James May on how to float

Posted by James May at 9:00PM on Sunday 14 October, 2007 12 Comments

The premise of the original Top Gear amphibious car challenge, which went out a year or so ago, was that there has never been a truly successful boat/car hybrid, and that it was about time there was.

The two most notable examples to date have been the original Amphicar - whose lower door seals were below the water line, so when forgetful motorist-mariners opened the door to get out at the quayside the thing sank immediately - and the Gibbs Aquada, which was far too expensive and still sank. ...

First Ferrari: James May

Posted by James May at 3:20PM on Monday 11 June, 2007 4 Comments

Some ponce once said to me, rather predictably, that the first time you drive a Ferrari is like the first time you make love to a woman.

Imagine my disappointment, then, when I pulled away in the Mondial QV sometime in 1991 and discovered it to be a bit like driving a car...

Rocket men

Posted by James May at 6:00PM on Tuesday 20 February, 2007 22 Comments

Since everyone - Jeremy included - is harping on about mine and Hammond's astronomical rocketry failure, let me make one thing clear.

Exploration of the final frontier is no easier now than it was when Gagarin fell to Earth and told a Russian peasant woman that he'd come from space...

Sweet home Alabama?

Posted by James May at 10:10AM on Tuesday 13 February, 2007 18 Comments

That bit in our American Holiday Video where we were attacked by the rednecks in the Alabama petrol station: I realise now that I should have seen it coming...