workshop?
00:24After four rollercoaster years in the classic car restoration business...
00:32That worked. I'm going to claim my thought of everything.
00:34It seems I've finally cracked it.
00:37Happy customer. That's a good feeling.
00:39We've dragged out the art department.
00:41You're going to get your asses over here damn quick.
00:44Into the 21st century.
00:46Our reach on that day was 317,000 people.
00:50And as brand ambassador, if you happen to have a car in the UK ever, I'm leading the charge.
00:57Hey, this is brilliant.
01:00At least that's what I thought.
01:02If you've over-promised, you can't under-deliver.
01:07Until my mum arrived.
01:09They won't listen to me.
01:09They'll listen to me.
01:11And it turns out that once again, I'm in deep trouble.
01:15I'm going to have to do something. I'm going to have to do something big.
01:18Oh, my God.
01:20Who's cheese is this?
01:37Granulated cheese?
01:39Calm as I may.
01:41Morning.
01:41Lewis.
01:42All right.
01:43Got the post.
01:45Some air amount.
01:45Fancy.
01:46So today, big day.
01:48Got James Mayer coming in.
01:49Roll out the red carpet.
01:51Make it look beautiful.
01:52It's going to be a good day.
01:53Yeah?
01:53Going to get some great socials.
01:55Look lively.
01:55Whoa!
01:56Enthusiasm.
01:57Come on, guys.
01:58Come on.
01:58Let's go.
01:59Come on.
01:59Let's get out there.
02:05So you haven't got to the T-junction yet?
02:09What?
02:10No, that's gone wrong again.
02:11Oh, I'll go right there.
02:12I'm going to send you a pen.
02:14This particular friend that's coming in to visit today, I've traveled all over the world
02:19with, and he's lost.
02:23The current question is the Triumph stag he drove on the very last Grand Tour that we ever
02:28filmed.
02:29He wants it doing up.
02:32Oh, here he is.
02:32Hello.
02:35Your directions are crap.
02:37Oh, it was me, was it?
02:38Well, yeah.
02:39Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:41Oh, God.
02:41What?
02:42When did you last see it?
02:43When we finished and I had it delivered to you.
02:46Why did you choose a stag for our last ever film together?
02:49Well, we did agree when we made that film we would take cards that we genuinely loved
02:52when we were lads.
02:54Yeah.
02:54And I always really liked Triumphs.
02:55I liked the TR6 and I liked the stag.
02:57I even liked the TR7, actually, if I'm honest.
03:00That's a hell of a thing to confess around here.
03:01I know.
03:02You did drive it across Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kubo Island and ruin it.
03:07What do you want to do with it?
03:10I would like it to be at least as nice as it was when I got it.
03:18To get it on the road, we find a light of green.
03:21Good God.
03:25Is that just to get it road legal?
03:27Yes.
03:28£13,561.
03:31And 80 pens.
03:33Oh, yeah.
03:34Well, I'd like it to be really nice, because what's the point of having a tatty stag?
03:38I kind of agree.
03:39Because the last time we sat at it was when we drove across the finish line
03:43at Kubo Island in Botswana.
03:46It's quite dusty.
03:48Yes.
03:51Oh, it is nice.
03:55James, to paint it, paint it, you'd be more like 28 by then.
04:00That's what I paid for it originally.
04:02Yes.
04:03Actually, it was £26,000.
04:05Yes.
04:05The other alternative, James, let us get it going and mess about with it for a bit
04:10and see what you want to do.
04:11No, do the lot.
04:13All right.
04:14Not the hell.
04:16I think of these cars as, now this is going to sound incredibly pretentious,
04:20but they're sort of part of my art collection.
04:23They're not really cars.
04:24I don't need it, but I will have it, I will look at it, and I will like looking at it,
04:29and occasionally I'll take it out and drive it and think, that's great, what a colossal waste of money.
04:35Does it come with a warranty?
04:36Yeah.
04:36Two weeks.
04:37Two weeks.
04:37Just skipping through some photographs of James May's stag, the last time I saw it,
04:50which was in Zimbabwe, and it's reminded me of just how much abuse those cars take on those trips.
04:57Just looking at it, the state of it, they just get filled with dust as well as dents.
05:03It's more than a quick vacuum is required to get that acceptable.
05:10Sand and things like salt are quite corrosive, so I've taken the carburetors out for cleaning.
05:16It's really dirty.
05:17That's minging, isn't it?
05:18A little sand everywhere.
05:19Yeah, look at it, it's got right in there.
05:21It gets in all the little circuits, and the only way we can be able to clean it is to pop it in our ultrasonic bath.
05:32Oh, my God.
05:39Look at that.
05:41It's a lot cleaner, isn't it?
05:42Yeah.
05:42Right, so we drain it away.
05:44Yeah.
05:46Oh, look at it.
05:47That is like brown goo.
05:50Now, that is genuine Zimbabwe sand there.
