The golden era of Top Gear is long behind us, and now even The Grand Tour has similarly left our screens. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of reports that the cars from the show have all been headed to the crusher. The reality is more complex, but the sad trust is that some of the silliest cars ever built will live no more on this earth.
Top Gear proved itself to be the ultimate car show in the early 2000s. With Clarkson, Hammond, and May at the helm, it turned into a worldwide TV juggernaut. The trio quickly became beloved for their adventures and camaraderie, as well as their oddball automotive creations.
Most of the cars built during the series had lived at the World of Top Gear exhibition in Brockenhurst, UK. When the closure of the exhibit was announced last year, many on social media feared the worst— that so many cheap used cars and amphibious contraptions would be cast off for scrap. Reports from Britain now send a mixed message—some have survived, while others have been claimed by time.
As reported by The Oxford Mail this week, former host Jeremy Clarkson expressed his dismay that multiple former Top Gear vehicles were slated for destruction. “I’m sad that many have been destroyed,” said Clarkson. “I guess the problem is some people see cars as just a tonne-and-a-half of glass, plastic, metal, and rubber… but to petrol heads, they’re more than that. That’s especially true of cars we used on Top Gear.”
Amongst the confirmed losses are the red Mini Cooper that was propelled down a ski jump with rocket assistance, as seen in the beloved Winter Olympics special. Having been stored outside at the Brockenhurst site, the Mini was apparently deemed too far gone to save. Similarly, the Fiat Panda stretch limousine faced the same fate, as did the caravan airship piloted by James May in season 14.
The good is that many cherished vehicles from the show have been saved. BBC Studios, which produced Top Gear, released a statement that it has secured the vehicles for future display. “We have rehomed the majority of the show’s iconic vehicles from the now closed World of Top Gear exhibition at the National Motor Museum, and we’re pleased to confirm that many of them will be available for public viewing at a soon to be announced new location,” read the statement.
We don’t have a full listing at this time of what lived and what has been sent to scrap. What we do know is that the famously indestructible Toyota Hilux will live on, as is only fitting. It’s believed three of the amphibious vehicles will live on, too, along with the electric Mr. Nippy van, according to reports from YouTuber That Guy In The Firebird.
As I understand it most are being re-homed. They can’t be sold, even for charity, for various reasons, not least liability.
— Richard Porter (@sniffpetrol) January 6, 2025
While many fans would love to save a piece of Top Gear history, sadly none of the former vehicles are up for sale. Commenting on the situation, former Top Gear producer Richard Porter noted that this was simply impractical. “They can’t be sold, even for charity, for various reasons, not least liability,” he explained on Twitter.
Obviously, Top Gear still resonates with petrolheads around the world. However, it’s worth noting that maintaining a large fleet of oddball bespoke vehicles—all of which were built as crappily as possible—is not easy. It’s no surprise some haven’t lived to this day. By slimming down the collection, too, it may be possible to better preserve those that remain.
The unkillable Hilux will, obviously, go on.
It’s a shame to hear that some of the world’s most famous cars have been allowed to rot to the point where their continued preservation is no longer viable. At the same time, it appears the core heroes of the Top Gear fleet are being given a new home and the attention they deserve. The show might be long gone, but the memories—and the cars—will live on.
(Image credits: via YouTube screenshot)
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If I’d known that the stretch Panda was available to view in a museum, I would not have put off my Europe trip.
I would not hate to get that Hilux Arctic truck, or even the 71 Mach 1 that Hammond used.
I think they should film an epilogue episode where they actually send the Hilux to the crusher, only to have the crusher fail to crush the truck, since it is obviously immortal.
It’s a shame the exhibit is closing but I’m glad at least some of them are getting saved. I was lucky enough to go see them a few years ago and the building they were in was more of a beefy tent than an actual building and they were all parked on gravel inside.
I went on a warm by England standards summer day and the humidity in there punched me in the face the second I walked inside. And the smell is something I can’t properly describe unless you’ve been there. But it was really apparent that the humidity in there was affecting the cars, lots of surface rust and mildew. But I suppose storing old Top Gear cars in a tent with the humidity level of a sauna that smells like a swamp is the most fitting location for them.
As a minor bit of trivia the double decker cars were made by Edd China.
The dually Miata was my favorite. It was begging for an LS swap, which it never got.
I always wanted a piano-shaped Morris Marina.
I hope the rainbow Bagheera made the cut. We can’t be junking any more Bagheeras, there’s very few survivors as it is. I’m not holding my breath though, the fiberglass-reinforced polyester panels probaby didn’t fare too well exposed to the elements.
EDIT: well, the Bagheera apears in a 2-year old reddit post about the scrapping of Top Gear cars, maybe it was crushed long ago.
Part them out with proceeds going to charity. Many of us would pay money for a piece from a Top Gear car with certificate stating so.
The original episodes are being put up on yt one every Sunday. Good nostalgia
Parting them out via chainsaw would be the best way to do it in the spirit of the old show.
I know a guy who doesn’t mind inappropriately chainsawing up car parts regardless of personal danger…
I’m saddened by the loss of the Mini. That’s my least favorite special, but it’s kind of Genesis. The first big budget special.
Hammond loves Genesis.
I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I’ve heard in rock. Phil Collins’ solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
This is sad but as long as Oliver is safe in Hammond’s collection I’ll be ok.
I really hope they save the P45. That was an automotive game changer.
Oh wait, Geoff was the automotive game changer!
Without Geoff, we wouldn’t have the i3 and i8.
Probably
David owes a debt of gratitude to Geoff. In fact, I’m surprised he’s not making an offer for it as we speak.
It’s clear to all credible automobile experts that the Eaglehead Hammer iThrust is the greatest car…
…in the world.
I saw the Eaglehead crash test, that hands down is LITERALLY the safest car ever.