In a move that signals the definitive end of an era for automotive television, Jeremy Clarkson has announced the sale of three significant vehicles from his tenure on The Grand Tour. The collection, which includes the Lancia Montecarlo Spider driven during the emotional series finale, is set to cross the auction block this November. This sale represents more than just a disposal of assets; it offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own tangible artifacts from one of the most successful eras in broadcast history.
The cars will be handled by Iconic Auctioneers as part of The Iconic Sale, held at the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, England. Scheduled for November 14 and 15, the auction is expected to be a centerpiece of the event. Notably, all three vehicles are being offered without reserve. In the auction world, a "no reserve" status means there is no minimum price required for the sale to be finalized; the highest bid, regardless of how low or high it may be, will secure the vehicle. This strategy often generates significant excitement, as it guarantees that the cars will find new homes by the end of the weekend, potentially inviting a bidding war among Clarkson’s most dedicated followers.
While Clarkson has publicly stated that he rarely finds the time to drive or enjoy these specific vehicles anymore—a common sentiment among high-profile collectors with rotating fleets—the auction house has teased a more intriguing motivation. According to Iconic Auctioneers, the underlying reason for the sale will be revealed in the upcoming season of Clarkson’s Farm, the hit Amazon Prime series documenting his often-turbulent life as a farmer in the Cotswolds. Whether the funds are destined for a new barn, a specialized piece of agricultural machinery, or another ambitious project at Diddly Squat Farm remains to be seen.
Lancia Montecarlo Spider: Clarkson’s Final Grand Tour
The undisputed jewel of the collection is the 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider. This vehicle holds a unique place in television history, as it was the primary car driven by Clarkson in the final-ever episode of the long-running partnership between himself, Richard Hammond, and James May. Titled The Grand Tour Presents: One for the Road, the special saw the trio traversing the rugged landscapes of Zimbabwe and Botswana, retracing steps that echoed their early adventures on Top Gear.
As the final car Clarkson ever drove for the franchise, the Lancia carries an immense amount of emotional weight. However, it was far from a standard showroom model when it began its journey across Africa. To prepare the mid-engined Italian classic for the rigors of the expedition, several modifications were made, some for performance and others for survival. The car was fitted with rear lights from a Ferrari 308, a quad-exhaust system, and iconic wheels from a Lancia Delta Integrale. The front end was also modified with a revised grille and headlight setup to give it a more purposeful, aggressive stance.
Inside, Clarkson made practical adjustments to ensure the car could withstand the intense African heat and the mechanical gremlins often associated with aging Italian electronics. The original leather seats were replaced with breathable cloth versions, and a simplified Alcantara-covered steering wheel—devoid of modern buttons and complexities—was installed. These changes were aimed at minimizing potential points of failure in remote locations.
