
Christina Trevanion & Serhat Ahmet, Day 3
Season 21 Episode 18 | 43m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
Experts Christina Trevanion and Serhat Ahmet go shopping outside their comfort zones.
Antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Serhat Ahmet go out of their comfort zones in their search for old treasures, hitting the shops from Sheffield to Coventry.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback

Christina Trevanion & Serhat Ahmet, Day 3
Season 21 Episode 18 | 43m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
Antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Serhat Ahmet go out of their comfort zones in their search for old treasures, hitting the shops from Sheffield to Coventry.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Alright, fair enough.
It's a really cute subject.
VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car.
NATASHA: Make it so.
MARGIE: Here we go.
VO: And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.
Frankly terrifying.
VO: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.
But it's no mean feat.
I've lost money!
VO: There'll be worthy winners... Get in there!
VO: ..and valiant losers.
Could have been worse.
VO: Will it be the high road to glory?
Ooh.
VO: Or the slow road to disaster?
Ugh!
VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!
Nice!
VO: Watch out, Yorkshire.
The Road Trip circus has come to town.
So, why is it, Christina, that when I'm on the road with you, that it just rains?
(SHE LAUGHS) I don't know.
Have you seen how amazing my left hand windscreen wiper is?
(SHE LAUGHS) Aw, it's so diddy!
VO: They're a hearty pair, our auctioneer, Christina Trevanion, and dealer Serhat Ahmet.
A little bit of rain won't slow them down.
Well, hello!
Woo, breathe in, Serhat!
Breathe in!
What is this?
Woo hoo hoo, are you alright?
I'm fine.
I'm just...
Collecting foliage on the wing mirrors?
Yes.
I'm just saying hello to nature.
Pick me a bunch of flowers as you go past.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: Yes, Serhat's carriage is a bit of a wide load.
Made in a time before seat belts were mandatory, and most other mod cons, apparently.
There's a lot of steering involved in the Land Rover, isn't there?
Yeah, and it doesn't do very much.
Yeah, turn, turn, turn, turn... Oh.
Yeah.
So you just spend your life just kind of turning the wheel and not really going anywhere.
VO: Christina's bagsied the Porsche Speedster replica today, a whole different beast.
This little baby, she's a bit nippy, she's a bit speedy.
I quite like that, and I think that might give me a bit of a clue for my buying tactics this round.
How are you feeling about the last leg?
I felt like you... thrashed me, is how I feel.
(HE LAUGHS) VO: She did.
Our newest recruit started strongly on this Trip, using his knowledge of ceramics to comfortably win the first auction.
It didn't do him any favors last time, though.
Misery.
VO: And, to add to his woes, Christina played to her strengths and gave the young upstart a good drubbing.
I think I might have made some money today.
SERHAT (SA): I need to do something new.
I think I need to... move away from ceramics, but do you think I can do that?
If you're feeling up for it, then go for it, Serhat.
Move away from the pots.
(HE LAUGHS) Why don't you try buying some bling?
VO: He needs to try something, because after starting out with £200 and leaping into the lead, Serhat ended up just about back where he started with £207.34 in his funds.
A different story for Christina - she started out with the same amount and has grown that into a very healthy lead, with £310 exactly for today's fun and games.
And it looks like it might be brightening up.
We're under a cloud, and the sunlight is over there.
Follow that sunlight, Serhat!
Let's drive to the sunlight.
(GEARS GRIND) VO: Ah, there's a gear in there somewhere.
Hm!
So far, this journey has seen our perusing pair wandering round north Wales and the Midlands.
They'll be heading back to Wales again, the south this time, before a final showdown on the English south coast at Battle.
This time out, they'll be popping to the shops all over the place, winding up in Balsall Common, but let's spring into action in Sheffield, Yorkshire's steel city.
First up to bat is Serhat.
Let's see if the aptly-named Sheffield Antiques Centre has anything to entice him.
Ah, the welcoming committee.
Hello.
Who are you?
Can you tell me which way are the bargains, please?
VO: That's Alfie, he's keeping mum.
Find your own bargains.
Mind you, a guide would have been handy.
It's like a labyrinth of little treasures in here.
What's calling to you, Serhat?
SA: I think going to dub this my cabinet of comforts.
I've ended up in front of loads of ceramics again, but what did I say earlier?
"No ceramics on this leg of the Trip", so I'm going to keep walking.
VO: Easier said than done.
They're everywhere in here, and so tempting.
I'm just being haunted by ceramics today.
VO: Don't look, don't look!
Quick, find something else.
That's quite nice.
Whoa, super heavy!
VO: Yes, I think you're safe with that one.
Really nice art nouveau detail on this.
It's one of the most typical floral designs you see from that period.
Poppy, then next to it is a bird in flight.
It's for Blue Bird Toffee, and it's a tin press.
