Top Gear looking for an unmodified 300ZX for show

[Tony 260Z]

Ditto.

As my 260 was used for MPH'03 I had the pleasure of seeing much of the show three times, and the "Z" section in its entirety twice. As an early car owner it was nice to have my ego massaged with flattering things said about the 240 and 260, but if I owned a later car - and even worse had provided it for the show - I'd be spitting blood. Like Mr F. says, Clarkson WAS there because Tiff ran offstage to grab the 350 (which he did indeed throw around very convincingly), but that left Hammond and Clarkson to go for a two-man ZX-slagging session. We got the lardy, bloaty comments, and "Oh how it all went wrong when the Americans got involved" etc etc. And believe me, while Clarkson and Hammond had a difference of position over the 911, it was nothing compared to what came out about the ZX's.

Now, position of objectiveness for a moment. If you don't like a car (and for Clarkson I think that means most things other than an AMG SL55) then you can say so, so long as you do it in at least a vaguely intelligent way. If you think that the 300ZX isn't as good as a 240Z, or vice versa, then you can say so - it's your opinion (although it's a different type of car FFS). BUT, when that voicing of opinion becomes blatant piss-taking out of the car AND the owner who has made the effort to provide his or her pride and joy for your show then that is unprofessional, disgraceful and downright bl**dy rude. I'm not going to repeat it all here, but I will be complaining because I've actually enjoyed Top Gear for Years and at MPH they made themselves look shabby. It was embarassing, and it took the edge off what was otherwise an enjoyable, action-packed and well-run show.

And to end on a lighter note, I drove the Z home tonight and it rained on me. All was fine until my drivers side windscreen wiper took a leave of absence on the M11... crack, clatter clatter, screeeee.... sh*t! etc...

Was it trying to give me a hint?

 

[top_gear_towers]

Ladies and Gentleman of the Jury...

I suppose I cannot blame your cynicism,

The piece is not to set up a good vantage point with which to jump on new cars - or old, for a slagging.

The point is simply a reflection of discussions we have in the office all the time - the new 206 is great, but we all remember the golden years of the 1.9 205.

When the 350Z came out, were some Z32 owners interested in which was quicker? Straight line or track?

I know a number of Focus RS owners, and they are always going on about being quicker than the cossie, deep from underneath its shadow.

The 300 is not up for a roadtest, and will not be in the studio. We have had a Z32 owner come forward, and are extremely grateful to owners - as without them the programme cannot be made.

Hopefully when you all watch the piece on Sunday, you'll see...

Kind Regards,
Rowland

PS. Jeremy doesn't like beards. He's never liked Beards. Lots of people don't like beards. Other people do. I personally don't mind them - my dad used to have a beard.............

PPS. MPH is not run by Top Gear. I'm on the editorial team and I love the 300ZX - well anything Japanese with a 3.0 24v V6 lump is cool in our book.

PPPS. The 300ZXs in our boffin burnout were supplied by Steer From The Rear - a display team, and were not owners cars.

 

[jonnyd64]

Hi guyz, i`ve just read what you all have said ,about whether to go or not or be apart of it ,,so about the MPH03 SHOW and as the owner of the, (the fat bloaty american thing ) my lovely Black 300zx (Z32) that was mine and i drove the car in the show from thursday , friday ,missed saturday ,and all through sunday,i had a great time ,I DON`T CARE WHAT HE SAYS cause I like my car for what it is and i had good comments about it all the time i was there ,,,so if he does not like , i`m really not bothered ,,,and,,, JC INSULTED JUST ABOUT EVERYONE at the show at some point... .But i will say he did thank us ,at the end, and as we did give him the finger when we drove past (my self and the guy who owns the very clean RED Z31, sorry i forget your name) the stage ,,,,and,,, RH,AND JC did not know what to do , or say,,
,,,,TIF was great,and perhaps we should go on his show instead ,,,but we did get our own back a bit,,,,,Some chaps at the show (no names, as you never know whos reading this)got him ,, by getting him with a squirting washer bottle ,so when he sat in a car to do a hand brake parking sketch,,he got quite a shock ,,,some of the guyz (no names)in the show thought he needed cooling down,,it was very funny,,and he was very wet when he switched the ignition on,,S0

If you read this ,,,,J.Clarkson,,,,GOT YOU!!!!! HA HA !!!

 

[Mr.F]

MPH is not run by Top Gear

Sad to say, the arena show gives a very strong impression that it is.

I was assured that Clarkson was contractually gagged for the Nissan segment, but it seems that he feels that he can abuse this once he is out in front of his supposedly adoring public. Behind the scenes there is a lot of anger......

