Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson’s Lancia was ‘old’ and a ‘bit tatty’ admits James May

Top Gear fan finds Jeremy Clarkson's car from classic episode

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James May said Jeremy Clarkson’s car choice for the historic trip was “old” and a “bit tatty”. He added the car “didn’t work properly”, adding he much preferred driving his own Mercedes 230-E.

Speaking to DriveTribe, he said: “I mean it was a Lancia and it was an old Lancia so it was a bit tatty.

“He said the steering didn’t work properly and the brakes didn’t work properly.

“I don’t know. I never drove it. I was perfectly satisfied with my really rather sensible choice.”

Mr May was reacting to the discovery of the two cars after YouTube channel Alaska to Africa found them in a field in Maun.

May’s car was found to be in a good condition and is now owned by someone who was connected to the show.

The current owner had tried to previously restore it but the model was currently broken down and sitting in the owner’s garden.

However, Clarkson’s Lancia was found battered and dented with its headlights and wheels completely missing.

The car was found hanging up by a fence post with layers of dirt and dust covering the interior.

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Alaska to Africa has previously said Clarkson’s car shouldn’t exist.

He said: “This car isn’t supposed to exist. All the articles I could find online said this was scrapped almost a decade ago. Here it is.”

Jeremy has since reacted to the discovery of the car saying it was “great to see” the model once again.

Richard Hammond’s Opel Kaddett, nicknamed Oliver in the show, was the only model to return to the UK after production.

However, in his interview with DriveTribe, James May also attacked his co-hosts model as he described the car as a “****box”.

He said: “Oliver’s a “****box, always has been.”

The Botswana Special was first broadcast in 2007 as part of Series 10 of the hit BBC show.

The trio was tasked with spending £1,500 to purchase a car bought in Africa to prove they were better than SUVs.

The trip saw the boys head to the Zimbabwean border to the Namibian Border across iconic regions such as the Okavango Delta.

Alaska to Africa said they were working on purchasing both the Lancia and Mercedes for future restoration.

However, James May has rejected the call and added it would be “wrong” to return the car.

He told DriveTribe: “I think bringing it home would be utterly the wrong thing to do as would restoring it.”

He added: “I think it would be wrong to deny that part of the world that car just because of some nostalgic, sentimental whim.

“It has to stay there, it has to keep being mended and being mended until it’s just a shell that’s running around.”

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