So you'd lay your thin sheet of metal over this, and press down by machinery and that would create the tin lid for your Blue Bird Toffee.
VO: That's quite something, and definitely not ceramic.
SA: I can't believe that many would have survived outside of a factory archive, and it's really reasonably priced.
It's £52 on the ticket.
And I think I'm going to take that away and see what we can do on price.
VO: Sweet!
Meanwhile, our other antiques adventurer is on the move.
She's popped over into Derbyshire and the town of Chesterfield, famed for its spire, a proud member of the Association Of the Twisted Spires of Europe.
Still standing, I see.
Ha!
Jolly good.
Christina's first foray is at the Chesterfield Antiques Centre - another appropriately named shop.
Let's see if she can put that £310 to work here.
Ow!
VO: Oh, right on the toe!
(SHE LAUGHS) VO: Alright, calm down.
People are starting to look.
Hang on a second.
Oh my God.
OK, seriously, you're not coming home with me.
VO: It's dangerous, this antiques business.
There we go.
Simple when you know how.
Stupid chair.
VO: I think we'd better have a look for something else a bit less risky, eh?
CHISTINA (CT): Sparkly things.
Now, Serhat said to me this morning, "I'm going to go out of my comfort zone and I'm going to leave porcelain."
So I feel I should probably do the same, because I do tend to buy what I feel comfortable buying, which is jewelry and silver.
Oh, that's nice.
VO: Well, that lasted all of five seconds.
CT: So that is a very typical high Victorian mourning brooch.
So it's got a glazed locket in the back there, so you would have put somebody's hair, or an image or a photograph of the person that you loved that maybe had passed away.
And then you would have carried it close to your heart to remember them on a daily basis.
It is... £25.
That's not bad, is it?
But it's jewelry.
I'm supposed to be pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
Maybe I'll do that in the next shop.
Maybe.
Just... you think Serhat will let me just have one piece of jewelry?
It's just a little one.
VO: Go on then.
If you must.
Now, back to Sheffield.
Still holding strong, Serhat?
SA: I always love the Wedgwood Jasperware, but it's a ceramic, and I'm not going to buy it.
VO: Good lad.
Let's go and ask about your toffee tin maker instead.
Danny!
There you are.
I found this upstairs.
DANNY: Looks rather lovely.
Art nouveau.
Ticket says £52.
And you'd like to know what the very best price I could do.
I do.
Be kind!
I can do you £45.
45.
OK.
I'm just going to put this down, because I just spotted something over there... OK. ..in the cabinet, and I'll just go and grab that.
VO: Yeah, new stuff.
Exciting.
SA: That's good.
That's good.
There's a few good things in here.
There's a toast rack in the style of Christopher Dresser - brilliant name.
Or a mustard pot with a spoon?
That's Liberty.
That little WMF napkin ring.
And those hexagonal ones, those are a pair of Tudric napkin rings which were also made for Liberty.
VO: Taking his time, isn't he?
I said one thing, but whilst I was there... (BOTH LAUGH) ..I found a few more things!
Excellent.
So, we've got a toast rack... DANNY: Lovely.
The William Hutton.
Yeah.
A mustard pot with a spoon.
DANNY: Liberty.
And three napkin rings.
VO: Ah.
Finished?
Right, that pile of brand named goodies comes to £141.
I can squeeze you...115.
115?
Right?
Yep.
And then the tin press... you said 45?
That's 160.
Ouch.
DANNY: To help you out, 155 and they're yours.
OK. We've got a deal.
Good.
You've got some lovely things.
VO: He has, and a lot of them.
So that's £55 for all three napkin rings, 60 for the toast rack and mustard pot, and 40 for the toffee tin press.
Let's get out of here before he finds another cabinet to raid.
Meanwhile, back in Chesterfield, our intrepid antiqueuse has found the attic.
CT: This is cool.
VO: Yes, all sorts of bits and bobs up here.
CT: That's a nice bit of old leather, isn't it?
Well, that's cool.
That's a tripod, isn't it?
VO: Well, it's got three legs, you could be on to something.
Looks like a table top sort of... VO: Oh, hello.
Ooh... Oooh!
Wow!
Oh, my... OK, well, that makes a difference.
(SHE LAUGHS) Oh, my goodness.
That's really nice, and that's brass as well.
That's really quite early, isn't it?
Oh, there's a maker's name on the top.
"Eunice...France.
France.
And it's still got its case.
Without its case, it might not be quite as interesting, but...hmm.
It's just a nice quality thing, isn't it?
VO: No ticket on that, though.
Anything else to see while you're up here?
CT: Oh, this is cool!
Look at that.
Preacher's vestry.
"Original church vestry door."
£180.
Bargain.
£90 per door.
That's just quite fun, isn't it?
What is the vestry?
Where you put your vest on?
VO: Oh dear, oh dear.
