VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Alright viewers?

VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

I'm on fire - yes!

Sold - going, going, gone.

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

50p!

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

VO: So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

Ooh!

Oh!

Ow!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

On this road trip we're catching a lift with two smooth operators - Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson.

CHARLES (CH): Quite leafy isn't it?

PHIL (PS): Yeah.

I think that's got to do with the trees!

CH: Yes.

Yeah.

VO: Fine art and antiques expert Philip has an eye for the finer things in life.

"First class only" - that means Hanson wouldn't be allowed to sit on this.

VO: Ooh!

Whilst auctioneer Charles likes to think of himself as a man of the people.

Would you be open to an offer on the whole lot?

I'll listen, but I won't accept.

Oh no.

Don, I'm your mate.

VO: They're cruising the countryside in the 1969 Triumph GT6 convertible and whilst Philip's at the wheel, Charles is providing the music.

# Doe, a deer, a female deer # Ray, a drop of golden sun... # VO: Oh Lordy!

But he has got plenty to sing about... ..as on the last leg, Charles did very well indeed.

Phil, I'm spinning.

My head's spinning.

VO: But Philip isn't prepared to take defeat lying down.

PS: Well done.

Well done.

CH: What a great result.

VO: Both of our daring duos started the road trip with £200, but after the first auction Philip saw his cash dwindle to just £166.46.

Poor old love.

But Charles invested wisely and now has £221.40, putting him nearly £55 in front.

But on this leg Charles will be shopping in Philip's home town.

PS: I phoned them all up, I said to them all, "Charlie Hanson's coming here tomorrow, "kipper 'im."

That's what I told them.

"Absolutely kipper 'im."

VO: Now, now Philip, play nice!

On this trip they began in the North West of England at Southport, before winding their way through Wales, across to London, before finally reaching Cirencester in the Cotswolds.

On this second leg of the trip, they begin their shopping in Stafford in Staffordshire, before crossing the Welsh border for auction in Brecon in Powys.

In the 1800s, Stafford had a thriving shoe-making industry.

Shoes made here were highly sought after and exported around the world.

An apt place for Philip to begin his shopping, as he's as tough as old boots when it comes to finding a bargain.

Ha!

Hi, I'm Philip, how are you?

Fine thanks, Phil.

How are you?

Ian.

Ian.

Good to see you.

Nice to meet you.

You've got some interesting things here by the looks of things.

VO: He has indeed.

Surely enough to inspire your first purchase of the day.

Let me have a look at this thing that I saw in the window.

That I do like.

I don't know what it's worth and I don't know what it is.

VO: Maybe I can assist!

HMS Essex was a Welsh-built armored cruiser launched in 1900.

She served for over 20 years, surviving action in the First World War.

IAN: What I think it is - and this is a guess - is that it's a gift given to someone leaving ship, so maybe the chief engineer, stoker, maybe even the captain.

VO: But is the price tag a gift too?

PS: Give me the ticket price.

The ticket price is £110.

PS: £110, OK. Has it been in here long?

IAN: Er... couple of weeks.

PS: Has it?

IAN: (WHISTLES) Er... three or four weeks.

OK, so it's been in here a year then, really.

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Phil knows your game Ian!

But with this place packed with all sorts of goodies I'm sure he'll find something that'll turn a profit.

What's that?

That's a pencil sharpener.

So, you would basically put your pencil in the radiator of the car, then press the spare tire at the back like that, and it's just a little pencil sharpener.

How sweet is that?

And how... What's the ticket price on that?

£20.

PS: So, that might be an option, mightn't it?

Mm.

A nice little thing.

OK. VO: One to consider and definitely in Philip's price range, as is this.

Oh, that's quite sweet, isn't it?

This could almost be Del Trotter's cuz we've got London, Paris, we haven't got Peckham, but we've got... we've got New York.

So, it could be...

This is a Del Trotter lady's needle case, or not needle case.

VO: The ticket price is £20.

He who dares, Philip, he who dares.

So we've got some tweezers, some scissors, some "wax get out your ear hole" things, which never strikes me as being very savory, a nail file and another "wax out of your earhole" job.

Yeah, I think I'd probably rather a doctor do that, wouldn't you?

IAN: (CHUCKLES) VO: Probably for the best!

So far Phil has amassed three possible items, but he's not finished yet.

Well what's nice about this, it's a little Triang toy cart, made by the Triang toy company.

It looks like it's scratch built, but it's actually really nice to have that, er... That little label on a wooden toy.

There's just a nice attention to detail.

Lovely wheels, look.

All I need to know now is find an avid toy collector in Mid Wales.

VO: This cart with horse might be more Steptoe than Del Boy, but at £55 could it be too upmarket for Philip?

IAN: So be honest, you're not really going to ever lose any money on it, are you?

PS: Let me tell you... IAN: (CHUCKLES) I have done this program for long enough to know I am capable of disappearing up my own backside without any help from anybody here.

VO: That's not savory.

