The speaker describes their purchase of a Rover SD1, a car styled to look like a Ferrari Daytona. The car has a 3.5 litre V8 engine and plum-coloured Vulgalour upholstery. However, it has several faults, including a non-functioning stereo radio/cassette, cruise control, and electric sunshine roof. Despite these issues, the speaker was able to purchase the car for £1,100.
They then introduce a Dolly Sprint, the first production car to have 16 valves, four per cylinder, and the first British saloon car to have alloy wheels as standard. The car is made out of floorboards and has a brown interior. Despite its age and condition, the car is interesting due to its unique features, such as obscured windscreen wiper spindles under the bonnet.
The speaker then describes a series of tests involving driving the cars on a hill, parking them on a one-in-three hill, and applying the handbrake. The cars are also filled with water and driven around a track. Despite the water leaking out quickly, the Dolly Sprint's performance is affected by the extra weight. The Austin Princess, on the other hand, holds its drink well and completes a full lap. The Rover, however, leaks badly, causing the water to thunder in and out.
In the end, the speaker is lapped by the Austin Princess, which is full of water. The speaker then drives the Rover, but the door comes off, resulting in a large panel gap.
1. The speaker bought a Rover SD1, styled to look like a Ferrari Daytona.
2. The Rover SD1 has a 3.5 litre V8 engine.
3. The car has plum-coloured Vulgalour upholstery.
4. The car has a stereo radio/cassette that doesn't work.
5. The car has cruise control that doesn't work.
6. The car has an electric sunshine roof that doesn't work.
7. The speaker was able to get the Rover SD1 for just 1,100 pounds.
8. The next car arriving is a Dolly Sprint.
9. The Dolly Sprint is the first ever production car to have 16 valves, four per cylinder.
10. The Dolly Sprint is the first British saloon car to have alloy wheels as standard.
11. The Dolly Sprint is made out of floorboards.
12. The speaker paid £1,250 for the Dolly Sprint.
13. The Dolly Sprint is a classic and desirable car.
14. The Dolly Sprint was driven in The Professionals.
15. The Dolly Sprint was featured in the video of "Don't You Want Me, Baby?" by the Human League.
16. The Dolly Sprint was driven by Terry Scott in Terry and June.
17. The speaker and his team had to drive 40 miles to get a challenge.
18. The challenge was to find weaknesses in cars.
19. The challenge was to park the car on a one-in-three hill and apply the handbrake.
20. The speaker was able to park his car on the hill and it stayed there.
21. The Dolly Sprint was filled with water and driven around the track.
22. The extra weight of the water blunted the Dolly's performance.
23. The water came out quickly and the speaker was able to pick up some speed.
24. The speaker was able to pass Hammond in the Austin Princess full of water.
25. The Rover SD1 was filled with water and driven around the track.
26. The Rover SD1 leaked so badly that two hoses were needed to fill it.
27. The door of the Rover SD1 came off during the test.