
Phil Serrell and Tim Medhurst, Day 3
Season 21 Episode 13 | 43m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Phil takes a slow boat while moneybags Tim takes the classic car. Will Phil ever catch up?
Tim takes the high road while Phil sails the slow boat through the Cotswolds. Phil hopes an old porthole will help him catch Mr. Moneybags, who has high hopes for a brass top hat.
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Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback

Phil Serrell and Tim Medhurst, Day 3
Season 21 Episode 13 | 43m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Tim takes the high road while Phil sails the slow boat through the Cotswolds. Phil hopes an old porthole will help him catch Mr. Moneybags, who has high hopes for a brass top hat.
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!
Oh yes!
VO: Is that the lovely Cotswold countryside spread out before us?
It is!
And here's that fine, mustard-colored Triumph Herald coming up the hill with antiques expert Tim Medhurst on his tod.
Now, Phil has asked me to meet him at some water, at the marina, and I have no clue why.
For all I know, he might have bought a ship.
He's the king of out-of-the-box, and I think that he is gonna surprise me here.
VO: Yep.
Tim's traveling companion, auctioneer Phil Serrell, appears to be snoozing in the sun on the deck of a narrow boat.
Phil.
Wakey-wakey.
Oh!
How are you doing?
How are you?
I'm alright.
What are you doing here?
I want to show you something.
Yeah, what's that?
After the last two auctions, this is what I'm enjoying.
Oh, Tranquillity.
I haven't had it for two sales now, I've been completely untranquil.
Do you not find spending time with me tranquil?
Er...it is, other than the auctions.
Oh, OK. And that's been just a bit of a nightmare journey, for me.
VO: Our senior expert began with £200, and has actually been doing rather well, accumulating a piggy full of £347.50 to spend this time.
But our more junior gent has whipped the rug from under his feet at two auctions, and his £200 is now a big fat £549.60.
But it's a brand-new day... and what's with the boat?
I just thought... this befits my stature in life.
TIM: Mm.
PHIL: Tranquillity.
TIM: Just...relax.
PHIL: Cruising the waterways.
So you're going to your shop in that thing?
Oh, yeah, I think this is the way forward.
Bored with me driving you around?
Tim, I could never, ever be bored with your company.
Well, to be honest, I'd be safer driving, so... Really?
No, I'm just kidding.
That's hurtful.
Hurtful.
VO: Phil and Tim took to the high road from Northumberland, and toured the Scottish Highlands before beginning a migration south.
This will end at a final auction in Nottingham.
I bet you this starts easier than that does.
I'll, erm...I'll see you at the finish line, Phil.
Ooh, it's starting to rock now.
Ooh, I feel a bit bilious.
VO: (LAUGHS) Do you need sea legs on a canal?
I think I need a bit of help here.
VO: That's what Mark is for.
Bye.
See you later.
Perhaps much later.
Now, is the car behaving?
I am wrestling with the gearbox.
(GEARS CRUNCH) As you can see.
But apart from that, it's a lovely, lovely little car.
VO: Cirencester is where their treasures from this trip will be auctioned, and Tim is starting today at Stow-on-the-Wold with its impressive market square dating back to the height of the wool trade, when 20,000 sheep might be bought and sold at the annual fair.
At Tara Antique Centre, the stock won't be of the woolly variety, but it looks very hot to me.
Hello there.
PETER: Hello.
TIM: You must be Peter.
Yes, indeed.
Can I have a look round?
Is that alright?
Please do, you're welcome.
VO: Three floors, so get cracking.
That's quite sweet, actually.
Quite often, you find these boxes and, I mean, there's a lot of them around.
But when you open it, quite often the interior is completely missing.
And over the years, it's got worn, torn, and then it's just used as an empty box, but I just like this one because, inside, it's got its original little paper-lined tray.
It's a lovely little Regency or early Victorian sewing box.
And I know it's very tired, but it's had use.
And to me, that is proper 19th century social history.
Now I'm just gonna look at the price, £44.
Not for me, just purely because that's about what it's worth.
I think I'll leave it this time.
VO: I would.
Now, let's rejoin Uncle Phil on the slow boat.
We're being overtaken, look, by some whippersnapper.
Isn't that lovely?
MAN: Bit of an antique!
Yeah, no, you and me both, mate!
That wasn't very nice, was it?
How hurtful was that?
I thought they were supposed to be friendly, all these boat people.
VO: Well, you can't do anything about it - keelhauling's illegal these days.
No doubt Tim is steaming ahead in Stow-on-the-Wold.
TIM: That's a nice little thing.
I love a bit of tactile brass.
Metalware, to me, is...there's such skill in making metalware objects and this one is a nice bit of history.
These are known as miners' snuff boxes and the reason for that is because, down in the mines, a miner wouldn't be able to smoke so, instead, he went for snuff because he could do it any time, keep it in his pocket.
