With series 16 of Top Gear not scheduled to air until early next year, we thought we’d try and counteract our withdrawal by spending some time looking over previous episodes and picking out our favourite stunts and shenanigans.
With so much tomfoolery packed into every episode it was a bit of a challenge picking out our top 20, but we’re happy with our selection.
We’ve even included some bonus footage of the ice-cream van hovercraft that never made it to air on Top Gear.
What’s you favourite Top Gear stunt? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
(Series 16 of Top Gear will be on our screens in the UK from January/February of next year, with a Christmas special planned for next month.)
#20. Volvo Caravan Jump
Hammond puts a Volvo to the test — by jumping over caravans.
#19. World’s Smallest Car
Jeremy drives the world’s smallest production car to work and even takes it into the lift.
#18. Toyota Aygo Car Football
Toyota Aygo car football.
#17. Jet Car v Nissan
Hammond shows the benefits of a jet car on a Nissan Sunny.
#16. World Record Jumping Backwards With A Car
World record jumping backwards with a car.
#15. Range Rover Sport vs Challenger 2 Tank
Clarkson tries to outrun a Challenger 2 tank in a Range Rover Sport — off road!
#14. Car Safety Message — Avoid Trains
Jeremy enlightens us with a safety video and explains in detail why you should never try to let a train crash into your car.
#13. Underwater Escape
Hammond tests out how long it takes to escape from a car in the drink.
#12. The Stig Jumps A Snowmobile
The Stig jumps a snowmobile at the Top Gear Winter Olympics.
#11. Bugatti Veyron vs Euro Fighter Typhoon Drag Race
Amazing challenge as Hammond races a Euro Fighter Typhoon in the Bugatti Veyron. Who will win the horizontal vs vertical 2 mile race?
#10. Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs Man on Jet Powered Rollerskates
Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs Man on Jet Powered Rollerskates.
#9. Ice-cream Van Hovercraft
This bonus footage of the ice-cream van hovercraft was for some reason was never aired on a Top Gear show but did feature on a later released DVD called ‘Hammonds Uncovered’. Enjoy.
#8. Motorhome Destruction Derby
Richard has the inspired idea of dispensing with the race cars and just racing the motorhomes. Carnage ensues as he sets up a five-van shoot-out with some real racing drivers.
#7. Jet Powered Canoe
Hammond challenges an engine powered canoe to a drag race around an ice lake in Iceland.
#6. A Mini Cooper and a Ski Jump
A Mini Cooper and a Ski Jump. guess what happens next…
#5. Caravan Conkers
Hammond and May turn their hands to Caravan Conkers. The game is simple: employ two crane drivers, hoist your painted caravan on a long cable, and smash together until you have a winner
#4. Crossing the Channel
Hilarious challenge from the Top Gear boys as they attempt to cross the Channel to France in their brilliant but useless new model home-made amphibious cars.
#3. Car Darts
Hammond and May try their hands at recreating James Bond stunts using cars as darts and a caravan as the bullseye.
#2. The Airship
James’s airship caravanning adventure hits the rocks as he drifts into Norwich airport’s airspace while Richard, unsure of which caravan park James will actually end up in, undertakes a tour of the South East in the Lamborghini Gallardo.
#1. Reliant Robin Space Shuttle
Hammond and May tried to convert a Reliant Robin into a space shuttle. They were given 12 days to build it and had assistance from the British Amateur Rocket Society.
Eight tons of thrust were required to launch the Robin—the largest non-commercial rocket launch undertaken in Europe. When the Reliant Robin took off; everything seemed to be working until a release bolt attaching the Robin to the fuel tank failed to detach.
The combined result spiralled out of control and crashed in a massive explosion on a nearby hillside.