05:53Really powdery, isn't it?
05:54It is so powdery.
05:56To see a world in a grain of sand, isn't it?
05:58What?
05:59You're not familiar with the work of William Blake?
06:01Who's that?
06:07Boss!
06:08Hello.
06:08What?
06:09I have some news.
06:10Oh, good.
06:11What news do you have?
06:13In the eye of getting the brand out there, I have secured us a space in Salon Preve.
06:20That's the, like, posh, high-end car show, people dressing smartly.
06:25So it's another level.
06:26How much is this going to cost?
06:28Now, I know how you like a little clipboard.
06:30How about fancy some judging?
06:33And our special guest judge, Richard Hammond!
06:36Right, so that's bringing the cost down of doing this.
06:39Yes.
06:39The main question, indeed the only question, is what cars are we going to take?
06:42Er, don't try and answer that.
06:45I'm going to get your colleagues in on this, because this is an important one.
06:49Okay.
06:51Cogs assemble!
06:54They love it when I do that.
06:55They love it.
06:57Gentlemen.
06:58Hello.
06:58File in.
06:59File.
07:00Hello.
07:01Chaps, thank you for gathering.
07:03Lewis here, as you know, can get carried away.
07:08He's got carried away again.
07:10Um, Salon Prevay, you'll have heard of it.
07:13Um, it's at Blenheim.
07:14It's a really, really high-end car show.
07:18And we, as the smallest Cog, are going.
07:21And the key thing is, we need a good handful of cars.
07:25So what cars can we take?
07:26Obviously, James May's stag would be good, but realistically, that's not going to be ready, is it?
07:32No.
07:32My first guess would be the F100 truck.
07:34Can I interject here?
07:36Because shut up with your enthusiasm.
07:39You overdid it.
07:41Sorry.
07:41I'll just...
07:42Yeah, thank you.
07:43Be quiet.
07:43Lagonda.
07:45Oh, that's the Martin Lagonda that's done.
07:47Yeah, we could take that.
07:47Absolutely.
07:48Yes.
07:49What about, and this is a long shot, the Lotus.
07:53Is there a chance it could be ready?
07:54Well, I will do absolutely anything in my pay hours, mate, to make sure that that car will be there.
07:59Yeah, that's going to be tight.
08:00Positive vibes here.
08:02Posse vibes?
08:02Posse vibes all round, eh?
08:04Do you want the issue is?
08:05Go on.
08:06I'm not here.
08:07I'm on holiday.
08:08Oh, oh dear.
08:10Okay.
08:11Well, we're a man down already, so this is great.
08:13So we'll be a man down on the day as well.
08:15Yes.
08:16But we can do this.
08:18Yes.
08:18That's my motivational stuff.
08:20Gents, thank you for your positivity.
08:22If you go away and you have any concerns, and it's all too much, blame him.
08:26Hang on a minute.
08:26No, blame him.
08:27Right.
08:28You may leave and return to work.
08:29Thank you very much indeed.
08:31Goodbye.
08:32But there's no doubt or surprise, Lewis has got carried away.
08:38But I hope we can get that Lotus Europa ready.
08:41Because that one particularly, it's the last one built.
08:46It was the first mid-engine Lotus.
08:49It's not simple to work on.
08:51It's going to be a battle.
08:53I really can't pretend I'm not worried about our fire-damaged Lotus.
09:10I'd love it to be the star of our stand at Blenheim Palace.
09:13But because they're so rare, replacement parts are hard to find.
09:18However, Isaac thinks he's got a lead on two donor cars.
09:23There's a barn.
09:26This is surely the place.
09:31There they are.
09:32It's definitely a barn find car, isn't it?
09:35Yeah.
09:36Did you bring any mousetraps?
09:38No.
09:38It looks like a rat has lived in there.
09:40I can see a few droppings.
09:42So we've got parts over there as well.
09:46So you'd hope, between the two cars and that table of parts,
09:52we'll get somewhere near.
09:54Here's the edge, you're right.
09:57Look at that.
09:58That feels like a centre console.
10:00So that's exactly what we're after.
10:01Exactly what we need.
10:03And in perfect condition.
10:09They want £7,000 for everything.
10:11Everything.
10:12Yeah.
10:12So I think, considering where are we going to get anything else,
10:15it's still a lot of money, but I think it's still a good option for us.
10:18I think the only way we're going to know that it's right
10:20is when we get it back and start transferring stuff over.
10:24It's only a slight gamble, isn't it?
10:25Yeah.
10:26It's a great find, but still quite a risk.
10:33There's nowhere else to source parts from, so this is it, really.
10:37We're going to cross our fingers on the way home and hope everything fits.
10:40So today, I've got a car coming in.
10:56It's going to be the perfect car, I think, for the Blenheim Palace show.
11:00It's only a paint job, so nice and quick.
11:02I think Richard is going to love this.
11:04Richard!
11:10What?
