New TV show starring Hamster and Oliver the Car

[TurnerGTX]

Richard Hammond's Top Gear Challenge car is restored at local garage for a new television series

RICHARD Hammond’s treasured car, Oliver, is now being lovingly restored in a Theale garage.

Theale Motor Works in Theale High Street is working with classic car magazine Practical Classics to restore the 1963 Opel Kadett that was used in a 2007 Top Gear Challenge television programme.

Tom Rooke, the body shop manager, said the company was “delighted” to help restore it.

He said: “We were approached by the magazine who we have done work for before. We’re all really pleased to be doing it because we saw the car on the show.

“We’re going to be priming it and repainting it. Basically we’ll restore it to its former glory.”

The car, fondly dubbed Oliver by Mr Hammond, was used during one of the popular shows as part of a challenge whereby each presenter had to buy a car for £1,500 or less and drive it more than 1,000 miles across Botswana.

It was during this time that Mr Hammond spotted the banger and he handed over £1,200 for it. During filming it is believed that he became emotionally attached to the car and even claimed it was “the happiest car in the world.”

Although the car leaked petrol and had only one good brake, it ran flawlessly until Mr Hammond managed to sink it while trying to cross a river.

It was in the following episode that Mr Hammond exclaimed his love for Oliver and desire to bring him home.

So the beige-coloured Kadett began its long journey and was shipped over from Botswana to England.

Practical Classics features editor, Matthew Jones, who has been working closely with Mr Hammond to restore the car, said that once it had been repainted and “tweaked” it would once again find television fame in a new series.

He said: “We’ve had to do the job very quickly because it’s going to be involved in a new television production with Richard Hammond.

“I’m not sure of all the finer details but apparently the show centres around the car and we have to have it ready for filming on July 14.

“It really is a fantastic opportunity for us and Theale Motor Works to give a car that’s had a bit of a hard time a new lease of life.”

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/A...articleID=7160

[airmenair]

Interesting...they should make it the reasonably priced car on Top Gear and invite Jimmy Carr back to go 'round the track. Haha, I can see the apprehension on Richard now.

[skylock]

The Adventures of Oliver and Hamster.

[aaurora]

Oh, YES! How good will this be!

[fbc]

Will be interesting to see what the show ends up being like - though I kinda think it would've been better to either properly restore Oliver, or leave him as is. A quicky respray doesn't seem right.

[TopGearNorthAmerica]

Probably one of those "explore" shows where the Hamster drives all over England or Europe. "The Adventures of Ham and Ollie," coming soon to BBC2.

[Holiace]

Cool, Oliver is an awesome car.

I can afford one but I wouldn't be able to keep it in good condition since I'm not a mechanic...

[tone76]

Will be interesting to see what the show ends up being like - though I kinda think it would've been better to either properly restore Oliver, or leave him as is. A quicky respray doesn't seem right.

What’s to say that Oliver won’t be properly restored? If properly staffed/funded, there’s no reason why Ollie couldn’t be fully restored in a short time frame. Just like a real life version of Overhaulin’, only without the pranks …

[pepitko]

I would also think that Oliver was fully restored, I was just reading Richard's article in TG Magazine about his restored and tuned Land Rover. Considering how he fell in love with Oliver I would think it would have been a proper restore job.

[fbc]

What’s to say that Oliver won’t be properly restored? If properly staffed/funded, there’s no reason why Ollie couldn’t be fully restored in a short time frame. Just like a real life version of Overhaulin’, only without the pranks …

From the article:

“We’re going to be priming it and repainting it. Basically we’ll restore it to its former glory.”

Doesn't sound like a full resto to me.

[DarkReaper]

I sure hope that they replace all the rusty parts or weld in new metal. I guess he was just keeping it simple for all the car-handicapped people out there, who don't know anything about restoration.

[CatalepsicFox]

I sure hope that they replace all the rusty parts or weld in new metal. I guess he was just keeping it simple for all the car-handicapped people out there, who don't know anything about restoration.

x2

I hope that they are going to fully restore it.

[Tranquillizer]

hopefully hamster will not sink it this time. good car though

[La Chaton]

Haha this is so great. There was a discussion going on in another thread on how funny it would be if Oliver was put into a children's book, but a show is even better. The Adventures of Hamster and Oliver; I can't wait.
+[oliver]

[dragonboy3000]

I can't wait for this show to come up on the internet after it eventually hits UK TV so that those here in Oz can get it.
Speaking of Oz, i think it might be like 'Oz and James Big Wine Adventure' except obviously he won't be learning about wine. The history of Oliver himself, Opel/Vauxhall, idk.

[torqueless]

very cool.

[La Chaton]

I've been wondering though: What could it even be about? Will it be for kids or adults or what? Because kids shows are lame and adults would become bored quickly if it didn't have a good story line, but how much of a story can you make of the happiest car in the world?

[katwalk]

Yaaaay
someone better upload this

[jo-jo-action]

In 11x03 Episode, you can see Oliver once again with the Writings on the Side @ 46.minute and following.

[swordznsorcery]

If you follow the first few posts here, it sounds like a proper refit - just a quick one. They've had the car some time now. I'd ignore the later stuff, though, as it's just the usual TG-bashing.

In 11x03 Episode, you can see Oliver once again with the Writings on the Side @ 46.minute and following.

Yep.