Hammond: New TV show starring Hamster and Oliver the Car

TurnerGTX · July 3rd, 2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

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 · July 3rd, 2008, 04:50 PM

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 · July 3rd, 2008, 06:24 PM

The Adventures of Oliver and Hamster.

aaurora · July 3rd, 2008, 07:33 PM

Oh, YES! How good will this be!

fbc · July 3rd, 2008, 09:34 PM

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 · July 4th, 2008, 01:55 AM

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 · July 4th, 2008, 02:24 AM

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 · July 4th, 2008, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · July 4th, 2008, 07:48 AM

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 · July 4th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tone76

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:

Quote:

“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 · July 4th, 2008, 01:31 PM

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 · July 4th, 2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

x2

I hope that they are going to fully restore it.

Tranquillizer · July 4th, 2008, 03:40 PM

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

La Chaton · July 4th, 2008, 04:34 PM

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. images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

+[oliver]

dragonboy3000 · July 5th, 2008, 12:24 AM

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 · July 5th, 2008, 05:18 AM

very cool.

La Chaton · July 5th, 2008, 04:34 PM

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 · July 5th, 2008, 04:46 PM

Yaaaay
someone better upload this images/smilies/smile.gif

jo-jo-action · July 6th, 2008, 11:33 PM

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

swordznsorcery · July 7th, 2008, 01:52 AM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jo-jo-action

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

Yep.

July 3rd, 2008, 06:24 PM	#3
skylock Not A Dude Joined: Jun 3rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 379 Rep Power: 24	The Adventures of Oliver and Hamster. __________________ Judy People were crashing cars long before Top Gear existed. James May

July 3rd, 2008, 07:33 PM	#4
aaurora Not A Dude Joined: Feb 23rd, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 27 Posts: 428 Car: Mazda6 Luxury Sports Rep Power: 15	Oh, YES! How good will this be! __________________ I object to the beige

July 3rd, 2008, 09:34 PM	#5
fbc Mantastic! Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: 01:40 PM Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 33 Posts: 9,381 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 54	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. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

July 4th, 2008, 02:24 AM	#7
Holiace Joined: Aug 29th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sweden Age: 18 Posts: 119 Car: I don't have one right now :( Rep Power: 5	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... __________________ Always Ambitious, sometimes rubbish.

July 4th, 2008, 07:48 AM	#9
pepitko Joined: Jan 22nd, 2007 Last Online: 01:00 PM Location: Hlohovec, Slovakia Age: 22 Posts: 192 Car: Skoda Fabia TDi Rep Power: 7	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. __________________ "pooooooweeeerr" well, not in my car, that's for sure

July 3rd, 2008, 04:50 PM	#2
airmenair Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: 02:31 PM Location: Arlington, Texas, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 21	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.

July 4th, 2008, 01:55 AM	#6
TopGearNorthAmerica Joined: Oct 16th, 2007 Last Online: July 31st, 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 47 Car: 2007 Honda Civic LX Coupe Rep Power: 4	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.

July 4th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#11
DarkReaper Joined: Dec 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 178 Car: BMW635 '86,850CI '96\|CBR 600,MotoGuzzi California Rep Power: 15	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.

July 4th, 2008, 03:40 PM	#13
Tranquillizer Previously Known As Mianz Joined: Oct 18th, 2006 Last Online: 05:34 AM Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 198 Car: Holden Statesman WH V8 GEN III Rep Power: 8	hopefully hamster will not sink it this time. good car though __________________

July 4th, 2008, 04:34 PM	#14
La Chaton Not A Dude Joined: Jun 23rd, 2008 Last Online: August 23rd, 2008 Location: New York State, USA Posts: 230 Car: Umm.. the imaginary one in my mind Rep Power: 8	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] __________________ Only squares have signatures... oh, wait.... I am the self-proclaimed queen of run-ons. +1 my post. C'mon, you know you want to.

July 5th, 2008, 12:24 AM	#15
dragonboy3000 Joined: Dec 8th, 2007 Last Online: 09:51 AM Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 49 Car: '97 Toyota Camry, soon to be a final gen Celica Rep Power: 5	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.

July 5th, 2008, 05:18 AM	#16
torqueless Joined: Feb 5th, 2007 Last Online: August 26th, 2008 Location: road atlanta Posts: 265 Car: rsx type s Rep Power: 7	very cool. __________________ wtb: battletoads for wii, pm me

July 5th, 2008, 04:34 PM	#17
La Chaton Not A Dude Joined: Jun 23rd, 2008 Last Online: August 23rd, 2008 Location: New York State, USA Posts: 230 Car: Umm.. the imaginary one in my mind Rep Power: 8	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? __________________ Only squares have signatures... oh, wait.... I am the self-proclaimed queen of run-ons. +1 my post. C'mon, you know you want to.

July 5th, 2008, 04:46 PM	#18
katwalk Not A Dude Joined: Apr 1st, 2008 Last Online: 04:48 PM Location: USA Posts: 507 Car: 2003 volkswagen beetle Cabriolet Rep Power: 26	Yaaaay someone better upload this

July 6th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#19
jo-jo-action Joined: May 23rd, 2008 Last Online: August 6th, 2008 Location: Erlangen/Franken/Germany Posts: 30 Car: VW Passat 32b RIP/ VW Golf 4 Rep Power: 2	In 11x03 Episode, you can see Oliver once again with the Writings on the Side @ 46.minute and following.