It's the room in a church where a priest's vestments or robes are kept.
Pitch pine, which has got this sort of treacle stain over it, but this wonderful lettering.
That's what lifts it from being a normal door to quite a nice door.
It's too much at £90, but we'll see.
VO: Down we go, then.
You've still got that £25 piece of jewelry to think about, don't forget.
Wendy, my love.
So, we've got the brooch and I found that upstairs.
Mm-hm.
It doesn't have a price on it.
WENDY: We've got 48 on it.
Right.
There was also... it's a bit random, but there's a door upstairs.
WENDY: There is.
It's rather large.
It often gets in the way.
I mean, it's obviously got quite a lot of money on it at the moment, hasn't it?
Yes.
Yeah.
What could that be?
For you, today... it could be £30.
Oh, Wendy, I don't want to offend you, but for me, it's literally...a tenner?
£20 and it's yours.
Are you desperate to get rid of that door?
Not that desperate, but yes.
(SHE LAUGHS) So, how much could the tripod be?
The tripod could be...25.
25.
That's incredibly kind.
I like the tripod, I'm definitely going to go with the tripod.
WENDY: Mm-hm.
CT: Door or brooch?
We'll go door, shall we?
Yes.
Buy a door.
(SHE LAUGHS) VO: Hallelujah!
I think we have a deal.
I bet you're absolutely delighted, Wendy.
That door is finally out of your hair.
WENDY: Yep, sure am.
VO: £45 in total.
We'll come back for the door later, thank you.
But for now, let's make a bolt for it!
Now, leaving the bustle of steel city behind him, Serhat's ventured into the Peak District, making his way to the village of Hathersage.
His next stop is a museum dedicated to one of Britain's most prolific designers of the 20th century.
You might not have heard of him, but you'll have seen his work almost every day.
Welcome to the David Mellor Design Museum.
VO: Corin Mellor, David's son and a noted designer in his own right, is the ideal person to talk about his father's prolific work.
So, when did your father first show an aptitude for design and crafting?
I think, really, from a very early age.
His father was a toolmaker and they built things together.
I think one of the first examples of my father actually making something was for the Ward ship company, and they commissioned my dad, as an 11 year old boy, to actually make a model of every single ship that they had actually broken and I think he went through 30 different commissions on that.
So, yeah, I think that was 11 years old.
That's amazing.
VO: In the postwar years of the early 50s, Britain was looking to reinvent itself as a modern and forward-looking society after the austerity and drabness of World War II.
Design was the key, and the strong lines and minimalist ornamentation of modernism was all the rage.
During this fertile time for designers, David was a student at the Royal College of Art in London.
And, as a lad from Sheffield, there could be only one choice for his major project.
CORIN: This design was actually seen at his show by this very large Sheffield manufacturer called Walker & Hall.
And they decided to take the brave step of putting this student design into production, so it was the first student design from the RCA to actually be manufactured.
VO: Mellor's style fitted perfectly with the modernist aesthetic of the time.
More commissions followed, including from the British government, for a range of cutlery that was affordable to everyone.
The name of this design was Thrift.
CORIN: It had to be cheap to produce, good to use and highly durable.
And this design you would get if you went to hospital, you would get it on British Rail, and if you were unlucky enough to go into prison, you would also get this David Mellor cutlery design.
VO: Mellor took this philosophy of good design for the masses and applied it on a grander scale.
He designed a modern tubular steel lamppost to replace the ornate Victorian cast iron ones.
A whole range of street furniture followed - everything from bins to postboxes.
Mellor singlehandedly transformed the British urban environment.
SA: This feels very much like my home town, London, a bus stop with the number 19 bus that actually goes past my house.
CORIN: All familiar stuff, then!
It is!
VO: But Mellor's most ubiquitous creation is something that millions of us look at every day - traffic lights.
CORIN: The idea was it was a signaling system for both motorists and, very importantly, pedestrians.
Cars were becoming much more widespread, and the concept really that my father came up with was this modular system, so you could have your standard traffic light, or you could add on a right turn or left filter and build it up.
But the other really interesting thing was part of the design, that the actual door of the traffic light hinges, so that you can replace your light bulb when the red light stops working.
The same design that you stop at every day was designed way back in the early 60s by my father.
VO: Today, David Mellor's designs are still on every street, but his company continues to produce new and innovative designs in cutlery right next door to the museum in this rather splendid purpose-built factory.
Oh, wow!
This is quite unlike any factory I've seen.
It's so stylish!
CORIN: We need to get you to work.
SA: Oh, yes, please.
How about if you had a go at doing a bit of polishing?
VO: I think he can manage that.
SA: Corin, what would you say makes good design?
Well, I think there's two things, really.
I think, from a stylistic point of view, a design that perhaps doesn't try too hard, and then I think the other very very important thing is that form follows function, which, to me, essentially means it works.
