Watch Great Cars

Twice a year, the deserted Bonneville Salt Flats are transformed into the Valhalla of speed where land speed racers battle it out to claim a record. There's no prize money just the glory of saying you beat the clock.

It was a time when the finest automobiles in the world were built - the era of the custom-bodied, luxury car. Some feel that this 20 year period from about 1920 to roughly 1940 was an Olympian Age of automotive design. We'll see how these wonderful machines were built.

This fast paced, tire squealing, high octane program will race to discover the essence of the sports car as we take a look at the origins of the world's most beguiling examples.

Most people think of them as early relics of an era long past or as antiques that are best left in museums. To a special group of people, a much larger group than most would dare imagine, the earliest motorcars are an integral part of their lives.

The Meyers Manx sprang from the soul of a free spirited Californian who loved the beach and always wanted to have fun. It was an inexpensive, go anywhere car that immediately clicked with a generation of like-minded people. Bruce Meyers created a legend but has had to fight to keep his vision alive.

The story of the development of the ambulance is intertwined with warfare. From the days of the Roman legions to today's far-flung military there has been a pressing need to quickly move the wounded from the battlefield.

New York City's finest. LA's new centurions. Even Mayberry's, Sheriff Andy have relied on one common tool, the Police Car. It is the most often used weapon in an officer's crime fighting arsenal. More than the gun. More than the billy club. The Police Car is the one tool that continually makes the difference in the struggle against crime.

This fast paced program documents the ancient search for a better way to fight fires. A fire company in Historic Williamsburg, Virginia reenacts and brings to life the bucket brigades and the first fire pumper used in the colonies.

Lotus made its reputation on the world's racing circuits and built high performance sports cars that were favored by those who appreciated powerful engines, light cars, and very direct steering, that provided awe inspiring cornering at nearly any speed.

The envelope, please. After years of rigorous debate, hand wringing and international lobbying by fans, automakers and government officials, a jury of automotive historians, museum curators and journalists decided what were the most significant cars ever created.

Edsel, Corvair, Hudson, Studebaker, Hupmobile, Crosley, Maxwell and more - these are the Orphan cars. Many of these €œorphan cars€ had unusual design and engineering features. They were created by people willing to go out on a limb.

Starting in the 1990's Sport Utility Vehicles took over the streets of America. Women didn't want to be "soccer moms" and abandoned their minivans in droves. Men wanted a car that could go anywhere even if they only drove it to the office. Some people accused their owners of harming the planet but no car company could survive without an SUV in its lineup.

Come with us as we drive through mansion gates, discover secret auto collections, roam exclusive auto gatherings, race high dollar classics and hobnob with the owners of the world's most exclusive automobiles. Find out what it's like to drive the world's fastest, most expensive, desirable and exotic collector automobiles.