And the charming thing about these is, often, you find them with names embossed or engraved on top.
And this one is engraved, "John Rendells, Bridgewater, 1902".
Now, looking at the box, the box itself looks quite a lot earlier than 1902.
So I do wonder if it's somebody... Perhaps there's a mine in Bridgewater, and he's had an old family box that he's engraved for himself.
What's the price?
£28.
I think that's very reasonable.
There are avid collectors of snuff boxes, mining boxes, and I think this falls into lots of different categories of collectability.
I'm chuffed.
I'm gonna put it in my pocket and I will pay for it.
VO: We'll check up later to make sure that you do.
Ha.
Now, the lovely town of Winchcombe is the first port of call today for Mr Phil, but is he marooned halfway up a canal?
Well, we can admire the lovely half-timbered houses and historic buildings while we wait for our fine figure of a man.
Aye-aye.
Here he comes now, washed up at the Winchcombe Antiques Centre.
Well, this looks like an excellent treasure trove.
What's that?
So it's hinged.
It's a piece of copper.
Now, this would not make a coffee table, but wouldn't that make a great loo seat cover?
You know, in a big country house?
I think that's really cool.
VO: Yeah...it's very arts and crafts.
Perhaps a laundry boiler cover from a grand Edwardian house.
Now, Tim is still in Stow-on-the-Wold and is still shopping.
These are quite interesting little bits of history.
Erm, this is a miniature baptismal font.
The reason these were made is that during the early 19th century, there were big cholera epidemics.
And sadly, lots of children caught this and it was very fatal, so the priest or church ministers would have these with them and they would travel around and baptize the infants when very poorly.
They were often made in the style of actual fonts from famous churches.
This one, I don't recognize.
This is made out of a type of porcelain, imitating the original marble.
And I can see it comes with its original box, which is in absolutely perfect condition, as you can see.
I mean, it is pretty tatty, but the important thing is the font, and I really like this one.
There is a little chip I've just noticed.
That's a shame.
Look at that.
But what's the price?
Erm.... £45.
I quite like it.
VO: Me too.
He's really taking his time this morning, isn't he?
He'll be overtaken by the slow boat at this rate.
And back in Winchcombe, as well as the arts and crafts-style copper and brass cover, Phil has also taken a fancy to an old ship's porthole and a fine pair of Chinese paintings on rice paper.
PHIL: They are second half of the 19th century.
They've probably come out of a large album and some of these early... rice painting albums can be worth an awful lot of money.
VO: And cost a lot of money - £125 in this case.
PHIL: I quite like those.
VO: Nice.
Now, has anything moved on in Stow-on-the-Wold?
Peter, how are you doing?
Ah, Tim.
You alright?
I have had a great time rummaging around and I found two interesting little things, the little snuff box and a water font.
What do you think?
I mean, the box is quite worn.
Yeah, let's see the box?
But I have to say, if I was 200-odd years old, I would be a little bit worn.
Yeah, you'd have a few bits missing.
Yes.
So, they come to a grand total of £73, I think.
So I shall pop the money there for you and let you carry on with your hard work.
Great.
Thank you very much.
Yeah.
VO: And he's off, looking pleased with himself.
And good grief, there goes Phil, too, having managed to get the paintings for 45 and the brass and copper cover for 30.
Dealer Richard has thrown in the porthole for a fiver.
Anchors aweigh!
Tim is now back behind the wheel and bound for the beautiful limestone town of Chipping Campden.
At the turn of the 20th century, the town was at the center of the hugely influential arts and crafts movement, which rejected mass production, favoring traditional skills and craftsmanship, and the socialist philosophies of leading light William Morris.
The ethos of the movement created a nostalgic yearning for a simpler, more rural life, and many artists and craftsmen were inspired to move from the cities to the countryside.
Tim's meeting David Hart, a metalworker whose family business began here in 1902.
David's son and nephew are the fourth generation of Harts' silversmithing in the arts and crafts way, and with many of the original tools of their great-grandfather from more than a century ago.
They are the last living link to a community of artists, founded here by Charles Robert Ashbee.
DAVID: Ashbee was an architect by profession, but he was doing all the designing.
And he actually collected the other craftsmen from all over the country and took them to London.
It was cabinet-makers, silversmiths, jewelers, enamellers, sculptors, ornamental blacksmiths and then printing and bookbinding.
So it wasn't just a silver guild, it was a guild of all sorts of crafts.
Yeah, yeah.
When I was a lad, the blacksmith's was still going and the cabinet shop, but those have died out and now we are the only survivors in the building.
VO: David's grandfather was a silversmith and one of the first craftspeople to move here, invited by Ashbee to work in the Guild of Handicraft workshops.
