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Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure

Top Gear, Grand Tour, Clarkson and Me

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Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure

By: Andy Wilman
Narrated by: Andy Wilman
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Top Gear turned gloomy Sunday nights into celebratory Friday nights. It made household names of presenters Clarkson, Hammond and May, their unique chemistry and buddy movie antics proving irresistible to a vast global audience. With these three at the helm, Top Gear earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the most popular factual TV show on the planet.

Then, a short while later, it was all gone.

How did a thoroughly sensible little consumer advice programme on cars turn into a global phenomenon in the first place, though? How did it all go wrong? And how did they rise from the ashes as The Grand Tour, and go on to scale even greater heights?

One man has all the answers.

There from the beginning, Top Gear and The Grand Tour co-creator, and Jeremy’s oldest friend, Andy Wilman, opens the bonnet on over twenty years of motoring mayhem. In Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure, the mysterious man in the shadows tells the inside story of your favourite TV shows for the first time.

Irreverent, joyful and as laugh-out-loud funny as the shows themselves, it’s the best book about Top Gear and The Grand Tour . . . in the world.

© Andy Wilman 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Direction & Production Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Sports Funny Thought-Provoking Witty

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All stars
Most relevant
Nostalgic and super interesting, if you’re a fan of top gear and the grand tour it’s a must listen. Mr Willian you really have lived a life! Thanks for sharing

What a perfect listen

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If you're a TG/GT fan then this listen is an absolute no brainer. Great background and insights into episodes I've seen soooo many times. Mr Wilman also reads his work perfectly - relaxed and a pleasure to listen to. Just like the other commenters, it's now time to go and watch an episode or 3 again.

The fantastic four!

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It’s lovely to hear Andy’s perspective on what can only be described as the most incredible journey.

Top Gear was my AC/DC, the Who, Dire Straits and everything in between, and this book was the final missing piece for me.

Only Andy is qualified to sum this journey up, and he does it on such a way as to draw you back into the band for one last jam. I found the stories wonderful, but the way he wrapped it up masterful.

I’ll be forever grateful to the entire TG/GT team. Once in a lifetime stuff.

Bravo Andy - just what was needed to draw the final line under everything.

Emotional!

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Fantastic story about the best car shows ever made for TV (in the world…). Made me want to go back and rewatch them all. Highly recommended.

More fun than a V8 Triumph Stag

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We watched Top Gear and then Grand Tour as a family with our son who is now 27. We loved it especially the specials in Vietnam and Botswana.

To hear the back story of the journey you all went through is fascinating. I must admit I thought James, Richard and Jeremy were friends long before TG. Thank you. Going to watch a few of the specials again now!

Fascinating back story of TG and GT

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