Phil's four items come to £205 - that's £50 more than he's got!

I was trying to get it under 100 quid.

UNDER £100?

Yeah.

Er... See, you're twitching.

Yeah, I know.

I hate it when people twitch on me.

Did you feel any pain at all then?

Yeah, I did actually.

I... erm... yeah.

You can have it for £110, death.

100 quid death?

Hang on.

This is always good, this bit, I like this bit.

Two, four, six, eight, 10.

How does that look then?

Doesn't normally work.

This doesn't normally work.

You do realize that.

You're a gentleman and a scholar.

But as it's you.

PS: Thank you ever so much.

IAN: It's OK. You have been very, very kind to me.

VO: Philip has spent most of his budget in the first shop, exactly what he did at the start of the last leg, where he ended up making a loss.

I hope he's not being too hasty here.

Charles meanwhile has headed over to Moseley Old Hall in Wolverhampton, an atmospheric Elizabethan farmhouse that saved a king and played a key role in royal history.

He's meeting Malcolm Astley, who'll be showing him around.

CH: Good morning.

MALCOLM (MA): Good morning.

How are you?

I'm Charles Hanson.

MA: Malcolm.

CH: Malcolm, good to see you.

MA: Nice to meet you.

CH: Malcolm, wonderful building!

Beautiful.

VO: In the mid-1600s Parliament had become increasingly distrustful of King Charles I, especially since his marriage to a Roman Catholic.

In 1642 civil war broke out, led by MP Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army.

The king's forces were crushed and England was declared a republic.

Persecution of Catholics was widespread.

Moseley Hall was home to Thomas Whitgreave, who was not only Catholic but staunchly royalist.

This round here in fact was known as little Rome.

Really?

There were more Roman Catholics around here at that time than many other counties.

VO: After his father's death, Charles II fought to restore the monarchy.

But after another defeat he went on the run, sought shelter in an oak tree before seeking refuge at Moseley Hall.

When Charles arrives, he comes to a gate in the wall over there, comes across what was then the orchard, through here and that is the very door.

Really?

MA: That is the door.

CH: That is the door there?

MA: That is the door that Charles came through.

So, Charles I beheaded, Charles II came through that door.

MA: He did indeed.

CH: Can I be Charles III and take a wander through that door as well?

Yeah.

Of course.

That's...

I'll follow your lead, Malcolm.

Come on then, let's go.

VO: Thomas Whitgreave was already helping a local priest, who was hiding at Moseley Hall at the time.

CH: So, Malcolm, where are we going?

We're going into the priest's bedroom.

Father John Huddleston and he was the resident priest here, but of course he gave up his room.

The priest said, "You have my bedroom."

So, this is the room...

This is the room Charles used.

..that our future king, Charles II...

Indeed.

CH: ..stayed in... MA: Yeah.

CH: ..when he was being chased by... MA: Being chased by Cromwell's parliamentarians.

CH: And this bed here?

MA: That's the original bed.

That is the bed?

That is the bed Charles used.

CH: That's amazing.

VO: Charles lived here confined to two rooms, living under fear that Cromwell's troops could come knocking at any time.

What would've happened if Cromwell's army had come knocking here on the door, looking for the king?

Well, actually they did.

They came here, hammering at the door, and of course Thomas Whitgreave immediately thought, "Goodness me, they've come for the king."

VO: Whitgreave ushered the king through a secret passageway and down a priest's hole to hide from the potential captors.

So the priest hole is here?

Yes.

Down there, that's the priest... CH: Oh down here.

MALCOLM: Down there.

That's the priest hole, down there.

MALCOLM: Get down!

Down.

CH: I think I'm going down.

OK, so down I go, Malcolm.

So, I go all the way in.

So, back in 1651, this is how Charles II... Yeah, and I would hide a trapdoor over it.

I'm going down, Malcolm.

No candles, nothing.

There's no mice, are there?

No.

Are you sure?

No rats, no rodents?

No, no.

CH: So moving that this... MA: It is, it is.

CH: ..priest hole was so pivotal to English history.

It really was, it really was.

A matter of a few hours and the whole thing changes.

CH: Yeah.

MA: Our whole history is based on those few hours down there.

Have they gone yet?

They've gone.

Come on, you're OK. CH: Can I come out?

MA: You're OK now.

CH: Thank you Mr Whitgreave.

MA: You come out.

VO: Charles knew he couldn't stay at Moseley Hall indefinitely.

He departed for nearby Bentley Hall, where he met Jane Lane.

She helped him flee England to France.

It was something Charles never forgot and wrote to her after his restoration to the throne.

Remarkable there.

It reads, I can see, "For it is impossible "I can ever forget the great debt I owe you, which I hope "I shall live to pay in a degree that is worthy of me.

"Your most affectionate friend..." MA: "Charles II."

Thank you so much, Malcolm, it's been a revelation.

To sit in that hidey hole and to play King Charles II is one thing I won't forget, and I'm so grateful.

It's a wonderful place.