The Court Barn Museum houses a record of how these artists and designers formed a school teaching traditional craft skills.
This colorful community was built on the principle that life was enhanced by decent housing, fair payment for work, outdoor activity, good food, physical fitness and a pride in producing beautiful work in the arts and crafts style.
Now, I can see that we're standing in front of a cabinet of Ashbee work, aren't we?
Because this muffin dish, to me, jumps out as being Ashbee, am I right?
DAVID: Yes, it is.
I mean, that's typical and one of the most famous things that Ashbee's known for.
VO: In 1902, over 50 craftspeople and their families came to live in Chipping Campden.
Today, the Harts still work out of the original Guild of Handicraft workshops.
TIM: This is amazing.
You get a real sense of history immediately in this room.
DAVID: Ashbee's original silversmith shop, all the tools, equipment are what they brought here in 1902.
Wow, so, all of these tools here would have been used?
90% are ones that that they brought.
Wow.
So all of those names that we recognize would have held those and worked with them?
Yeah.
And, David, what are those big bunches of paper up there on the ceiling?
These are our receipts, which go back to the 1940s.
They don't go quite back to the beginning.
VO: The past is truly present here.
I'm seeing all these little tools around and I kind of want to pick some tools up and have a go.
Is that possible?
It's certainly possible.
I mean, if we go down to old tree trunk... TIM: Yeah.
DAVID: ..every shape we start by bashing it into these hollows in here.
Shall I sit down here?
So if you sit down there... OK.
So this stump has been here for...a long time?
Since 1902, as far as we know.
That's proper history, isn't it?
Right there.
It is.
So, I can see I've got a little hammer and some silver.
Yeah.
So what do I do?
You hold the bit of silver over the appropriate hollow there.
Right, so, that hollow there.
And then you hit about half inch in from the edge...round.
TIM: OK, all the way round?
DAVID: Yeah.
Let's see how this goes.
That's the idea.
David, I know it's not perfect, but I'm very proud of my little bowl.
It's more of a dish, isn't it?
DAVID: It's more of a dish, yes, but it's getting there.
You've kept it pretty true.
Yeah.
Thank you.
VO: Good to see Tim aspiring to the exacting standard of work crafted here by the Harts, carrying on the legacy of those artistic migrants who brought their fine work and creative vision to this Cotswold town more than a century ago.
VO: Hello, Evesham.
Blossoming amongst the market gardens on the Vale of Avon, this scenic town, looking so quintessentially Cotswolds, is the final destination today for our erstwhile boat passenger who is now hoofing it to Twyford Antique Centre.
Very nice, too.
It's a fine-looking emporium which has been on the high street here since the last millennium, 1999 in fact... You know you're old when there are things in antique shops that you can remember having as a kid, right?
So this is a Scalextric set.
Can't remember when the first one came out, but it would've been 1959, 1960, something like that.
Would you believe that early Scalextric cars - I think it's a yellow Bugatti Type 51 - can be worth £3-5,000?
OK?
Unfortunately, this is not a Bugatti, nor is it yellow.
That's a Porsche, and that's a BRM.
It's worth around £20 to £40.
And as this is priced up at £48, that's kind of going the wrong way for me.
VO: Time to get back on track.
(LAUGHS) PHIL: Cor, look at these!
This says, "Jurassic Gryphaea", which sounds like something out of a Harry Potter book.
"Devil's Toenails, 180 million years old..." VO: Fossils, then?
These gryphaea are the remnants of an extinct type of oyster, dating from the Triassic Period.
Look at this, look.
So if you put that one on there, right, and that one on there... (AS TOMMY COOPER) It's not like that, it's like that.
It's just like that.
VO: (LAUGHS) Stick to the day job, Phil.
These type of things, they're a great talking point, almost a great educational thing, cos you can use them in schools.
And they're no money - £3.50 each.
There's a whole box full of them here.
I'm not gonna count them, I'm going to try and bid Andy for the lot.
And not very much cos I'm playing catch-up here with old Moneybags.
Are they an antique?
Well yes, they most definitely are.
These have been found in the Severn Valley in Gloucestershire, which is about 20 miles away.
So they've traveled 20 miles from Gloucestershire into Worcestershire.
Over 180 million years, which is about the same pace that the Herald goes at...only these are slightly more reliable.
VO: (LAUGHS) Well, I never.
You heard it here first.
Anything else?
Look at that, eh?
That's a bit of style for you, isn't it?
I mean, in our house, we just chuck a brick up against the door to hold it open, but this is a doorstop.
This says here it's art nouveau, which, if it is art nouveau, is sort of 1880, 1890.
This might be a little bit later than that.
It's iron, for sure.
£35.
I'm off to see Andy.
VO: You do that.
Andy, how are you doing?
Oh, not so bad, Phil.
How old do you reckon that is, Andy?
