Top Gear (1977 TV Series) - History

History

1977

The original Top Gear started as a monthly television series produced by BBC Midlands, based at Pebble Mill. The 30 minute programmes had a magazine format and were transmitted to viewers in the Midlands region only. Top Gear and its title, was conceived by Executive Producer Derek Smith. The programme covered motoring related issues such as new car road tests, fuel economy, safety, the police, speeding, insurance, second-hand cars and holiday touring.

The first programme was broadcast on April 22, 1977, on BBC 1 Midlands at 2215. It was presented by Angela Rippon and Tom Coyne, who was front man of the local evening news programme, Midlands Today. In the first edition, Angela Rippon drove from Shepherd Bush in London, to the Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham, reporting on driving conditions en route. Other items covered in the first programme were speed traps, fuel economy, strange new road signs and an interview with the Transport Minister. There were nine programmes in that initial series.

1978

The BBC network took Top Gear and it became a weekly 30 minute BBC2 programme on July 13. 1978. Derek Smith remained as Executive Producer, as did Angela Rippon as presenter. Other presenters were William Woollard and Noel Edmonds. Reporters or co-presenters included Barrie Gill, Sue Baker, Frank Page, Judith Jackson, and Chris Goffey. Producers Phil Franklin and Brian Strachan joined the team at this time. Features in the new series included: Rippon On The Road, driver training, MOTs, holiday rush traffic, up and coming rally drivers, rust and corrosion, tachographs in lorries and the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

The Top Gear team was also responsible for a number of other special programmes including coverage of the bi-annual British Motor Show, London Motorfair, and the Lombard RAC Rally. Its coverage of rallying was the only sport not controlled by BBC Sport in London for many years.

The show's opening theme music from the very first programme in 1977, was The Allman Brothers Band instrumental Jessica from their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters (although remixed versions were used after 1999). For much of the original series' lifespan, Elton John's instrumental "Out Of The Blue" from the 1976 Blue Moves album played over the closing credits. The opening and closing titles music were suggested to Executive Producer Derek Smith by his son, Graham who had the two albums at home. He played the tracks to his father and was asked to write down the details, so the tracks could be sourced from the BBC record library.

After Producers Derek Smith, Phil Franklin and Brian Strachan left the programme, Dennis Adams, Jon Bentley and Ken Pollock were the main producers.

Tom Ross was the Editor of the programme from 1986 till 1991.

In 1987, Jon Bentley (more recently a presenter on Five's Gadget Show) became one of the show's producers along with Ken Pollock. In this period new presenters were added including former Formula One driver Tiff Needell, Tom Boswell, Tony Mason and Performance Car Magazine journalist Jeremy Clarkson in late 1988 and the programme saw a massive boost in its audience as it became a more humorous, controversial, and unashamedly more critical show.

Top Gear Rally Report followed the Lombard RAC Rally each November presented by William Woollard with Barrie Gill and Tony Mason among others. Between 1988 and 1991, the programme organised a competition each year to find a new rally driver with the prize being entry into that year's RAC Rally.

Despite enduring criticism that the show was overly macho, encouraged irresponsible driving behaviour and ignored the environment, the show pulled in huge audiences becoming BBC2's Top viewed programme with audiences over 5 million from 1988.

It became hugely influential with motor manufacturers, since a critical word from the Top Gear team could have a severe negative effect on sales. One such example is the original Vauxhall Vectra, of which Clarkson said, "I know it's the replacement for the Cavalier. I know. But I'm telling you it's just a box on wheels." However, even more critical statements have not affected sales of the Toyota Corolla and extreme praise did not help the Renault Alpine GTA/A610.

In 1991, the then Editor Tom Ross and the main presenter William Woollard left the show. Around the same time, Quentin Willson, a former used car salesman, joined the team. The 1990s also saw the addition of a new female presenter, Michele Newman, who appeared on ITV's Pulling Power. Other presenters included Steve Berry, whose speciality was motorbikes, and racing driver Vicki Butler-Henderson, who made a one-off appearance in 1994, and started presenting the show full time from 1997.