11:11Can you come down here a sec?
11:12I want to show you some out.
11:12Yes, all right.
11:13Only real real quick.
11:15Hello.
11:16Nice to meet you.
11:17You are.
11:17Dane.
11:18Hello, Dane.
11:18I'm Richard.
11:19Lovely.
11:20I think you'll like this, though.
11:21Okay.
11:26Oh, hello.
11:27Oh, little bubble car.
11:29What is that?
11:30Is that an Isetta?
11:311956 BMW Isetta.
11:33A bubble window, full convertible.
11:36Is this rare?
11:37I believe there's only about seven bubbles in the UK.
11:41Oh, really?
11:42Are you wanting something done?
11:43So we're wanting it sprayed.
11:45We need to have a look at it, then.
11:47Make it come out of here.
11:48Am I helping?
11:49Yeah.
11:50I'm scared.
11:51I'm going to be killed under the world's smallest car.
11:53There we are.
11:55Right.
11:59It's brilliant.
12:00Look at it.
12:03Is it functioning?
12:05Yes.
12:06The engine, 300cc.
12:08So that's been completely overhauled.
12:10Everything underneath is ready to go.
12:12Look, I'm having a look at this, and it's not without filler on it, is it?
12:15Yeah, the whole thing is filler.
12:17Yeah, it's quite a lot of work.
12:19Well, this entirely hinges, Jamie, upon whether you think...
12:22I'd love us to do it, because it's a really cute little car, really rare.
12:25We probably won't.
12:25If there's only seven, we'll never get another one.
12:27I really want to do it.
12:29Right.
12:29So we will do it to the very best level we can.
12:32Excited.
12:33And, Jamie, you need to shake as well, because this is kind of your fault.
12:37Shall we shake as well?
12:38Yeah, yeah.
12:39Okay.
12:39This little BMW might be small, but there's a hell of a lot of work in there.
12:47Have I bitten off more than I can chew with this job?
12:51Probably.
12:51It would be great if we could show that bubble car at Blenheim.
12:59But it's only a week away, and there's still loads to do on the Lotus, our star car.
13:04I'm banking on those seven grand donor cars, having the parts we need to get it finished.
13:10So the problem with this Lotus is the fuel tank doesn't fit.
13:15It's not the original one.
13:16It's one he's had made, I think.
13:19Too close to the body.
13:20I think we need to have a look at the donors, see if we can use one of the tanks off there.
13:27This one looks original, I think.
13:29The only way to tell is take them out and just offer them in the space.
13:35She's out!
13:37Can you get the other tank out?
13:39So this one, then, there's no hole at the bottom?
13:41No.
13:42And it's not going to come through the top?
13:43It's not going to come through the top.
13:44Okay.
13:46Do you want me to get in the back and put a bit of force on it?
13:49Give me a bun cup.
13:50Oh, that looks good.
13:55Oh!
13:56I've run out of leg length.
13:59There we go.
14:05Fuel tank extraction.
14:08Put them all together.
14:10The three amigos.
14:11Looking at them, that's the original, isn't it, with all this?
14:17It looks very original, which is a bonus, isn't it?
14:20It is, compared to what we had.
14:22Yeah.
14:22Pretty happy with that.
14:24Working with Matt, his head is full of so much knowledge.
14:26He reminds me of my dad.
14:27And, to be honest, I'm still missing the old man.
14:30But now I've got Matt here, he's like me stepdad.
14:33It is great how the new team members have fitted into the workshop.
14:38One less thing to worry about.
14:40I can now concentrate on getting the smallest Cog's name out into the world,
14:44starting with my first big race at Silverstone.
14:47There's some serious drivers out there, and there's some valuable cars.
14:53And the whole benefit of that is putting the business in front of more people at a higher level.
14:58And I don't want to let Patrick down too badly, because he's been very generous
15:01letting me do this with him in his car.
15:05But that's where he makes his contacts, where he builds his reputation.
15:08In short, I am actually anxious.
15:10What am I talking about?
15:11Yeah.
15:12Morning.
15:26How are you doing?
15:27I'm all right.
15:27It's loud, isn't it?
15:29Yeah.
15:29I think it's slightly overwhelming.
15:31OK, so, car's here, car's ready.
15:35Doesn't it scrub up well?
15:37It's really pretty.
15:37When I look in here and see, this is your working day.
15:40It's quite good, isn't it?
15:42Yeah, it is.
15:43But you are at work, as am I, in a minor fashion.
15:47I'm learning how to do this as part of my work.
15:49That's what I'm doing.
15:50So, what's the tactics for today?
15:52You're going to go first.
15:53Right.
15:54I want you to push yourself in the car a bit harder than you want to go.
15:59Push the envelope of what you think you're capable of.
16:03Wilco, understood.
16:04That was a pet tool.
16:05All right, see you later.
16:06This race puts me and the COG brand in the spotlight.
