Editing Top Gear (1977 TV series)/Series 26

{{Infobox Series
| name = Series 26 (1977 format)
| front_image = TG_1977_S26_Main.jpg
| image_size = 320px
| caption = Jeremy Clarkson became the show's new lead host
| epcount = 14
| airdates = 19/09/1991 - 19/12/1991
| network = BBC Two
| res = 576i
| aspect = 4:3 Standard
| prec = [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 25|Series 25 (1991)]]
| superc = [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 27|Series 27 (1992)]]
}}

{{TG Series|version=1977|number=twenty-sixth|date=19th September|year=1991|date2=19th December|year2=1991|eps=14|host=Jeremy Clarkson|pronoun=he|otherhosts=[[Chris Goffey]], [[Tony Mason]], [[Quentin Willson]] and various other hosts|studio=Pebble Mill Studios|studioinfo=Edgbaston, [[Birmingham]]|channel=BBC Two|mins=30|format=magazine|num=|highlights=change in lead hosts from [[William Woollard]] to Clarkson, the first change in lead host since [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 6|Series 6]] in 1981, the longest run of ''Top Gear'' up to that point, staying on air right through to Christmas, and the increased inclusion of supercars from exotic marques such as [[Ferrari]] and [[Lamborghini]]}}

==Production==
With Clarkson now in charge, the programme's tone began to shift from a more serious look into the world of cars as it had been under Woollard, to a more relaxed, entertaining one. Still working as a writer for ''[[Performance Car Magazine|Performance Car]]'', production for the show overlapped with the production for the magazine's [[Performance Car Magazine/October 1991|October 1991]] issue, resulting in a photoshoot and video shoot at the same time, with the same journalist and cars, for two different brands of automotive journalism media, as part of Clarkson's fastly-growing influence at the time. The programme would also introduce Quentin Willson as the show's debuting new and used car expert, a role which he'd firmly hold for the ensuing decade.

With Woollard's departure and [[Sue Baker]] also having stepped down the series prior from her limited role as host for motor shows, Chris Goffey now became Clarkson's main broadcasting partner, even becoming lead host for [[{{PAGENAME}}/Episode 7|one episode]] during which Clarkson was away. Series 26 was also the first series for [[Janet Trewin]], a female host that primarily looked at issues facing woman drivers as well as safety issues within the automotive industry as a whole. And although she wouldn't debut on television until [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 29|Series 29]], this series would also mark the first appearance of [[Michele Newman]] for voiceover segments, which [[Steve Lee]] likewise helped to provide.

Unlike other Autumn/Winter series of ''Top Gear'', which would usually end somewhere around October - November to allow unbroken coverage of the year's RAC Rally, Series 26 incorporated the rally into its schedule before finishing after the rally had concluded. For one final year, William Woollard resumed his hosting duties for ''[[Rally Report]]'', during [[Rally Report/Series 8|an event]] which saw Juha Kankkunen<ref>[https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/663-lombard-rac-rally-1991/ EWRC Results - Lombard RAC Rally 1991 (Final Results).]</ref> and his [[Lancia Delta]] reign supreme, securing his World Championship.

