James May Sells Magenta Triumph Stag on Collecting Cars
James May sold his magenta 1974 Triumph Stag MKII 3.0 V8 for £37,100 ($49,699) on CollectingCars.com, following the September 2024 release of the final The Grand Tour episode, One for the Road,
which concluded more than 21 years of on-screen collaboration with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond that began during Top Gear‘s second season in 2003. May selected the Michelotti-designed convertible for the trio’s farewell journey across Zimbabwe and Botswana because he had admired the model in his youth, though he had never driven one prior to filming.
Restoration Work by The Smallest Cog
After enduring the harsh conditions of the African special, the drop-top was refurbished by The Smallest Cog, the restoration workshop founded by Richard Hammond. The vehicle features its original magenta paintwork alongside exterior chrome elements on the bumpers, rocker panels, wing mirrors, window frames, and door handles. Inside, the cabin retains its original layout with a few updates, including a Mark I speedometer, a modern Bluetooth-compatible stereo, and Hankook Optimo tires wrapped around 14-inch wheels.
James May auctions iconic Triumph Stag featured in Grand Tour finale https://t.co/TJYJTXMLt4
The 3.0-Liter V8 Engine Performance
The car is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V8 engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels. Triumph originally developed the iron-block engine with aluminum SOHC cylinder heads by mirroring its Saab slant-four design to power the grand tourer. The powerplant produces 146 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm using a pair of Zenith-Stromberg carburetors. Despite the engine’s historical reputation for reliability issues, May noted that the unit in his car performed without mechanical trouble during filming.
Celebrity Valuation Premium on Collecting Cars
The winning bid of £37,100 significantly outpaced standard market valuations for the model. According to the Hagerty Price Guide, the sale price exceeded a #1 concours-condition car by approximately $15,000 and doubled the value of a #2 excellent-condition vehicle. Greg Ingold, Hagerty’s senior manager of vehicle valuations, noted that vehicles previously owned by May’s co-stars have consistently outperformed price guide baselines, with Richard Hammond’s cars selling for 14 to 121 percent above guide values and Jeremy Clarkson’s vehicles achieving a 106 percent premium.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sale
What mechanical flaws did James May point out before the sale?
In his pre-sale video, May noted that despite post-filming cleaning, the vehicle still contained physical debris from the television shoot, remarking that little bits of Zimbabwe emerge
while driving. He also highlighted minor cosmetic wear, such as slightly pitted chrome door handles.
How long did James May, Jeremy Clarkson, and Richard Hammond work together?
The trio worked together for more than 21 years across both Top Gear and The Grand Tour, beginning their television partnership when Top Gear entered its second season in 2003.
What transmission does the 1974 Triumph Stag MKII use?
The vehicle utilizes a four-speed manual transmission that sends power from the 3.0-liter V8 engine directly to the rear wheels.
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