04x01 - Something Has to Change

[bunniefuu]

RICHARD VOICEOVER: I come out here
because I love it.

Favourite place in the world,
the Lake District.

It's where I can think things over
and I've got a lot on my mind.

I feel like the workshop
is at a bit of a crossroads.

It started as my dream.

But turning something
you love into a business

is not easy as it turns out.

I had no idea
how difficult it would be.

I've got to make it work
as a business

but without losing the passion.

Without losing what I love about it.

Fortunately, it's a five-hour drive
on the motorway back,

so I've got lots of time to come up

with a brilliant plan!

It's nearly three years

since the Smallest Cog
opened its doors.

The business
still owes me a fortune.

I've been hiding bank statements.

I'm basically running a social club!

So it's time for a big shake-up.

Clock in in the morning,
clock onto a job.

The dawn of a new era.

But not everyone likes change.

I'm very nervous about all of it.

This isn't going to tell me
what to do!

I'll tell you that for nothing.

We make history with our most
important restoration yet.

Did Montgomery or Churchill
ever imagine you sitting in it?

Probably not.

The work must be completed on time.

Oh, she's eager!

Can we race
into a bright new future?

With me at the wheel?

Oh, oh, oh! Oh, oh, oh!

[THEME MUSIC]

Back from the Lakes
to another day

in the factory of dreams.

Except it's not quite
what I dreamt of.

Firstly, there's a notable absence

of valuable classic cars
being worked on

and restored to perfection by us.

There is a lot of... stuff.

I mean, just gubbins! Look at it!
Oh, there is a car. BMW.

It is weeks overdue,

which means
it'll be massively over budget.

There'll be no profit in it
when it is finally finished.

Mess, mess.
And then there's this area.

When we designed the workshop,
I remember we said, yeah,

that will be welding, fabrication.

Kind of ordered and not... that.

So the time has come.

Like reluctant teenagers,
we must tidy our room, properly.

Thanks, Tony.

Right, there is the answer to us
achieving a new level

of efficiency and productivity.

A skip.

Oh,
what's occurring here then, Rich?

Well,
I'm having a much needed clear up.

Oh, it's much needed.

Yes. Well...

I've been watching it
build up from my ivory tower.

They are messy buggers.

I need to tidy.

Is that you or them?

Them!

Particularly one of them.

An older one or a younger one?

He's an older one.
Oh, I know the one.

The sweary space hopper. Him.
Yeah.

So, the couple of days we'll
lose on the big clear-out

we will win back
over the next few weeks

of increased efficiency.

You're talking the talk.
I mean, yeah, can you walk the walk?

I read a book...
I read a book in an airport.

Oh.
Yeah.

How to improve yourself!

Right. I'm going to set to.
You going to give us a hand?

Er, actually,
my office chair's getting cold!

Thank you.

Morning.

You're not, are you?

It's time.

In your heart of hearts,
you knew the day was coming.

It's got to be done.

There may be tears and whining,
possibly howling.

Yeah, well bit of a tip.

Chuck as much as
you can in before dad arrives.

Yeah. Right. OK, let's do this.

Let's be brave and face it.

Oh, speak of the devil.

Quick. Get these in before...

Nothing to see.

What's going on there?
Nothing to see.

Well... we're getting
rid of all the rubbish.

And then we're re-organising
everything in there.

There's no rubbish in there, though.

There is some.

We have been through this

once before.

I know that.

Think what a...
what a cleansing exercise it was.

Soph!
Me?

Yeah, we're all on it.
We got to get it done.

Right, so we just binning
this rubbish first, are we?

Yeah.

What's that there off?
Come on!

What about these boxes, Isaac?

You could make that
into something useful.

Agh!
Whoah!

That. No, seriously.
That bit there.

Yeah.
That's mine. Mine that is.

Hold on,
that's a Porsche floor pan there.

This takes me back three years.

Dad going through stuff.

Don't wanna throw stuff away.'

That's not going in the skip.

Truth is, tidying the workshop

alone is not enough
to solve our problems.

We've got to start operating
as a proper business,

as a proper workshop.

We need systems in place.

And also, the sad fact
is Neil's brother Andrew

has decided to leave us,
go on to new things.

He's already gone.

And finding somebody
with his level of skills

and craft is gonna be difficult.

It's a big ask.

So let's just...
let's just call this phase one.

It's a start.

I hate it.
I hate chucking stuff away.

Right, now either
they've put you in there...

or you've got in
and you're rummaging.

This isn't playing.
There's stuff in here.

They chucked that exhaust away
and I'm not being funny.

Seriously, genuine,
I can't live with myself

to see it going to scrap.