16:13The who's who of the classic motorsport world are here, and I'm trying to be part of that.
16:18But the truth is, this is a different league.
16:22Victory for me today will be not making a fool of myself.
16:25You're really nervous, aren't you?
16:28I am quite scared.
16:29Why?
16:30Because you're supposed to be.
16:32If I wasn't excited and a bit nervous, why would you do it?
16:34Yeah, true.
16:35Don't be nervous, though.
16:36No, sure.
16:37Because you'll be fine.
16:38Yeah, I felt that until just then.
16:41Obviously, Richard's track record in cars isn't the best.
16:47He does get it wrong sometimes.
16:49At the end of the day, he is just my dad.
16:52So I want him to just get around safe.
16:55That's all I care about.
16:55The plan with the stag, let's literally scuff it over, repair what dents we can see, straightens primer, so nice easy job.
17:23Oh, crikey.
17:24Oh, that looks bad news.
17:26It seems like the paint's not a de-art and it's going to flake off.
17:30Oh, great.
17:31Crikey.
17:32Oh, dear.
17:32Oh, God.
17:34No key in there at all, is it?
17:36Wow.
17:37This has just made the job so much harder.
17:41Oh, wow.
17:42A nice, simple job turns into an absolute headache.
17:46A nightmare.
17:54Social media choice for today, this beautifully, beautifully prepared Ford Capri.
18:00I like it because it's got big flared arches, it's in absolute mint condition, and it's being driven by a Dutchman.
18:08Perfect.
18:10Richard wants to race, so we are going to capture that and we're going to use that to our benefit to be able to push and publicize the business.
18:16Oh, it's close now, thank you very much.
18:18There you go.
18:19Best of luck.
18:22There he goes.
18:23Our little hero.
18:26Take it from Red.
18:28Here you go.
18:29Red.
18:30Comfortable?
18:31I'm comfortable, I'm good.
18:33As good as I'm going to be.
18:34Have you got nerves?
18:36Because I've got a little bit of nerves for him.
18:38Yeah, I always have a bit of nerve for him.
18:41Yeah.
18:42It's a bit of a different league to the MGB, isn't it?
18:44Completely.
18:45Yeah.
18:45This is a monster in comparison.
18:47Yeah.
18:48I mean, it's terrifying, but in that exciting way.
18:53Oh, we are off.
18:57Right, here it goes.
19:00Oh, this is busy, as I don't know what.
19:04You are good through that bit.
19:10B6 in class.
19:12Look at that.
19:16That was better.
19:17It's one thing wanting to keep up with drivers that are the next level.
19:22It's another thing doing it.
19:23Yep, they are getting away from me now.
19:25Really, the best I can hope for is to keep it pointing in the right direction until I hand it over to Patrick.
19:34Really good.
19:35Oh, shit.
19:36Oh, shit.
19:44Slight off situation.
19:48Yeah, a bit off the track.
19:49Final excursion.
19:51Oops.
19:51I need to concentrate, not let that unsettle me.
19:55Just keep it together now, Rich.
19:56Get to a river.
19:58Stay out here.
20:01Break.
20:01Okay, I'm going to try and get him through here.
20:09I may not.
20:14Oh, we've gone up another position.
20:18He's coming in.
20:19He's coming in.
20:20He's in.
20:21He's in.
20:21He's in.
20:22Four.
20:22He's in.
20:27Everything all right?
20:28Yeah, I just fell apart.
20:29So, Patrick's got it all to do, and he'll be very happy.
20:45That car in front is doing slow-ish lap times.
20:48So, he might win a place.
20:50Yeah, I know that.
20:50He's in a good position right now.
20:51You were having a proper battle, hadn't you?
21:03That was a lot of fun.
21:05Well done, my friend.
21:05Mate, it was brilliant.
21:06I loved it.
21:07I want to do more.
21:08So, thank you for letting me do it.
21:10Well, thanks for looking after it.
21:11Okay, so, Patrick might be used to doing better, but we still finished in fourth position, and I didn't actually bin it, which is a good job, really, given I'm here to promote the business.
21:23I'm having a race shop in Denmark, running with Jan, and we have this shop.
21:28We could do something, maybe.
21:29You could send your damaged cars to him for painting.
21:33He's got a fantastic paint shop.
21:34We could do that.
21:35Yeah.
21:35Nice to see you.
21:36You too.
21:37Take care.
21:40That has been a huge learning curve.
21:42Patrick was kind enough to let me step in and borrow his car, and he tutored me, but I think seeing how it connects to his business, that's what this is.
21:52And let's be honest, I have got a business card from somebody.
21:55Possible work inquiry.
21:58There'll be more to follow.
21:58There'll be more to follow.
22:28Painted on top.
22:30Yeah, just to freshen up.
22:31Well, unfortunately, I've come across a few little issues.
22:35There it is.
22:36This is James's paint.
22:36Oh, my God, is that the paint that was on it?
