Top Gear Patagonia Special number plate incident, Coincidence or on purpose?

[melias24]

THERE COULD BE A SLIGHT SPOILER HERE SO DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN TOP GEAR PATAGONIA SPECIAL PART 2

 

Hey guys, so i love watching Top Gear, and i just finished watching Part 2 of the Top Gear Patagonia special. Anyway, even before the release of the episodes there was controversy about what was on the number plate, which read 'H982 FKL' which has a reference to the Falkland War, which happened in 1982.

 

Their original plan was to drive to Patagonia and 'build bridges' and become 'friends' with the people of Patagonia again, but this didn't go to planned, and they were forced to leave immediately with a police escort, but were attacked by rocks on their way out. One of the crew members was also hurt. The had to leave the Lotus, Mustang and Porsche in Argentina, but i have seen rumors and 1 image of the cars back in England, but can not confirm this. Clarkson claimed that this was the plates of the car when they bought it, and here is some proof that that statement is in fact, very true: 

Source: https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

 

What are your guy's opinion on this incident, was it just a really bad coincidence or do you think they purposely bought this Porsche because of the plates? 

Knowing Clarksons humor i kind of think they purposely bought this Porsche just because of the plates, but Richard Hammond said in an Interview that there were only 2 Porsche 928's in England, and the other one was on the other side of England. In my opinion, i recon it was an accident, i don't think they meant to insult anyone, but anyway what are you guys' opinions on this? Purpose or coincidence? 

Clarkson and Hammond with his Mustang

The Lotus, Porsche and Mustang after being abandoned, as they were attracting too much attention.

Clarkson's car at the front with the offensive number plate

AND YES I KNOW THIS ISN'T A CAR FORUM BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF CAR ENTHUSIAST'S ON HERE!!!

[Yummychickenblue]

@terrytek

[Guest]

I don't know but TopGear is AWESOME and love it and can't wait for season 22.

[KayTees]

Im a car enthusiast but all I know is. COOL CAR WAW.

[terrytek]

I'm pretty sure it was on purpose because the producers thought it was funny, but it ended very badly. But, what I think is that the next show after the special, the 3 cars will turn up on the studio, i bet you.

[TheSLSAMG]

I think the accusations are a load of shit.

 

I don't think it was done purposefully. The producers known full-well what could have happened, and I believe that it was just an oversight. The reference isn't really that obvious, you would have to be cross to even consider it. I know that they don't have the greatest track record for behavior, but I know the producers would have knowingly put their lives in danger. Someone would have picked it up before they arrived in Argentina and told them. And they were even working on getting the plates changed, but such a process takes a while and in this situation was not really worthwhile.

 

I'm pretty sure it was on purpose because the producers thought it was funny, but it ended very badly. But, what I think is that the next show after the special, the 3 cars will turn up on the studio, i bet you.

We already know for the most part that the three cars are either awaiting pickup to be brought back or are brought back already.

[terrytek]

I think the accusations are a load of shit.

 

I don't think it was done purposefully. The producers known full-well what could have happened, and I believe that it was just an oversight. The reference isn't really that obvious, you would have to be cross to even consider it. I know that they don't have the greatest track record for behavior, but I know the producers would have knowingly put their lives in danger. Someone would have picked it up before they arrived in Argentina and told them. And they were even working on getting the plates changed, but such a process takes a while and in this situation was not really worthwhile.

 

We already know for the most part that the three cars are either awaiting pickup to be brought back or are brought back already.

But how would it be possible to bring them back from Argentina since they were dumped for being overly offensive to the Argentinians?

[melias24]

But how would it be possible to bring them back from Argentina since they were dumped for being overly offensive to the Argentinians?

I believe that Argentinian Officials got them.

[terrytek]

I believe that Argentinian Officials got them.

And possibly crushed them too. If so, that would be the saddest moment of TG.

[Mooshi]

The first mistake made was taking the likes of Clarkson, May and Hammond seriously. Some people will get offended over their own shadow. All these "controversies" tend to be from being over sensitive to life and these people need to chill out.

[terrytek]

The first mistake made was taking the likes of Clarkson, May and Hammond seriously. Some people will get offended over their own shadow. All these "controversies" tend to be from being being over sensitive to life and need to chill out.

Especially the Argentinians. They were the ones who freaked out over a stupid license plate, and all Jezza, James, and Richard wanted to do was just a game of football.

[xox]

I think it was chosen purposefully as a bit of a giggle, but they didn't realise that the Argentinians are still a bit iffy about it.

 

Regardless, it's shameful what the Argentinians did, they clearly don't know what a measured response is.

