Richard Hammond continues to pursue his love of cars by launching a classic car restoration shop. And he has his say on the energy transition and mobility of the coming decades
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alessiomacaluso
– Milan
For more than 20 years the face of Richard Hammond it was one of the most famous television programs dedicated to engines of all time: Top Gear. Stage expertly shared with colleagues Clarkson And May. Today, Hammond is still a man of television, but also capable of carving out an important role for himself in the world of collecting. Clearly by car. The activity, launched in 2021 by the former host BBC is called The Smallest Cogis in Hereford and is becoming increasingly appreciated for its restoration of vintage cars. A modern and technological headquarters, so much so that to start it Hammond himself chose self-financing, selling one Jaguar E-Type and a brand new Bentley.
LONG WAIT
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Interviewed by the British press, Hammond confessed that in addition to the restoration of cars commissioned by more or less wealthy clients, to date, he is also working on some personal models. At the top of the list of restorations to be completed is a “contemporary” Ford Escort RS2000, with the unmistakable rear spoiler. But there are many jobs awaiting garage by Hammond. After the Escort, there are two, for example, waiting to return to a new life Jaguar E-Type from 1962, one with a convertible body and a coupé. And then there’s one Ford Mustang GT 390 from 1967 and a long list of motorcycles. While among the cars in Hammond’s use and which will pass by The Smallest Cog for simple polishing stand out a Ford Ranger Wildtrackone Porsche 911 GTS cabrioletone Land Rover Defender 110 it’s a Subaru WRZ STi. But there are dozens of requests for restoration arriving from outside. So much so that Hammond himself admits he has enough work to occupy at least the next 30 years.
THE IDEA ABOUT THE FUTURE
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For Hammond, the current historical period is among the most relevant ever for automotive journalism. People are thirsty for information about the ongoing energy transition and the main point of reference to draw from is the specialized press. Looking to 2035, Hammond does not criminalize the internal combustion engine which in itself does not produce pollution. The latter, if anything, is the consequence of the fuel that moves that engine. The host’s idea of The Grand Tour is that current cars can continue to circulate in the future, as long as they are not powered by petrol or diesel. Promoted accordingly i alternative fuels. As for electric cars, for Hammond, these will represent a valid alternative to contain emissions, without however being the definitive solution. Also because, again for the British conductor, with the current availability of lithium it will not be possible to respond to the next constant and growing demand for batteries.
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