Thank you, Malcolm.

It is - well, not for too long.

After hearing an inspiring story fit for a king, Philip's picked up Charles and they're off to Shifnal in Shropshire, and there's only one thing on their mind!

CH: # It's not about the money, money, money # It's not about the money, money, money... # (HORN HONKS) VO: Gosh, they seem like they're in a jolly good mood!

(THEY LAUGH) VO: It must be all that cash in their pockets!

Get out, Charlie, get out!

See you.

See you later.

Charlie, you're leaning all over me.

Sorry.

I can't... get out... the car.

There we are.

Get out!

CH: I'm going.

PS: Get out!

VO: Behave you two!

PS: Go, go, go.

CH: See you later.

VO: What are they like?

CH: See you.

PS: Mad, mad, mad, mad, mad.

VO: First stop for Charles is a place called Two Jays.

This place has only been open a week so maybe owner Jackie has something that can make a profit at the Brecon auction.

DEALER: So, you want something Welsh?

Welsh, which might just, you know, salute the auction house we're going to.

I've got the perfect things.

Have you really?

VO: The perfect things?

That's quite the statement Jackie!

I've got a plan.

VO: Good!

I've got a plan.

What often works well at auction, particularly in Wales, is when you try and buy a collection of copper luster, because Welsh collectors, they like copper luster and these bits here are very Welsh inspired.

Going to Wales, going to Powys.

I suspect this sort of copper luster could actually cause a stir.

VO: It looks like Jackie was right!

The perfect item for a Welsh auction, and, at £40 for eight pieces, well within the budget of our man with the plan Charles!

CH: Jackie, is there much outside at all?

There's some garden furniture outside.

Can I have a look?

Would you mind?

Thank you.

VO: Eh, garden furniture?

I thought you'd found the perfect item?

Jackie what are these figures made of?

These ladies?

VO: Concrete.

I think they're just cast concrete.

Yeah, they are.

VO: Not copper luster then!

Do the Welsh love concrete too?

They have a certain weathered look about them.

They're not very old, they're what...

They're 20 or so years old.

They've got a few knocks, they've been really quite cheaply put together.

Great hidden in a garden.

Hidden, Jackie?

Under a tree or in a flowerbed.

VO: So they're damaged, they're cheaply put together and they're not that old.

Why do I feel an offer coming on?

How much are they, Jackie?

What's the best price on them?

Erm... 100?

For all three?

Mm.

That isn't bad, is it?

I mean... For you... 100.

Really?

£100 for them.

What I've also seen on the subject of garden ornaments, are the pair of lions over here.

VO: What was that you said earlier about buying for the Welsh auction?

These are hardly Welsh!

Rarr!

They look wonderful at the edge of a drive, don't they?

People have that grandeur and that... Yep.

..distinction, having a pair of lions.

Erm, but you, you can see, the problem is with these, sadly this right-hand-sided lion, he has had all of his legs detached from the base.

So, transport.

Must be very careful.

DEALER: Very careful.

CH: Erm... VO: Yes these lions are badly damaged.

At least they'll go well with the three statues!

What's the best price, Jackie, between friends?

50?

50, OK.

I'll give it some thought.

VO: Yes, that's a lot to think about, Charles.

£150 for two lots of crumbling garden ornaments, and £40 for the Welsh-inspired copper luster.

I have a bad feeling about all of this.

(RUMBLING) Hear the thunder outside, can't you?

Mm.

The thunder's rumbling, saying, "Come on Hanson."

You know, "You've got to make a decision now!"

God, this is exciting.

VO: As the clouds gather, it's make-your-mind-up time Charles.

I think what I want to do is buy something substantial that's going to just be my curtain raiser on this shopping trip.

In that regard - and I know Philip likes the female form - I quite like your three graces, and the lions, and they're the two I would like to buy.

If I bought that whole lot together, what's the best price?

DEALER: 80?

CH: It's so tempting.

Because they're modern and they are haphazard I'll pay about £50.

Hm.

80 would be better.

Yeah.

VO: This lot might be damaged but you can't argue with a £70 discount, can you?

CH: Yeah, I'll take them.

DEALER: Yeah?

Yeah, thanks Jackie.

Let's give it a go at auction.

DEALER: Well, good luck.

CH: Thank you, Jackie.

VO: Looks like he might need it.

But for now it's time to call it a day, so night-night, you two birds.

It's the start of a new day, and Charles is feeling inspired by the scenery.

CH: Look at these trees here.

You could just be in the middle of a rainforest, you could be in Brazil.

PS: They could've given me anybody on this road trip and I end up with him.

VO: Yesterday Charles spent £80 on three figures and the two lions, leaving his pockets still bulging with £141.40.

God, this is exciting.

VO: Philip spent a bit more - £100 on the navy medal, horse and cart, pencil sharpener and manicure set, but that leaves him just £66.46.

You have been very, very kind to me.

VO: And having lost the first auction, he's eager to make it count.

Charlie, let me just tell you, it genuinely doesn't matter who wins as long as I do.