 

[Tony 260Z]

Well, having been on the audience side, I didn't see you give Jezza the finger but WELL DONE, 'cos it was well deserved! And I had a good laugh at the wet-crotch incident too. I agree that he was rude to most people, and his opinion doesn't really matter, but I still think the way some of it was done was very unfair as these comments do stick in peoples' minds. You're obviously more forgiving than I am!

And yes, if Tiff asks us to appear on 5th gear I'd be there like a shot too.

I thought all the Z's and ZX's were fab and I take my hat off to you for spending so much time there.

TL.

 

[Gio]

I spoke to the bloke from Top Gear this morning out of curiosity - give him a break, he's a real Japanese car fan.

And, by the way, he's also the bloke that thought up the "trying to kill a Toyota Hilux" segments which made me laugh a lot - as well as want to buy a Hilux!

And he is really keen to see the 300 / 350 test as a fair and interesting question to be answered.

Now we can't necessarily guarantee that JC doesn't try a witticism or several hundred but at least it'll get a 350 and a 300 onto the prog which can't be bad, surely?

Cheers - Gio

 

[jonnyd64]

Tony 260z, when were you there?,,,,,thank god you didn`t see it ,i would have been in trouble with the organisers,, you were not mean`t to see the finger,,it was done with the roof on ,,,after that we just waved and he had to wave back ,,,he wasn`t sure what we were going to do next,,,,,but he was got in the end ,,,wet leg or what !!!!
The trouble is people came to the show to see the cars ,but also to see him ,,,to see what trouble he gets him self in to , and he does make people laugh with his comments ,be it at other peoples expense ,his claim to fame now is that he insults car manufactures and people with there cars but it increases the audience ratings(figures),,,Porshes and TVR ALSO get slated so we are not singled out,,,,
As i look back on the days i spent there , leathering the cars down after they came in from the wet ,,thursday afternoon Nissan yellow 240,your car Tony 260z ,280 of peters and the red z31 , my z32 and the 350z and again on friday, (there was know way these cars were going in to the show not looking there best, i made sure of that!) before the autoclean boys took over on saturday every one i spoke to loved the cars ,,,,they took loads of pictures and the drivers would argue over what car they were driving ,and the crowd seemed to like the Zs,,so what i`m trying to say is the people that matter know what they like ,,,and i for one won`t let what JC says make me angry ,,,
who knows what his real opinion of the cars are when his motivation is so high to make rude and daft comments about owners and there cars ....

One things for sure this won`t be the last time i see JC and he will remember me (just call him Mr wet leg)and at least i don`t drive a gay car merc slc what ever it is and mine is not in the workshop as many times as his ,,,,good judge of car i don`t think so............

 

[SkylineDave]

damn i was out at the time and set the video for 7pm. by the sounds of it i didn't miss much. just caught the chameleon one at the end. and just to add my thoughts to the disquiet going on about JC etc., has everyone forgotten that the Z32 is nearly FOURTEEN years old and still sits up there with more modern scoobys and supras in terms of looks and performance. and that's just the Z32...

 

[SkylineDave]

ps. oh and big up the Noble M12 built in Leicester! At least JC DID like that!

 

[Albrecht]

Originally posted by SkylineDave
ps. oh and big up the Noble M12 built in Leicester! At least JC DID like that!

Noble have them made in South Africa, and do the final engine installation and fit-up in the UK I think you'll find.

I went on a visit to their "Factory" last year, to find that it was only a pair of conjoined industrial units. They'd just had two cars in from SA and they came wrapped up in plastic and sans wheels, engines & transmissions. Still a lot of work to be done - but certainly not as 'British Built" as JC would have you believe.

Not like TVR and Morgan ( and some of the other - smaller - companies making specialist cars in the UK ). They really DO make most of the car in their own factories. And yes - where WAS the Aero 8?

But that would not make the right point for their comedy TV programme, would it?

 

[Mr.F]

The point is WE all know how great all the Z range models are - each in their own way. WE know the pleasure they bring to their owners. WE know that the bang for buck value is extremely high for every model. The problem is that the potential future classic car buying public won't know unless they drive one, own one or know someone who owns one. Until then they will have their sheep brains imprinted by the likes of Clarkson - it was on the telly, it must be true!

The more I deal with journalists and presenters in any field where I have at least a little knowledge of what is being covered, I see glaring holes in arguments, factual omission for the sake of sensationalism, downright bias and, more importantly, poor research. Not just in motoring either - how can we trust the news or the rags that present themselves as "news"papers?

I will also happily go on record as stating that in every magazine article, newspaper report and television appearance that I have ever been involved with, I can find at least one, usually several, major errors. What sort of profession can behave like that with such alarming regularity and get away with it?????