22:38Yes, it was.
22:39It's literally just peeling off.
22:41But we couldn't paint on top of that?
22:42No, if we'd paint on top of that, the first end chip.
22:46So, this is now bare metal?
22:47Mm-hmm.
22:48There's cost implications here.
22:50I mean, I'm not laughing, just because it's my mate James, mate.
22:53Yeah.
22:54I think I'm going to have to make a phone call.
22:56Oh, I think we should.
22:58Yeah.
23:01Hello?
23:02Hello, mate.
23:02How are you?
23:04I'm all right.
23:05How are you?
23:05James, Jamie, essentially, the old paint just fell off.
23:18And as a result, they're having to bare metal the thing.
23:21It's going to have some ramifications on the price.
23:23How much more is it going to be?
23:26How much more is it going to be?
23:27It's going to be some thousands, but not, like, you know, a lot of thousands.
23:32Okay.
23:33Okay.
23:35I'm sorry, James.
23:36I know you're going to hang up now and think,
23:38oh, the little bugger, he's just making that up.
23:41Okay.
23:42Okay.
23:42But you've successfully taken more of my money,
23:45which is what I expected, so that's okay.
23:48Will it be done, sort of, this year?
23:51100%.
23:52Yeah, yeah, yeah.
23:52It's going to be done very soon.
23:54Okay.
23:55Signing off.
23:56Bye.
23:57Keep going.
23:57Yes, will do.
23:58Okay.
23:59See you soon.
23:59Bye.
24:01Well, I think he took that well.
24:04James May is somebody who likes things done properly.
24:06I know we used to say that on the TV show, but he genuinely does.
24:10Plus, I'm not being rude, but he is good for the money.
24:12And if the business is going to continue to improve and grow,
24:16we need the opportunity to turn out good work.
24:19And that only comes along with the right car
24:21and, most importantly, the right customer.
24:23The posh car show at Blenheim Palace is only a few days away,
24:32but the Lotus is still in bits.
24:34Jamie's determined to take the bubble car,
24:36but that hasn't got any paint on.
24:38And my head of social media is in charge of logistics.
24:41Oh, God.
24:43I'm just about to have a video call with the main man from Salon Privé.
24:48I've never done anything like this before.
24:50So, to say that I'm blagging it may be quite true,
24:53but we just want to be there and want to be seen.
24:56David, hello.
24:58Hi, how are you doing, David?
24:59Very good.
25:00Yeah, I understand you're a very busy man.
25:02All hands on deck.
25:03Yeah, the pressure's rising, hey?
25:04We are really excited to be attending your event.
25:07So, obviously, I've seen photos of the event previously,
25:11but whereabouts do you reckon we might be?
25:14It will be likely right centre stage, absolutely.
25:17Oh, wow.
25:18OK, amazing.
25:19That's fantastic.
25:20What cars are you planning on bringing?
25:21Yeah, so we've got about six cars, so we've got a range of cars.
25:24We've got Aston Martin, Legon, and then all the way to the other side,
25:28we've got a BMW Isetta bubble car that we've painted.
25:31OK.
25:32I think it will look fantastic.
25:34Brilliant.
25:34And they're all coming out to the Lord on Sunday, aren't they?
25:36Yes, please.
25:37We're a smart garden party.
25:39It's an opportunity to dress up and, you know, see and be seen, we like to say.
25:43That all sounds fantastic, David.
25:45I mean, when I started this Zoom call, I wasn't expecting this sort of thing,
25:48but that is absolutely amazing, and we are very excited.
25:52Likewise.
25:53And we will see you on Sunday.
25:55Cheers, David. Bye-bye.
25:59Oh, God, this just hit me, the pressure.
26:01We are going to be basically centre stage.
26:04I think I've got a bit carried away.
26:06I was supposed to write notes, but I haven't,
26:08because I was a little bit starstruck then.
26:10This is just going to be next level for the smallest cock.
26:13This is the BMW or setter.
26:26Here we have the front door.
26:27This is where you get to see how rough stuff like this is,
26:32because they put a coat of primer on.
26:34They've hidden everything.
26:36So you've got this swage line here.
26:37It starts to fade out there.
26:39It disappears into the pillar.
26:42This side is just non-existent.
26:44So I don't know what's going on there.
26:48It's just soft.
26:50It's quite worrying, because I'm going to have to dig it all out.
26:53I can paint over the top of that.
26:55It's really not good.
27:10Just about to set off on holiday,
27:13and that gives me a call once a hand.
27:15So I'm going to go up there, give him a hand.
27:18And to be fair, I do miss him being around and not working with him.
27:21Where is he?
27:29Dad?
27:30Are you all right?
27:31Yeah, what do you need a hand with?
27:32This?
27:32Oh, yes.
27:34This is going to be very carefully put back in here now.
27:37He don't want to scratch the paint.
27:38Just very carefully then.
27:39All right, you wheel it then.
