Jeremy Clarkson is auctioning three iconic cars from The Grand Tour including his final ride the Lancia Montecarlo Spider
For fans of automotive television, the upcoming Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, England, represents a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of pop culture history. On November 14 and 15, 2024, former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson will offer three vehicles from his personal collection to the public. Each of these machines has played a central role in the narrative of his career, and in a move that has captured the attention of collectors worldwide, all three will be sold without a reserve price. This ensures that the final gavel price will be determined entirely by the market, potentially creating intense bidding wars for what are effectively screen-worn artifacts of the modern automotive era.
The Significance of the Trio
The vehicles being offered—a 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider, a 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6, and a 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V—are not merely classic cars; they are mechanical co-stars that defined the spirit of The Grand Tour. The auction, hosted by Iconic Auctioneers, arrives at a poignant time for automotive enthusiasts, as the long-running Amazon Prime series recently concluded its final chapter. The sale of these vehicles serves as a physical coda to a show that reshaped how global audiences engage with motoring journalism, travel, and adventure.
The Lancia Montecarlo Spider: A Final Bow
Perhaps the most sentimental item in the catalog is the 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider. This vehicle gained international recognition as the final car driven by Clarkson during the emotional conclusion of The Grand Tour Presents: One for the Road. The special, which saw Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May embark on their final journey through Zimbabwe and Botswana, served as a tribute to their decades-long partnership.
Unlike many vehicles utilized for television production—which are often leased, discarded, or returned to manufacturer press fleets—this Lancia was retained by Clarkson for his private collection. To prepare it for the grueling terrain of the African special, the vehicle underwent significant modifications. The team replaced the original leather seating with durable cloth alternatives to manage the sweltering heat, while the dashboard was simplified to remove complex electronic interfaces that might prove unreliable in remote environments. Mechanically, the car received a custom exhaust system with four outlets, Ferrari 308 rear light clusters, and Lancia Delta Integrale wheels. The result was a rugged, bespoke machine that survived one of the most famous final drives in television history. Following the conclusion of filming, the Lancia was fully refurbished, ensuring that it remains in fully operational, road-ready condition for the next owner.
The Alfa Romeo GTV6: A Story of Redemption
The 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 holds a unique place in the presenter’s personal history. Featured prominently in the 2019 "Well Aged Scotch" episode, the vehicle was used during a high-profile tour of Scotland’s North Coast 500. The GTV6, renowned for its 2.5-liter Busso V6 engine, has long been a favorite of Clarkson’s, noted for its distinct exhaust note and balanced handling.
This particular unit, which has clocked approximately 28,315 miles, represents a cycle of ownership that adds to its provenance. Clarkson had previously owned a GTV6 earlier in his life and frequently expressed regret over having sold it. In a move that mirrors the passion of many enthusiasts, he sought out and reacquired the model, keeping it within his personal fleet for years. Its presence in the upcoming auction suggests a consolidation of his collection, as he transitions into new phases of his professional life. The vehicle has been maintained in-house, ensuring that the mechanical integrity of the engine—a critical selling point for Alfa Romeo collectors—remains intact.
The Lincoln Continental: A Study in Excess
Rounding out the collection is the 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V, the vehicle that served as the centerpiece of the "Lochdown" special. In this episode, the trio explored the limitations of gargantuan American luxury sedans on the narrow, winding roads of the Scottish Highlands. The Lincoln, characterized by its massive 6.6-liter V8 engine, was modified with a nitrous-injection system for the production.
The auction house has confirmed that the nitrous system remains installed. While reports from the filming suggest the system was not fully optimized for the engine’s stock configuration, it remains a testament to the show’s "more is more" philosophy. The interior remains preserved in its original state, complete with the Cartier clock that Clarkson frequently highlighted during the episode. Perhaps most uniquely, the car will be sold with a set of bagpipes still stowed in the trunk, serving as a humorous, final nod to the "Lochdown" production team’s commitment to thematic absurdity.
Market Implications and Collector Interest
The decision to sell these vehicles without a reserve is a bold strategy that highlights the confidence Iconic Auctioneers has in the provenance of these machines. In the classic car market, a vehicle with high-profile television provenance often commands a premium, though it can also be a point of contention among purists who prefer unmodified factory specifications. However, the modifications on these vehicles are part of their identity; they represent the specific engineering hurdles overcome by the production crew.
Data from recent celebrity-owned car auctions suggests that vehicles linked to major television franchises perform well, provided they are accompanied by clear documentation. The fact that Clarkson personally owned these vehicles—rather than them being the property of the production company—adds a layer of authenticity that will likely attract both serious car collectors and fans of The Grand Tour. Industry analysts expect that the emotional attachment to the final episode of the series will drive the bidding for the Lancia significantly higher than the standard market valuation for a 1982 Montecarlo Spider.
Looking Toward the Future: The Role of Clarkson’s Farm
While the auction serves as a retrospective of his television career, the timing is also linked to the ongoing success of Clarkson’s Farm. The production team behind the auction has hinted that the reasoning behind the sale will become more apparent during the upcoming season of the hit show. This suggests that the liquidation of these vehicles is not merely a downsizing of a collection, but part of a broader, intentional shift in the presenter’s lifestyle and professional priorities.
For the automotive community, the sale represents the end of an era. For decades, Clarkson has used his platform to champion the underdog, ridicule the bland, and celebrate the eccentricities of the internal combustion engine. These three cars—a fragile Italian sports car, a temperamental but soulful V6 coupe, and an oversized American land yacht—serve as a perfect microcosm of his career. As they head to the NEC Classic Motor Show, they carry with them the legacy of a show that defined the genre for an entire generation. Whether the new owners intend to drive them on the open road or preserve them as static pieces of history, they will be acquiring more than just metal and rubber; they will be taking home a piece of the world’s most famous motoring adventure.