PS: Honestly.

CH: (LAUGHS) VO: Yeah right!

They're making their way to the market town of Ludlow in Shropshire.

VO: Charles's first shop of the day is Bayliss Antiques.

DEALER: Morning.

CH: How are you?

DEALER: Very well, thanks.

CH: I recognize your face.

Yes, you do, yes.

I recogn...

I've been here before.

You have, yes.

It must be, what, two years ago?

Two years, something like that.

Yeah.

VO: Ah well, you'll have no trouble finding your way around Don's shop then.

Nice silver.

You've got a little bottle stopper of a gent here smoking a pipe, with his parasol in his right hand, and this one you have a very neat man waving in his left hand his hat.

VO: They remind me of Charles and Philip actually!

Speaking of Philip... ..he's made his way to Leominster in Herefordshire, and is popping in to the Secondhand Warehouse and Antiques Centre.

Well, I've been to this shop many times and I know the people that run it.

I just hope they don't hold that against me.

VO: Philip's like a man on a mission - a lean, mean shopping machine!

PS: One thing is for sure, I have got £66 and 46 new pennies and I'm going to spend £66 and 46 new pennies.

Every last one is going.

Hm.

VO: I'm sure dealer Stan will be glad to hear that!

This place has over 12,000 square feet of stock, and I'm sure Philip can find something here to float his boat.

Oh, I think that's a cool thing, isn't it?

That's a lovely thing.

And that really is an age gone by.

And you've got here "first class only".

That means Hanson wouldn't be allowed to sit on this.

But that's just a really cool thing.

It's a liner chair and there's a bit of a thing coming up here because, at the minute, that look is absolutely fantastic.

That's the sort of look that people want.

Do they want that in Brecon though?

VO: Good question.

It's priced at £68, so you're £1.64 short!

I think that's a really cool thing.

You've got £68 on that, Stan - what's the best on that?

Well, we could make it 58.

This is what we call in the trade, Stanley...

This is what we call an embarrassing silence now that is going to ensue.

OK, so let's just practice this embarrassing silence bit.

OK, you be quiet and I'll think of something else.

Er, 50.

Still silent.

Ooh.

F-F-Forty-five.

(WIND HOWLS) VO: Oh dear, this IS embarrassing!

Did you say 40?

45.

40?

STAN: 45 for... PS: What could you do?

You...

I tell you what.

You're lovely people here, just give me your best shot.

I'm giving you my silence at the moment.

Is it my turn to say something then?

What's the very best you can do?

STAN: The very best... PS: Yeah?

..and don't ask for any more... No, I won't.

I won't go any further than this at all.

STAN: £30.

PS: 30?

30.

Quick, I'll get shot.

You're a gentleman.

Honestly?

I'm really delighted with that.

VO: Let's hope it doesn't sink at auction.

Philip's got £36.46 left and is determined to find something that will help him beat Charles.

I should...

I should be buying this, really.

Then whenever Hanson bursts into song, then I can... whack him round the back of the head with it.

That'd slow him down a bit.

VO: Hey, that's not quite what I had in mind!

Ha!

Charles, meanwhile, is still over at Bayliss Antiques, and it looks like Don has unearthed a candidate for his £120.

CH: What are they?

Pens?

They match your jacket, don't they?

Don's quite sharp, because I never saw these pens, and if there's one aspect of the antiques market, of the collectors' market, that is quite bullish, it's the market for old vintage pens, isn't it?

DON: Mm.

That's...that's a Conway Stewart pen, with a lovely, Bakelite, type of marbled... almost this...

This marbling is lovely.

1920s pen.

VO: Conway Stewart are a luxury pen manufacturer founded in 1905.

Their pens can be quite collectable.

Don's also brought over a few more of a similar age, along with a box of assorted silverware.

Here you've got a tin with just bits and pieces - an old Victorian florin.

Here you've got a lovely collection of silver, and the coinage, it's silver.

The coins are probably worth 30 or so pounds.

Even that's stamped silver!

Yeah, that's stamped silver as well.

Don misses nothing.

There we are!

VO: Could this mixed lot of pens and silver items put a shine on Charles's fortunes?

Don, the coins aren't... aren't mega.

The pens are pretty standard.

Would you be open to an offer on the whole lot?

Well, I'll listen, but I won't acc... Oh, no!

Don, I'm your mate, Don!

Don, I'm your mate!

VO: Yes, until you make an offer!

There's no price on the pens and silver, but Don won't let them go cheaply.

For a profit for you, Don, if I bought the whole lot, the tin, the coins and the pens, what's the best price?

£75.

That... That...

I... God knows what it's worth, all the bits of silver.

If I said to you, Don, 60..?

DON: 65, it's yours.

Why don't we go in at £62.50, and meet halfway?

Yep.

So I'll give you an extra £2.50.

DON: Yep.

CH: For good luck.

Thanks, mate.

DON: Ooh!

CH: Thanks, Don.