 

[Tony 260Z]

Um... speed (ooops, SAFETY) camera promoters

Errr... Tony Blair's nanny-state producing, thought-controlling, Euro-bum kissing bunch of lunatics (hey, at least Clarkson got something right)

I'm sorry, I almost got into my swing there. Best go have a lie-down...

 

[Russ]

Both good points there Tony, bastard nanny state grumble grumble...

Anyway whoever made the point that the Z32 is 14 years old and still SPANKS well then I think that's a bloody good point.

Now if we all do a little more work with the club to promote Zs then we might be able to counter the evil that is Clarkson and ill informed journalists

One good point though is if you turn up at a classic show in a Z or a max muppet show in a Z your one of the cool individuals with rarer cars, turn up in an MGB or a Supra and no one bats an eyelid The more people Clarkson can turn off the more exclusive our club becomes...

 

[RickB]

If, as Mr TopGear Towers suggests - the 300ZX isn't going to be used for a road test - then whats the point? How are they going to compare it with the 350Z? On looks ????

Sorry sir, but your program has become a laughing stock - its just fortunate that the magazine of the same name still maintains at least some credibility.

Unfortunately the television program is a chat show first and a motoring program somewhere around 4th or 5th. Frankly, Clarksons ego is now somewhat greater than the program, which provides shallow entertainment at best, and would be considered more entertaining if other cast members threw Clarkson's ego in to sharp relief, sadly there is a lap dog attitude to Mr Hammond and Mr May which does the program and the BBC no favours at all.

RickB

P.s. Whilst your at it - if you could clarify which 350Z was used to post the laptime around the test track we would be truly interested and surely you would having nothing to hide from answering interms of impartialism which I believe is the core ideology of the BBC. Was it a UK or a Japanese specification car ???

 

[Tony 260Z]

Yeah... rock on & sod the lot of 'em...

Anyway, Johnnyd64, I think flipping JC the bird was the most restrained thing you could have done. I'd have probably driven right up to the stage and given him a set of air-horns at point-blank range (well, that's what I'd have WANTED to do, but I'm too polite of course). I wish I could have seen it. I was there for the Saturday evening show but got planted in the audience (albeit right at the front - hurrah!) and was there for the 3pm Sunday show with my Wife and daughter (7). They BOTH enjoyed it! My daughter was almost beside herself at seeing Daddy's Z in a show - LOL!. Even my Wife (who has always had a healthy distrust of my car) had a good time! I was then dragged out to Pizza Hut before sending them home and hanging around to pick up the Z after the 6.30 show. She was, incidentally, running on 5 cylinders because they'd left it idling when cold which I had made very clear would foul up the plugs. Duhhhh! Luckily I always carry spares!.

I did in fact notice that the cars were all clean. I'd assumed that was all show-staff work (which was what I'd been told would happen), but I should have known the Z-club peeps would have a go too. Thank-you very much for that chaps - you did them all proud.

And I guess the Z club (and to be fair the Porsche owners too) showed everyone a thing or two as well. It's all about how to be a fan of your car and not just a rich bouffant-haired pillock who probably never even washes his own anyway.

Or his car.

TL

ps - How the hell did that guy make the Hilux disappear?

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

So I take it that nobody will be watching "Top Gear" on Sunday then?
The programme is the result of a general dumbing down by the BBC, which buys in low grade drivel from production companies, who cater to the lowest common denominator.
BTW it was the last in the series of "5th Gear" tonight, so no more squealing VBH until next year!
JEZ

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

P.S......I think Clarkson is panicking because his "Christmas video" is being out sold by Martin Brundle's superior "Supercar video"!
JEZ

 

[Tony 260Z]

Actually, I think the whole state of Top Gear is a real shame. I enjoyed it for years, laughed at Clarkson's ascerbic style a thousand times (I know, I know...), enjoyed the whole thing really. And like you say, nowadays it's a Clarkson-orientated slapstick vehicle, with guests, and a few cars...

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Hi,
I looked forward to the new show when it changed to the longer format, but half of the programme could easily be cut out.
Most tv programmes nowadays seem to be aimed at people with the attention span of a Gold Fish!....Hence the wise cracks every couple of minutes....to "keep you watching", stop you channel hopping!
Trouble is, if people read some incorrect information in a magazine it doesn't have the impact that the same mis-information has on the TV.
"It was on the telly last night so it must be true!"

JEZ

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Originally posted by Tony 260Z
Actually, I think the whole state of Top Gear is a real shame. I enjoyed it for years, laughed at Clarkson's ascerbic style a thousand times (I know, I know...), enjoyed the whole thing really. And like you say, nowadays it's a Clarkson-orientated slapstick vehicle, with guests, and a few cars...

Yes, it was funnier when he used Quentin Wilson as his stooge, and most of his barbed remarks were aimed at him instead of perfectly good cars.
JEZ!