| Ever since Henry Ford spawned the internal | | | | |
| combustion engine, petrol heads from around | | | | The American show 'Pimp My Ride', which is |
| the world have worshiped the automobile. | | | | produced by MTV has also met widespread |
| | | | global acclaim. Presented by rapper Xzibit, |
| Car culture expresses itself in many forms; | | | | the idea behind the show is to take old, |
| there are a plethora of magazines which cover | | | | beaten-up cars, and give them a complete |
| all manner of car topics such racing, | | | | custom overhaul. Though mechanical faults are |
| off-roading and classic cars; while on TV two | | | | repaired to allow the car to run, the |
| of the most influential shows currently on | | | | "pimping" of the vehicle is largely cosmetic; |
| our screens are T`op Gear and Pimp My Ride. | | | | the bodywork is given a brand new paint job |
| | | | often including flashy features such as "go |
| Top Gear is a long running, award-winning BBC | | | | faster stripes" and hot rod flames. There is |
| show about cars, and has been running since | | | | also substantial customisation of the car |
| 1977. In recent years it has become more | | | | interiors, which is normally tailored to fit |
| quirky and humorous and as such attracts a | | | | the particular interests or hobbies of the |
| wide following, with some 8 million weekly | | | | owner; for example a tenpin bowler had a |
| viewers in the UK and an estimated 350 | | | | special ball washer installed in this trunk, |
| million viewers worldwide. But perhaps Top | | | | and a surfer got a clothes-dryer fitted in |
| Gear's greatest achievement is its wide | | | | the back of his van. |
| appeal; a large proportion of its viewers are | | | | |
| not car enthusiasts. The show is presented by | | | | The show has been very successful both in the |
| the oft-said arrogant Jeremy Clarkson, | | | | US and worldwide and has spawned dozens of |
| Richard Hammond (nicknamed The Hamster by his | | | | subsidiaries around the world, for example in |
| co-presenters), James May - a well spoken, | | | | the UK (presented by hip-hop DJ Tim |
| long-haired hippy type, and The Stig - a | | | | Westwood), Italy, Germany, Brazil, and there |
| mysterious racing driver whose identity is | | | | is even an Arabic version that translates as |
| unknown to the public and who never speaks or | | | | "Spoil you Car"! |
| removes his helmet. | | | | |