If you’re like me, one television trio probably shaped your formative years of automotive enthusiasm. For ages, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were some of the most-known people on television, with the reborn “Top Gear” and Amazon’s “The Grand Tour” providing monocultural moments for the car community and laughs for everyone else. While that particular era from television is over, you can still own a piece of it. Clarkson’s Lancia Montecarlo Spider from his final “Grand Tour” special is headed to auction, and it’s listing with no reserve.
The Lancia Montecarlo, sold in America as the Scorpion, is a funny thing. Initially planned with a V6 as its crown jewel, the decision to switch to a four-cylinder engine came right around the time of the oil crisis. It also wasn’t originally supposed to be a Lancia, but a replacement for the Fiat 124 Coupe. The brake servo initially only acted on the front brakes, leading to premature lock-up. The fix included removing the servo. Rust was a real issue, the crossmember was too thin, and yet none of this really mattered because look at it. Mid-engined proportions and Paolo Martin’s styling instantly made it an object of desire, a striking semi-exotic that didn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Clearly, it resonated with Clarkson, because he selected a Montecarlo as his final ever “Grand Tour” car for a trip across Zimbabwe and into Botswana. In some ways, it’s full-circle: Clarkson drove a Lancia Beta Coupe on the “Top Gear” Botswana special, and the Montecarlo was initially marketed as the Beta Montecarlo. A fitting end to a 36-year career in automotive television.
However, Clarkson didn’t leave this Montecarlo standard. The taillights and exhaust tips are from a Ferrari 308, while the wheels, headlights, and grille are from a Delta Integrale. While that might sound like a strange mash-up of parts, it all works shockingly well together, making this mid-engined marvel look even more special than it already is.
Of course, style only goes so far without substance, and the functional modifications made for the show are remarkably considered. A pair of cloth-upholstered Recaro seats and a sueded steering wheel replace leather items because leather gets hot in extreme conditions, and that’s about it. Correct, comfortable, tasteful. Dare I say, well-judged.
A Lancia Montecarlo is a bold thing to take through terrain best suited for Land Cruisers, but surprise surprise, it made it. Clearly, it worked its way into Clarkson’s heart firmly enough that after filming wrapped, he bought it. Since then, it’s undergone fettling by Guildford-based specialist Max500 Ltd., and is back to a properly serviceable condition. Sure, it’s not a perfect example, but it’s MOT’d until September of 2027, so it should be alright.
So why’s Clarkson selling such an important machine? According to the listing, “We understand that the reason will become clear in the forthcoming season of Clarkson’s Farm. For now, we shall leave that particular story to unfold in due course.” It could be a plot point, the result of a reduction in storage, or even a bet. Regardless, should you wish to bid on this rather special Lancia, it’s going under the hammer on Nov. 14 in Birmingham, via Iconic Auctioneers.
Oh, and it’s also not the only screen-used car Clarkson’s sending to auction. Remember the Alfa Romeo GTV6 from Season 3, and the Lincoln Continental Mk V from the Lochdown special in Scotland? Those are both crossing the block as well. Ladies, gentleman, creatures and beings, rev up your checkbooks.
