Richard Hammond, famed TV presenter and passionate car enthusiast, has quietly amassed an impressive and remarkably eclectic car collection. Recently, DriveTribe took viewers inside Hammond’s secret barn, gathering more of his cars in one place than ever before – including some surprising models even Hammond himself had forgotten he owned.
The tour kicks off with some truly unique classics. One standout is a 1930s Morgan 3-Wheeler, a rare Super Sport model with its signature V-Twin engine mounted at the front. This car highlights an era of British motoring where standardisation was rare and manufacturers, including Morgan, were still experimenting with form and function. The cockpit is filled with mysterious levers and knobs, all designed for fine-tuning fuel and brake systems – a world away from modern controls.
Next up is a pair of crowd-pleasers: Hammond’s heavily modified Subaru and its longtime rival, the Mitsubishi Evo. The Subaru, with its stroked 2.1-litre flat-four producing around 530 horsepower, has proven bulletproof despite its considerable power and history of spirited drives. After careful preparation by specialists, it remains a reliable staple in Hammond’s collection. Its rival, the Evo in “James May spec,” was restored to be a performance equal – featuring around 480 horsepower and tuned to outpace the Subaru on the track with sharper handling and more focused setup.
Among the deeply personal cars is Hammond’s MGB – his last ever Top Gear car – and the much-loved Ford Escort, both stars of various TV escapades. A Porsche 911 Turbo S cabriolet, despite its potential as a daily driver, sits tuxedo-clean since Hammond hesitates to expose it to the British weather.
Another centerpiece is Hammond’s iconic Jaguar XJR. This modern classic, supercharged V8, wooden steering wheel and all, symbolizes his Top Gear heyday and journey as a motoring personality. The car was reacquired after years apart and remains, alongside the Subaru, one of his personal favourites for its timeless style and punch.
Nostalgia runs deep in the barn. A 1931 Lagonda 2-litre supercharged six sits alongside the Morgan, showcasing Hammond’s love of vintage British machines. This elegant pre-war car may not boast headline power, but its charm fits Hammond’s old-school tastes perfectly.
A 1980s Peugeot 205 GTI, once used for a Grand Tour episode, is slated for restoration and potentially a new life in local rallies and hill climbs — provided it survives its rally-worn past. The GTI, along with the legendary Ford Capri (his final Grand Tour car), illustrates Hammond’s penchant for soulful, drivers’ cars, regardless of badge or market.
One of the quirkiest inclusions is the Chevrolet SSR – a convertible V8 pickup from Hammond’s Grand Tour adventures. Scarred by arrow holes and evidence of various production antics, it offers a tongue-in-cheek tribute to oddball American motoring.
The barn is rounded out by Hammond’s Caterham, his father’s treasured Morgan, his Opel “Oliver” from Top Gear Africa, and a host of other machines in various states of restoration and readiness.
With cars spanning from genuine pre-war icons to outrageous TV classics, Richard Hammond’s secret barn is a nod to a life spent with a deep love of driving, collecting, and storytelling. Whether it’s the legendary Subaru, the iconic XJR, or an unsung vintage treasure, each car reveals a chapter of Hammond’s life both on- and off-screen – and there’s always another project waiting to be started.
