title：Richard Hammond on Classic Car Restoration & Automotive Future
content：Hammond’s Classic Car Workshop: The Smallest Cog Story
If you’ve ever wondered what Richard Hammond does beyond Grand Tour adventures, his latest project—The Smallest Cog—gives a deep dive into his passion for classic cars. In a recent Autocar podcast, Hammond invited hosts Matt Prior and Steve Cropley to his Herfordshire workshop, where he’s resetting the business to focus on quality restoration.
The workshop started when Hammond’s friend Neil Greenhouse lost his space. Hammond offered to bankroll a new workshop, splitting time between customer cars (to cover overheads) and his own projects. What began as a small partnership grew into a TV show on Discovery+, but Hammond admits he got ambitious too fast. Now, he’s clearing out the space to get back to basics: “We’re restoring our restoration workshop,” he says, with plans to perfect an old RS2000 (a car he rushed earlier, leading to paint issues) as a showcase of their skills.
content：TV vs. Real Restoration: Balancing Business & Broadcast
Hammond stresses that The Smallest Cog is a genuine business first, with the TV show wrapping around real work. Customer budgets often limit how perfect a restoration can be—“If they have 10 grand, but it needs 40, either I pay the difference or we can’t do it right,” he explains. To prove their expertise, he’s investing in his own RS2000: “We’ll do it to the nth degree, no budget constraints, to show what we can really do.”
The workshop isn’t just for show. Hammond sold half his car collection (including a 1969 Porsche 911T and Bentley S1) to buy equipment like paint booths and lifts. He’s committed to making the business a success: “I want people to come to us because our work is amazing, not because I’m ‘Richard Hammond off the telly.’”
content：Automotive Future: Choice Over One-Size-Fits-All
Hammond doesn’t oppose EVs—he’s owned a Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS—but they don’t excite him like internal combustion engines (ICE). He’s passionate about synthetic fuels, which can power classics with a lower carbon footprint. “The HCVA says a classic car doing 1,500 miles a year has half the carbon footprint of a mobile phone,” he notes.
He also supports hydrogen combustion (JCB is already using it) and hybrid options. The key, he argues, is choice: “We can’t all drive EVs—there’s not enough lithium. We need synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and restored classics to coexist.” For young people, he suggests restoring retro cars (like a Series 2 Ford Fiesta) with renewable materials: “That’s the greenest personal transport choice you can make.”
content：Career & Passion: From Top Gear to Drive Tribe
Hammond’s journey into automotive media started with a lucky break. He got the Top Gear gig in 2000 because he lived in Cheltenham (called “the ‘N’” by locals) and drove a ratty left-hand-drive Porsche 911. Working with Jeremy Clarkson and James May for 23 years taught him the value of authenticity: “Enthusiasm and knowledge are compelling—viewers can tell when it’s real.”
Beyond TV, Hammond runs Drive Tribe, a community for car enthusiasts. He took over the platform after the pandemic, focusing on bringing like-minded people together. He also loves motorcycles: “Riding a bike is a bodily experience—you steer with your head, shoulders, and knees. It’s a closer relationship than with a car.”
content：Actionable Steps & Resources
Quick Checklist for Car Enthusiasts
- Visit The Smallest Cog’s website to see their restoration projects.
- Explore synthetic fuel options for your classic car (check brands like P1 Fuels).
- Join Drive Tribe to connect with other car lovers.
- Watch Hammond’s workshop show on Discovery+ to see behind-the-scenes work.
Recommended Resources
- Drive Tribe: A community for all car passions (from classics to EVs).
- HCVA: For data on classic car carbon footprints.
- Discovery+: Stream “Richard Hammond’s Workshop” to see The Smallest Cog in action.
content：Final Thoughts & Your Turn
Richard Hammond’s work at The Smallest Cog is more than a hobby—it’s a mission to keep classic cars alive sustainably. His views on the automotive future emphasize choice, not force, which resonates with anyone who loves cars.
What part of Hammond’s insights stuck with you? Is it his take on synthetic fuels, his workshop reset, or his passion for bikes? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.