Round about 100 years.
I wasn't sure if it was that old.
It's certainly older than you and me, isn't it?
It is.
Yeah.
I wouldn't mind buying that... ANDY: Mm-hm.
PHIL: ..at a price.
Right.
And there's... Over there, Devils' toenails.
What I'd like to do is bid you for everything in the box, and this here, and I'm going to be really mean, but I am up against it.
I'd like to give you 20 quid for the lot.
Well, you're from Worcestershire, I'm from Worcestershire.
I think we've got to stick together on this.
I'll do 20 quid for the lot.
I'll tell you what, I'll get my money out now.
Hold on just a second.
Andy, you've got yourself a deal.
Take care, Andy.
ANDY: Right, yep.
PHIL: See you soon, Andy.
PHIL: Cheers, bye bye.
ANDY: Take care.
VO: No wonder he's got a spring in his step.
PHIL: Handy Andy.
VO: And there's Tim, wending his way home.
I wonder how Phil's got on.
I wonder if he's gonna be... snapping at my heels, catching up.
I do worry sometimes cos he just pulls something out of the bag and I reckon, I can sense, that he is gonna do that.
VO: I would say that able seaman Serrell, slow boat or not, is definitely a man to watch.
MAN: Hi, there.
You see that plank there?
I'm gonna have young Timothy walking that.
VO: Dream on, Captain Hook.
Nighty night.
VO: And on this sunny morning, Tim still has the car to himself.
(GEARS CRUNCH) VO: Ouch.
TIM: I've got lots of money and I can just take my time and buy something special.
Oh, I'm looking forward to seeing Phil.
I wonder how his barge trip's going.
(GEARS CRUNCH) VO: Hey, stop that!
And there's no canal going in Phil's direction this morning, so he's taking to the road on foot.
They didn't tell me that this was gonna be the Antique Walking Trip.
VO: Hey, it's doing you good, Phil.
TIM: What's going on here, then?
I thought you were gonna run me over!
How are you?
Alright?
I'm alright.
How are you?
Mr Moneybags.
Where's your barge?
Like everything else I've touched on this trip, it's sunk me.
Did you have a good day?
Yeah, it's been alright.
Really?
What have you bought?
I'm actually quite pleased with this.
It's a lovely, lovely little bit of social history.
Have a look at that.
Oh, I love those!
Aren't they nice?
Miners' bacca boxes.
Yeah.
That's really lovely.
And that's cost you... PHIL: 40 or 50 quid?
TIM: £28.
Oh, it just gets better, doesn't it?
What a bargain.
Absolutely fantastic (!)
VO: Sourpuss.
Tim also bought a traveling font, leaving him a princely £476.60.
How's your day been?
Oh, Devils' toenails.
Really?
You knew that?
Yeah!
There's about, I don't know, 30, 40 of them.
And I paid a tenner for them.
Oh, that's alright.
PHIL: Is that a profit?
TIM: Erm...it should be.
I mean, I find them for free on the floor when I go walking at the beach... That's just...
Thanks, Tim.
..along the Jurassic Coast.
You've made me feel good again.
VO: Phil also bought a pair of rice paintings, a doorstop, a brass cover and a porthole, but he still has a healthy £247.50 left.
Oh, I sometimes wish I was working with somebody else.
Bye, Phil.
Have a nice day in the car, won't you?
Bye.
I'm walking now, alright?
OK. PHIL: Walking.
TIM: Toodle-oo.
Up here, walking.
Thanks, mate.
I'll just drive this way.
VO: We'll leave our grumbling, rambling man to go his own way and we'll hitch a lift with Tim, who's off east of Worcester to the hamlet of Radford, where he has an appointment at Manormonkeys, where owner Ian awaits.
Apparently, the heat is on.
Ian, how are you?
Tim.
I'm good, mate.
You?
Yeah, not bad at all.
You've got some stuff here, haven't you?
I tell you what, I pack it in.
TIM: Yeah, you do!
IAN: I pack it in well.
VO: Ian's collection of antique and vintage is extensive and quirky.
Now, I have to say, this did catch my eye when I walked in.
It's hard to miss, isn't it?
Toad of Toad Hall.
I love it.
I don't really know anything about... Ian?
Yes?
What's...this?
Tim, this is my best friend.
Is it?
In fact, this is my only friend.
Toad of Toad Hall, right?
This is an original 1960s fairground display figure.
Wow.
But he's even got the original clothes.
I love it.
IAN: It's great, isn't it?
TIM: Yeah.
If you google Wind In The Willows, he's wearing these clothes.
Wow.
Is this your shop mascot, then?
Yeah, well, I think... what I paid for it, it's gonna have to be.
What sort of money is it?
It's 1,200 quid.
That's out of my budget.
If this is a taster of what's around here, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and having a look.
