Proof that Jeremy Clarkson can do professional motoring journalism and give sensible consumer advice. Although I'm sure we all much prefer the less professional and less sensible Clarkson of today.
Oh I wish catalytic converters were still an optional extra these days. An option I'd never pick and a part I would remove if I got away with it during the M.O.T.
Why? Don't get me wrong, I love old cars. I myself own a 1988 Suzuki Samurai and a 1972 Wolsey Landcrab. But I don't see a downside to a catalytic converter. It plays a big role in reducing pollution. And don't get me wrong on this note aswell. I'm not a crazy eco-maniac who loves electric cars. I just think a catalytic converter is a reasonable thing to have.
@@herbie53opf The catalytic converter has several downsides. First it is manufactured out of rare expensive metals which means it is expensive. Second it causes extra resistance in the exhaust system so it reduces the power the engine can generate. Third it is something that can go wrong and needs replacement whenever this occurs. This often happens when the ignition system isn't working optimal even though the engine runs fine. Unburned hydrocarbons enter the hot catalytic converter which cases the insides to burn. This was a common occurrence with certain VW and Peugeot petrol engines from about a decade ago (which used the same ignition system). A catalytic converter can also burn out if the engine starts to consume oil. The fourth problem with a catalytic converter isn't very relevant anymore but back then it meant you couldn't use leaded fuel anymore which was sometimes cheaper than unleaded fuel. The lead in the leaded fuel destroys the catalytic converter. The lead was very bad for the environment as well but if you didn't care and didn't have a catalytic converter you could use both if the valve seats of the engine could handle unleaded fuel. So because of the reduced power and being another component that could break I'd prefer not to have one. Though the catalytic converter isn't as bad as the EGR valve. Sadly my 2001 2 liter petrol Mondeo has both😢. I could get rid of the EGR valve but it would trigger a check engine light. Because I couldn't find a fix to deactivate the error and it doesn't cause trouble I leave it alone but if it would I'd just pull it out and install a metal plate. It runs better without it even with a check engine light on (in the Netherlands it doesn't matter for the M.O.T. if a car that old shows a check engine light). But the catalytic converter is something I couldn't pass an M.O.T. with if it was too much burned away (because the car is too new for that). But they hardly ever use an EGR valve in modern petrol engines these days because they have variable valve timing and that counters the amount of soot generated by the engine enough for an EGR valve not to be necessary (whole different story for diesels though). Most technologies for better emissions just make the engine wear out faster like the EGR valve, direct injection and turbochargers. Variable valve timing makes the engine more complex but won't make it wear out faster (unless it's a BMW). The catalytic converter generally doesn't make it wear out faster but just makes it less powerful.
If you can, pull up Grand Tour Season 3, Episode 14. The three amigos all share their memories of their father's cars which they received as a result of their (the fathers) pay/position at work. It's interesting to see the pendulum swing, especially for Jeremy, as they recall their reactions to the cars their fathers were given and how it made them feel. Very interesting counterbalance to this piece.
Proof that Jeremy Clarkson can do professional motoring journalism and give sensible consumer advice. Although I'm sure we all much prefer the less professional and less sensible Clarkson of today.
I actually prefer the old.
He still does, but way more creatively. Absolute genius.
Love these old Top Gear, watched them back in the day in late 80s and early 90s. Still entertaining in 2024.
This is spot on after 4 minutes in. I was a mechanic in the 1986 - 1999 for a big Vauxhall Dealer ship. J.C. is a God.
4:19 is this james may?
Good God, JM circa 2040
Blimey! When you said old top gear, .. This is ancient top gear.
fossil gear
Big hair gear
Clarkson talks “smart” ~ very happy I discovered the Grand Tour gUys. Been watching as much. As I can.
When drives off in the Peugeot I expected him to crash into the bike. MANIAC
4.16 is that james may from the future but in the past? 😂😂
The jibber jabber.. you sir just won the internet with that one 😂👍
Damn even JEREMY had an afro back in the days. Iv seen it all yes?