We'll cross fingers and hope for some good luck.

OK.

Thanks, Don.

That's great.

VO: Luck?

I thought this was all skill, Charles.

Philip, meanwhile, is looking out for something that will appeal to the Brecon auction.

I quite like this porthole.

And it's quite nice, look - it's got the maker's mark here, which is Simpson.

Ah, Simpson Lawrence of Glasgow.

Oh, that's fairly local to Brecon, isn't it?

If you sort of... take the long road.

VO: Yeah, via the scenic route, maybe!

I think it's come off a small yacht, rather than anything that's overly big.

I quite like that.

I'm gonna have a good look round, and I'm gonna ask Stan if he can put this by for me.

VO: The porthole is priced at £42, which is more than is left in Phil's pocket.

That doesn't stop him eyeing up more goodies though.

So this is a little vegetable ivory.

Vegetable ivory is a root, isn't it?

So it's not actually ivory at all, but it's meant to look like... STAN: Oh, nothing to do with elephants, no.

No, it's got nothing to do with that at all.

VO: The case is actually made from an Amazonian nut.

The thimble could be the work of Charles Horner.

It's got a ticket price of £20.

Lovely.

If you're going to buy a silver thimble, Charles Horner's the man, isn't he?

And most of his work...

Yes, Chester.

Cuz most of his stuff was assayed in Chester.

So that might be a possibility.

So that just fits into there, and then we've got this little case like that.

VO: Right, I think it's time to make your mind up, Philip.

Now, sensibly, going to landlocked Brecon... ..so far I've bought a naval medal, I've bought a deckchair, and I think a porthole might be stretching the theme a bit too much... STAN: If I can... PS: ..for landlocked Brecon.

..Mr Serrell, I would say that that would look wonderful on a narrowboat on the Brecon and Monmouth Canal.

Jeez, what a salesman, eh?!

I want to spend every last penny.

This is every last penny, look.

There's 36.

34... 35... 36... VO: That's still £26 short of Stan's ticket prices.

Let's hope he's in a good mood.

Well, we could let you have that for your £36.

PS: I'm over the moon with that.

Before I change me mind, shake my hand and let me walk off.

PS: Thank you very much indeed.

STAN: Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You've been really kind to me.

PS: Good to see you.

Bye.

DEALER: Thank you!

Bye, bye!

VO: And with that he's spent every last penny!

Charles, meanwhile, has made his way over to Worcester, in Worcestershire.

He's on the hunt for more goodies to complete his haul.

CH: Afternoon.

DEALER: Hello.

What a wonderful shop exterior you have.

DEALER: Thank you so much.

CH: I'm Charles Hanson.

DEALER: Hi, I'm Gabrielle.

CH: Gabrielle.

Good to see you.

VO: This family-owned business has been established over 100 years.

Can Charles find something timeless here that delivers him a profit?

What I love about this antique shop is... forget the word "vintage".

Forget the word "retro".

This is real antiques.

If you can't succeed here, you're at least buying quality, you never will.

It's that good.

VO: But with less than £80 in your pocket, might they just be out of reach?

DEALER: Charles, you ought to have a look at this.

CH: Oh, yes?

DEALER: It's...

I saw that in the cabinet.

DEALER: Eh?

CH: Yes.

And as you've got your tartan on, have a look at that.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, quite right, quite right.

Oh, how nice.

Well, that's interesting.

It reads "Lindsay's Mercantile Academy of Glasgow", of the year 1856.

And on the reverse you've got the inscription for the first prize for the best specimen or penmanship, and the winner½ is George Buchanan.

VO: It's hallmarked silver, and whilst the academy is long since gone, this medal is in perfect condition.

And at £65, it's within Charles's budget.

And it's all there.

And it is a real work of art.

Mm.

It really is.

I'd probably want to really buy it for about £55, if that obviously left you with a profit and it was worthwhile.

It's a fair price and it's a reasonable offer.

You give me £55.

Thank you so much.

Now, Philip will go berserk if I don't spend my entire budget in my last shop.

Is there anything... Just have a look at this.

..anything which could be £22?

VO: You've actually got £23.90, Charles, and I'm sure Gabrielle will be able to help you part with that.

Gabrielle, what's that?

Er...an RAF flag.

Age?

Um...I don't know.

But it's nicely made.

Now this is a sewn one - it's not a printed one.

Yes.

So with my £23.90, what I could do is viably by this flag.

It ought to make £25, surely?

Yeah, I would have thought so.

CH: Do you think so?

DEALER: Yeah.

It's probably...

It's got a bit of age to it, hasn't it?

Could I call it World War II interest, do you think?

Or is that going a bit too far?

Could it be Second World War in period?

It's certainly vintage, isn't it?

Vintage.

I like your style.

I will take it.

For £23.90, that's my entire budget blown away, and Philip will be delighted.

DEALER: Well done.

CH: I'll take it all.

VO: With a flag and a medal for £78.90, it looks like Charles is ready to do battle at the auction.

