THE WORLD OF TOP GEAR EXHIBITION IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the cars that were battered, modified and generally ruined by the BBC’s Top Gear team, then they were on display at Beaulieu from 2009 to October 2024.
Because not even the dodgiest used car dealers would buy them, we lovingly gathered them up and displayed them in the World of Top Gear – a special exhibition that paid homage to the world’s biggest car show.
the world of top gear!
World of Top Gear featured vehicles from every era of the Top Gear challenges, including old favourites like the Reliant Robin Space Shuttle, as well as fresh, new exhibits from filming with Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Freddie Flintoff.
What was to see…
The Top Gear Enormodrome
Visitors got to experience what was like inside the Top Gear TV studio with a visit to the Enormodrome which recreated the feel of the iconic set.
Destination adventure
With the Top Gear team’s passports full of stamps from across the globe, Destination: Adventure! paid homage to Freddie, Chris and Paddy’s truly impressive adventures in far-flung places. Stars such as the Sinclair C5, which Freddie Flintoff bravely took down a Norwegian bobsleigh course were on display.
Innovation
Innovation explored the changing face of motoring with Future Fuels Lab. In this part of the exhibition, the presenters’ home-made electric cars – the Triumph Spitfire, Subaru Brat and modified Nissan Leaf – were joined by a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 representing the latest advances in EV technology.
Team top gear
Team Top Gear celebrated the love of vehicles and car culture around the world, as well as the teamwork of the three presenters as they completed gruelling motoring-themed challenges. Highlights included the stripped-out Mad-Maxerati that triumphed on the nerve-wracking Wall of Death and a stunt bike in a ring-of-fire photo opportunity, a tribute to former stunt performer Eddie Kidd OBE.
HERITAGE CORRIDOR TIMELINE
In homage to the past, a heritage corridor timeline paid tribute to the show’s 40-year history. Visitors could see classics including the indestructible Toyota Hilux which was advertently placed on top of an exploding tower block.
Familiar favourites
Old favourites from previous series of the show were on display, including Paddy’s Dirty Rascal, the high-performance Jaguar hearse, the all-electric, all-wheel-drive Mr Nippy ice cream van. Visitors could pose for a spaceman selfie opportunity by the Reliant Robin Rocket, and rest their legs on the Fiat Panda stretch limousine bench
SNAP A SELFIE
Visitors could take a seat in the world’s longest limousine selfie spot, or hop into the trailer hooked behind the Jaguar XJS Sport Train.
TEST TRACK CHALLENGE
Guests could test their driving skills with remote-control models of the Top Gear challenge cars on a scaled-down version of the Top Gear Test Track.