Take a look up there cos there's lots more.
Thanks, Ian.
I'll just stay and chat to him.
Yeah.
See you.
Bye.
VO: Lordy...will you look at that?
Now I have to admit, I am a bit out of my comfort zone here.
It's really interesting, we're in units packed with interesting things, like this art nouveau over-mantle mirror with a lovely sort of marbled effect paint.
There's an art deco ashtray, and then you come to a modern 1950s swivel chair.
And, I mean, these can be worth a lot of money, depends who's designed them.
This looks very comfortable.
I want to try that one out.
Oh... That's nice.
Now I know what it's like to be Phil, just relaxing on a barge, just watching the world go by.
But I need to buy some stuff, don't I?
What's this?
Now, I like that.
Look at that, it fits as well.
A 1950s brass wine cooler in the shape of a top hat.
Now, that is fun.
Now, what's the price?
£98.
I was hoping it would be less than that.
However, I think Ian looks like a cool guy and I think he can do me a cool deal.
I hope so, cos it fits and I'd like to take it to auction.
I'm gonna go and ask him.
VO: That adds a whole new dimension to the phrase "ice bucket challenge".
Tim, this isn't a hard hat area.
I love this, it's pretty cool.
It's not that comfortable.
No, it's not that comfortable, no.
You've got it up at 98.
Is there any chance you could do me a deal to give me a chance?
Well, because it looks really good on you... IAN: ..£45.
TIM: 45.
Do you know, you've given me a cool price.
I'm very pleased.
Thank you very much.
IAN: You're welcome.
TIM: Right, so, £45.
You're a busy man, there's your money.
Absolutely fantastic.
TIM: Thanks very much, Ian.
IAN: You're very welcome.
Take care!
Thank you.
Bye!
Good luck!
Thank you.
Bye, Mr Frog.
VO: Bye!
He's not gonna drive with that on his head, is he?
VO: Thank goodness.
Phil's hoofing it to Kenilworth near Coventry, the birthplace of the British car industry where our petrolhead is off to meet Alan Stote... PHIL: Hi, how're you doing?
VO: ..managing director of the Alvis Car Company, survivor of an industry once the second largest producer of cars in the world.
Daimler built the first British car here in 1897, beginning a roll call of companies including Jaguar, Rover, Hillman, Riley, Humber and Alvis.
ALAN: That's TG John, born in 1880 in Pembroke, south Wales.
He was a marine engineer and he came to Coventry and founded Alvis in 1919.
This is Captain Smith-Clarke, who was a chief engineer.
He worked at Great Western Railways and Daimler and he became chief engineer in 1922.
He was largely responsible for all the innovative designs that Alvis carried out.
They worked wonderfully together because they both had an engineering background.
TG John was a shrewd businessman.
VO: Alvis manufactured the engineering, and the bodywork of the cars was hand-built by coach builders to individual specifications so that every car in these early days was unique.
ALAN: You can get so many different body styles because they were coach-built cars.
So you could have four cars of the same engineering, 4.3 liter or something, and then the bodywork is totally different.
VO: A highly-skilled Midlands workforce delivered the precision engineering and fine design of TG John and Smith-Clarke, and throughout the 1920s the company gained a reputation for quality.
ALAN: Well, they were very innovative and they were, for example, the first company in the UK to produce a competition front-wheel drive car in 1925.
They produced production front-wheel drive cars in 1928 to '30.
They designed the world's first synchromesh gearbox in 1932.
So synchromesh means you don't get that horrible grating noise when you change gear?
Well, I knew the engineer, the chief engineer, from Alvis... Really?
..who actually designed that gearbox.
And the story was when he was an apprentice, he was asked to drive TG John, the managing director, into Coventry and on the way back, he was trying to find second gear on a crash box, missed the gear, hit the gatepost and from that point on, he decided that an all-synchromesh gearbox was essential.
He went home and he designed it on his own drawing board at home.
And we've actually got those drawings here, of the very first all-synchromesh gearbox.
They were really high-spec cars.
You would have paid four or five times the price for an Alvis in the '20s that you would have for an Austin.
They had a loyal following and they really were...
They did everything well.
VO: In the roaring '20s, Alvis also built cars for racing, one of their front-wheel drive machines winning a prestigious first at the Le Mans in 1928.
I clearly have got it worked out already that you eat, sleep and drink Alvis, don't you?
Well, it is...a passion, yeah.
When did you buy your first Alvis?
I bought my first Alvis in 1979.
I'll give you what you paid for it.
(BOTH LAUGH) VO: 22,000 cars were manufactured by Alvis between 1920 and 1967, when they ceased production as the UK car industry began to decline.
Alvis employees formed a company to provide parts for and service existing Alvis cars, preserving the company's coach-building legacy with a massive stock of 35,000 fitments and 277,000 components.
