The classics will be auctioned on Sunday 1 August at Silverstone Auctions. In addition to the Porsche, Bentley and Lotus, Richard Hammond is also selling a few motorcycles: a Sunbeam Model 2 from 1927, a Velocette KSS Mk1 from 1932, a Kawasaki Z900 from 1976, a Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 from 1977 and a Norton Dominator 961 from 2019.
Lotus Esprit Sport 350 by Richard Hammond
But for us the cars are the most important of course. And especially the Lotus Esprit Sport 350, in our opinion. It comes from 1999 and was built in a limited edition of 48 copies. You can see the Esprit Sport 350 as the Porsche 911 GT3 of the Esprit series: a powerful (350 hp from a twin-turbo V8) lightweight version for the road and the track.
Top Gear star also owns a Porsche and Bentley
Of Porsche 911T was delivered to a customer in California in 1969 and is still completely in original condition. The Bentley S2 from 1959 has recently been completely restored. Both cars – as well as the Lotus – are being auctioned without reserve. This means that the auction house does not apply a minimum amount.
The Grand Tour presenter starts restoration company
But why is Hammond getting rid of part of his collection? Because he needs money. The Grand Tour presenter starts a restoration company for classics and that requires a significant investment. The firm will be called The Smallest Cog. How Hammond is doing in the restoration business, you can see later on television, on Discovery+.