At 66, Jeremy Clarkson remains a vibrant figure, though his tastes often reflect a bygone era—particularly when it comes to cars, food, and farming. His enthusiasm for the new Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, a sports car unapologetically old-school, is evident.
“It’s not just a sports car,” Clarkson declared of the £204,000 Porsche. “It’s the best sports car I’ve ever driven.”
Yet, despite its classic appeal, Clarkson found some flaws. With its six-speed manual gearbox, the Porsche proves easy to stall unless revved aggressively—a quirk that caused an awkward moment.
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“The embarrassment peaked when I tried to reverse into a parking spot at a crematorium,” Clarkson admitted. “Here I was, revving the exhaust like a teenager in a souped-up Vauxhall Nova, while mourners gathered for a very upsetting funeral. I’ve never felt so mortified.”
Other minor irritations included a slight delay switching from dipped headlights to full beam and extra road noise that made in-car conversations tricky. Still, Clarkson praised the vehicle as superb to drive, though he felt it belonged to a different era. “Porsche seems to have built this car for a world that’s fading away—it’s like a four-piece rock band still trying to chart today,” he quipped.
Clarkson also took a playful jab at his former colleague Richard Hammond’s collection of classic cars, which includes two Jaguar E-Types—one from 1969 and a rare 1962 model—alongside other prized vehicles such as a Ferrari 550 Maranello and a 1931 Lagonda M45. Valued at around £1.5 million, Hammond’s collection is impressive.
Reflecting on Hammond’s investment, Clarkson revealed a mix of jealousy and schadenfreude. “When Richard bought his Series 1 E-Type during our Top Gear days, I was genuinely envious,” he wrote. “His money was tied up in appreciating assets, while mine just sat in the bank doing nothing.”
However, Clarkson noted the classic car market has recently dipped, bringing the E-Type’s value close to Hammond’s original purchase price. “He missed selling at the peak, clinging to the hope the money tree would keep growing,” Clarkson said. “I’m not celebrating, honestly—I’m just smiling.”
Throughout his column, Jeremy Clarkson reveals a mix of candid self-reflection and sharp wit as he navigates the intersection of past and present, both in motoring and life.