James May

Column archive

Bull game - January 2008
We all know that Lamborghinis are over the top, but these days they're at risk of going from the eccentric and the exotic to the totally irrelevant, says James

Rain of terror - December 2008
The image of biking in the rain might be hairy-chested and Thor-like, but the reality involves waterproof clothing that doesn’t keep out water. James explains

No turning back - November 2008
James has been a back-seat driver this month. It's taught him that he’s about as effective at controlling the car from back there as the person in front of him

Out of control - October 2008
The War on Terror’s only real result has been to give Brit tourists an excuse to be smelly and have overlong finger-nails. Death to the Axis of Cleanville!

Stuff and nonsense - September 2008
Stick two fingers up at the ad men and say ‘No more!’ to all the crap you don’t actually need. That way, you’ll have more money to spend on fuel, says James

The whole truth - August 2008
As the credit crunch sees estate agents filling the job centre, Clarkson might be tempted to curb his car excesses. He should do just the opposite, says James

The old masters - July 2008
Who wants automative engineering perfection? Not James – ever contrary, he gets more pleasure in clapped-out lemons than in bedroom poster classics

Yuppy love - May 2008
Once the preserve of chinless goons and stock-market barrow boys, the early Eighties Porsche now strikes a different presence on the road

Mr niche guy - April 2008
In these days of micro-niching, James has discovered a gap in the market. Wipe-down comfort is something that is longed for not just by the doggers out there

James and confused - March 2008
There are a lot of genuinely great cars out there; Jaguars, Ferraris, Renaults – even Daihatsus. So why is James having such a hard time deciding what he wants?

Off the handle - February 2008
Handling, opposite lock, tread shuffle... my God, it's all so unfeasibly dull. And more than that, says James, does it make driving more fun?

Boxing stupid - January 2008
James paid good money for his Boxster, and then, a year on, Porsche brought out a ‘new’ version. Why, he asks, wasn’t it right the first time round?

The wheel thing - Awards 2007
Are we breeding a new generation of mutants who view life as a computer game, asks James

The great big fib - December 2007
The current obsession with carbon fibre is reaching absurd proportions

Lock, stock and barrel - November 2007
Whether it's a fascination with fine wines or fast cars, it's worth remembering that one man's enthusiasms can be another man's tragically sad obsessions

My winning formula - October 2007
A 1275cc engine and a willingness to get your hands dirty are all you need to create a motorsport that’s open to all, full of old-fashioned skill and genuinely exciting

Bad air day - September 2007
A collection of vintage vehicles is one thing, getting them to work, quite another. Which poses other problems when you’re waving goodbye to terra firma

On the mend - August 2007
Problems with your car? Won’t start? Rattles at idle? Smokes under acceleration? James has the answer. Go to the National Motor Museum and talk to the experts

Ruling glass - July 2007
It’s about time advocates of the vintage motorcar removed the rose-tinted glasses, says James. Except when it comes to using all that glass

Mean streets - June 2007
A new Government initiative on street design asks for consolidation, facilitation and quantitative thresholds. James, in response, asks simply for some plain English

Future tense - May 2007
Road tax hikes, road pricing... who cares? When flying spheres eventually usurp the car’s place as commuter vessel, driving will become pure pleasure

May’s Britain - April 2007
James has a theory on how to speed up the progress of roadworks in the UK. And for once it’ll be the council who’ll be suffering, not the poor motorist

Hire education - March 2007
As basic as a car may be, it’s still an unparalleled method of exploring the world, says James. Even if the car in question is a low-spec airport hire car

Social climber - February 2007
Driving’s just too easy, says James, it’s become so run-of-the-mill. Wouldn’t it be better if it was a bit more like flying, with all its procedures and protocols?

The demon seed - January 2007
James is fuelled up for an argument. He reckons biodiesel is destroying England and as a form of protest he’s bought himself a secret weapon...

Chain reaction - Awards 2006
Inspired by the automotive industry’s just-in-time approach to building cars, James has a foolproof plan for that most frustrating of ventures – shopping

Trouble in store - November 2006
A leaky switch, a dodgy wing mirror and a shunt up the jacksie... James’s latest classic car may not be running any more, but it’s answered a few questions

Lamb' to the slaughter - October 2006
Friends. What are they for if it isn’t to try to humiliate them at any opportunity? Especially if the friend in question is a certain JC, who’s about to buy a Lamborghini