Well, what do you think of that?
My first polishing job.
I don't think that is bad.
VO: Surely an antique of the future.
And talking of style icons, where's Christina got to?
Heading deeper into the Derbyshire Dales and the town of Matlock.
Her next port of call is nestled amongst the splendid buildings of Cromford Mill, where Richard Arkwright created the first water-powered cotton mill.
Now a World Heritage site, don't you know?
Hoping to spin straw into gold with her remaining £265, Christina has popped into Heritage Antiques.
And I'll give you three guesses what she's gravitating towards.
I'm going sparkly again, aren't I?
I just can't help myself.
It's because I've bought two really brown things, I think I'm sort of now having some sort of allergic reaction to that.
VO: Well, this shop has just the cure.
CT: Isn't that just the most beautiful...oh, look at that.
Diamonds, cultured pearls.
About 1900, 1910.
Moving into the Garland style.
That is just exquisite.
VO: You're not wrong there.
But it won't come cheap.
£295.
I haven't got £295, have I?
VO: Not any more, you don't.
Why did I buy a door?
I don't need a door, I don't want a door.
No one wants doors.
Everyone's got their own doors!
VO: She's not coping well with this "no comfort zone" policy, is she?
OK, then, moving on.
CT: This is cute.
Chinese.
What we call Yixing.
So, purple clay teapot, produced in China.
And Yixing has been produced from 15th, 16th century, Ming period onwards.
If this was a really early example, I would expect this, what we call a seal mark, or character mark on the bottom, to be really, really crisp.
And this one, the mark is just a bit too woolly around the edges.
It hasn't been as impressed as it could have been.
What does fill me with hope is that you've got this little Yixing mark on the handle here.
And, even nicer, you've got another mark on the underside of the lid there.
VO: Nice item.
CT: The more tea you have in a Yixing teapot, the more tea particles are absorbed by the clay, and the shinier and more polished it becomes.
That's why they're just so tactile and lovely.
VO: And priced up at £20, that one at least is in budget.
Not shiny, it's not sparkly.
Brown.
Like everything else I've bought today, it's brown.
VO: Sounds like she's going for the teapot, then.
But I have a feeling she's still hankering after that pricey bit of bling.
Let's talk to Sally.
CT: Hi, Sally.
SALLY: Hiya.
I'm spoilt for choice.
There's some really beautiful things here.
The most beautiful that I've spotted is that little diamond and pearl brooch in the cabinet over there.
It's marked up at 295.
Is there any chance I could squeeze you a little bit on the price on that one?
250.
250 would be the best.
Alright, super.
That's incredibly generous, thank you.
And there's the Yixing teapot in the cabinet over there.
Mm.
Would you be able to do a deal on the brooch and the Yixing teapot?
And my offer, which you're more than welcome to say no to, would be £250 for the both.
I can take the brooch down to 230.
And then, yeah, 20 for the teapot, you've got your 250, so that would be fine.
Perfect.
Oh, my gosh, I've just spent so much money!
Oh, my gosh!
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: Ha-ha!
Emphatically back in your comfort zone, I'd say.
10, 20, 30...
This could take a while!
VO: It'll certainly make you feel lighter in the pocket.
And with a mere £15 to her name, it's time we caught up with the other fella.
I think I'm warming to the Porsche.
I'm absolutely loving the Land Rover.
Oh are you?
Have I lost it?
Yes.
Boo.
I think it needs to be mine.
VO: Now now, we must learn to share our toys.
Night night.
VO: A new day and a new county - Warwickshire.
Aw, cows!
Aw!
Hi, moos!
SA: Hello, cows.
CT: Wow, look at the horns on that one!
VO: An opportunity to brush up on your antiques education.
So, WMF?
Yeah.
W rttembergische Metallwaren Fabrik.
Oh!
But you say it, go on.
Right, see, I've even forgotten what the W was now.
W rttembergische.
Willkommen... mein Frankfurter.
That's what it stands for.
VO: You can't teach some people, can you?
Yesterday, our reluctant pupil ditched the ceramic in favor of metal, scooping up three napkin rings, one of which was WMF by the way, a William Hutton toast rack, and a Liberty & Co mustard pot.
I found a few more things!
VO: All told, he forked out a sizeable £155.
Small beer compared to Christina's £295 blowout.
She plumped for a brass tripod, a vestry door, like you do, and a very sparkly but very pricey brooch.
Oh my gosh, I've just spent so much money!
Oh my gosh!
VO: And they both have one other thing that they've brought along to show the class.
Yixing for you.
(BOTH LAUGH) Brown teapot.
Yeah.
It's quite cute.
It is cute, yeah.
Bit of Yixing, exactly.
I mean, this is what happens when I go out of my comfort zone, though.
Well, I went out of mine and I've bought this.
It's a tin press.
Oh, that's beautiful.
