AN enraged Basil Fawlty bashing his car with a branch is the most momentous motoring moment this century, according to a new poll.
The hilarious scene, featuring John Cleese in the TV series Fawlty Towers, topped the poll conducted by NatWest Car Insurance.
The car chase involving Mini Coopers in the cult film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, was second. The tragic death of Formula One ace Ayrton Senna in the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 was voted third.
Fourth was James Bond, in the form of actor Sean Connery, driving an Aston Martin DB5 in the 007 films Goldfinger and Thunderball.
In fifth place was Steve McQueen driving a Ford Mustang in the title role of the film Bullitt, while sixth was the first Model T Ford produced in 1909.
Although the Basil Fawlty scene topped the poll, respondents over the age of 45 chose the Italian Job chase as their personal favourite, while James Bond's Aston Martin was most popular with under-25s.
Analysing the survey, Dr Graham Wagstaff, Reader in Psychology at Liverpool University, said that when asked to indicate something momentous, people tended to choose items familiar to them that have colourful and emotional significance such as those displayed in exciting films or funny TV programmes.
"The only item in the top ten that does not really fit the description 'vivid' is the first Model T Ford," he said.
Story date: Wednesday 27 October
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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