==Episodes==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:1320px; text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
! style="background:#BAD1FF; width:25px;" | #
! style="background:#BAD1FF; width:30px;" | Total
! style="background:#BAD1FF; width:125px;" | Episode Page
! style="background:#BAD1FF; width:235px;" | Location/Event(s)
! style="background:#BAD1FF; width:235px;" | Original airdate (UK)
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1
| rowspan="3" | 227
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 1|Series 26, Episode 1]]
| [[Frankfurt Motor Show/1991|1991 Frankfurt Motor Show]]
| 19th September, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Volkswagen Golf (third generation)|Volkswagen Golf Mk3]] • [[Honda Pilot (motorcycle)|Honda Pilot]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Films and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | '''''One Careful Owner:''''' Buying a second-hand car; Quentin Willson interviews Nick Lewis and Mike Hewitt.
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2
| rowspan="3" | 228
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 2|Series 26, Episode 2]]
| 1991 Pirelli Classic Marathon
| 26th September, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Mazda MX-3]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Problems with new cars; Chris Goffey interviews David Gent. • '''''Auto Update:''''' With Sue Beardsmore.
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 3
| rowspan="3" | 229
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 3|Series 26, Episode 3]]
| Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
| 3rd October, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Toyota Camry (XV10)|Toyota Camry V6]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Jeremy Clarkson reports on new methods of pollution-free transport.
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 4
| rowspan="3" | 230
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 4|Series 26, Episode 4]]
| [[Castle Combe Race Circuit]]
| 10th October, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Retrospectives on: [[Lamborghini]] ([[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]] • [[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]] • [[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]]) & [[Austin A90 Atlantic]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Chris Goffey reports on airbags in crash safety • Quentin Willson reports on second-hand [[Range Rover Classic|Range Rovers]]
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 5
| rowspan="3" | 231
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 5|Series 26, Episode 5]]
| Motorfair '91 <small>(see also: [[BBC Motor Show TV Specials/Motorfair '91|Motorfair '91]])</small>
| 17th October, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Vauxhall Astra (third generation)|Vauxhall Astra Mk3]] • [[Ford Escort (fifth generation)#RS2000|Ford Escort RS2000]] • [[Gold Cirrus]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Chris Goffey reports on the new Ford Zeta engine • Jeremy Clarkson reports on automotive security measures around the world • Tony Mason interviews [[David Coulthard]]
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 6
| rowspan="3" | 232
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 6|Series 26, Episode 6]]
| Jersey
| 24th October, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Peugeot 106]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Quentin Willson reports on second-hand [[BMW 5-Series]] • ''Autogeddon'' read by Jeremy Irons • Bouley Bay Hillclimb
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#BAD1FF; height:1px;" |
|-
| rowspan="3" | 7
| rowspan="3" | 233
| [[{{BASEPAGENAME}}/Series 26/Episode 7|Series 26, Episode 7]]
| 1991 BMF International Motorcycle Show, Birmingham
| 31st October, 1991
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Vehicles
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | [[Ginetta G33]] • Motorcycles: [[Triumph Motorcycles|Triumph]] ([[Triumph Trident|Trident]], [[Triumph Daytona|Daytona]]) • [[Malaguti]] • [[Norton F1|Norton F1 Sport]] • [[Suzuki GSX-R Series|Suzuki GSX-R750]] • [[Kawasaki Zephyr]] • [[Yamaha Diversion]] • [[Honda NR|Honda NR750]]
|-
! style="font-size: 85%;" | Guests and features
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 85%;" | Retrospective on [[BMW Motorrad|BMW]] Motorcycles • Stolen Car Squad and motorcycle security • Janet Trewin reports on the risks faced by woman drivers
|}

==Hosts==
*'''[[Jeremy Clarkson]]''' - main host (12 episodes)
*[[Chris Goffey]] - secondary host (6 episodes)
*[[Quentin Willson]] - used car expert (6 episodes)
*[[Tony Mason]] - motorsports correspondent (6 episodes)

===Also featuring===
*[[Tiff Needell]] - professional driver/tertiary host (4 episodes)
*[[Janet Trewin]] - tertiary host (3 episodes)
*[[Nicky Fox]] - tertiary host (1 episode)
*[[William Woollard]] - guest host (1 episode)

==Trivia==
*At 14 episodes, this was the longest ''Top Gear'' series up to that point.
*It was the first to be hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, of a total 37 he'd host as lead presenter, more than any other ''Top Gear'' host.
*With Woollard and Baker both having bowed out at the end of Series 25, this series meant Chris Goffey was the last surviving regular host of ''Top Gear''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s '80s era, following the earlier retirement of [[Frank Page]] in 1988.

==References==
<references/>

==Navigation==
{{TG 1977 Series}}