Are you like some
little troll that lives in the skip?

And we come up and you're, 'Rrr!
You cannot put that in my skip!

Raahh!'

Let me explain this to you.
And you'll see this.

You'll see this. You'll see this.
You will see it.

Right.

I know we're chucking this, right.
Imagine now if you had to make that.

Are you taking that out?

I was going
to but I'm fighting myself.

It genuinely hurts you.
It does.

I'm going to look that way.

When I look that way,
you can chuck it in.

Oi.
Oh look! A puppy!

A little puppy!

Don't-don't chuck that block away!
Don't chuck that.

Now. Now!

It's like a young warrior
going into battle.

Rawr!

[LAUGHTER]
No, No, no!

Oh, you're having a laugh!

It pained me to come in...

in the morning and see cobwebs,

dust, debris.

From now on, I'm definitely
going to make it my life's work

to keep on top of the lads in a...

[LAUGHS]

I'm going to have to re-word that.
That sounds awful!

[VEHICLE BEEPS]

Good thing
we did the workshop tidy.

Neil and I are on our way to pitch

for a very special job
from some people

who are keen on spit and polish.

If we manage to get it, well,
it'll be far and away

the most important car
we've ever done.

I'm glad you're wearing
your Sunday best pullover.

This is my Sunday best.

Well, I'm glad because

we are going
to the Royal Logistic Corps

to meet a Brigadier.

Brigadier?
Brigadier.

That's like...

Oh,
it's not another army truck, is it?

[LAUGHS]

No, it's actually a Rolls Royce.

Their history is incredible.

It was the personal staff car

assigned
to Field Marshall Montgomery.

Monty?
Yes, Monty's car.

And they want us to work on it.
If we get the job.

If.
Yeah, yeah.

And if we can do the job,
and if we do it well,

it'll be seen by a lot of people.

So as a reputation builder,
it's a whopper.

I mean, it really is.

Ah! Mike!

Hello, Richard.

A very warm welcome
to the Royal Logistical Museum.

You're a Brigadier?

I am a Brigadier, yes.

That's quite...

I'm terrible
with-with authority and rank.

I can't talk to a headmaster still.
I won't be this annoying all day.

Right, lead on.
That's alright.

Let me introduce you
to a fabulous historical car.

Let's go.

So, of course, Richard,
this is the subject...

Yeah.
..of our introduction.

Field Marshal Montgomery's
Rolls-Royce,

the first civilian vehicle
over the beach after D-Day.

And it was picked precisely
because it conveys that sense

of gravitas and power.

That's what you call
making an entrance.

Yeah.

And if they trundled up
in a knackered old Austin 7,

it wouldn't really do the same.

Every profound historical figure

of the mid-20th century
has been in this car,

Monty, Churchill, Eisenhower.

And it's still used.

This coming year
is 80th anniversary of D-Day

and this car
will feature significantly.

However, the sad truth
is it doesn't look its best.

So potentially,

we might be invited
to do some work on?

Yes.
That is...

Don't be nervous.
No, no.

Right, let's have a look
at it in the light.

OK.

Oh, it is a Rolls-Royce.

Yeah, definitely.
It's definitely a Rolls-Royce!

There we go.
She sounds gorgeous.

Et voila.

Imagine seeing that
rolling over the beach on the day.

What a thing!

Stunning, isn't it?

You might think
that I've turned the ignition off,

but this car is running.

Is it still running?

So, the car sounds
exactly as a Rolls-Royce should.

Which is...
Silent!

...no sound at all.
Yeah.

So the question is.

Oh, I see what you mean,
there are...

Yeah.
Bits and pieces, aren't there?

Well, it's had a life.
Yeah.

I mean, this is just damage.

And we've got cracks
in the paint around the roof

where the roof has been repaired.

Somewhere along the line,

it's picked up two
Robin Reliant wing mirrors.

They're not elegant!

They're not...
they're not Rolls-Royce,

that's for sure.

And although the interior
is largely original,

the wood, the leather,
it has deteriorated.

That would concern me there,
that bit.

Is it, am I? Can I?
No, please do.

You'll probably need the foot-rest.
Yes.

[LAUGHS]
Here we go.

This motorcar,
which was allotted to general

Sir Bernard Montgomery Commander
in chief.

Can I sit in?
Alright then, come on.

Just don't spoil the moment.

We're the lowest level
people ever to sit in here.

Yep, good though, innit?

Right.

Now, with the electrics on,
we should be able to raise...

Yeah.

Oh good lord...
The vanity glass.

Imagine that back in the day!

I know.

Wow!

