[Telegraph.co.uk]

And here's the Discovery Channel piece that got Mr. May going on the topic:

Mark has always been a fan of Dodge muscle and, until recently, owned a 1973 Plymouth 340 Cuda. After selling that car to an enthusiast in Germany, Mark did what any reasonable person would do and sped off to Vegas with the hopes of buying a four-speed big block. Unable to find the right one, the Londoner with a love of loud pipes headed home. Alas, not a week later this very special Dodge Challenger 440 RT four-speed showed up on eBay UK and Mark quickly took possession of it.

The car itself has a much longer history, having been purchased and restored as a family project by the Stahlhebers of St. Peters Missouri. You can read the full story of the Challenger build here. The Stahlhebers sold the car at auction to a different UK collector who then turned around and listed the car on eBay. And the car itself?

Although it is not a true numbers matching car- It does decode to be an original 440 RT four-speed car. A full rotisserie restoration had been completed a couple of years before and virtually everything had been replaced- with NOS or repro parts etc. The engine is a 1970 440 with a few extra performance parts and dress up pieces- and runs just great!- bodywork is rust free and looks stunning in F4 Rallye Red- This is actually a 1969 Chrsyler colour and is offset with the period RT side stripes. The four speed gearbox is shifted with the Hurst pistol grip shifter - another cool option in my opinion. Since owning her I have driven it as much as the crappy English weather will allow!

When not driving her or racking up trophies, Mark hasn't been shy about parading the car out for the press. Perhaps we should make an effort to go to the London Motor Show this year for the chance to drive Mark's beautiful example of Mopar muscle.

(Thanks to Mark for the info and photos)

Clarkson on all three: "We came wondering if America had finally made a car that might actually work in the civilized world. The answer is no, they haven't. As you can see from our smiles, they've made three."

Car: 2009 Corvette ZR1
Driver: Jeremy Clarkson
Review:"This is made by two fat blokes in Kentucky." "I'm starting to like this Corvette...it isn't the power, it's the surprise of the power. When you're driving a Ferrari Enzo, you're expecting it. This though, it's quiet, it's comfortable, it's beautifullyair-conditioned...so you're simply not ready for the savagery when you put your foot down. I've got a heads-up display with your lateral G...and the best stereo in the world...!" "Man, this is great. " "How can a car as docile as this one be as exciting when the road gets this twisty." "A proper manual gearbox." "Are you listening Ferrari? Well done fat man from Kentucky...this...is...a.masterpiece!"
Bonneville Salt Flat Speed - One Mile Marker: 176.549 MPH

Car: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Driver: Richard Hammond
Review:"Is that real carbon fiber?" "Challengers aren't very good at this type of thing... (curves)"
Bonneville Salt Flat Speed - One Mile Marker: 150.2 MPH

Car: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Driver: James May
Review:"Stupid..." "This isn't a proper luxury car..." "robble, robble, robble..." (Then on the curves) "This is the best American car I've ever driven by a distance as great as this road."
Bonneville Salt Flat Speed - One Mile Marker: 163 MPH

Minimum Expectations For Top Gear UK Season 12, Based On The Teaser

• Veritas RS III
• Stig in a Bugatti Veyron
• Lamborghini Gallardo
• Speedboat driving
• Double decker bus racing
• Semi truck foolishness
• Pagoni Zonda
• Corvette ZR1
• Cadillac CTS-V
• Dodge Challenger SRT8
• Reno shenanigans
• Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
• Lexus IS-F
• Bathroom challenge, apparently

With Top Gear Australia in a bit of a ratings slump we must question whether the original works because of the three-hot format or the chemistry between the three hosts. While the formula could work anywhere, including here, we don't think that's a guarantee. The original didn't become wildly popular until the the fearsome threesome of May, Hammond and Clarkson hit their stride. The American version of the office doesn't work because it's a good story or a good style (look at Coupling, Teachers or Kath & Kim), it works because of Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson and the supporting staff. Can magic strike again with other hosts? Sure. But the original is still working and each new show is merely a roll of the dice to see if they can duplicate the same success and, even if it does, we'll still just be illegally downloading the UK version with the rest of the world.

By the end of the year there will be a Clarksonov, Hammondchenko and Mayovski roaming the frozen steppes of Russia. Probably in Ladas.

Yes, there’s going to be a Top Gear Russia. Made in Russia for the Russians. A bit like the Aussie TG, but with more back-to-front letters and fewer boomerangs.

Everything’s a bit hush-hush at the moment, but we know that it’s going to run for 15 episodes initially, around the end of this year. The Russian Top Gear magazine has been doing well over there since its launch in 2004, so hopefully the locals will be familiar with TG’s ‘ambitious but rubbish’ philosophy.

First up, though, we’ve got to find the local presenters. Rumours that Clarkson, May and Hammond will be making a guest appearance clad in bearskin hats remain unconfirmed.

We can’t imagine there’ll be any shortage of candidates for the arduous job of thrashing supercars around the beautiful Russian outback. Or whatever the Russians call the outback.

