1998 · 2 seasons · 30m · ★ 7.0
1961: the days of happy motoring and AA patrolmen were duty-bound to salute to every passing passenger that bore an AA badge on their vehicle, and hapless patrolman Harry Thorpe struggles with his job. He frequently clashes with his superior, one Inspector Leonard Spanwick, who also happens to reside in a caravan in Harry's back garden and is romantically involved with his blowsy sister Joyce. Leonard often makes Harry's life difficult, and he struggles to keep his local branch afloat and recruit new members, which is compounded by the intense competition from the rival RAC organisation, who are keen to drain away their trade. Although he's dedicated, Harry often has difficulty trying to stay up to date with some of the organisation's recent advancements.
Start from S1E1 · Happy Motoring
1998 · 30m
Harry Thorpe is told to recruit five new AA members by the end of the week, otherwise he'll lose his job.
1998 · 30m
There are rumours that the AA and the RAC are to be merged. When the men from the local RAC branch are invited to the annual AA dinner dance, it's a recipe for trouble.
1998 · 30m
A new bypass is about to be opened. The AA men are given the job of 'guarding' the new road before the opening ceremony.
1998 · 30m
Leonard becomes convinced that Joyce is being unfaithful to him. Joyce learns that Cliff Richard will be passing through the area and she's determined to meet him.
1998 · 30m
The AA men are told that, in future, they should only salute members when stationary. They are unhappy with the change. Harry keeps forgetting about the new procedure and goes on saluting while he's in motion. He manages to come off his bike, so Leonard tells him to use the AA van while his bike is being repaired. A competition has been organised to arrive at a new AA badge. All of the AA men decide to have a go at producing a winning design. Joyce decides to hold a 'soiree' to show off her new cocktail cabinet. Nobody turns up. The AA van is damaged when a drunken local magistrate runs into it. Harry has to resort to extreme measures to get it repaired before Leonard finds out about the damage.
1998 · 30m
Joyce is planning to go off with Johnny Lupus for a 'dirty weekend'. Her car breaks down and Johnny starts trying to fix it. Then Mr Bannerman comes along on his AA bike and insists on helping. Johnny has to hide in nearby woods. Their 'weekend of passion' is ruined. Harry stops to help a beautiful French girl who has broken down. He thinks it's love at first sight, but later realises she's just flirting with him. Pettigrew and Munce find a mysterious car parked in a secluded spot off the road. They think the vehicle must be involved in a crime, but eventually discover that it belongs to a couple who've stopped so that they can go for a walk.
Paul Young
Mr Bannerman
Coach
1989·6.6