When you're sat here,
you can imagine

Montgomery or Churchill.

You know, they've actually
touched this, sat on this.

Did Montgomery or Churchill
ever imagine you sitting in it?

No, probably not.

[DRUM ROLL]

Right, a friendly chat
with some more high-ups

and the job's in the bag.

Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Dowling
is the site commanding officer.

Colonel Pat Allan is the colonel
of the Royal Logistic Corps.

And Clare Harrington
is the assistant chief of staff

of the Defence College of Support.

Why have I got the feeling that
I'm at an interview?

Hmm, tougher crowd than I expected.

So, um, this is all about
finding out how this car

and the aspirations for it
fit in with a much bigger plan.

What is going to be happening?

So, at the point,
we get to D-Day itself.

Monty's Rolls-Royce
will be in France,

and the aim is that
it is the centre-piece

in a series of media
and pre-D-Day activities.

So, it's going to be
a great deal of attention

levelled at this car.

Yes, it's huge
and it's internationally public

and it's cathartic
for millions of people.

And, of course,
there'll be heads of state

and members of the royal family,

members of the government there,
as well as veterans.

It's a very special anniversary.

It's a very special car,
and it should look its best.

So, with the greatest respect,
you are not Rolls-Royce.

No.

So, we would need you
to make a good job of this.

That car has to be in France.

It has to take part
in the D-Day celebrations.

The work must be completed on time.

Millions of people are involved.

There's no capacity to be late.

CL.

The Princess Royal
is very fond of that Rolls-Royce.

Don't pile
any more pressure on us!

What a car! What a job!

But let's not get
ahead of ourselves.

We haven't actually got the job yet.

They said they'd be in touch.

I think there'll be a fair few hoops
to jump

through before Neil
ever gets his hands on that car.

And fair enough.
It is a priceless piece of history.

Meanwhile, I've got to make sure
the workshop is ready

to take on a job of that calibre,
if we were to get it.

Mate of mine,

Patrick Blakeney Edwards,

he runs a massive
restoration specialist business,

really high-end.

So, he is going in today,
secretly, to visit.

He's like
one of those secret shoppers.

Ah.

The Smallest Cog. Seen it on telly.

Do you know who that is?
Do you recognise him?

So, he's gonna have
a mooch about,

and try and look at it through
the eyes of the military high-ups

to see what they're gonna see.

And then feed back to me
his opinion,

whether they will trust us
with their precious,

to be honest,
almost priceless Rolls Royce.

Pretty cool paint shop.

But if I had a paint shop like that,
it would be going 24/7.

He's having a good look round,
isn't he?

Yeah.

Eclectic mix of cars here.
BMW, that's cool.

It's clearly
had a lot of investment.

But I'm not getting
a massive wow factor.

Do you reckon
he could be a liquidator?

Just make sure
you've got all your tools!

I've put my screwdrivers in there!

Morning!

You're late.

Well, no, I gave you some time
to have a look around

without me here to interfere.

I'm freezing!

It's not very warm in here,

I'll grant you.

Welcome to The Smallest Cog.
Yeah. Thank you.

You've had a look around?
Yeah, yeah.

First impressions?

Um... Um.

If you wanted some input
from me and that's,

you know, that's up
to you whether you wanna...

whether you wanna that or not
or whether...

That's why I've invited you,
mate.

I wanna hear it,
give it to me straight.

But... there are a lot of things
that I would implement,

not necessarily expensive things,

and I think, if you wanna sort of
get the higher profile

or the more valuable cars
and just...

You're working up
to something here!

What?
Well not but...

It-it's not having a wow factor.

We've had a tidy up, to be fair.
This is the new improved us.

Listen,
you've got stuff on the floor,

litter around, stuff on benches.

I'm trying not to be rude.

I don't mind. I'll take it.

This would drive me insane.

You've got an extension
lead over there.

Yes.
I believe coming down here.

All the way around there,
all the way around here, down...

There's the plug. Right?

It's just always
the way it's been.

There's so many inefficiencies
that, that...

There needs to be a reset.

Shall we go and sit in my office
and have a coffee?

I think there's lots to talk about.

OK, this is gonna be painful.

At least it's not someone
from the Ministry of Defence

pointing out crisp wrappers
on the workshop floor.

Right.

Every horizontal surface

that isn't a shelf,
is covered with sh*t.

When I come in
with my expensive car,

what I see is that.

And I want to leave my car
in a... in a place that

looks like the people
there mean business.

It's just a no-brainer.

It counts for so much.

I get that, 'the place'.
What about 'the process'?

The key thing is efficiency.
The-the BM downstairs.

