(hi, forgive the repost, I think I posted originally in the wrong section)

Hello all, I've got a tough one for you. this may be a long shot, but I've been trying to find anything, a name at the very least, on this movie I saw when I was a kid in the 80's.
from what I can remember:

this film was possibly a made for tv movie that was basically an excuse to show off and admire cars of all eras. it had a flimsy plot where this man was travelling back and forth through time in a plan, futuristic looking time-travel car that, with the help of some kid or kids at a computer (and I think a racing arcade machine), it could turn into different cars to suit the era. I remember this time traveller meeting who was apparently Emil Jellinek, and is introduced to his daughter mercedes. I also remember a drag race with some 50's greasers and to win, he turns his car into a Lambo Countach to smoke them, much to thier amazement.

thats all I can really recall. I know it sounds like an extremely hokey film, but I've had this ball of random information in my head for years, tantilizing me and I simply must know what this movie was called. any help would be appreciated.

-Alex-

Indeed. Not a problem, I deleted the other one then

I cannot help you for finding that movie title, but from the description it seems interesting... I am curious to have more info too

I think I know what you are thinking, AlexK! In 1986 there was a series of documentaries shown on television celebrating the 100th birthday of automobile. I think six or seven documents/episodes were made, I still have them all on VHS! I remember I was only three years old but it made a big impact to me. The very first episode was a live show where all new 1986 cars were shown in front of audience around the world. One or two episodes were focused on the history of cars. One episode was about the future of cars and one episode was more like a TV-movie where they travelled in time just as you said. There might have been more episodes but I don't remember very well anymore...

I haven't found it on IMDB.com yet. I don't remember the name of the show.

thats pretty amazing. I feel less crazy now

I just retain memory of the one episode then. I've tried countless searches on IMDB and google, but of course, you're not going to get that far on search engines with just the above info to go on. but now we know it was a series, or mini-series at the very least. thanks!

In Finland the name of the documentaries was "Auto 100 vuotta" which translates to "100 years of auto(mobile). I could watch my VHS tapes and see if I could find the original name of the show.

I'm sure this show was seen in all over the world. There must be other eye-witnesses who can also recall seeing it!

Ah, Finland, home of nightwish

if you are as curious as I am to discover the name, then by all means go ahead. I'm envious of you because you have an actual copy!

I report to you tomorrow what I've found out. It's nice to know I'm not the only one interested about this show

Ok, this is what I found out. There were 13 episodes made and every episode lasting about 25 minutes. Strangely the name of the program wasn't mentioned anywhere. It is however German produced with english speak and dubbed in Finnish. Producers are: Ute Koll and Michael Schoemann. Film company is "TransTel" from Köln and WDR tv-station (in Köln also) was somehow involved (maybe they ordered this program). Also a name "ORB Filmproduktion" seen. I'll continue investigations...

I don't know that show but I could find the German episode titles and the dates they premiered on German TV station WDR 3. Maybe that's useful for your search. The series was called 'Unser Auto wird 100':

Ep.01 Räder, die von selber rollen 1985-04-12
Ep.02 Es begann bei Benz 1985-04-19
Ep.03 Ein Volk gibt Gas 1985-04-25
Ep.04 Die Macht der Motoren
Ep.05 Außen hui und innen...? 1985-05-10
Ep.06 Man fährt und fährt 1985-05-17
Ep.07 Ein Traum wird wahr 1985-05-24
Ep.08 Triumph der Geschwindigkeit 1985-05-31
Ep.09 (unknown) 1985-06-07
Ep.10 Der Weg in den Wohlstand 1985-06-14
Ep.11 Geht es auch ohne? 1985-06-21
Ep.12 Der Tod fährt mit 1985-06-28
Ep.13 Ein notwendiger Nachruf 1985-07-05

There exists a book which is obviously based on the show: 'Die Geschichte des Automobils. Unser Auto wird hundert Jahre', ISBN 3570523721.