There’s no word on what studio or test track they’ll be using yet, but we have glorious visions of a giant Russian Clarkson firing up a Murcielago in a decommissioned nuclear silo, surrounded by hoards of TG faithful wrapped up in layers of wintery clothes.

And bearskin hats. It’s all about the bearskin hats.

(Hat tip to Andreja!) [via Top Gear]

I spent most of my time in America this time in a new Corvette ZR1. It is a fabulous car. Mesmerisingly fast, good looking and amazing value. But after three days the damn thing was beginning to disintegrate. It made me growl with annoyance and despair.

The thing about the ZR1 is that it’s not just mesmerizingly fast, good-looking and an amazing value (at least here. In England it costs $200k), it’s built extremely well too. The aluminum chassis is as basic and as strong as it gets, every piece of running gear is of the highest specification available and the carbon fiber bodywork is some of the most well-laid, best-fitting we’ve ever seen.

Then there’s the interior, which we think is what Clarkson is talking about. It’s cheap...really cheap. Wonky plastic buttons abound, the 3ZR package brings ugly, atrociously stitched leather in poorly chosen color combinations and the steering wheel belongs in a Cobalt, not a 205 MPH supercar. But despite all that, it should fundamentally be capable of holding itself together. We just don’t know what Clarkson is on about. Do you? [via the Sunday Times]

About 674,000 viewers watched episode 2, which was about 250,000 fewer than the first episode. Even worse, it was the least-watched show in its time slot, and only the 26th most-watched show of the whole night. Nonetheless, everyone feels the new Top Gear still has potential to improve. After all, the first season with Clarkson at the helm of the BBC show wasn't amazing either. [TheAge, YouTube] (Thanks Brett!)

[View the entire episode at FinalGear.com]

Also, thanks to the fanboys at FinalGear, this map shows roughly what the Australian track looks like from a bird's eye satellite view. It seems to us like a pretty tight course, with some sections looking quite narrow, so it'll be interesting to see how real-world supercars like the RHD Ford GT fare.

Obviously Clarkson grabbed the ZR1, Hammond got the keys to the CTS-V, and of course James May gets the outgunned Challenger SRT8. Pending the results of the show, we're assuming the ZR1 and CTS-V will be getting their just due on the world stage, while May will probably end up with the Challenger doing donuts and catching on fire. We have no idea when this episode will be hitting the airwaves, but when we find out it'll be pinned to our calenders. We eagerly await the metaphoric gymnastics Clarkson will be performing on the ZR1. Wonder how the Top Gear America guys feel about the British crew stealing their product thunder? (Hat tip to Paul!) [FinalGear]

“Gumpert Partners with Evolution MotorSports for US Market!”
Tempe, AZ - Today Gumpert Sportswagenmanufaktur GmbH and Evolution MotorSports announced Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports in Tempe Arizona as their US market final assembly and Performance Validation center for the Gumpert Apollo.

Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports due to their understanding the balance between consumers expectation for a car that is competent for the racetrack and the ability to hold the exceptionally high standards that Gumpert will demand for the chassis delivered to the US market. Gumpert feels it is imperative for all US cars to be Performance Validated and comprehensibly checked, all before being delivered to the exclusive United State Dealer, European Touch in Huntington Beach California.

The Gumpert Apollo is a hand made coupe, available in a Street, GT or Race Car Configuration. The Apollo was recently featured on an episode of the UK Automotive show Top Gear where it was celebrated as the fastest around their test track over the last several seasons.

Gumpert representatives have stated that “The selection of Evolution MotorSports was an easy choice. Evolution MotorSports dedication to providing an excellent finished product, attention to detail and customer service have no rival that could come close to providing the finished product required.”

Todd Zuccone, Founder of Evolution MotorSports commented, “All we do are Insanely Tuned Luxury Exotics. We examined the Gumpert Apollo and I knew that EVOMS was the correct choice for Performance Validation. Something Evolution MotorSports customers have known for a long time. We are honored to have been selected by the Gumpert team."

Apollo Has Landed!

Pictured above is the first legal USA Gumpert Apollo departing the Gumpert headquarters in Altenburg, Germany. The Apollo left Germany the last week of August 2008 for a flight bound to Evolution MotorSports in the USA. Rubber on ground is planned after customs clearance before Labor Day!