Off he hares.

Philip has completed his shopping and is making his way to Gotherington, in Gloucestershire.

He's visiting Prescott Speed Hill Climb, which is home to the Bugatti Owners' Club.

But it's not the classic Italian race car itself Philip's here to see.

He's here to find out about a man who in the 1920s and '30s drove these cars into the record books, and became one of the world's most successful racing drivers.

He's meeting Ian Patton from the club to find out more.

Hi, Ian.

How are you?

Hi, Phil.

VO: William Grover-Williams was an extraordinary racing driver.

Son of a well-do-to English horse breeder, he had an early fascination for automobiles.

At just 26, he entered the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix, driving a Bugatti, and won.

If you look closely at these early photographs, you can just see the thousands of people peering over, watching all the way up to the casino, watching the race.

Remember, this is not like today, where you do two hours' racing.

It was a 100 lapper.

This race lasted three hours and 52 minutes.

You look at that photograph, and these guys are sat there with either a leather or, at best, a cork helmet.

IAN: Williams raced in a cloth cap.

But wasn't the theory with these guys that if you did...

If the car did go over, you got thrown clear?

IAN: That was the idea.

Yeah, that sounds a bit risky, in my book.

VO: By 1933, Williams had seven Grand Prix wins under his belt, cementing his position as one of racing's true greats.

But by the end of the decade, he had retired from racing.

And with the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Royal Army Service Corps, to help the French Resistance.

And eventually the Gestapo found out about them.

That led to Williams being caught, and he spent quite a long time in Gestapo headquarters in Paris.

We know he never gave anything away, because that part of the Resistance group that he was part of was never betrayed.

Eventually they got fed up with him, and they transferred him to a concentration camp in Germany.

Ah.

And he was shot in the early part of March 1945.

That's awful, isn't it?

Which is even more awful when you think it was six weeks before the end of the war.

VO: The actual trophy he won at the 1929 Grand Prix is held by the Bugatti Owners' Club.

It was donated to them by Williams's widow, Yvonne, in the 1960s, and is now the centerpiece of their annual Williams Trophy Race.

Now, are your hands clean?

Oh that's just fantastic, isn't it?

That... Just imagine...

There's certain things in your life that make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, and being able to hold that is one of them, really.

Just imagine you've done 100 laps... Yeah.

..four hours in a Grand Prix car, and the Prince of Monaco hands you the trophy.

Oh, you'd be so pleased with that, wouldn't you?

Wouldn't you just?

Look at that.

That is just fantastic.

VO: And if that doesn't inspire Philip to win the road trip, I don't know what will.

His competition has arrived though, so it's time to reveal all.

I like the waistcoat, Charlie.

Thanks, Phil.

We're going to Wales, not Scotland.

I'm going to start here, Phil, and go voila.

Do you like them?

No!

VO: Not the best start!

Charlie, those are hideous.

Phil, don't you feel when you live in a big house you see lots of people who have these big lions to inject a bit of pace into their pedigree and I thought the big lions, they will roar outside someone's drive in Wales.

I think you are insulting the Welsh.

VO: I think you're insulting Charles, so that makes it even, then.

They're broken.

The only reason I bought them... PS: Charlie.

CH: Yeah?

PS: They're broken everywhere.

CH: They are.

They're a bit tired, Phil, but you know, they're like you and I, a pair of well-worn lions.

Charlie, they're smashed.

They're rubble.

Yeah.

What are they worth?

I'd rather not go down that road, Charlie.

CH: Really?

PS: No, I don't want to go down that road, because I don't want to upset you.

You're my mate.

How much did you pay for them?

£20.

PS: Really?

CH: Yeah.

You were robbed!

CH: Do you think so?

PS: Yeah.

VO: That went well then!

My next ensemble, Phil, is there.

Voila.

Take your pick.

VO: Charles's three figures, who I presume were too busy to make it today!

On the screen I acquired three concrete ladies.

About 4'5" high, and they probably depict the seasons, or the muses, they are neo-classical, they are... Can I just stop you, just for one minute?

CH: Yes?

PS: You bought three of them?

Yeah.

I don't want to be really picky here but are there not four seasons?

Well, I was with them, they say...

There's... Erm, yes, there are really, Phil.

I thought there probably was, yeah.

So you've bought three of the four seasons?

CH: Correct.

PS: Right.

CH: Correct.

OK. Fine, why did you not buy four?

There was only three available.

Oh, right.

So what have we missed - autumn, winter, spring or summer?

CH: Probably winter.

PS: You don't wanna... Winter's a good one to miss, isn't it?

CH: You think so?

PS: Cold, wet, miserable.

CH: Exactly.

PS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

VO: It was a bit of a frosty response from Philip, but what will Charles think of his goodies?

Your turn now.

Make yourself big, puff your chest out, make a name for yourself.

I do worry about him sometimes, honestly.

Whoa!

Oh, Phil.

Goodness me.

Oh, wow!

What's this here?