How long's it taken?
When-when did it come in?

Christmas.
OK.

Before last.
So. Oh.

Yes.

I mean...
It is chaotic here.

My lack of ability as a manager,
I suspect.

But I want to stick with it.
And I want to grow the business.

So how do I push it past
this slight impasse we're in?

You're great mates
with the people that work here.

Therefore, it's quite difficult
to get them to change their ways.

But if I'm brutally honest, Richard,
I don't think you can turn it

around unless you do.

Hmm.

I think some external light
management here

would be a good thing.

But it's got to be somebody
that they're gonna listen to

and adhere
to their way of doing things.

You need to up the game
here a little bit.

So much of this place is right
that with a gentle shove

in a couple of direction,
this place could be

absolutely stonking
and really fun too.

It has real, real potential.
You've got to get serious about it.

Mate, thank you.

I'm outta here.

I'll see you soon.

See you, Richard.
See ya!

Well, that was pretty sobering.

But I mean,
that's why I asked Patrick to do it.

He's not exactly
a bloke to hold back.

So, I've only myself to blame,
really.

And he has a point.

I mean,
would you trust your priceless,

significant classic car
to that workshop?

You wouldn't, would you?

What if we did another BMW job on it
and just took forever?

"Terribly sorry, veterans,
dignitaries and leaders.

Monty's Rolls didn't make it
to Normandy

because it's still in our workshop,
half-restored."

Also, what Patrick was saying about,
in his words,

a bit of
"light external management."

Fact of the matter
is I'm not a manager.

So the idea
of a bit of external help,

even if only for a while,
is not a bad one.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Hello?

Hello.
Hello.

Just to let you know,
the Lancia is coming in a bit.

Righto. We'll be ready.
Thank you.

No problem. You alright?
Yeah, yeah.

Good.

Well talk about
one extreme to the other.

Lancia Fulvia
is one of my favourite classics.

Pretty, understated
little Italian sports car.

I mean, you could say,

compared to the grandeur
of the Rolls,

it's an altogether humbler thing.

But certainly, to the owner,
Anne-Marie and her son Connor

who's autistic,
it's anything but humble.

It's an amazing story
and I can't wait

to meet the car and them.

So, mother, this is it.

This is it.

What do you think dad
would think about us

having the work done
at the Smallest Cog, Connor?

Yeah, yeah. I know.

And if he was still alive,

he would have been glad
to join us on the trip.

He would have been.

Yes.

Dad left us a list...
Yes.

...of all the little jobs
that he wanted done.

So I've brought the list
so they know

what to have a little look at.

They have to know
more than you because they're...

They do!
Because they're great engineers.

And they're...

And they are... and they are

the most enthusiastic people
in the world.

Especially about classic cars.

Yes.
Yeah, yeah.

Tell you what...
Isn't it pretty.

Look at that!
Usually, they don't drive in.

So this is a start.

Hello.
Hello.

Anne Marie, I'm Richard.

Lovely to meet you.
This is Anthony.

Nice to meet you.
Lovely to meet you.

Lovely car.

Thank you.
Connor.

Hello.
Hello. Nice to see you.

How are you?
Greetings, Richard Hammond.

Greetings, Connor.
Nice to see you. This is Anthony.

Hello, Anthony.
Nice to meet you.

So this is the car.

This is the car.
It's so pretty.

I don't know
much about her at all,

but I believe she's a Lancia Fulvia,
series three..

Mmm.

I thought the Lancia Fulvia
was built in 1966.

But I've been told the car
was actually built in 1974.

So this is a late one.

Your dad, Duncan,
bought the car, his dream car...

Yeah.
..knowing...

Yeah, he knew.
..he was not well.

He deteriorated really quickly.

So, he only got
one drive of this?

One drive. Yeah.

And he passed away
two weeks afterwards.

Just-just driving her,
the feeling I get,

it's almost like therapeutic,
you know, and just...

That feeling he's with you
every time you're in it?

Yeah.
yeah.

Connor, while you're here,
I'm wondering

if you want to have a tour
of our workshop.

Do you want me to take him?
Oh yes, please!

Connor, have you got dad's list?

Oh yes, I have.

Oh, you've got...
You're in charge of the list.

No, no.

I was... I was kind of in charge
of reading it

on the way to the workshop, though.

So shall we have a look, Connor?
Yes.

See you in a bit.
Let's go and have a look.

Alright then. Bye, Mum.
OK, love.

So, when he wrote this
he knew he was...

Dying. Yeah.
Course he did.

That's a precious thing.
Yeah.

And what especially
chimes with me

is when you said,
um, that when you got in the car

and you shut the door,
shut the world out.

