Ricci's Garage: Mark has adopted a couple of TGTV classics

There was outrage on Twitter at the end of 2024, not because its owner (who purchased the platform to remove political bias and embrace free speech) decided to go ahead and do the exact opposite from his own account, but because the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, decided to remove its World Of TopGear exhibition triggering speculation as to what would happen to all of the star cars.

“I had no idea there was even an exhibition there!” gasped one Twitter user, which is understandable considering it’s only been at the museum for the past... oooooh... 15 years. “This wouldn’t have happened if the original three were still there,” bemoaned yet another. Random.

Resident pain enthusiast and Land Rover Defender owner, Simon Bond, was tasked with finding homes for the various cars being removed from Beaulieu’s display. Given how long the exhibition has existed – since 2009 in fact – the bulk of the cars here have laid dormant in addition to being completely trashed or rotten during their various TV tasks. A few of the more recent gems showed (some) signs of life, but what kind of idiot would want to take on a used and abused TV car without actually seeing what condition they’re in before?

As Taylor Swift once said, “It’s me. Hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” So when an enthused Simon Bond called offering a W140 Merc (with the V12) and a 106 Rallye, this was music to my ears. You’ll recognise both of these, the 600SEL Benz being skillfully drifted by a certain Chris Harris in episode 4 of Series 26, and the 106 Rallye making its way through Namibia in the 2019 Christmas special with Paddy behind the wheel. Bring on the excitement.

This excitement was somewhat quashed upon their arrival. Just like every ambitious TopGear special in the past, an immediate sense of dread was fairly apparent – and this wasn’t even crossing a remote part of the world or enduring hours of racing. This was just trying to get them off the low loader and into my unit. The Mercedes just about fired up, but the suspension had collapsed and its lack of any seats made it all the more difficult to manoeuvre. But this was still luxury compared to the 106.

No keys, smashed windows, flat tyres, steering lock on and every panel bent. Just as it finished in Namibia... albeit a bit worse. Thankfully, farmer Peter had popped over wondering what on earth I was up to, and so he immediately fired up his forklift (complete with an impressive amount of wheel palming) to put the 106 neatly in the unit for an indefinite amount of time.

This is, then, a perfect example of why it’s often better to encourage others to ‘save’ a car using social media... rather than actually undertaking the work yourself. If these were animals, there would be no animal shelter capable of housing them. But I’m adamant this won’t be the end of the road for either of these cars just yet. I just hope petrol is still being pumped by the time they’re both roadworthy again.