The Car's the Star

[Quentin gets out of a white 1959 Cadillac]

Quentin Willson:
One thing "the 59" is not, is lean. At 2 tons, 20 foot long, 6 foot wide with 42-inch high fins, it perfectly sums up the philosophy of late-50s America: big is best. What you're looking at is a very large, long chunk of America's heritage. We have Shakespeare; they have the 59 Cad. Under a bonnet almost as big as Texas nestled an engine almost the size of California, a 390 cubic inch, 6.3 litre consumptive V8. Welcome to the world of 8 miles to the gallon. But back then, no-one cared because gas was almost as plentiful as rainwater. And America was busy getting drunk on its natural resources. You could fill the tank of your Cadillac and still have change from three bucks.

Quentin Willson:
The 59 Cadillac says more about America than a whole trunkful of history books. It was *the* American dream.

[demonstrating the Triumph Herald's notoriously bad handling by driving in tight circles, causing the rear wheels to tilt at an alarming angle to each other]

Quentin Willson:
All eyes were on the Herald's rear end. Triumph might have made a big play of the independent rear suspension, but in reality if you pushed the little dearie to the limit, it handled like a wayward supermarket trolley.

[talking about her Herald]

Fay Presto:
If this car ever comes on the market, I'm either dead or else in very severe trouble.

[talking about the amphibious Amphicar, based on a Triumph Herald]

Quentin Willson:
This is the maddest car I've ever driven. It's absolutely barking. But it's wonderful. I wonder if it aquaplanes!