And how does that feel
when you just get quiet?

Just you?

Yeah, it was just... sorry.

Look I know...

Because you're alone
with your thoughts, and...

And he drove it, you know.
Yeah.

It's too special.
Right.

Well, we need to work out
what we're going to do to contribute

to keeping this going.

Yes.
So.

Some of it I don't understand
'cause I know nothing about cars.

Steam clean engine and service.

Yes, so that will be oil filter...

He wanted a service.

The throttle cable,
he was adamant that needed changing.

Yep.

And he said something
about the brake callipers.

Yeah, so we can rebuild
the brake callipers.

Dad paints the cars.
Right.

So in this room itself...
We bring a car in.

Yeah. Dad masks it up.
It gets hot in here.

It gets really, really hot.

So you have a budget in mind?

Yeah.

What are you able...
What are you wanting to spend?

I've got about five grand.

Oh, good lord.
Won't be needing that.

That I've put aside.
Right.

But I've no more than that.

I just wanna be able to enjoy it
and her to be safe and in good nick.

We just had our tour.
Good tour?

Yeah. Good tour.

Right, we'll go through it

and we'll have a look at everything
that needs doing.

And we'll talk to you. ANNE
Perfect. That's fantastic.

Brilliant.
Lovely to see you today.

So lovely to meet you.
Lovely to meet you too, Connor.

Lovely to meet you.

Lovely to meet you too, Hammond.

And we'll see you again soon,
won't we?

Yeah, we'll see you again

when we come back to collect
the car then.

Absolutely.
Yeah, that'll be amazing.

By the way,
I'm really gonna miss the Lancia

when it has to be fixed up
at the Smallest Cog.

It won't be long
and you'll have it back.

It won't be long at all.

And we'll be make it
as good as we can.

Thanks a lot.
Goodbye, Hammond! Bye!

See you soon. Goodbye, Connor.
Nice to meet you!

That.
I'm in charge of that.

I'd normally be a bit weary
of old Italian classics,

but this one's a special case.

Anthony, how are we doing
with the pretty little Fulvia?

Good. I'm happy.

We've actually got a car
which I'm just doing little bits to.

Shush. Don't say anymore.
So, it's OK?

Yeah.

I'd love to own one,

but they're renowned for...
certain things.

We all think of them as being
a horrible old rust buckets.

But it was...
it was Dr Antonio Fessia,

who was their chief engineer,
and apparently,

he was a mega combination
of engineer and artist.

Yeah.

So engineering led,
but it had to look pretty.

It's got to look...

It's got to look good
before anything else, really.

Yeah.
Yeah. That's Italian.

And is it complicated to work on
or is it...


Yeah.

Normal car. It's easy.
Apart from one issue I got.

Changing the brake discs.

Changing the brake disc?
Yeah.

Even
I could change the brake disc.

Exactly.

But on this,
they built it into the hub.

So, you got to take
the whole hub off,

which then you need a special tool
to get the nut off.

Show me.

On this, they use a three prong.

On a conventional car, that

would be bolted
to the outside of there.

And that would be further in.
So it's the wrong way round?

Yeah.

So instead of being a ten-minute job
now with changing one...

Right.

The best bit is,
they use a bigger one on the back.

Oh,
so you need two special tools?

Yeah.

Right.
Have we got two special tools?

No.
Right.

So Ant's, er, asked me
to look for these hub nut keys

for the Lancia brakes.

Otherwise, he can't get them off.
I think I've found the right ones.

They're a little bit vague.

So, I'll have to double check
with him.

But the thing
is they're quite expensive.

It's something like


Soph?
Yeah.

Have you had any luck?
Bad luck.

It's gonna be four weeks.

It's not ideal.
You're joking.

No, it's not ideal, is it?

I can't have that.
I can't wait four weeks for it.

What shall we do?
Um, leave it with me.

I'll try and sort something
as quick as I can.

OK. Cheers.
Alright, let me know.

Good news. Next time, Soph.

Wishful thinking.

Remember Patrick who gave me
some no-nonsense advise

on how to up our game
at the Smallest Cog?

Well, he manages
to run a successful business

and at the same time,
keep alight the flame of his passion

for classic cars.

Well, he is entering
the Exmoor Vintage Car trial

this weekend and he's taking
his daughter with him.

She's driving.

And he wants me
and my daughter Izzy to join them.

So he's lent us an Austin 7.

The only slight detail,

Izzy has never driven
a 90-year-old car.

Right.

So this is an important day
because we are entered

into the Exmoor Trial.

Yes!

We have the car
we're doing it in.