27:40I'll line him up.
27:44Don't miss this.
27:46Working at your height.
27:47My level, you mean.
27:49Oh, your level, sorry.
27:50Yeah, keep going.
27:51The whole diff's got to go that way of shade.
27:59Done.
28:00In.
28:07There you go.
28:09Nice.
28:10Now it's like old times, isn't it?
28:11Yeah.
28:12I don't get a coffee in a day now.
28:14Do you?
28:14No.
28:14The problem with this job is, you've got to keep something like this.
28:19Yeah.
28:19Fun.
28:20Yeah.
28:20Because if it becomes drudgery, work at nine to five, you won't enjoy it, then you won't
28:25get a good job at it.
28:26Exactly.
28:27Nothing lasts forever, does it?
28:28Exactly.
28:29All right, when I'm at shoot.
28:30I'm having my second shoulder with me.
28:32I could go and play and do things.
28:33I know, yeah, you're great.
28:34I've got to go.
28:35I'm running late.
28:36You're out.
28:36No worries.
28:39It's nice to see Anthony.
28:41He's took me back a bit to how it used to be, but of course things move on, so I'm, you
28:45know, working away and he's down there.
28:47But I'm really happy here, because I don't want the worry of paying massive bills and overheads.
28:52I just want to concentrate on doing this stuff I love doing.
29:10This is the BMW Isetta.
29:13The body's here, that's ready for paint now almost, which is his own nightmare.
29:18God, I'm sweating.
29:20They're under pressure down there right now.
29:22Both the Lotus and the BMW Isetta have to be ready.
29:27Now is not the time for me to go down and goof about, oh, can I help?
29:30I'm just going to leave them to do what they do.
29:32This Lotus is really beating us up with getting stuff to fit.
29:36Watch your knob as you go in.
29:38I've said it'll be there whatever it takes, but at the minute, everything is just battling
29:42against us.
29:46Oh, there it is.
29:48Go back a bit more.
29:55So the last car has just arrived for Salon Privé, so they're all here.
29:59To say my nerves have skyrocketed is an understatement.
30:02All the body on the bubble car is now done, so I'm just about to put the colour on.
30:07It has took us a lot, lot longer.
30:09I don't know if we're ready.
30:14Any bit of carpet would be trimmed.
30:15Would be tight, isn't it?
30:16I've had to work late before, but it was all achievable, whereas this, it feels like we'll
30:22be working every hour until when it leaves.
30:26Feeling the pressure fairly massively now.
30:29I'm on my way to Benham Palace.
30:45The cars are all on an articulated lorry.
30:48They're going to get dropped off, and everything is going A-OK.
30:51How are you getting on?
31:05I'm already here, but the permission they gave you for is not for an up 44 turn artist.
31:10OK.
31:11Let me get back to you in a minute.
31:12Is that all right, mate?
31:13All righty.
31:14Thanks, buddy.
31:15Cheers, mate.
31:16Oh, God.
31:18Jay!
31:19Yeah?
31:20Right, so we've got to unload the lorry where the lorry is.
31:22I just can't understand why Lewis is surprised.
31:25No one brings an arctic truck full of cars to Salon Preve.
31:29You can't get an arctic truck through Blenheim Palace.
31:32Ugh!
31:34Idiot!
31:34Oh.
31:35I actually love coming to an event with Lewis when he's in charge of organising because
31:39he gets so stressed because he says to everyone, yeah, sort of guys, don't worry about it.
31:43Get to here.
31:44Panic.
31:44Just sheer panic.
31:46No one knows what they're doing.
31:47It's pouring with rain.
31:48We haven't got a single car where it needs to be, and the arctic lorry can't get in.
31:52Oh, no!
32:05No!
32:07Matt's stuck!
32:08What's that?
32:08He's stuck in the mud!
32:11Stuck!
32:12Right, ready?
32:13Three, two, one.
32:16Go.
32:17Or off.
32:19Oh.
32:20Go steady because that's somewhere near.
32:22It's glamorous, isn't it?
32:28Driving style.
32:30Pushing a setter.
32:34Do you need a pole?
32:3750 pounds for a tow?
32:39Oh!
32:41Oh, no!
32:44Oh, no!
32:46Are you happy you joined the cogs?
32:50It's all good, probably.
32:52Soak in wet, covered in mud.
32:57Lovely.
32:57It's brilliant when you get, you know, your dream comes true.
33:11Oh, we'll be on the hallowed lawns, but the stakes are raised as well, because if we make
33:17idiots of ourselves, we'll make idiots of ourselves, we'll make idiots of ourselves in front of
33:20all the people we most need to impress, we can't afford to get this too wrong.
33:24This is the place where the cream of the classic car world show off their work.
33:32It's their 20th anniversary, and the organizers have gone all out with close to a billion pounds
33:38worth of cars on display.
33:39I'm told there'll be 6,000 visitors coming today.