SA: So, it's for... CT: Ooh!
..Blue Bird Toffee, and that's how they would have made the lid... Oh, OK. ..for the tin for the toffee.
Is that your favorite thing that you bought yesterday?
No, I think I loved all the things I bought yesterday, actually, and all metal.
Oh, shiny things!
Shiny things.
Oh my goodness, there's been a bit of a role reversal here.
Definitely.
Well, shall we get on?
Yeah, let's go for it.
Shopping to do.
VO: Yes, we can't hang around here nattering all day.
Later, the fruits of their labor will be off to an online auction in Sidmouth.
But, with antiques still beckoning, let's head to Warwickshire, and Middleton and another very scenic shopping location.
Middleton Hall.
We're being spoiled, aren't we?
In amongst these marvelous medieval buildings is Meadowview Antiques, which is where Serhat is heading to now.
Hello.
You must be Mike.
Good morning.
A lovely shop.
Can I have a look around?
Yeah, just have a look around, feel free.
Thank you very much.
VO: Plenty of nooks and crannies to investigate in here.
It's quite tight, though.
Not unlike Serhat's current funds.
Only £52.34 left.
Oh, look at that!
That's quite fun, isn't it?
He's all dressed up beautifully.
He's even got proper little shoes on, kids' shoes.
Well, I'm going to have to have a little look at you, old chap.
VO: Does a career in the music hall beckon?
Tell me, where are all the bargains in this shop?
"Well, that wouldn't be very fair on Christina, would it?"
VO: He's rubbish.
I can see his lips moving.
Can you look at me when we're talking, please?
Oh, that's better.
VO: It's not much of an act, is it?
I wouldn't give up the day job, Serhat.
Let's see what Mike's got here.
That's nice.
It's a silver and leather purse.
It looks to be in quite good condition.
It's got a nice little catch to open it.
Tan leather interior.
That's been well used.
I like to see when things that were made to be used are actually used.
Snaps shut tight.
It's a bit dented but it's been in and out of pockets for God knows how many years.
VO: It's by Danziger & Isaacs, makers of ladies' and gents' accessories in the Edwardian period.
This one dates to 1908.
SA: Very kind of art deco, art nouveau look about it.
Hmm.
What's it priced at?
55.
Ouch.
So that's a little out of budget at the moment.
But nothing a bit of negotiating skills couldn't fix.
VO: Come on then, let's see you in action.
Mike, hi.
Hi.
I just found this around the corner.
This purse is about as empty as my pockets in all honesty.
Right, right.
And the ticket says 55.
I could do it you for 40.
Can I tell you what I had in mind?
Yes please.
And you can tell me to... Yeah.
..to leave.
I'm thinking 30.
I could do it for 35.
That's a really fair price, I really appreciate that.
Yeah.
I think I'm going to take that.
VO: Oh, he's no dummy when it comes to bargaining.
No offence meant.
That's for you, that's for me.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And wish me luck.
VO: With only £17 and change left in your pocket, I think you might need it.
Christina, meanwhile, has maneuvered her motor to Coventry, arriving at the city's transport museum.
And whilst her Porsche is certainly no slouch, they've got a couple of cars in here that have got a little more grunt.
Known as Britain's motor city, Coventry has been turning out cars since the 1890s.
The city has also quite a reputation in the field of motorsports, as the museum's collection of highly-tuned and very fast racing vehicles attests.
But if it's real speed you're after, you can't do much better than one of the star exhibits here.
Thrust2, holder of the world land speed record from 1983 to 1997.
Wow.
That's a big one.
Richard, this is pretty impressive.
I believe you had something to do with this.
Yeah, I sort of drove the car.
Just sort of drove the car.
VO: Quite an understatement.
Richard Noble was not only the man behind the wheel for the record-breaking run, he was the driving force behind the whole project to create the fastest car in the world.
It was designed by a brilliant guy called John Ackroyd who designed the whole car and drew all the drawings and everything else.
This car has got a Rolls-Royce Avon engine from a Lightning fighter.
35,000 horsepower, which is the equivalent of, oh, I don't know, about 35 Formula 1 cars, something like that.
So, they've got it easy, the Formula 1 drivers?
Well, you said it.
(BOTH LAUGH) And you sat in here?
That's right, that's the cockpit.
Yes, it's British, so it's a right-hand drive.
Of course, of course.
Just alongside, there's a huge turbine there which is going around at nearly 10,000 RPM, and you've got about 30 feet of flame out the back.
VO: Wow!
On 4 October 1983, at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Richard set off in Thrust2 on its record-breaking run.
It averaged 633mph over a measured mile.
CT: Talk to me about what it's like in the car, in the cockpit.
RICHARD: It slides all over the place between nought and 300.
Once you're over 300, the twin pins really sort of cut in, and then the car starts to go straight, so 300-500 is a bit boring, really.