Wow!
And have you got parts going back to day one?
One of the things you need to remember about Alvis as a car manufacturer, whereas today a modern car manufacturer wouldn't be expected to keep parts for more than 10 years... Yeah.
Alvis kept parts for every model they ever made right up until the day they stopped making.
You could have taken your 1925 1250 into Holyhead Road in 1966 and they would have serviced it.
So you've taken... You've taken in, then, a 40-year-old car?
And they wouldn't have batted an eyelid.
And was that the ethos of the company?
Yes.
VO: This building also houses an extensive collection of records, drawings and correspondence.
Must be some really interesting snippets in there.
There are.
There's a correspondence file for most of the 22,000 cars.
This is the one for the Duke of Edinburgh.
I mean, he had his car made to special order, and he wanted the roofline on the coupe to be two inches higher than normal.
PHIL: And you did that?
And we did that.
What the customer wanted was what the customer had.
But presumably, the customer paid for it.
Yes.
I'm not sure what the Duke of Edinburgh paid for his, but...
So, in a way, it was a company run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts... Oh, yeah.
..who wanted to keep the cars on the road.
Absolutely.
VO: In 2010, the Alvis Company took up where it left off in 1967 and began making cars again to the same standards as they did decades earlier, bringing the long tradition of motor manufacture in the Coventry area into this new millennium.
Well, Tim is still behind the wheel of the Triumph, our own little bit of Coventry car-making history and is making his way southeast to Stratford-upon-Avon, where the stage is set for our final act today.
Both our players are appearing at Henley Street Antiques Centre, and Tim is there first.
On the run, look.
Keen.
With two floors of wares from 10 dealers, Tim has the place to himself and will apparently be leaving no stone unturned.
Sometimes you really have to get down low and see what's on the bottom shelf.
Sometimes that's where the bargains are.
VO: Carry on!
Meanwhile, Phil is still traveling under his own steam and at his own speed.
God, he's going to be tired.
Do you know what?
I've really enjoyed the walk, which actually is a good job cos I hadn't had any option.
But I've had a great day, it's been really good fun.
VO: Amble on, amble on.
But back in the shop you haven't reached yet, Mr Moneybags is eyeing up dear Steven's collection of jewelry.
The reason I love this brooch is because - one, it's in the shape of a horseshoe.
Best of all, in the center is, enameled, a horse and rider and I just think that's really charming.
I can imagine somebody wearing this with pride.
It's a nice quality brooch and it's up at £80.
Don't tell Steven, he might forget the price.
(STEVEN CHUCKLES) I have a great memory.
I think that's really nice.
That might be one for me to think about.
OK, great.
VO: And here comes Wandering Willy, trailing in and out of the rain, look.
Time to get cracking.
You can never miss Phil in an antique shop and I know he's already here cos I can hear him.
VO: What's he saying, then?
PHIL: Do you know, when I was at school, we got cussed for taking the homework home and the textbook, and then so I wouldn't lose my place in the textbooks, I used to fold over the corner.
I mean, we've all done it, haven't we?
Did I ever get cussed for that?
"Do not do that, Serrell!"
And I did it, and I got cussed again, week after week, it used to happen.
If I'd have had this, it wouldn't have happened because this is just a little page marker.
What you do is you pop that between the pages of the book where you've got to, then this agate handle at the top just pokes out and you know exactly where you are next time you get the book out.
And more importantly, you don't destroy the book for future generations.
It's £16, and at 16 quid, I'm sure as hell not going to lose 17 quid, am I?
Medhurst, I'm on your tail.
VO: Better hurry up!
He's onto something else.
French, I think.
A lovely piece.
Beautiful.
Well, that is glitz, isn't it?
Now, this is a French...what they call a marriage throne, and it was a tradition in the... probably the early 19th century onwards, that, after a French wedding, you would have one of these.
And basically, the idea was that you would display everything that meant something to you from the wedding inside it.
So it might even be a little bit of wedding cake or cards or something special from the day that you want to remember.
So it's in its original condition.
I don't know whether, once upon a time, it may have had those bits in it or it's just been unused, but it's got its nice original velvet cushion, all the little mirrors and the gilt frame here.
And I would say a lot of the value to this object would be its original dome.
Now, I have to say... this isn't really my cup of tea.
It's not something I would have at home.
And I always try and buy things that I would have at home.
However, I could see it being commercial just because it's got a look, it's decorative and it looks totally original.
Oof... VO: Woof, indeed.
Meanwhile, Phil's off with that page marker, priced at £16, to speak to dealer Ruth.
RUTH: Hi there.
I quite like this sweet little thing, isn't it?
It's fabulous.
And not even I am mean enough to try and make you an offer on 16 quid, Ruth.
So there's 10, there's five - that's 15.