33:43Best behavior, everyone.
33:44Oh, good grief.
33:45So there's literally some of the most expensive cars in the world, Ferrari GTOs.
33:55And then there's our little collection right at the front.
33:59Chaps.
34:00Hello.
34:01Okay, the words don't get carried away.
34:03There's the palace.
34:04Palace.
34:05The stage.
34:06The stage.
34:07Us.
34:08Us.
34:09We are sandwiched by, like, millions of pounds worth of cars.
34:12I'm a little bit blown away, actually.
34:14It's a case now of spending the day making sure we, well, show off the brand as much as
34:20the cars.
34:21Okay.
34:22Don't get distracted with the multi-million pound neighbors.
34:25Our first order of business is to show the Lotus owner, Jeff, his restored car.
34:31It's been a labor of love for him and us.
34:35This is the very, very last one off the production line.
34:39I've had all the models, all the classic Lotuses, and I certainly won't be selling it.
34:44And it will be, hopefully, a family heirloom and we'll all enjoy it for many, many years
34:48to come.
34:52Well, it looks smart, Jeff.
34:53You actually do look smart.
34:54This is a weird, that's for once.
34:55Yeah.
34:56Jeff, hello.
34:57How's it going, Jeff?
34:58Jamie.
34:59Hi, Richard.
35:00Good to see you.
35:01Nice to see you, mate.
35:02Nice to see you.
35:03Vail.
35:04Yeah.
35:05John, do you want to give us a hand?
35:06Yeah, sure.
35:07I'm going to give you that to dispose of.
35:16That's quite emotional.
35:18That's good, isn't it?
35:19It's unbelievable.
35:21And I can't believe how it can stand there next to...
35:24It's a new Ferrari.
35:26It's just...
35:27Well, it holds its own.
35:28This is a special car.
35:29It deserves its place here.
35:30Oh, it's beautiful.
35:32Thank you very much.
35:33Mate, I'm sorry it's taken so long.
35:35It's been a lot of effort.
35:37Thanks, Jamie.
35:38That's been hard.
35:39Thanks, guys.
35:40A number of people didn't even make it to the end.
35:41It's been a job.
35:42It has been a mission.
35:43But it's...
35:44I think it's worth it.
35:45It's unbelievable.
35:46It's a ten-year journey to see what we see today.
35:52And it is phenomenal.
35:54I would have never thought that I would own a car
35:57which can stand on its own at this show.
36:08Richard is going to show off the smallest cog
36:10by driving a BMW Iceta up onto stage,
36:13have a chat with David Bagley about the smallest cog
36:15and the car.
36:16It's supposed to be driving up onto stage at 20 past two.
36:18So walk next to it, yeah?
36:19Okay.
36:20So, Izzy, you're going to get some social media with you.
36:22Okay.
36:23This is our luxury vehicle.
36:25It's going to have Richard in it.
36:27Right now it has Isaac in it.
36:28As you can see, it's a prestigious car.
36:30Very hot in here, Lewis.
36:31You can ride in with all these million pounds.
36:33Where are we going?
36:34It's beautiful.
36:37Hello, team.
36:38Your chariot away.
36:39Right.
36:40We've set you up for your chariot.
36:41It's ready to go.
36:42It's actually got some fuel in and hopefully it won't die.
36:43So what am I going to do?
36:44Do I stop on the stage?
36:46Well, I wouldn't keep going.
36:47Righty.
36:48I can't find first.
36:51Now I would like to just introduce you to our judges
36:54and if we can get him up here.
36:56Come on, mate.
36:57Stop.
36:58Stop.
36:59Pop out.
37:00How about this for an entry?
37:01Give him a round of applause.
37:04It's great, isn't it?
37:05Popping out of a cave, mate, isn't it?
37:07It's superb.
37:08It's a 56 Iceta.
37:10The owner came to us at the smallest cog and said,
37:13he wanted it painting, restoring.
37:15So we're very pleased with how it came out.
37:20But as we always say,
37:21there can be only one that is the overall winner.
37:24At this point, I'm going to hand over to Mr. Richard Hammond.
37:27The winner is the Pantera.
37:30And that's because it's just such an intoxicated combination.
37:35Hi, are you okay?
37:36Have you got loads of business cards with you to leave around?
37:45Yeah.
37:46Because you've not made it easy for people to find you.
37:49Business cards, yes.
37:52I have one.
37:55Oh, God.
37:56Can I say that you look beautiful, by the way?
37:58Oh, thank you.
37:59There you go.
38:00Love the hat.
38:01It won't let you off.
38:02Okay.
38:03I do usually get carried away, but this time it paid off.
38:08Sometimes you've just got to go with it.
38:09And I've gone with it.
38:10And it's succeeded.
38:11To the smallest cog.
38:13And everybody who sells in it.
38:14Well then, everybody.
38:16It's four years next week since we opened the doors at the workshop.