[frostin1990]

Yup go to their country and try to mock them...what could possibly go wrong???GG 

[shiftberry]

"H982 FKL" 

 

The Porsche with a "Falklands" license plate was meant to establish diplomacy with the Argentinians in a fun way by organising a fun football match surrounded by the containers. The locals were really happy to do so but the mobs were apparently hostile and unhappy.

 

The license plate was meaningful. They can't just go there arbitrarily negotiating diplomacy with them. For what purpose?

 

Ah, I know! The mobs don't negotiate, their only way of negotiating is opening fire.

[Optimus Prime]

Clarkson wanted that particular porsche for sentimental reasons. Add in the fact that there was only two V8 manual versions for sale and the one they chose was the better of the two left Clarkson and Top Gear little choice.

It would appear that in Britain you can't change the plates on your car so they had No alternative fake plate that they never had a chance to put on....

Argentina is just acting like a high school bully picking fights with the UK and Chile over islands

[terrytek]

They should go back after the cars come back, and definitely after the license plates get changed. I want to see the car football game against The 3 and the Argentinians.

[The Knome]

Knowing Clarkson, its possible it was deliberate.

The producers and crew on the other hand may not have even noticed. The car buying is left to the stars for these touring specials and I personally would have never made the connection were I not told.

I say that, if the car was one with personal reasons behind buying, possible Clarkson overlooked it too.
 

It would appear that in Britain you can't change the plates on your car so they had No alternative fake plate that they never had a chance to put on....
 

Incorrect, you can change plates at will, only thing that binds you is you cannot have a "newer" registration plate on. In this case the plates first letter was in alphabetical order, so he could have stuck another plate starting with H or any other letter previous (A-B-C-D-E-F-G), or a custom plate (none standard and stupid expensive).

My car has an M reg on (1994) but its actually a lot newer so could have a range of the new style plates on (which here are now 2 letters then the 2 numbers following them for the date of registration). Soooo, most recent can be DK"14"WNK.

 

[Norman_the_Owl]

I think the accusations are a load of shit.

 

I don't think it was done purposefully. The producers known full-well what could have happened, and I believe that it was just an oversight. The reference isn't really that obvious, you would have to be cross to even consider it. I know that they don't have the greatest track record for behavior, but I know the producers would have knowingly put their lives in danger. Someone would have picked it up before they arrived in Argentina and told them. And they were even working on getting the plates changed, but such a process takes a while and in this situation was not really worthwhile.

 

We already know for the most part that the three cars are either awaiting pickup to be brought back or are brought back already.

These are the same producers to had the team drive through the south with "Man love is best" written on them.

 

One also said "Nascar sucks" and another said "Hail satan" and "I love black people."

 

the producers dont give a crap

[melias24]

Knowing Clarkson, its possible it was deliberate.

The producers and crew on the other hand may not have even noticed. The car buying is left to the stars for these touring specials and I personally would have never made the connection were I not told.

I say that, if the car was one with personal reasons behind buying, possible Clarkson overlooked it too.

 

Incorrect, you can change plates at will, only thing that binds you is you cannot have a "newer" registration plate on. In this case the plates first letter was in alphabetical order, so he could have stuck another plate starting with H or any other letter previous (A-B-C-D-E-F-G), or a custom plate (none standard and stupid expensive).

My car has an M reg on (1994) but its actually a lot newer so could have a range of the new style plates on (which here are now 2 letters then the 2 numbers following them for the date of registration). Soooo, most recent can be DK"14"WNK.

 

Well if you do a number plate check, that car has had the same plate and rego since it was built and Rego'ed in 1991. 

[Zach's Tech Tips]

top gear is so good!

[Optimus Prime]

Knowing Clarkson, its possible it was deliberate.

The producers and crew on the other hand may not have even noticed. The car buying is left to the stars for these touring specials and I personally would have never made the connection were I not told.

I say that, if the car was one with personal reasons behind buying, possible Clarkson overlooked it too.

 

Incorrect, you can change plates at will, only thing that binds you is you cannot have a "newer" registration plate on. In this case the plates first letter was in alphabetical order, so he could have stuck another plate starting with H or any other letter previous (A-B-C-D-E-F-G), or a custom plate (none standard and stupid expensive).

My car has an M reg on (1994) but its actually a lot newer so could have a range of the new style plates on (which here are now 2 letters then the 2 numbers following them for the date of registration). Soooo, most recent can be DK"14"WNK.

 

 

If that's the case why did Clarkson and company keep saying they couldn't change the plates? Is it because of the age of the vehicle?