Even Clarkson can't make Vauxhauls exiting.
Rover 820 and Rover 827 were amazing cars
Oh I wish catalytic converters were still an optional extra these days. An option I'd never pick and a part I would remove if I got away with it during the M.O.T.
Why? Don't get me wrong, I love old cars. I myself own a 1988 Suzuki Samurai and a 1972 Wolsey Landcrab. But I don't see a downside to a catalytic converter.
It plays a big role in reducing pollution.
And don't get me wrong on this note aswell. I'm not a crazy eco-maniac who loves electric cars.
I just think a catalytic converter is a reasonable thing to have.
@@herbie53opf The catalytic converter has several downsides. First it is manufactured out of rare expensive metals which means it is expensive. Second it causes extra resistance in the exhaust system so it reduces the power the engine can generate. Third it is something that can go wrong and needs replacement whenever this occurs. This often happens when the ignition system isn't working optimal even though the engine runs fine. Unburned hydrocarbons enter the hot catalytic converter which cases the insides to burn. This was a common occurrence with certain VW and Peugeot petrol engines from about a decade ago (which used the same ignition system). A catalytic converter can also burn out if the engine starts to consume oil. The fourth problem with a catalytic converter isn't very relevant anymore but back then it meant you couldn't use leaded fuel anymore which was sometimes cheaper than unleaded fuel. The lead in the leaded fuel destroys the catalytic converter. The lead was very bad for the environment as well but if you didn't care and didn't have a catalytic converter you could use both if the valve seats of the engine could handle unleaded fuel.
So because of the reduced power and being another component that could break I'd prefer not to have one. Though the catalytic converter isn't as bad as the EGR valve. Sadly my 2001 2 liter petrol Mondeo has both😢. I could get rid of the EGR valve but it would trigger a check engine light. Because I couldn't find a fix to deactivate the error and it doesn't cause trouble I leave it alone but if it would I'd just pull it out and install a metal plate. It runs better without it even with a check engine light on (in the Netherlands it doesn't matter for the M.O.T. if a car that old shows a check engine light). But the catalytic converter is something I couldn't pass an M.O.T. with if it was too much burned away (because the car is too new for that). But they hardly ever use an EGR valve in modern petrol engines these days because they have variable valve timing and that counters the amount of soot generated by the engine enough for an EGR valve not to be necessary (whole different story for diesels though).
Most technologies for better emissions just make the engine wear out faster like the EGR valve, direct injection and turbochargers. Variable valve timing makes the engine more complex but won't make it wear out faster (unless it's a BMW). The catalytic converter generally doesn't make it wear out faster but just makes it less powerful.
@@CheapBastard1988good that they don’t let people like you get away with it then
Clarksoooooon
0:40 wtf?
I can't believe catalytic converters used to be an option people paid extra for
we still pay for it. It just isn't an extra option anymore 😉
Geez... He was quite a few octaves higher pitched back then.
"Cold air to the face and warm air to the feet."
Sounds like that should have caught on. Maybe too complex for most cars.
If you can, pull up Grand Tour Season 3, Episode 14. The three amigos all share their memories of their father's cars which they received as a result of their (the fathers) pay/position at work. It's interesting to see the pendulum swing, especially for Jeremy, as they recall their reactions to the cars their fathers were given and how it made them feel. Very interesting counterbalance to this piece.
The British Top Gear been around for years it's quite not a new show
171.4? I gather thats for a gallon? We are paying that now for a litre
This was an episode not a best of, unless you're saying this is the second best video old clarkson did
Mr. POWERRRRRRRRRRRR bleating on about the global warming fiction and speeding and large car engines. Jesus I was laughing so hard I hurt my ribs.
Not sure whats worse, VHS quality or home PC video compression software? This is like 100p.
I like how Clarkson had so much Hair back then end now is getting bald
Global warming Jeremy. ? Surely not
Im 2 comment😂
Say no more