Phil, HMS Essex, tell me about that.

I can't, really, because I don't know anything at all about it but it's got Captain Green, dated 1912 around the rim, and then these bars here.

I have absolutely no idea what it's for.

Not a clue.

That's quite... That's quite coincidental.

You go from the 1912-style deckchair first - that's Titanic - to the year Titanic sunk and a real object which is just pre-First World War.

That's really interesting, Phil.

That's really interesting and if you can do some homework and maybe substantiate what those clasps and this captain is all about, that could be quite a rare thing.

There's a real maritime feel, isn't there?

You have got that, that, and this porthole, which is nice.

Is it old?

Sorry?

I wasn't sure if you were going to stop to draw breath.

No, I think you've done really well.

VO: Charles likes what he sees, but I can't say the same for Phil.

Those lions, they're smashed to pieces.

Knowing Charlie, they might go and make £30, but dear me, they are awful.

He's bought objects which are quite cheap.

I do like his porthole, I like his deckchair as well and I think all the objects will make small profits, but he is really keen, he is eager, he is determined and it really is game on now.

He wants to catch me up.

I'm feeling quite smug with myself now.

That's normally when it all goes wrong, isn't it?

VO: We'll soon find out, as it's time to cross the Welsh border for auction in the market town of Brecon in Powys.

Brecon's lovely cathedral was originally formed as a monastery and is the final resting place of Norman lords and Welsh princes.

Our own princes of the antique business have arrived at the venue of today's auction showdown.

VO: Whilst Charles works out how to get out of the car - ha!

- auctioneer Chris Jones has some thoughts on what our discerning experts have bought.

Some mixed bag of items you've brought along.

You've brought some very nice statues.

They do remind us of the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who, so we're hoping, as Doctor Who is filmed in Wales, they will find a home in Wales.

Very interested in the medal you've got from HMS Essex, I believe.

It was originally from Wales, so that will be interesting to see how that goes.

VO: Philip started this second leg of the road trip with just £166.46, and has spent every last penny on five auction lots.

Thank you.

You've been really kind to me.

VO: Charles started with a more impressive £221.40 and he too has parted with it all for five auction lots.

I'll take it all.

VO: But although Charles won the last auction, Philip's feeling confident.

Have you ever, have you ever lost one of these road trips?

I have lost one.

To you.

And who was that again?

Oh, oh was that to me?

Exactly.

VO: First up, Charles's silver medallions and assorted silverware.

CHRIS: 20 I've got, thank you.

God!

25.

30, five, five, 40, five, 50, five, go on.

CH: "Go on," he says.

PS: Go on!

At 55, 60, 60 I've got.

Try a little bit harder, sir, at 62?

Two, five, eight.

70.

70 I've got.

Two.

At 72, four anywhere?

I sell them then... VO: That gavel looks dangerous!

..at £72.

I mean, I want you to know I'm getting no pleasure from this, none at all.

VO: Ouch, Philip knows that opening loss for Charles could bode well for HIM.

How terribly sad.

How awfully sad.

VO: Time to see if Philip can fare better with his pencil sharpener, manicure set and thimble.

CHRIS: 30?

20?

Let's have £10 to kick it off.

Well, Charlie...

Thank you.

At 10 bid, 10 bid, 10, 15, 20, five, 25, 30.

You're in profit, well done.

It's not profit.

I sell it at the back then, at 30.

(GAVEL) PS: That's what we... That's just what we call one step forward, two back, Charlie.

VO: It's another loss, but much less than managed by Charles, which means the gap between the two is closing.

Next, is the writing on the wall for Charles's early fountain pens?

Do I hear something in the region of £50?

Come on.

ASSISTANT: 25.

CHRIS: 25 I've got.

At 25, 30, five, 40, five...

I'm flabbergasted!

50 I've got, two, five, eight... PS: Well done you, Charlie.

CH: Go on!

62, 65.

68, 68 I've got.

Well done, Charlie.

One more, he says.

68, 70, two.

At £72, with the tin as well, at 72.

CH: That's good.

PS: In't it?

Pleased.

VO: And so you should be - a £42 profit is absolutely marvelous.

I was getting really anxious about the rubble now.

Charlie, if they make profit...

It is a funny old game, isn't it?

No, that won't be funny.

VO: I think someone's feeling nervous.

But first it's time to see if there's a profit in Philip's bronze porthole.

£30 we've got.

At £30 and selling.

40.

50, five, 60, five, 65, 70, five.

75 I've got.

At 75.

That's helped, Charlie.

Selling at the back of the room, eight anywhere?

He's doing a good job, isn't he?

Yeah, very good.

That's a cracking return.

It's good, isn't it?

At 75.

Put it there, Phil, that is... That's about a 40 quid profit.

That's a huge profit.

VO: It's closer to 60 than 40 and it means Philip's really catching up.

Phil, I knew with your expertise you would not be down for long, OK?

PS: Listen to this!

Just listen.

CH: And you're back in business.

You are the godfather of the Road Trip.

