Great Cars: The Television Series

Come with us as we drive through mansion gates, discover secret auto collections, roam exclusive auto gatherings, race high dollar classics and hobnob with the owners of the world's most exclusive automobiles. Find out what it's like to drive the world's fastest, most expensive, desirable and exotic collector automobiles.

Starting in the 1990's Sport Utility Vehicles took over the streets of America. Women didn't want to be "soccer moms" and abandoned their minivans in droves. Men wanted a car that could go anywhere even if they only drove it to the office. Some people accused their owners of harming the planet but no car company could survive without an SUV in its lineup.

Edsel, Corvair, Hudson, Studebaker, Hupmobile, Crosley, Maxwell and more - these are the Orphan cars. Many of these "orphan cars" had unusual design and engineering features. They were created by people willing to go out on a limb. Unfortunately, the limb broke. But there are dedicated people who savor these marques and have turned these underdogs into show winners.

After years of rigorous debate, hand wringing and international lobbying by fans, automakers and government officials, a jury of automotive historians, museum curators and journalists decided what were the most significant cars ever created. We'll explore how our experts picked the top five autos and finally reached the decision to confer the automotive crowns.

Lotus made its reputation on the world's racing circuits and built high performance sports cars that were favored by those who appreciated powerful engines, light cars, and very direct steering, that provided awe inspiring cornering at nearly any speed.

This fast paced program documents the ancient search for a better way to fight fires. A fire company in Historic Williamsburg, Virginia reenacts and brings to life the bucket brigades and the first fire pumper used in the colonies. The audience will see how difficult a task fire fighting was for the founders of the country. While everyone agreed that fire fighting was important we'll find out how political bosses, bent on preserving their jobs, tried to interfere with the purchase of better fire trucks.

New York City's finest. LA's new centurions. Even Mayberry's, Sheriff Andy have relied on one common tool, the Police Car. It is the most often used weapon in an officer's crime fighting arsenal. More than the gun. More than the billy club. The Police Car is the one tool that continually makes the difference in the struggle against crime. While it's taken for granted today, the development of the Police Car has been a constant race to stay ahead of the technology and hardware of the crooks.

The story of the development of the ambulance is intertwined with warfare. From the days of the Roman legions to today's far-flung military there has been a pressing need to quickly move the wounded from the battlefield. While most of us take for granted the EMS vans that patrol our streets, without the foresight of those driven by the horrors of war we would not have these modern ambulances racing to our doors.

The Meyers Manx sprang from the soul of a free spirited Californian who loved the beach and always wanted to have fun. It was an inexpensive, go anywhere car that immediately clicked with a generation of like-minded people. Bruce Meyers created a legend but has had to fight to keep his vision alive.

This fast paced, tire squealing, high octane program will race to discover the essence of the sports car as we take a look at the origins of the world's most beguiling examples. We'll travel back to the beginnings of the automotive adventure and see the cars that royalty raced. We'll encounter princes, kings, dukes and wealthy commoners whose auto tastes set the tone for the first sports cars and see how national differences created some of the world's most exciting autos. We'll take some of these fabulous machines out for a drive while we try to discover the essence of a sports car.

It was a time when the finest automobiles in the world were built - the era of the custom-bodied, luxury car. Some feel that this 20 year period from about 1920 to roughly 1940 was an Olympian Age of automotive design. We'll see how these wonderful machines were built; find out who bought them and why they stopped. Along the way we will see what it takes to return a classic car to its original glory.

Twice a year, the deserted Bonneville Salt Flats are transformed into the Valhalla of speed where land speed racers battle it out to claim a record. These speed freaks bring everything from jet-powered monsters to old roadsters to see who can claim the bragging rights until next year. Come along as we capture the drama of the racers who've decided to shift their dreams into high gear.