As you know by now, Jeremy Clarkson is out of Top Gear. But despite his ouster, his contribution to the Top Gear brand remains indelible--perhaps never to be equaled. Even those who are otherwise not into cars became fans of his acerbic wit and irrepressible candor. Together with producer Andy Wilman and cohosts Richard Hammond and James May, Clarkson transformed the old show's traditional format into an entertainment-oriented one. In 2013, Top Gear was hailed by Guinness World Records as the "most widely watched factual TV program." Not bad for a show about cars.
Since it's highly unlikely we'll ever see Clarkson in the Top Gear studio again--then again, who knows?--we now look back at our top 10 favorite Jeremy Clarkson moments on the show. Enjoy watching them again.
1. Ford Fiesta in a mall
At least once in our life, we’ve imagined what it must be like to drive inside a spacious shopping mall. Clarkson made it real for all of us.
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2. Indestructible Toyota Hilux
As proof that the Hilux is an indestructible vehicle, Clarkson, along with Hammond and May, tried their very best to kill it through various means. They failed--miserably.
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3. Driving the Peel P50 to work
It's just like the Ford Fiesta in a mall, except it’s a smaller car and it’s inside the BBC office. Admit it: You're fantasized about this one, too.
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4. BAC Mono rearranges Clarkson's face
Watch what happens as Clarkson drives what is essentially a road-legal formula car.
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5. Quadski versus Alfa Romeo 4C
Clarkson takes on Hammond in a race across Lake Como in Italy.
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6. Cars as English Channel-crossing boats
A classic Top Gear story in which the three hosts convert actual cars into vessels that could cross the English Channel going to France.
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7. Turning a V8 engine into a food blender
In typical Top Gear silliness, Clarkson converts the V8 engine of a Chevrolet Corvette into a manly food blender.
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8. Bugatti Veyron versus a plane from Italy to the UK
Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron takes on May and Hammond in a plane on a race from Italy to the United Kingdom. Epic.
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9. Nissan GT-R test drive
Clarkson test-drives Godzilla and hurts his neck in the process.
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10. Zenvo ST1 catches fire
Clarkson drives the Danish supercar only for it to break down numerous times until it burns down.
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