Patrick has lent it to me

so we can do some training
and learning.

I'm ready to learn.

Yeah, it's not gonna be like

driving anything you've driven.

OK.
It's very, very old.

Patrick has sent me
these instructions

on how to drive it.

Can I just have that?
Thank you.

Yes, you can.
That's brilliant. OK.

It says this clutch
is quite aggressive.

Yeah.
Doesn't mean it's gonna bite you.

It means it-it won't be soft
and progressive.

It be will sort of on and off.
And off.

I don't even drive a manual car.
I drive an automatic.

You passed your test in one.

Yeah, I physically can,
but you know,

I haven't practised that in a while.

So this is not going to be pretty.

Let's do it. I'm so ready for this.

To the car and the fields.

So, here is our steed for the day.

Yeah, yeah. What's that?

That's the exhaust pipe.
Be careful not to touch that.

But that shan't trouble you

because you're going to be
on this...

Sorry, sorry.

Where the steering wheel is.

What's that.
That's a horn.

[HONKS CAR]

That's brilliant.
Yeah.

I love that.
Triple tone.

It's a 1930 Austin 7.
This is a race car.

But it's been...
It doesn't look like a race car.

It also kind of looks like
a cardboard box on wheels.

This is the car
you'll be driving on the event.

Right, um, so clamber aboard.
I did have one of these.

Do you not remember it?
The little blue one?

No. I can't.
I literally can't get in.

I'm not being funny, but I'm 4'11".

Yeah, you are.
Oh!

That is quite funny.

I've forgotten my leg!

There.

Yeah, but how-how does
anyone bigger than me drive this?

Well, people were smaller
in the old days.

We'd have been giants.
We'd have been like revered.

Look at the size
of those two people!

Why is your hand there?

Because I put it there
so you can get in,

and I've left it there.

I don't know.
There you are. You're alright.

OK.

I have no idea
what any of this means.

Well it's all...
What's that?

That's the steering wheel.
That's the layout for the gears.

It's a... It's a sticky note.

So first is towards you.

Where's the thing?

The gear lever. There.
So first is towards you.

Daddy!

That is not a gear...
That is not a gearbox.

Sorry.
And what are these little pedals?

So that one on the left
is the clutch.?

Yes!

[CLEARS THROAT]

Right. Pull knob out.

[SNIGGERS]
Knob!

It could be this one.

Yeah, it's gotta be.
Press starter tit.

So it should start, so.

Wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait!
Where do I put my feet?

Leave them where they are.

Nowhere. Aggh!

Oh. She's eager!

Right, so clutch in.
Gear across to the right.

And up, you're in gear now.
Up with the clutch.

There you go.
It's like driving a car.

Wahey! See.

Yippee. I am driving.

Yeah!

This is a hill start on wet grass.

This is the hardest thing
you'll have to do.

OK.
OK. Are you ready?

Loads of revs. Loads of revs. Go on!

That's just the wheels,
just the tyre slipping.

I don't like that.
You have to just give it revs.

Keep it going. Keep it going.

[ENGINE STRUGGLES]

I can't do it.
You're giving it too many revs.

You just said give it revs!
Lower revs.

Once you got it moving,

keep the revs... keep the revs
at that pace.

There you are!
I did it!

Nice!

So, I've got a bit of an idea
to get the hubs off this Lancia.

I'm thinking Tanc Barratt,
Lancia specialist.

If anyone's gonna have the tool,
it's going to be them.

So, here we are. Ooh, Lancia heaven.

Hopefully, they can save me.

Tanc, is it?
Oh, hi.

Alright, mate.
Anthony from Smallest Cog.

Oh hi.
You've met my dad.

I have, yeah. Hi.
Yeah, we haven't met, have we?

No, we haven't. Quick question.
I've got this exact same car in.

Yep.
And I'm changing the brake disc.

But I need...

The hub tool.
The hub removing tool.

Yeah.
I think we've got them.

I never normally lend them out.

So.

Could, if I beg?

Let's go and have a look.

Honestly, I will beg!

OK!

Could be a life saver.

Er, yeah,
I've got them somewhere here.

Yeah, here we go.
Ah.

I think these are the...
oh no hang on.

These are the guys...
these are the guys you're after.

So that's the... that's
the later Fulvia ones.

Yes!
So...

So, what have I got to do
to borrow that?

Well, the long
and the short of it is,

if you don't bring them back,
I'll find you!

[LAUGHS] The Italian way!

It'll be... Yes! Literally!

Yeah. OK.

Well I'll definitely
get it back to you.

I'll have it for one day

and I'll personally
deliver it straight back.

