I think I can safely say that no one wants that. How the hell was his hair worse back then?
The first couple series of new format Top Gear was better than those clips, but not by much. I’d say it really got going when they tested how indestructible the Toyota Hilux is in series 3. Then the Aston Martin DB9 vs Eurostar train race and the £100 car challenge in series 4 were the first of what I (and I assume a lot of other people) watch Top Gear for.
To keep this kind of on topic, here’s Richard Hammond with a converted VW Bus (I think. It’s something by Volkswagen anyway).