Top Gear (1977 TV series)/Series 37

Series 37 (1977 format)
Jeremy and Tiff square off for the March 1997 issue of TG.
Episodes	20
Originally aired	02/01/1997 - 15/05/1997
Original network	BBC Two
Resolution	576i
Aspect ratio	4:3 Standard
Preceded by	Series 36 (1996)
Superceded by	Series 38 (1997)

The thirty-seventh series of Top Gear premiered in the United Kingdom on the 2nd January, 1997, and concluded on the 15th May, 1997, after a run of 20 episodes. The series' main host was Jeremy Clarkson, and he was accompanied by Tiff Needell, Steve Berry, Quentin Willson and various other hosts as co-presenters. The series was produced at Pebble Mill Studios in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and aired on BBC Two in a 30-minute magazine format.

Highlights from this series include the fact this was the longest series of Top Gear up to that point, Italian automaker Ferrari celebrating their 50th birthday, Berry taking part in a "Wall of Death" fair attraction in the penultimate episode, and Clarkson finding a Vauxhall Vectra that he actually liked.

Production

Production for Series 37 commenced unusually early, with filming beginning in late 1996 as opposed to early on in the subsequent year, as had been the norm at this point. In fact, Series 37 started so early that it premiered just two weeks after the Series 36 special centred around the London to Brighton Centenary aired, effectively meaning the end of Series 36 rolled into the beginning of the subsequent series. It then continued for 20 episodes, with lead host Clarkson starring in all but one. Steve Berry was once more Clarkson's main foil during the series, primarily presenting segments around motorcycles, whilst Quentin Willson continued to focus on the car market. Tony Mason, with his career now starting to wind down, would begin reviewing cars on top of his pre-existing duties as motorsports correspondent and presenter for segments involving heavy vehicles.

This would be the final series for Top Gear veteran Chris Goffey, who departed from the BBC at its conclusion and moved to rival network Granada's Motor Week, which he would present until his retirement from automotive journalism altogether in 2002. He had worked for the programme since 1981, and was the longest serving host. He appeared in just two of Series 37's 20 episodes. Vicki Butler-Henderson, who had previously appeared on the show on a trial basis for 1994's Series 32 would be his long-term replacement.

Noel Edmonds also made another appearance, this time around to promote his new role as part of American sports car company Panoz's attempt to win the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. His endeavours would be filmed and chronicled as part of the two-part television special Noel's Le Mans Dream, which aired on BBC One a month after Top Gear commenced its Summer break.

Hosts

• Jeremy Clarkson - main host (19 episodes)
• Steve Berry - motorcycling correspondent (17 episodes)
• Quentin Willson - used car expert (14 episodes)
• Tiff Needell - secondary host (10 episodes)
• Tony Mason - secondary host (9 episodes)

Also featuring

• Jon Bentley - tertiary host (7 episodes)
• Michele Newman - tertiary host (6 episodes)
• Andy Wilman - tertiary host (4 episodes)
• Chris Goffey - guest host (2 episodes)
• Noel Edmonds - special guest (1 episode)

Trivia

• At 20 episodes and 9 hours long unabridged, this was the longest Top Gear series ever until Series 45 aired in 2001.
• Between the weeks ending on the 5th September, 1996, and the 15th May, 1997, Top Gear was on the airwaves for 35 out of those 37 weeks.