Practically Classics Forum

The Guardian Newspaper wrote:The cast and crew of TV’s Top Gear had to abandon their cars at the roadside and flee
Argentina after being pelted with stones by an angry crowd.

The attack happened after it emerged they were using a vehicle with a number plate
apparently referring to the Falklands war.

That vehicle – a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL which some people
suggested could refer to the Falklands conflict of 1982 – was among those abandoned.

The BBC has denied any intended reference, saying the car was bought by a member of
the production team and was entirely coincidental.

A group of war veterans protested outside their hotel and one local politician said they
were escorted to the airport.

Juan Manuel Romano, secretary of social development for Ushuaia in southern Tierra del
Fuego province, said: “They have taken the decision to leave.”

BBC NEWS wrote:The crew of BBC's Top Gear are leaving Argentina after facing protests over a number plate
which appeared to refer to the 1982 Falklands War.

The team, including host Jeremy Clarkson, have been filming in South America for a Top Gear
special.

The show apparently provoked anger among locals by using a Porsche with the registration
number H982 FKL.

The BBC confirmed the show's decision to leave, but denied the offending car was chosen for
its number plate.

Andy Wilman, executive producer of Top Gear, said on Thursday: "Top Gear production
purchased three cars for a forthcoming programme; to suggest that this car was either chosen
for its number plate, or that an alternative number plate was substituted for the original is
completely untrue."

The team departed three days early after being denied permission to film by local authorities.

It was reported their cars had been abandoned by the roadside and the crew were escorted
to the airport, after being pelted with stones.

Clarkson flew into the country earlier last month to film a special which saw him and co-stars
Richard Hammond and James May drive the famous Patagonian highway - Route 40 - to the
southernmost city of Ushuaia.Reports in the South American press suggested the Top Gear
crew had left the country amid angry protests from politicians and war veterans, and demands
for their withdrawal from Argentina.

Final warning

Protests were held outside the hotel being used by the show's stars.

Juan Manuel Romano, secretary of social development for Ushuaia in the Tierra del Fuego
province of Argentina, said: "They have taken the decision to leave."

JPB wrote:Yes, I'd prefer to open my paper and read something that matters .