Driving between three and five hundred miles an hour is boring?
RICHARD: Yeah, that's right.
CT: Is it?
You're doing it every day, I mean, you know, it's just another 500mph.
But once you go over 550, you start getting the shock waves developing at the front, and where the air is going supersonic.
The car itself isn't going supersonic, but there are curved sections of the car where the air is being accelerated over and it goes supersonic.
And we ended up peaking at 650mph, so, very, very proud of it.
VO: That amazing accomplishment held for 14 years, but by the mid 90s, a number of challengers were eyeing up the crown, so, what do you do if your record is under threat?
Well, if you're Richard and his team, you build a faster car, and you put RAF fighter pilot Andy Green in the cockpit.
This is pretty special, isn't it?
Absolutely extraordinary vehicle.
The only car ever to set a supersonic world land speed record.
VO: In 1997, Richard and his team were back in Nevada with ThrustSSC.
Their ambition, to break their own record and the sound barrier.
Tell me, what was it like to drive it?
If you can picture doing 70mph on the motorway, it's like that, but 11 times faster.
We're doing a mile in 4.5 seconds, a kilometer in 2.9 seconds.
It's got two huge reheated jet engines, so it is the most powerful racing vehicle ever created.
And by definition, of course, it has the world's fastest wheels on it.
Those wheels rotating up to 35,000 times per minute.
And this is the perfect place to tell that story, here in the Coventry Motor Museum, because those wheels and brakes were made right here in Coventry.
VO: On 15 October 1997, ThrustSSC smashed the world record with a staggering speed of 763 miles an hour.
(SONIC BOOM) Faster than the speed of sound.
RADIO: I'd say that was fast.
VO: Helped in no small part by the ingenuity of Coventry's engineers.
CT: On the day when you broke the record, how were you feeling?
Were you nervous about it?
By the time we actually took this car to the supersonic record, you've got to do that twice within one hour, we had already done 12 runs over 700mph, we'd already been supersonic on three occasions, so we already knew exactly what this car was capable of.
Now, a lot of people say, "Well, you must have been terrified."
No.
I wasn't expecting to crash.
If you were expecting me to crash, I understand why you're nervous.
My day job is to look after me and this car.
You are just as cool as a cucumber.
VO: And the fastest man on wheels.
To date, ThrustSSC's phenomenal land speed record remains unbeaten.
Now, over to the Land Rover.
Top speed, 50mph on a downhill slope.
Serhat's made his way to Balsall Common, just on the outskirts of Coventry and his last shop, Antiques in a Barn.
And guess what?
They've got antiques, in a barn.
How cool is that?
SA: It's great to be here before Christina, cos there's a lot of stuff here.
But I need to find something in budget, something special, and I want to find it before she does.
VO: Speaking of budget, he's a bit on his uppers at the moment.
Only £17.34 left.
And, you've just lost your advantage, mate, because look who's turned up.
Oh, hello, my trus...sorry, Porsche...my trusty Land Rover.
Hope he's being nice to you.
VO: With only £15 left in her kitty, she's not exactly flush either.
(GIGGLES) CT: Hello!
SA: Mm, hello!
Uh.
Surprise, surprise.
Put the pots down, Serhat!
Oh, caught in the act.
Good.
Is it pots or prams in here?
I didn't even see the prams there.
And I don't need a reminder of that incident.
Step away from the pram.
Just give it a very wide berth.
VO: Yes.
You've both got shopping to do, yes?
Aw, I've just spied something.
It's really nice.
That's cute.
Silver, French.
Child's bracelet.
Those flowers look like forget-me-nots, daisies...and on the chain is a matching ring.
That's really special.
Isn't that sweet?
A tiny little ring.
It's probably 1890-1910.
And who knows if that ring was ever actually worn?
But it's amazing that the two have survived together... ..for all that time.
VO: Very charming.
Marked up at £20, though.
You'll have to throw yourself on the mercy of shopkeeper Malcolm.
SA: I've just found your baby's bracelet and tiny little ring.
With the ring.
It's amazing, isn't it?
The size, it's so small.
And the fact that they've stayed together.
Yes.
They were made together.
Super, super little thing.
My only question is what can you do on the price?
If I said £16, I think that's giving you a fair chance.
If you said £16, I would say thank you very much, yes please.
VO: I think that's a done deal.
Just about wiped him out, though.
16.
And if the Land Rover doesn't start, that's my bus journey home.
I'll make you a sandwich.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: Aw, how kind.
Now, in a cabinet not a million miles away, our other cash-strapped shopper is also into the French stuff.
"Claude Bonabri".
Who was Claude Bonabri?
I like the sound of him.
MALCOLM: You have never heard of Claude Bonabri?
CT: No.
MALCOLM: You surprise me.
Why?
Nor have I.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: He's a wag, that Malcolm.