Listen to this, listen to this!

VO: But before he climbs onto his high horse, will his wooden toy horse and cart pull him into the lead?

50?

£20 somewhere, surely?

CHRIS: 20, five, 30... CH: There's loads of hands.

Five, 40, two, five, eight, 50?

Go on.

Phil, you're flying.

Five, eight, 60.

Two, five.

I love the way you wink.

65.

VO: Not you Philip!

Eight, 68, 70?

At 70 bid.

Anybody else?

Two lots here together.

At £70, cashed and done.

CH: Going, going, gone.

(GAVEL) CH: Well done.

PS: A little flush now.

VO: That horse has bolted and returned a healthy profit, as they're now neck and neck.

I'm not wearing a hat, but hats off to you.

I mean it.

VO: Philip's penultimate item is the navy medal.

He needs to put clear blue water between him and Charles if he's going to win this auction.

Let's have £20 to get it going.

10 I've got.

12, 15, 18, 20...

It's going to run, and run and run.

Eight, 30.

Two, five, eight, 40, Two, five.

50, 50 I've got.

At 50 bid.

Gonna run and run and run.

65, 70, at 70 bid, one more?

Five, 75.

It goes, John.

CH: Going, going, gone.

(GAVEL) Well played.

He does a good job, doesn't he?

CH: Yeah, fantastic.

PS: Does a really good job.

VO: And with that, Philip nudges way ahead of Charles.

Could he be on the verge of victory?

I'm happy as Larry.

I'm happy as Larry.

VO: I bet you are!

Auctioneer Richard Gwilliam has taken to the podium as Charles's three figures, which Philip had a lot to say about, take center stage.

50 I'm bid.

50.

50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 110, all done?

RICHARD: Sold at 110.

(GAVEL) That's jolly good, isn't it?

The rubble has made £50.

How has it done that?

It made 50, 50, sorry.

It's made £50.

VO: To Philip's astonishment, the bidders loved Charles's stone figures, and it's given him a small lead.

Charlie, how you've got that for those stone anchors, I don't know.

They are awful.

I think they were cheap.

VO: It all comes down to the last few items.

Will Charles's RAF flag fly him further into the lead?

RICHARD: Beautiful air force flag.

50?

20 and start it...

BIDDER: 10.

RICHARD: 10, thank you, 10.

CH: Thanks.

RICHARD: 15, 20... CH: Thank you.

Five, 25, 30, five, 35, 40, 40 bid, five, 45, 45, 50.

50 bid, five, 55... Keep going, keep going.

For Queen and country.

..five, 60, 65, 70, 70 bid, 70, two... Keep going, boss.

72, five, 78.

Charlie, you've whipped me again... CH: Keep going, keep going.

PS: Absolutely whipped me.

At 80, two, 82.

Oh no, how am I going to live this down?

Keep going boss.

88, two fat ladies.

No, 85, lady on the right and sold at 85.

Brilliant.

60 quid profit.

Yeah.

Well, about that.

VO: Oh.

That's a tremendous result for Charles, and an ocean opens between the two, but can Philip close it with his first-class liner deck chair?

20?

Thank you, 20 I'm bid.

20, 30, 40, 50, 50 bid.

At 60.

Is that five for me?

RICHARD: No, 60, sold at 60.

(GAVEL) Brilliant.

I'm pleased with that.

CH: Put it there.

PS: Yeah, Charlie.

VO: A good profit for Philip, but is it enough to overtake Charles... ..whose final lot are the concrete lions?

The lions, as somewhat damaged.

Somewhat damaged!

This is like Longleat, Charlie.

20 I'm bid, the lions, 20, 30, 40, 40, 50, 50 bid, the lions.

At 50, 60, 70...

I don't believe this.

I just don't believe this.

Give me a roar, give me a roar.

Oh, growl.

70 I am bid.

Sold here at 70.

(GAVEL) PS: Charlie, that's... You've absolutely whipped my behind, Charlie.

VO: I think Philip's in shock.

The bidders loved Charles's lions and have given him a £50 profit!

PS: Go.

CH: OK. Let's go.

Just go.

CH: Let's go back to Blighty.

PS: Go, go, go, go, go.

VO: After a dramatic auction, it's time to do the sums.

VO: Philip started this second leg of the road trip with £166.46 and, after a rollercoaster of an auction, made a respectable profit of £87.74 after costs, ending this leg with a juicy £254.20.

Charles kicked off with £221.40 and, after costs, coined in a thumping great profit of £113.98, giving him a tremendous £335.38 and winning this leg of the road trip.

Well done Charlie boy.

PS: Well Charlie... CH: Yes, Phil?

PS: Where to now?

Erm, I think, Phil, Warwickshire.

PS: Back home.

CH: Back home, Phil.

Up the M5.

That's the way.

VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip... His name is Hanson, Charles Hanson, and he's caught Phil's attention.

I love you, Charlie, it's... (THEY CHUCKLE) subtitling@stv.tv