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