Gearheads can once again salivate at the incredible cars on the new series of Discovery Channel's Wheeler Dealers (now on Discovery Channel). Car experts Mike Brewer and Edd China will scour the world for rare four-wheeled hunks of metal to transform to their former glory and sell to collectors for a decent profit. Just to get you in the mood, they reveal their top six spots in which to put the pedal to the metal around the world...
The spectacular Arrochar Alps, a group of mountains in Glen Croe, provide the setting for one of the most stunning drives in the UK. This drive has it all, mountains, sea, greenery – it’s hard to keep your eyes on the wheel surrounded by this beauty.
Mike says: I’ve driven this road quite extensively, when either I’ve been making Wheeler Dealers or Auto Trader, it’s iconic because it sweeps down through the Glen Croe mountain range, it’s just spectacular, it’s just fabulous. Fortunately, every time I’ve driven it it’s been a nice clear day. On this road you don’t think you are in Scotland, you could be in Norway or Scandinavia or some other part of the world. It takes you away.
Edd says: It doesn’t matter if it’s soggy or it’s sunny, there are so many lovely roads and awesome rugged countryside in Scotland – that’s what makes it. Embarrassingly for me, I drove a Volvo T70 here, but if you drive it like you stole it, it’s all good.
2. The Atlantic Road, Norway
Arguably one of the most stunning roads in the world, with 8.3kms of exotic scenery, the Atlantic Road is a national tourist route between the sea-surrounded towns of Molde and Kristiansund. Connected by causeways and eight attractive bridges, this road is built on and around a host of small islands surrounded by deep blue sea.
Edd says: It’s an epic, epic road. Norway is doing very well as a country right now; it has a fish and oil industry and it’s invested a lot of that money back into the country. The Atlantic Road is an incredible road, which joins all kinds of islands and fjords together. The vistas are to die for, and so amazing to see. There are only around 4-5 million people in the whole country, which is bigger than the UK, so you can imagine how many people there are on the roads. I’m a bit biased, as I married a Norwegian, but Norway is an incredible country. The things to worry about when driving in Norway are the elk, these massive moose-like creatures have big antlers and you don’t want to drive into them, because they will destroy busses. Also, you want to be careful not to speed in Norway. I got caught doing 74-miles-per-hour in a 70 zone and it cost 500 quid cash on the spot. They take it very seriously over there.
3. Death Valley, California, USA
The 130-mile long Death Valley couldn’t feel further away from the flashing lights and buzz of nearby Las Vegas. The landscape switches to a deserty, rocky terrain. This is the perfect drive to crank up the county music or American rock, or turn everything except your engine off and enjoy the peace and quiet…
Mike says: I’ve driven across Death Valley quite a few times and it’s aptly name. I’ve been across there when the temperature has been more than 130 degrees fahrenheit. It’s absolutely terrifying. There’s a constant mirage and typical Californian landscape, it’s got mountain peaks in the background and a flat valley floor – it becomes mesmerising. There are quite a few accidents on this road because it becomes almost hypnotic. I drove 200 miles per hour in a Bently GT, it was the only way to get the air conditioning through the radiator quick enough. It's an amazing bit of road.
4. A4069 Black Mountain Road, Powys, Wales, UK
Although it's only around five miles, this short drive running through the Brecon Beacons National Park is arguably one of the best short-distance drives on the planet. This curvy road is a delight to cruise, and offers a stunning view of grass, sky and trees for miles.
Mike says: I’ve crossed this road many, many times, it’s one of those road that just takes you away to somewhere else. You instinctively know you are in Wales because you have the Brecon Beacons all around you, but with the mountain ranges and when the sky is blue – you could be in California, if you squint hard enough. It’s a spectacular bit of road. It’s very had to find a straight on that road, it’s very difficult to overtake, it becomes quite treacherous at the weekends as motorcyclists use it to test their skills. There are very few straights on it, which is what makes it lovely, you are constantly turning at the wheel and really enjoy driving on it.
Edd says: There are curves and very little traffic, and that’s what makes these roads so special. When you’ve got the road to yourself, it’s the most amazing feeling.
5. North Northumberland Heritage Coast, UK
This scenic drive takes you along a coastal road, past ancient castles including Alnwick, Warkworth and Barnburgh, and into England’s beautiful green pastures. The historical buildings and quaint houses are what Sunday afternoon drives are made for.
Mike says: I’ve driven it quite a few times. It’s one of those routes that highlights the history of Britain, you drive through the countryside with castles on your doorstep.
6. Highway 12, Utah, USA
This scenic state highway links Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon. Spanning 122 miles, this winding tarmac offers striking views of distinctive scenery, from serrated rock formations to mountainous backdrops.
Edd says: Utah is amazing, it’s incredible because it’s so big. There are so many places to drive. There are curves, straight bits; it’s like Road Runner country, frankly. You can see why the pioneers were so enthralled by it. For nine months of the year it looks dry and the rest of the year it will be covered in snow. It gets all kinds of weather.