Ex-speedway driver Bernie Smith becomes involved with local hot-rodders doing up their cars, and the Matlock police take an interest when they investigate stolen car parts. Bernie's love of his car is straining his marriage, and their neighbour Georgina Cooper is becoming increasingly paranoid about the Smiths. Events reach crisis point when local youths steal Bernie's car, Georgina Cooper tries to electrocute Judy Smith, and Bernie is caught breaking into a garage that he had been sacked from earlier.