Alright?
Good. I'm relying on you.

This is what I love about
the classic car scene.

Yes, we're rivals OK.

But when somebody needs help,
we'll all help each other.

Now, I can go back, one day,
it's done.

It's the same if he comes to us.
I'll help him too.

So, I'm gonna give this a go now
and see if this nut will come off

which then gives me
access to the bolts

on the back of the disc
to then separate the disc

from the hub.

So this should locate into the nut.

There we go.

Fingers crossed
this will come undone, easy.

[STRUGGLES] No. Yeah.

That's gonna be a two-man job.

Isaac!
Yeah.

Can I borrow you
for a minute, please?

Yeah.

So basically, what we'll do is
we'll put a small bar through there.

In there. Long bar on there.
Yeah.

And whilst
I'm putting pressure on.

If you tap that, I'm gonna try
to shock that nut loose.

Locked in.

Right.

[METAL CLANGS]

Oh, it's tight.

See that's what you need see,
a young man that's fit.

Oh, look at that!

They make them stronger
these days, see.

Look at that.

Another little bit of persuasion.

Yeah. And again.

In board shoes as well.
Oh.

Gives me access now to the bolts.

See, here it is.

The disc is actually on the hub
and ready to go on.

I'm so excited that
we're actually one step closer now

to getting this car back out
on the road

and back to Anne Marie.

Yeah,
there has been some weather.

Tell you what,
as it is not entirely warm...

Are you gonna make me wear that?

Right. Brilliant. OK. Yeah.

Now you're a trialler!
Right. Let's go and get the car.

I can't... I can't wait.
I literally cannot wait!

The main thing is,
um, she's getting out in a car.

She's stepping
into my world a little bit.

It's a cold, cold, wintry morning
in the middle of Exmoor,

and people are lining up
in 90-year-old cars

to thrash them up
and down hills and get stuck.

Good morning, Blakeney Edwards's?

How are we?
Huzzah! Hammond.

How are you?
Very well indeed.

Hello. Hello. I'm OK.
How are you.

Nice to see you.
Right, er, what happens now?

We go out
and get very muddy and very wet.

Yes. You're not selling it.

It sounds amazing!

I haven't told you about this.

Yes?
Oh.

Da, dah-dah!

A trophy.

We have a trophy.
What does it say?

Family honour...

Oh, it actually does say...

[LAUGHS]
..is at stake.

Right.
Interesting.

Every point is gonna count.
So, we've got to go.

All of us have got to go hard
from the start.

And the person who gets

the most points
at the end of the day,

wins this trophy!

You know how as a father,

I'm quite, sort of,
energetic and bouncy?

Yeah.
Next level!

OK.

We are children!

Yeah, you are children.

Right, where's scrutineering?

That way.
I'll follow you.

[ENGINE REVS]

Ooh!

Remember the clutch.
Yeah, it's a bit on-off.

I'm going to sabotage their car.

Why?
Because that's how we'll win.

You're approaching this as though
it were a 'Wacky Races' cartoon.

It literally is. It literally is!

And you're d*ck Dastardly.
Yeah.

That makes me Muttley.

Yeah, yeah that's about
right really, isn't it?

I'm so stiff.

OK, off we go to stage one.

We're gonna let Patrick and Scarlett
go first and then hopefully,

we can learn from their mistakes.

Go, go. Loads of revs!

That's it. More revs. More revs!

Right so you're in
with a shout here.

If you can get past there.

And they're bouncing like lunatics,
and they've given up.

Good effort. Well tried.

What did they score?

Five.
Five. This is it!

A career in motorsport launches.

We're ready. Yep.

That's it. Go on!

Come on!

Keep going! Keep going!

That's me done.

Well done. What did we get?

Five.
That's alright.

Well, we matched them.
That'll do.

What are we doing now? That one?

Another hill? Yep.

Brilliant!

[LAUGHS]

Go! Keep it in the ruts here.

More revs, more revs!
Don't hold back. More power.

Now, keep it moving.
I'd go a bit to the left. Go on.

Yeah, [INAUDIBLE]

That's all I've got.
Well done.

And there we are.
Another stage, done.






Don't get ahead of yourself.

That's still pretty good.

[LAUGHS] I saw that!

What, did he go?

[LAUGHS]

Are we two points ahead of them?
Yes, we are.

Oh, h*-h*! Suddenly it matters!

Go on. Go on! Go on!

Go on! Go on! Come on! Come on!

Patrick is all go, go, go.
He literally runs up with the cars.

Whoa!

They've done it.
They did the whole hill.

That's quite exciting, isn't it?
We'll be fine.

