The Car Magazine that loves Red Dwarf and the Brittas Empire but mostly adores Britain’s Greatest Machines
Chris Barrie
We spoke to Chris about his TV programme and the cars he loves...
It is certainly true that British inventions and engineering created much of our modern lives and you won’t find a more passionate advocate than Chris Barrie. He’s been presenting a truly brilliant series on National Geographic and more recently Channel called Britain’s Greatest Machines.
“There were plenty of times when I had to pinch myself,” says Barrie. “I had a fantastic opportunity to talk to the world’s engineering experts and then get on and ride, drive or fly in these world beating machines, it was absolutely brilliant.”
Barrie’s enthusiasm is infectious of course as throughout the series he explains why each decade of the last century was so significant. So in the 1910s we got to see a Morgan three wheeler, in the ‘20s the Brough Superior motorcycle and on to the Morris 8 in the ‘30s and Aston Martins and the Mini as we get to the 1950s. That’s not even touching on the trains planes and airships that are equally prominent throughout the series.
So Chris what are your favourite cars? “Jaguars. I really think that there has been no better British car that is a true world-beater and such great value for money. Imagine driving an XK120 in 1948, that would have been a supercar quick. Then the saloons are just fabulous from the mark 7 to the XJ6. An XJ6 in 1968 must have seemed like it came from another planet!”
As well owning sundry singles and twin BSAs and Triumph motorcycles and a classic Jag XJ6, compulsive tinkerer Chris also has a Land Rover Defender as his everyday driver.
Yes Chris Barrie is one of us.
I wanted to chat to him because he has the opportunity to influence a generation of young minds as this is National Curriculum stuff surely? “Well yes we have been having discussions at some fairly high levels and also making the time do some lectures,” says Barrie. “I truly believe that getting people interested into the engineering side of it as well as the history is absolutely crucial. Kick starting apprentiships is also essential.”
Quite right otherwise who is going to repair our cars in the future? Barrie comes to mechanics from a practical angle. “As an owner of old motorcycles and cars you do find that they break down quite often and waiting for someone else to fix them isn’t always an option so I do like to get stuck in. I suppose I am interested in understanding how they work.”
Barrie’s natural curiosity and ability to explain often complex principles is at the heart of the programmes appeal and the more we understand about the way things the work and engage youngsters.
Envitably there is a DVD of Britain’s Greatest machines out now and if you buy nothing else for a mate, neice, nephew or impressionable child, it really ought to be this.