CT: Ooh, this has got a dog on it.
There's another French thing.
"Docteur..." Mallard.
That doesn't sound very French, does it?
He was a quack doctor.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: He's here all week, folks.
CT: So, that would have been the tag that he had for his dog?
Yes.
Oh, that's cute.
I like that.
Serhat loves dogs.
Did Serhat see that?
I don't believe he did.
Oh, really?
Intere...
It's one he missed.
VO: His loss could be your gain.
That's priced up at a fiver.
It feels a bit like, you know, Lady and the Tramp.
CT: This dog sort of... MALCOLM: Mm.
..wandering around the streets of Paris in the early...20th century, maybe?
I would think that's Edwardian... Yeah, 1900, 1910.
..in period.
Yes, yeah.
Exactly.
Malcolm, at £5 I'm happy with that.
Lovely.
I'm sorry I haven't come here with more money.
VO: And that dog tag marks the end of her shopping, and she's still managed to hang onto a tenner.
Ta-da!
So, do I get to take the Land Rover now?
No chance.
What?
You're stuck with the Porsche.
Oh, OK. At least I can race you in the Porsche.
(SHE LAUGHS) Right, off we go.
Off we go!
Oh-ai-ai!
Oh, hang on a second!
(LAND ROVER HORN HONKS) I can't, I've got to put my straps on!
VO: Oh, yes.
Safety first.
Ready?
Woo!
Let's go!
VO: Wagons roll - time to head off for some shut eye.
VO: Auction day is upon us, but who's that rum-looking cove down by the docks?
Look at you hanging out on a post.
SA: Hello!
CT: Hello!
How are you?
I'm very well, how are you?
Yeah!
I found a lovely spot for us.
You really did, it's beautiful.
I'm slightly concerned this is kind of, like, bars and pubs around here.
Is this to drown our sorrows afterwards?
May... may well need that.
(SHE LAUGHS) VO: Let's not throw in the towel just yet then.
After journeying south from Sheffield, we've come all the way down to the city of Bristol pitching up at the water's edge to watch a bit of bidding.
Their goodies have traveled even further south, all the way to Sidmouth in Devon, for a sale behind closed doors at Potburys Auction House, with bidding online and on the book.
Serhat spent nearly all his cash, £206, on five auction lots.
Anything grabbing the attention of our auctioneer du jour, Philip Hurst?
The napkin rings, yes, they are nicely made.
They have the names to them.
At the end of the day, it is two napkin rings from one maker and one from another, so I don't think they'll fetch too much money.
VO: Christina's haul of five lots in this online auction set her back a grand total of £300.
Any eye openers among those, Philip?
The preacher's door is interesting.
I've noticed there is no apostrophe in "preacher's", which may cause some controversy.
For the amount of sign writing, there is a very large door to go with it, so it won't be for everyone.
VO: Not exactly effusive praise, there.
Let's see how we get on.
CT: How are you feeling?
SA: Quite nervous, how about you?
It's Road Trip.
Anything could happen, and... SA: Yes.
CT: ..it probably will.
VO: First under the hammer is Christina's etiquette de chien Francaise - a French dog tag to you and me.
My commission bids start me at £10.
Oh!
Straight into profit.
PHILIP: Internet's climbed... CT: Come on!
PHILIP: ..to £18.
PHILIP: With an internet bidder at 18.
SA: 18.
CT: 18!
Do I hear now?
Fair warning, I'm about to sell.
Oh, fantastic!
Well done, you.
There we go.
Woof!
Good start.
VO: Docteur Mallard would be pleased with that.
Well, we're a nation of animal lovers, aren't we, so... SA: We are.
CT: What could have gone wrong?
VO: Next up, Serhat's napkin ring collection.
Perfect for a romantic dinner for three.
Ha!
The internet has come in with two, which has climbed to three, to four, to five.
It's with the internet at five, at six now.
Climbing to seven.
£7 internet bidder.
Eight now.
PHILIP: Nine?
SA: £9.
Come on, Philip.
Come on, Philip!
Fair warning, then, at £9.
Come on, Philip!
CT: Ouch!
SA: £3 a napkin ring.
(HE LAUGHS) VO: Not an auspicious start for him.
That's a nice big loss.
VO: Christina's big spend is next, her diamond and pearl brooch.
How much did it cost again?
I paid £230.
£230!
Two commission bids, start me at £190.
Oh, blimey!
Internet commission, offers 200.
I have 220.
Come on, Philip.
Internet offers 240.
I have 260 by commission bid.
Ha!
Into profit.
Fair warning, I'm about to sell.
Oh...oh, my goodness.
I think that was incredibly lucky.
VO: Yes, a bit of a risky one, but it paid off.
That's amazing.
That is amazing, frankly.
That is amazing.
VO: Now, can Serhat follow suit with his foray into jewelry?