So, you go round this
left hander here?

Yes.
Plenty of grip.

Yep.
Stay in the ruts.

You love a briefing, don't you?

Only 'cause it's...

Listen. Nobody ever listens to me.
He does. He does!

Nobody ever listens.

You two are like brothers,
like you just squabble.

Shall we put those two in a car?
Yes.

I'm not... I'm not a nob.

You two,
you go together like that.

There we go. And we'll just leave.
Yeah, we'll go to the pub.

See what he did?

Yeah,
they done... they done well there.

Come on, come on!
Go! Power! Power!

Oh, it's me.
I turned the master off.

It's my fault.
Oh, you idiot!

Keep it moving.

Off to the right, into the ruts.
That's it.

Now, give it the berries left.
Berries.

Go on, go on, go on! Keep it going!

Come on! OK, cut.

That's all I've got.
Bloody brilliant. Well done.

Well done!
That was good.

That was a good effort.
Very good.

They got 21.
So I think, we've beat them.

No, there's only one point in it.
Yes.

So we're 71-70. Yeah.

Oh god, I was way off.
Right, Scarlett, this is it.

It's all on this.
It is literally.

Everything to play for.
This is the one.

They've cleared it, haven't they?

Damn! If we go clear, we've won.

[LAUGHS]

[CLAPS] Well done, Izzy!

We did it.
Well done!

Nice.
I think you just won.

How'd you feel about that?

Oh, it's hurting!
Do you know I'm not hurting.

I'm chilled about it.

But I know that Scarlett
is so competitive.

Are you?
Damn pride.

Actually,
I just know it's gonna niggle you

for a little while.

Well, come on one point.
We can call it a draw.

I mean, literally one point.
No, we're not calling it a draw.

OK, we're not calling...
We're not calling it a draw.

For finishing one point ahead
in the battle for victory today.

All very proud of you.
Well done, Izzy.

Thank you so much.
Well done.

[APPLAUSE]
[LAUGHTER]

Yeah!

Several good things
to come out of today.

Firstly, seeing Izzy.
She threw herself into it.

And just having fun myself
and realising,

oh yeah, I'm not restoring fridges.

They're exciting cars
and I need to stay

connected with the fun of it.

Anne Marie is on her way
with Connor to collect their car.

You're gonna miss this car.
I'm gonna miss this car.

And it runs well now.
It runs lovely.

Hello.

There she is!

Hi, Connor. Hi, Anne Marie.
Hi, Richard Hammond.

Hello!

Ah, there she is.

We meet again.

Nice to see you again!
How are you?

Richard Hammond
and Connor Yates, back together!

[LAUGHTER]

Here is the key.

And um, well, Anthony can talk you
through it in more detail,

but he's given it a good old buff.

Gone through the paint.

It's all... I mean, overall,
this is a cracking little car.

This is my favourite car.
I've worked on at the Cog.

And it drives a lot better now.

Partly because you've unstuck
the brakes.

The brakes were stuck on.
Right.

But I mean,
I will repeat what we said

when we first saw it
when you brought in.

Duncan bought well.

And we're finally gonna
bring it back, aren't we, mum?

Yeah.
Well, that's what this is all about.

I wish if my dad was still alive
he would love to meet you.

And if...
and if he was chatting with you,

you had a lot in common
with the enthusiasms

from your brains.

I feel like
we have met through the car.

It's been a joy.

I wish...
It's been a joy.

Thank you so much.

And thank you for everything
that you've done.

I wish all our customers
were as much fun as you guys.

So thank you.
Thank you for coming to us.

You are most,
most really welcome,

Mr Richard Hammond.

Thank you for the formal,
thank you!

Right, all aboard.

Here we go again, Lancia.

Yeah. We've got her again.

[CAR STARTS]

Wow, listen to its engine!

She sounds amazing.
It's just the smell.

Just being back in her.

We'll see you again soon, guys.

Bye, Richard. Farewell.

Connor, Bye-bye.
Bye.

That was great.

It is a lovely, warm, fuzzy feeling

returning her car
to her special place.

But I can't run a workshop on warm,
fuzzy feelings.

And I am gonna have to address
management of this place.

I've got to do it.
I've got no choice.

I am gonna
have to grasp that nettle.

Efficiency. I can sense it.

It starts now! This is happening.

Is it like Big Brother?

Is it like... know where you are
on a tracker and everything?

That's the problem, isn't it?
It's gonna be every hour.

Oh, my god!

Their tea addiction is costing me


Oh, oh, oh!
Oh I've missed this nonsense!

This is what I gotta do.

[ENGINE REVS]