From its humble beginnings on BBC Midlands in 1977, Top Gear has gone from something of a Fort Cortina to a fully-blown Rolls Royce. Odrán de Bhaldraithe looks back at the presenters - from Angela Rippon, all the way to new boy, Chris Evans
Angela Rippon (1977-80)
Given the rather macho nature of today's incarnation of Top Gear, it may surprise some to learn that the first presenter of Top Gear was a woman (no jokes about one careful lady driver please). BBC newsreader Rippon presented the show for its first three years, seeing it grow from a monthly feature on the BBC Midlands region to a weekly show on BBC Two. According to Rippon, "Back then, Top Gear was all about motoring issues rather than toys for the boys and what it is now",.
Where is she now? Angela has been on our screens co-hosting the game show Amazing Greys with Paddy McGuinness.
Noel Edmonds (1980-81)
Having previously been the show's car tester, Noel Edmonds took over as presenter in 1980. The image of Edmonds' luscious hair flowing in the wind as he drove with his window down in the below clip was clearly too much for viewers to handle and he was replaced after two series.
Where is he now? These days, Edmonds can be seeing getting overly excited and convincing people there's an actual method to Deal or No Deal.
William Wollard (1981-1991)
Top Gear was a more down to earth show in the '80s, with the cars covered being of a more affordable standard than on today's show. William Wollard was, like the cars, less flashy than what would come after him, but good at his job. His tenure as presenter is remembered for his straightforward and accurate reporting rather than any sense of humour.
Where is he now? Wollard is, among other things, a scriptwriter for documentaries and practising Buddhist nowadays.
Tony Mason (1986-2000)
Tony Mason brought a light-hearted nature to Top Gear that William Wollard could never have thought to bring. The former rally driver and co-driver would often report on vehicles of interest such as fire engines and vintage Rolls Royces. Mason holds the distinction of having driven the most expensive vehicle ever driven on the show: the £15 million Volvo concept bus.
One particularly memorable piece presented by Mason saw him team up with his former rally driver Roger Clark to drive a Ford Escort RS1600 through a forest at full speed.
Where is he now? Mason now works as an after-dinner speaker and occasional columnist.
Tiff Needell (1987-2001)
Tiff Needell is proper Top Gear hero and is held in such high esteem that he still makes appearances on the current format, despite presenting rival show Fifth Gear, created after the BBC cancelled the original Top Gear. Needell's tenure, along with a young Jeremy Clarkson, saw the show change gears as it became more humorous and unashamedly critical of cars.
Jeremy Clarkson (1988-2000, 2002-2015)
The only man to serve as presenter on both formats of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson was the engine behind the show's breakthrough global success, but he was also the lightning rod for complaints because of his, eh, out spoken style. Clarkson's beginnings on the show were humble, and indeed it is odd to hear William Wollard, in the video below, saying: "And now to less controversial matters, Jeremy Clarkson . . . "
Where is he now? Not sure but possibly crying into his pint in Chipping Norton.
Quentin Wilson (1991-2001)
Quentin Wilson was seen as the dependable and straight-laced foil to Jeremy Clarkson. An expert in used, affordable cars, he was about as exciting as third gear in a Sierra.
Vicki Butler-Henderson (1997-2001)
Coming from a famous racing family, Butler-Henderson joined the Top Gear team in 1997 and moved onto Fifth Gear with Needell and Wilson after the cancellation of the original format.
James May (1999, 2003-2015)
Nicknamed Captain Slow for his "careful" driving style, May co-presented in 1999 on the original format of the show, but didn't become a fully-fledged presenter until 2003, during the second series of the show's second format.
May left the show earlier this year after the BBC's decision not renew Clarkson's contract.
Richard Hammond (2002-2015)
Hammond was part of the presenting team for the show's relaunch along with Clarkson and James Dawes, who was replaced by May after just one season.
Hammond, who suffered sever brain injuries as a result of crashing a dragster travelling at 463 km/h on the show in 2007, has been nicknamed the Hamster for his small stature and for a few occasions when he has eaten paper and cardboard on the show.
The Stig (2002-2015)
Originally clad in a black suit that was eventually revealed to contain one Perry McCarthy and then a white suit that was eventually revealed to have contained one Ben Collins, the third incarnation of The Stig also sports a white suit, but nobody knows just who or what it contains. It may even contain you.
Chris Evans (2015-)
After Clarkson, May and Hammond drove off into the sunset, the BBC were left with the unenviable task of replacing the stars of their most successful show. It was revealed yesterday (June 16) that radio and TV personality Chris Evans will lead the new line-up. Evans has said that all three of the former presenters were supportive of the move.
Yet, with Evans as the engine, it remains to be seen who will be the wheels . . .
