Tim, Fuzz, Joanna Lumley, Baby Godzilla… and a Trip to the Toilet!
Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend are back with Car S.O.S. Series 14, bringing more outrageous restorations, emotional stories, and some properly bizarre behind-the-scenes moments – including a Nissan Pulsar GTI-R debate, a Rover P4 with a mental-health mission, and one unforgettable toilet incident.
There are motoring shows… and then there’s Car S.O.S..
For over a decade, the National Geographic series has quietly become one of the most heartfelt automotive programmes on television, blending extraordinary restorations with genuinely moving human stories. Now the show returns with Series 14, and I caught up with the two men behind the magic – Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend – for a conversation that quickly descended into exactly the kind of chaos you might expect from them.
And yes… at one point Tim actually takes the interview into the bathroom. But we’ll get to that. Before the madness, there was something rather remarkable to talk about.
The Longest-Running Duo in Car TV?
Over the years we’ve seen plenty of motoring partnerships come and go. Clarkson, Hammond and May. Ant Anstead and Mike Brewer. But quietly, almost under the radar, Tim and Fuzz have become one of the longest-running presenting duos in automotive television.
Fuzz explained: “Somebody said we hold the record for the longest presenting team on a car show now.”
I asked how they’ve managed to endure and Fuzz put it down to simply ignoring anything Tim said. Then they argued. Because if there’s one thing this interview proves, it’s that these two can still wind each other up like a pair of brothers on a long road trip. And then Fuzz asked if I’d join him as a replacement presenter on the show!
Enter Baby Godzilla
One of the highlights of Series 14 is the appearance of a car that JDM fans will instantly recognise: the Nissan Pulsar GTI-R.
Now for the uninitiated, this was Nissan’s early-90s rally homologation special. A tiny hatchback with four-wheel drive, turbo power, and a reputation for terrifying much larger machinery. Among enthusiasts it’s often nicknamed “Baby Godzilla”, thanks to its mechanical relationship to the mighty Skyline GT-R.
Naturally, the moment it came up in conversation, the debate began. Fuzz casually dismissed it as simply: “A Nissan Sunny.”
To which Tim reacted with mock outrage. “It’s not just a Sunny!” he protested. “That thing’s a legend!”
What followed was a delightfully nerdy argument about rally heritage, homologation specials and whether the little Pulsar really deserves its fearsome nickname.
The Rover P4 That’s Changing Lives
While the show has its fair share of fun and mechanical drama, Car S.O.S. has always been about something deeper: the people behind the cars. One of the most fascinating stories this season involves a Rover P4 owned by a Reverend named Adam.
At first glance it looks like just another classic restoration project. But this car serves a much more profound purpose. As Fuzz explained during our conversation: “The car’s actually used as a place where people can talk.”
The Rover has even been modified with a rotating passenger seat, allowing conversations to happen in a more comfortable, more direct manner. “Cars can be a safe space,” Fuzz said. “That environment makes it easier for people to open up.”
It’s a beautiful reminder of something enthusiasts already know instinctively: cars are never just machines. They’re emotional objects.
When the Interview Goes Completely Off the Rails
Of course, no conversation with Tim and Fuzz stays sensible for long. At one point during the interview Tim casually announced he needed to step away for a moment. So naturally… he picked up the phone and walked with it. Into the bathroom. Yes, really.
For a few seconds it looked like we were about to witness the first ever live-streamed toilet break in automotive journalism history.
Fuzz was howling with laughter. “You’re not actually going to…” he began.
Did he? You’ll have to watch the video!
Why Car S.O.S. Still Works
In an era when many car shows chase spectacle or celebrity drama, Car S.O.S. continues to succeed for a much simpler reason. It’s authentic.
The restorations are extraordinary, the stories genuinely moving, and the presenters still behave like two mates who can’t quite believe they get paid to tinker with old cars. “We’re just lucky enough to help people through their cars.”
And when you see the reactions of the owners when their beloved machines are returned to them, you realise that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Watch the Full Interview
If you want to see the full chaos unfold – including:
- the Baby Godzilla debate
- the emotional Rover P4 story
- the record-breaking run of Tim and Fuzz
- and that infamous toilet moment
- First Crush – for Fuzz and Shahzad: Joanna Lumley!
Then watch the full video below. Trust me… it gets even crazier.
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