Top Gear
Top Gear in 1978 presents itself as a straightforward, hands on look at the world of cars. It moves beyond glossy ads to examine how different vehicles perform in real life, highlighting engineering choices, efficiency, safety features and design across a broad spectrum. The show offers on the... Read more
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About Top Gear
Top Gear in 1978 presents itself as a straightforward, hands on look at the world of cars. It moves beyond glossy ads to examine how different vehicles perform in real life, highlighting engineering choices, efficiency, safety features and design across a broad spectrum. The show offers on the road reports, practical tests, and feature pieces that compare models, probe everyday issues from maintenance to durability, and profile trends in the automotive scene. Viewers are guided through demonstrations, factory perspectives, and field tests that illuminate what makes a car reliable, enjoyable, or affordable. The tone stays accessible and informative, appealing to both hard core enthusiasts and casual drivers. Its format invites curiosity and debate.
Created by Derek Smith, Top Gear began in 1978 as a straightforward motoring documentary. It featured a rotating lineup of presenters and a recognizable cast including Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, and Ben Collins as The Stig. It built a consistent framework that allowed for broad exploration of cars while leaving room for new faces and evolving segments. The show balanced technical detail with approachable storytelling, helping to cement its place in automotive media history.
Top Gear helped redefine how people talk about cars by mixing practical testing with playful challenge segments and behind the scenes insights. The Stig became a cultural icon with its masked presence driving memes and speculation, while the show influenced countless car programs around the world. Its impact extended beyond reviews to shape how audiences engage with car culture on television, online, and in live events. The combination of testing, humor, and personality created a recognizable DNA that many later programs sought to emulate.
Reception has been solid, with audiences appreciating a balance of accessible critique and humor. The show surveys vehicles of all types, from practical hatchbacks to high end performance machines, examining design, technology, and value without talking down to viewers. The posted vote average sits around 7.872 out of 10 from 109 votes, signaling broad appeal. A lasting hallmark is its ability to fuse information with entertainment, inviting viewers to think critically about what they drive and why.
There’s no record of major awards for this version, though it helped redefine car programming. While not a traditional awards recipient, Top Gear championed practical testing, approachable discourse, and a culture of car enthusiasm that persisted for decades. The show remains a reference point for how to discuss automobiles without losing sight of fun and fascination.
Details
- Release Date
- July 13, 1978
- User Ratings
- 109 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 45
- Episodes
- 530
- Genres
- Documentary
Cast
Jeremy Clarkson
Self - Host
Richard Hammond
Self - Host
James May
Self - Host
Ben Collins
The Stig
Created by: Derek Smith
Seasons (45 seasons, 530 episodes)
Season 1
10 episodes - 1978
Season 2
10 episodes - 1979
Season 3
6 episodes - 1980
Season 4
6 episodes - 1980
Season 5
8 episodes - 1981
Season 6
7 episodes - 1981
Season 7
8 episodes - 1982
Season 8
6 episodes - 1982
Season 9
9 episodes - 1983
Season 10
8 episodes - 1983
Season 11
8 episodes - 1984
Season 12
7 episodes - 1984
Season 13
9 episodes - 1985
Season 14
8 episodes - 1985
Season 15
10 episodes - 1986
Season 16
8 episodes - 1986
Season 17
8 episodes - 1987
Season 18
11 episodes - 1987
Season 19
8 episodes - 1988
Season 20
8 episodes - 1988
Season 21
8 episodes - 1989
Season 22
10 episodes - 1989
Season 23
8 episodes - 1990
Season 24
10 episodes - 1990
Season 25
10 episodes - 1991
Season 26
14 episodes - 1991
Season 27
11 episodes - 1992
Season 28
13 episodes - 1992
Season 29
17 episodes - 1993
Season 30
16 episodes - 1993
Season 31
11 episodes - 1994
Season 32
13 episodes - 1994
Season 33
13 episodes - 1995
Season 34
14 episodes - 1995
Season 35
14 episodes - 1996
Season 36
14 episodes - 1996
Season 37
20 episodes - 1997
Season 38
16 episodes - 1997
Season 39
13 episodes - 1998
Season 40
15 episodes - 1998
Season 41
12 episodes - 1999
Season 42
14 episodes - 1999
Season 43
18 episodes - 2000
Season 44
15 episodes - 2000
Season 45
36 episodes - 2001