More importantly, there's the one.
That's brilliant.
Wish me luck!
Thank you very much.
RUTH: Good luck.
PHIL: Bye bye now.
VO: Last in, first out.
Now, are Tim's endeavors nearing conclusion?
Right, Steven, how about we do £100 for the two?
OK.
So, it's a deal.
TIM: Is that alright?
STEVEN: No problem.
VO: 60 for the globe and 40 for the brooch.
Tally-ho, what!
That's lovely, thank you very much.
This is what I love about antiques.
You never know what you're gonna find.
VO: And here endeth the day, for those with a lift and those without.
Time for some shuteye.
VO: Tim and Phil's purchases finish their trip in Cirencester, and are going under the hammer of The Cotswold Auction Company.
This sale is taking place online only, so our fellows are meeting up in the sunny Cotswold countryside to watch their tablets, after they've negotiated the bumpy road to Cam Long Down.
Is that Tim on a bike?
TIM: Whoa, I don't need my pedals!
Phil, help!
Agh!
VO: Oh dear, whoopsie.
PHIL: Are you stupid, boy?
TIM: I'm sorry.
What are you doing?
That was a close one.
Phew!
I'm lost for words, really.
Can I have the car?
Yeah.
What do they say?
"Third-class driving is better than first-class pedaling."
I have to admit, I think your barge trip was a bit more tranquil than riding down there on that.
Well, you know, I was built for comfort, not speed.
I'm looking forward to this auction, aren't you?
Yeah, I am cos I'm going to just absolutely...
I'm gonna come back with a vengeance, I think.
VO: Don't tempt providence!
Phil's five lots set him back a total of £116.
So, what are auctioneer Piers Critchlow's thoughts?
The porthole and the doorstop are an interesting combination.
Don't particularly go with each other.
Today, we've put an estimate of £30 to £50 on.
They should have a good chance of making a profit on that one.
VO: Tim splashed out £218 on his five lots.
Piers?
We do see traveling fonts every so often, they do come into sale.
Unusual to see it with the original box, which is nice to see.
We've put, today, an estimate of £30 to £50 on it.
I think I'm gonna leave the helmet on for this one, Phil.
I might need it.
I tell you what, let's have a challenge.
OK. Whoever wins gets the car and whoever loses, on your bike.
I'm up for that cos my bum's a bit numb after all that.
I'd heard that.
Right, are you ready?
Yeah, go.
Here we go.
Three, two, one.
VO: And first under the hammer is Tim's globe de marie.
Can start you at 50, 55... TIM: Oh!
PIERS: £55.
Come on!
£55.
We're looking for 60 now on the internet.
Oh, come on!
That's just silly.
£70 now, do I see 75?
Ooh.
Do I see 75?
75 with Rory... Keep going, keep going!
£80 now with Aaron.
£80.
PHIL: It's happening again!
TIM: It's doing it!
Do I see 85?
On the internet at £80.
Are you all sure it's 80?
I'm sure.
VO: Yes, Tim could still be on that winning streak even with this modest result.
I've made a profit so I'm happy.
PHIL: That'll do.
TIM: Yeah.
VO: Your turn, Phil.
Time for those rice paper paintings.
I can start you at 35, do I see 40?
Do I see 40?
Oh, no.
Oh, they're at 35!
Shall I get the bike already?
Oh no, come on.
Oh, Phil.
On commission, then, at £35.
Oh, it's all going so well, isn't it?
VO: Oh dear.
Not an auspicious beginning.
So, that's just absolutely golden, isn't it, really?
I mean, I've got to hide my smile a little bit.
No, I'm kidding.
I am really sorry.
VO: Pants on fire.
Will it be hats off to Tim after his brass wine cooler goes under the hammer now?
£30 anywhere for this lot, please, £30, will you?
30, 35, 40, 45 on my right.
£45 now on my right.
Do I see 50?
Make no mistake, I'll sell on the internet.
He doesn't make many mistakes, does he?
Are you all sure?
On the internet then, at 45.
VO: And that's cost him some pennies in commission.
I thought that might done a bit better than that.
Yeah, I wiped my face, it was a bit of fun to buy.
It wasn't comfortable to wear, but I'm glad I bought it.
You'd buy it again, wouldn't you?
TIM: Yeah.
I would.
PHIL: And I would have done.
VO: Next up is Phil's arts and crafts style cover.
Well, I can start you at 20, do I see 22?
22 on my left, I've got £22 on my left, do I see 25?
I have 25 on my right, £25 on my right.
TIM: People want it.
PHIL: Mm-hm.
PIERS: Do I see 28?
PHIL: But not enough.
£25 on my right.
£28 now on my left.
TIM: Come on!
PIERS: £30 on my right.
£30 now on my right.
Do I see 35?
On my right at £30.
Are you all sure?