About Gumpert:

The beginning – from the idea to the first model. In 2001 there was a vision of a new super sports car: A car, which combined the highest aerodynamics with unmatched driving capabilities. A street-legal car, ready for the race track. Last but not least, Mr. Gumpert aspired for the Apollo to offer the best value for money of any vehicle in this exclusive class. Starting from that vision, the technical parameters to be met were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. At the end of this process the first 1:4 scale model of the car was produced in 2002 – and the Apollo was born. From the first model to pre-production. To successfully develop this first model into a real car is an extensive process requiring significant development experience and technical ‘know-how’. To realize this vision, project management was taken over four years ago by Roland Gumpert. Coming from AUDI, Roland Gumpert has a long and impressive track record in car development and motor sport. During his time as Director of the AUDI Sport Department the Quattros from Ingolstadt won 25 races in the World Rally Championship and 4 World Rally Championship Titles. The GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur Altenburg GmbH was founded and Gumpert pressed ahead with the development of the apollo. In cooperation with the Technical University in Munich and the University of Applied Sciences in Ingolstadt constructional work, computer simulations, and finally wind tunnel tests were carried out. These research and development activities formed the basis for a first 1:1 scale model and finally the first two pre-production apollo. From pre-production to serial production. The first full-scale model of Apollo created a huge interest, both from the public and potential customers. To further develop the brand ‘apollo, GMG Sportwagen Manufaktur Altenburg became, in January 2005, Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH with Roland Gumpert as Managing Director. The new and striking brand is characterised by the griffin: this mythological creature – half lion, half eagle – is a symbol of strength and speed and not least a symbol of earth and air. View the Gumpert web site: www.gumpert.de

About Evolution MotorSports:

Founded in 1997 by Todd Zuccone, Evolution MotorSports, Inc. has been the premier European aftermarket automobile performance company in the USA. Focusing exclusively on German power plants of Porsche and VW/Audi in the first decade, EVOMS has grown into other European, concept and super cars in the last 5 years.

Evolution MotorSports conceives designs, engineers and track/roads tests proprietary Performance Systems for the following vehicles: Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, VW, BMW and Mercedes. All EVOMS Performance Systems feature EVOMSit "intelligent tuning," the company’s proprietary engine management software.

EVOMS has an extensive client base that race their vehicles and are extreme motorsports enthusiasts. Vehicle race prep, driver coaching and trackside support are all services available to EVOMS clients.

Company information can be reviewed on the following sites:
Evolution MotorSports - www.EVOMS.com
EVOMSit “intelligent tuning” - www.EVOMSit.com

About European Touch:

Serving Southern California’s exotic and luxury automobile owners since 1998 enabled European Touch to be one of the premier automotive retailers in the US. European Touch franchise selections include Gumpert and YES! authorized dealerships as well as many other of the world's finest pre-owned automobiles such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, Rolls Royce, Bentley and many more. www.europeantouchusa.com

Evolution MototrSports is delighted to have StreetFire.net partnering in covering the Gumpert and EVOMS partnership VIP event on Sep 5th and 6th. StreetFire.net is the biggest automotive video site in the world. Car videos for car lovers. Footage of this event will be available on www.streetfire.net

It seems ol' Stiggy forgot to have his human language chip inserted before typing his thoughts down. Can anyone translate? To paraphrase, the Stig had this to say:

"............................."

On top of this week's star in a reasonably priced car snagging himself a whopper of a run around the track (click here to see where Jay Kay ended up on the board), The Stig whipping the Gumpert Apollo around the same track for a similarly monster run (click here to see where the Gumpert Apollo ended up on the board) and some hot Brit-on-German action with Sabine Schmitz and Tim Schrick, our main man James May had a chance to drive what we now believe to be the ugliest car in all the world. Yes, yes, we know the Mitsuoka Orochi snagged second place rather than the top spot on our list of the top ten ugliest foreign cars currently for sale, but after seeing it on the road in the above segment we think we may need to change our minds.

We fear the Orochi is what happens when you let a sushi chef design a car using his favorite fish as inspiration. The result, as you can see above, is positively revolting. But the ugly isn't just skin deep. It's slow; powered by a six from Toyota with an anemic 230 HP. The ride's apparently soft and rubbish. Predictably, May absolutely loved it. Hold on a moment while we run off to vomit. If you're able to stand it, there's a gallery below. Don't say we didn't warn you.

As you'd expect — they both got lost. But, as you'd also expect, the GT-R beat the boys in public transit — by 3 minutes and 12 seconds.

But, despite the win, Clarkson struggled to love the GT-R — the way it looks, the way it drives and for being "without soul." He just "...wished it would — at road speeds — run its hand down my pants and give it a little rummage."

But, in addition to Godzilla, Clarkson took the world's most beautiful car on earth* — the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione — around the Top Gear track and thought it was absolute rubbish. While that may or may not be the case, we're in total agreement with Clarkson on at least one thing: "Buying this car for it's dynamic abilities is like buying a porn film for its plot." We couldn't agree more, Jezza.

*As judged by myself, of course.

"The only reason I haven't signed my contract yet is because it has not yet been finalized. The current one doesn't expire until the end of July. I'm sure a new one will be sorted out soon. I'm not stomping around about Jeremy's contract with BBC Worldwide. Quite frankly, I couldn't give a **** about it."

The paper's unnamed sources claim

"the presenters of the hit BBC Two series had not yet signed their new contracts even though their current agreements expire at the end of the month...there has been "a meltdown" in negotiations and that the pair "turned down flat" the first offer from the BBC. There has been a lot of pulling out of hair, a Mexican stand-off. For the first time it is possible that one or both might leave."

Photo Credit: Getty Images via BBC