Great Cars: Sports Cars, Dream Cars and Exotics

If you want to start an argument among car lovers, ask to define a sports car. This fast paced, tire squealing, high octane program will race to discover the essence of the sports car. We'll take a look at the origins of the world's most beguiling examples, go back to the beginnings of the automotive adventure and see the cars that royalty raced. Join us in uncovering the essence of the sports car

There 's no other car make that has created the mystique that Ettore Bugatti did with his race winning roadsters and his grand luxury autos. Bugatti was determined to meld his artistic heritage with his love for the automobile. We'll see how this son of a sculptor set out to create his exquisitely crafted legends and turned art into motion.

These are the cars that set our hearts racing, our imaginations reeling and roped us in to car shows to get a glimpse of what we thought the future would look like. Most never made it into production but while they roamed the earth they made us believe that anything was possible. Science, technology, hope and a little but of hucksterism helped us form what is known as the Dream Cars.

Come with us as we drive through mansion gates, discover secret auto collections, roam exclusive auto gatherings, race high dollar classics and hobnob with the owners of the world's most exclusive automobiles. We'll take a look inside the world of Exotic Autos by focusing on five major segments: what the cars are, buying an exotic and housing it, restoration, classic car shows and historic races.

Saab has created many supreme automotive designs. Breaking from tradition has enhanced Saab's appeal, its independence can be traced to its precarious development on the wings of Sweden's post-war aviation industry. Its engineers and designers took their aviation experience into automobile manufacturing. Today, their efforts are admired worldwide. It has been a long and difficult journey for Saab.

Over the years, Volvo has become synonymous with strength and reliability. Volvo's commitment to standards and obsession with safety, have always been far ahead of its time. One Volvo owner has driven his car over one million miles. No matter how it looks it's really about building safe cars that seem to last nearly forever.

In the fall of 1969, the Italians, Germans, British, and American built the car that satisfied nearly every consumer's need - from dependable performance to driving excitement. Then comes the introduction of a sporty, Japanese fastback called the Datsun 240Z, the automotive world was about to change. After 5 generations of the Z series, over 1 million units have been sold.

After years of rigorous debate, hand wringing and international lobbying by fans, automakers and government officials, a jury of automotive historians, museum curators and journalists decided what were the most significant cars ever created. We'll explore how our experts picked the top five autos and finally reached the decision to confer the automotive crowns.

Twice a year, the deserted Bonneville Salt Flats are transformed into the Valhalla of speed where land speed racers battle it out to claim a record. These speed freaks bring everything from jet-powered monsters to old roadsters to see who can claim the bragging rights until next year. Come along as we capture the drama of the racers who've decided to shift their dreams into high gear.

The Meyers Manx sprang from the soul of a free spirited Californian who loved the beach and always wanted to have fun. It was an inexpensive, go anywhere car that immediately clicked with a generation of like-minded people. Bruce Meyers created a legend but has had to fight to keep his vision alive.

The stylish and fast 1963 Avanti was the last ditch hope for Studebaker. The automaker was on the verge of bankruptcy. Studebaker's president called in famed designer Raymond Loewy and within weeks the automaker had a car. In 1991, it was the end of the line for the Avanti. Today, Avanti enthusiasts still hold onto the dream that someone will always resurrect their beloved car.

There's a bold new future coming down the road -- hybrids, fuel cells and electrics cars are just the beginning. They'll be joined by cars that even run on recycled French fry grease. As gas prices skyrocket we'll discover what's in the works that can help us kick the petrol habit. Come along as we unveil what the future really holds.