On my right at 30.
VO: Ouch.
And there's no covering up that that's a net loss.
Yeah, what's that expression?
"It's better to travel in expectation "than arrive in disappointment," isn't it?
Yeah, I guess so.
I've just arrived in disappointment.
You might leave on one as well.
Yeah, I know.
VO: Oh well, there's a way to go yet.
Let's see how Tim's font travels now.
I've got £20 on my right, £20 on my right, do I see 22?
This could be a bloodbath.
Do I see 22?
Do I see 22?
22 now, do I see 25?
25 on my left, do I see 28?
TIM: Come on!
PHIL: Oh, no.
TIM: Drag it out!
£30 now on my left.
Do I see 35?
35... Oh, Gordon... Whose side are you on?!
He's really working hard, isn't he?
£35, are you all done?
VO: We're safely gathered here to name this a bit of a loss.
I mean, for me, that's kind of a result.
I'm inching my way back.
You are, I'd better watch out.
Well, I need to do it by feet, not inches, that's the thing.
VO: Well, let's start with the toenails, then.
Phil's fossils are next.
I can start you at 20 on commission.
PHIL: Get in!
TIM: Wahey!
£20 on commission, do I see 22?
TIM: Is that a profit?
PHIL: Hope so!
I've got 25, do I see 28?
I've got 30.
Do I see 35?
Got to make a pound each.
35 I saw on my left first.
40.
Do I see 45?
Do I see 45?
Make no mistake, I will sell.
Are you all sure?
On my right at £40... VO: And he's back in the game by several feet.
PHIL: I'm hugely relieved.
TIM: You're pleased, then?
PHIL: I am.
TIM: Good.
Because I can feel myself back in the car now.
TIM: Yeah.
PHIL: My trusty steed.
That's all you worry about, isn't it?
Yes!
Well, I'd need a team of surgeons to get me out of that.
VO: And cantering to the start line now is Tim's enamel horseshoe brooch.
PIERS: What shall we say, £20?
TIM: No, don't say 20!
£20 on my left.
£20 on my left.
I've got £20 on my left.
Come on!
Giddy up!
£25 on my left.
Do I see 30?
£30 on my left, 35 now on my left.
Do I see 40?
On my left, to the internet at £35.
Are you all sure at 35?
VO: Oh dear, Dobbin did not gallop home.
I'm sad about that, Phil.
Yeah, it's the Road Trip, isn't it?
You go out there, you win some, you lose some.
It's the ups and downs.
Yeah, I could do with you losing some and me winning some.
That would be really good.
VO: Maybe Phil's page marker will be just such a winner.
I can start you off on commission at £5 only, do I see six?
Ouch!
Do I see six?
Do I see six?
TIM: Oh no!
PIERS: £6 on my left.
On my left at £6 only.
Make no mistake... No.
The person who's making a mistake is me, I think.
Are you all sure?
At £6 then.
No!
I don't believe that.
Lift that saddle up a bit higher, would you?
VO: Ouch, ouch and thrice, ouch!
I can't believe it, Phil.
PHIL: Six quid.
TIM: £6!
That's a poorly octopus, isn't it?
Sick squid?
Oh, six quid... Yeah, I get it.
It wasn't worth bothering with, really, was it?
No.
Anyway, swiftly moving on.
VO: Yes, Tim's snuff box is his last chance today.
£20 on my left, £20 on my left.
Do I see 22?
Do I see 22?
22 now on my right, 25 on my right.
Do I see 28?
28 now, do I see 30?
PIERS: £28 on my... TIM: Come on!
Make no mistake, I will sell.
Don't make a mistake!
£28.
Are you all sure at 28?
No!
VO: Oh, dear.
More commission costs for Tim.
That was a bargain.
Oh well.
You win some, you lose some.
VO: Some days is good days and some days isn't.
Phil's last chance for success now with the strange combo of the doorstop and porthole.
On commission, I can start you at 20.
Yes!
Get in there!
It's a profit.
Do I see 22?
22?
£25 on the internet.
Make no mistake, I will sell.
I've paid for lunch here.
Yeah.
At £25 only.
Are you all sure at 25?
VO: Philip Serrell fights back.
Brilliant.
You can just lower that saddle again now.
Well done, brilliant.
Yeah, well, that's a relief, I tell you.
Good.
VO: Well, that was a rollercoaster.
Tim's fortunes took a bit of a turn this time, but after auction costs, he still has a princely £514.46 in his piggy.
Phil, however, made the most money at auction and after saleroom fees is declared our winner, this time with a piggy full of £343.02.
You're taking the car, aren't you?
You've got the bike.
Oh, for goodness' sake.
Oh, my poor body.
PHIL: Bye!
After you, sir.
Thanks for the auction.
See you soon.
Cheers, bye!
Wait for me!
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