38:22It's been a trip with a lot of ups and a lot of downs.
38:27I talk all the time about stepping up to the next level.
38:30This is the next level.
38:31And having reached it, are we going to carry on?
38:33Yes.
38:37Yeah, we will.
38:40Here we go.
38:41Ready.
38:42Smiles.
38:52I'm returning a car to my old mate James May.
39:03It's the Triumph Stag that was the last car he drove on the show we used to make together.
39:08I'm dropping it off at his pub.
39:11I think he's going to be pleased.
39:13Good morning, customer.
39:22Good morning, customer.
39:23Yeah.
39:24Um, should we not mess about and just, you know what we've done?
39:27Sort of.
39:28I'm a bit nervous about it, if I'm honest.
39:30I'm suddenly quite anxious.
39:33So, a reminder, it was like just a bit of a refresh, but then all the paint fell off.
39:38Yes.
39:39Which was a problem.
39:40Do you know how to operate your own truck?
39:41I do.
39:42I do.
39:43It's just very...
39:44I'm all right.
39:45I got it.
39:46Don't worry.
39:47You're the customer.
39:48Ooh.
39:49Right.
39:53Will you see me back?
39:55You're all right.
39:57I thought for a moment you weren't going to say, you're all right, you're all right,
40:00you're all right.
40:11It's quite pretty, isn't it?
40:12There you go.
40:14You can see how much crisper it looks.
40:17It's all right.
40:18I'm just absorbing it.
40:20There.
40:21Cool.
40:22Cool.
40:23Not a show pony.
40:25Okay, and these have been cleaned and...
40:27Yes, all everything's been sonically cleaned and gone through, rebuilt.
40:30I want you to have the original engine because it is sonorous and correct.
40:34And works, which is also rare.
40:40Shall we take it for a spin?
40:41Yes.
40:42I think we should.
40:43Oh, it is nice.
40:57Well, this is what I never get about you.
41:00You are quite soppy about a Triumph Stag.
41:02You've always liked them.
41:03Yes, and when I was a kid, the Stag, it was actually quite a macho car.
41:08So, I'm going to do something.
41:12I've forgotten about this.
41:14I have brought...
41:15What?
41:16The beach buggy bandana.
41:17Oh, God!
41:18Oh, no!
41:20No, I'm serious!
41:21Part of me thinks you drive old cars to remind yourself how lucky you are to have a modern one.
41:29But I quite enjoy the challenge of the old one.
41:31Yes.
41:32Because you turn up and you think, what needs mending this week?
41:39Which doesn't care, is it?
41:41Oh, we've broken!
41:43And the pullover.
41:45What the f*** was that?
41:46You've just done a tyre.
41:48I think you've just...
41:49I think a wheel has literally broken.
41:53F*** me, James.
41:55It's collapsed.
42:00The wheel's collapsed.
42:01Literally collapsed.
42:02That's embarrassing.
42:04Let me have a word.
42:06Shall I turn all?
42:07Yeah.
42:10It's broken.
42:14Holy crap.
42:15Yeah.
42:17James.
42:18Yes.
42:19I'd like to apologise on behalf of the smallest cog.
42:21And let's just gloss over what appears to have happened, which is your wheel's fallen off.
42:26OK.
42:27Well, I did notice earlier this piece of trim needs a little tap.
42:29I think alignment of the boot could be improved and the wheel needs to be put back on.
42:33Oh, s***.
42:38It's a bus.
42:40Well, you can explain this.
42:41Yeah.
42:43It's hard to be you two, doesn't it?
42:44Yeah.
42:45Now, there's no gentle way of putting this.
42:46No.
42:47The wheel's come off.
42:48Yeah, brilliant.
42:49Yeah.
42:50We'll see you through, sir.
42:51You get a bus through there.
42:57Nice to meet you.
42:58Nice to meet you, too.
42:59When do you next come pass?
43:00Take care.
43:08That wasn't the ideal hand-back scenario.
43:11I think it's maybe a metaphor for my experience with the business so far.
43:15One minute, everything's going so well, and then the wheel comes off.
43:21I was actually quite moved to see the Stag again.
43:24It's a very significant car in my life.
43:26And then I drove it through the small town of Tisbury, and then the wheel fell off.
43:33We've got a bit of time, but I'm guessing it's too soon for the invoice.
43:37Mate, I appreciate the cash flow is the most important thing with the business.
43:41But you're not having any.
44:11And that's fine.
44:12We're going to get a glimpse of the money explaining this within the house.
44:13We're getting some feelings here at Melagon�cture.
44:15Well, you don't need to get some things out of sightings.
44:16Nobody is deviating some responsibilities.
44:19Do you know that maybe you do enjoy being played to someone who's speaking at the house?
44:21What do you do as the name, Solomon樂?
44:24How do you do notнять or get your life?
44:26It could be, I mean, that you couldn't have any belief.
44:28Fascinating privateósito also has some
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