Dobcross film-maker celebrates tenth anniversary of ‘Grand Tour’ road trip

A DOBCROSS film-maker of the original show ‘Grand Tour’ is celebrating 10 years since its production this month.

grandtour-sleeveJohn Matthews, director and producer of the show, stars with his cousin and best friend Mick in the trip across Europe by car.

It has been dubbed by The Telegraph’s Jim White as “the original Grand Tour long before Clarkson pinched the title”.

To mark the decade anniversary of making the film, John is hosting a special showing at The Cross Keys in Uppermill on Friday, December 2 (in the barn) at 8pm, entry £5. John will also be signing copies of the film and his new book.

He said “I can’t believe we came up with Grand Tour over ten years ago!

“We want to make the second programme which is well overdue and to do so we are going to auction the last ever ten DVD copies on e-bay. Whatever we raise we will make a film with that money.

“30 per cent of the money raised will go to Cancer Research in memory of my mum, my brother Brent and my good friend Ed, who all died of cancer.

“I’m hoping people will pay big bucks for these DVDs so we can make a great new show and also give a lots of money to this a very important charity.”

grandtour-image1Looking back on the trip, John recalled: “It was a disaster! The TVR Sagaris blew up almost hitting 190 mph on day one.

“The best film of the nightmare was left on the cutting room floor. One mobile phone call cost me £600.

“We limped around Europe on five cylinders. We then came back and did it again with a new engine, only the other way round.”

Some have said the film, which features the line ‘in search of the perfect road’ inspired Top Gear to go on their road trips.

Bigger Picture, John’s award-winning film company, also made ‘Grand Prix – the Killer Years’ which has been seen by 20 million worldwide, and the acclaimed ‘Madness on Wheels’ book.

In a Christmas offer, Bigger Pictures acclaimed book ‘Madness on Wheels’ currently has 50 per cent off for a limited period: http://www.big-pic.co.uk/madness-on-wheels.html

The book features transcripts of interviews with top Formula 1 drivers from the 1980s, including World Champions Ari Vatanen, Walter Rohrl, Stig Blomqvist and many more.

To bid for one of the ‘Grand Tour’ films go to eBay or read more details about the original film on John’s website.

 

ONE LUCKY reader can win a pair of tickets, worth £5 each, to see ‘Grand Tour’ at the Cross Keys, Uppermill on Friday, December 2 at 8pm.

To enter, simply answer this question: How long ago was ‘Grand Tour’ filmed?

Email your answer to aimee@saddind.co.uk or write to Grand Tour, Saddleworth Independent, Units 3-4, 45 High Street, Uppermill, Saddleworth, OL3 6HS.

The first correct entry drawn after the closing date of Wednesday, November 30 wins the pair of tickets.

 

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