His baby's ring and bracelet set.
It's just so unusual to have the original ring still with the bracelet.
(SEAGULL CALLS) Yeah, exactly.
Well, the seagull agrees.
SA: Yeah.
PHILIP: £6.
SA: £6.
PHILIP: I look to the Internet.
Good place to start, keep going, Philip.
PHILIP: 10 on commission.
SA: 10.
10 by commission bid.
Little bit more, little bit more, little bit more, come on... SA: Come on.
PHILIP: 12, right.
12.
VO: He's creeping up, ever so slowly.
Internet has bid 15.
15!
Right, come on.
PHILIP: Then, I'm about to sell.
Aww.
Well, that's OK, it was only a pound.
(HE SQUEALS AND LAUGHS) VO: Cheer up, Serhat.
Still plenty of time to pull it back.
It's fine, don't worry.
Think positive, Serhat.
VO: Now, anyone fixing for some Yixing?
Christina's teapot, with lid.
12 from the internet.
Come on, teapot.
Internet bid, then, of £12.
SA: 12?
Come on, teapot.
You've got a lid and everything!
Fair warning, then, at £12... Aw.
VO: And what lesson's to be learned from that?
I need to stop buying teapots.
VO: Exactly.
So far, it's been all losses for Serhat.
He's hoping for change with this one.
I have 28.
Thank you, internet.
30.
I have... SA: 30 CT: Good work.
32.
Internet offers 35, I go back to my commission bid of 38.
Yay!
38!
Profit.
Well done, Serhat.
On the internet for 40.
Thank you.
Fantastic, good work.
See, shiny things do sell.
I'm about to sell.
£40.
Well done.
SA: I'm happy with that.
CT: Yeah, I bet you are.
VO: There you go, you're coining it in now.
It's gone to a new home and I've made a profit.
And Serhat does shiny.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: Now, will it be three legs good for Christina's tripod?
I might need some luck this time, Serhat.
I can see I have an internet commission bid of nine, which has climbed to 10.
So it's with the internet at 10.
SA: 10.
PHILIP: 10, 12, will you?
Good solid start.
To the internet for 12?
No, so, at £10... Aww.
£10, Oh, no.
It's a loss.
VO: Three legs bad, obviously.
Learning curve.
Steep learning curve for both of us, I think!
VO: Another of Serhat's shiny selections, the toast rack and mustard pot.
It's with the internet at 28.
Come on, more than that.
SA: 28?
CT: Come on, online bidders, where are you?
SA: Come on.
Climbing to 32, to 35, to 38.
There we go.
SA: 38... 38.
PHILIP: 40, will you?
CT: Ooh.
SA: Ooh-woo.
All with the internet, then, at £38?
Come on, internet bidders, where are you?
Come on.
PHILIP: Fair warning, I'm about to sell.
It's gonna sell.
Oh.
VO: No toast for that one.
Didn't cut the mustard either.
Hey, someone's got a bargain.
VO: Christina's last lot now, her vestry door.
The bidders must be lining up for this one.
I mean, there's history there.
Is there?
(HE LAUGHS) It's all with the internet at £20.
Do I hear 22 from the net now?
More than I thought.
Mouse hovering.
Come on, door.
Right, 22 I have.
SA: 22.
22!
Oh, my goodness.
22 internet bid.
Climbing to 25.
25!
This is all with the internet at 25.
28?
The door is proving ridiculously popular.
PHILIP: I'm about to sell... £25 for a door and a free ghost.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: Just think what it could have made with an apostrophe.
That's not bad at all.
I'm very, very relieved about that.
I bet you are.
VO: And finally, Serhat's toffee tin lid press, his last chance to shine.
I have an internet commission bid of £9.
10, will you, now then?
Come on, toffee lovers.
PHILIP: Climbing to 10.
CT: Is there a sweet tooth out there?
Agh!
This is all with the internet at £12 now.
15.
CT: Keep going, internet.
SA: Come on.
No, so at £12, then.
Fair warning... PHILIP: Sold to an internet bidder.
CT: Aww!
VO: I think he's definitely come unstuck.
It's really not been his day today.
Well, Serhat, all is not lost.
All is not lost, we've still got two auctions to go.
So don't panic.
All is not lost, but I think I've lost half my budget.
Oh, pft!
It's only money!
It's only money!
VO: That's easy for you to say!
Poor old Serhat started this leg with £207.34, but after auction fees, he has indeed more than halved his money, leaving him with a very sad £94.82.
Christina, who began with £310, also made a loss, but a much smaller one.
After saleroom costs, she now has £276.50 for next time out, and being the winner, she can afford to be magnanimous.
SA: I get the Porsche?
CT: You get the Porsche.
What are you gonna do?
Oh, I don't know, grab a boat, maybe?
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: What a good sport.
I'm sure there will be a schooner along shortly.
Ha!
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