Two of the motorcycles that were used in the 2008 Top Gear Vietnam Special have been purchased by the National Motor Museum at a recent Bonhams auction.
The motorcycles, a 1967 Piaggio Vespa 150cc VBC Super and a c.1973 Honda 50cc Chaly took part in the popular TV programme’s 2008 Vietnam Special when the show’s presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, were challenged to travel the entire length of the country in just eight days.
The hilarious programme saw the three presenters given 15 million Vietnamese dong to buy a set of wheels, however that equates to only £600, so cars were out and bikes were in. James May decided upon a 50cc Honda Club, Richard Hammond opted for a Russian built 125cc Minsk, while poor Jeremy Clarkson made do with a Piaggio Vespa.
As with all things Top Gear should any of the bikes fail during the eight day ordeal then the presenter would have made use of the distinctive back up vehicle. A Honda Chaly, painted in the distinctive Stars ’n Stripes livery of the ‘Captain America’ Harley-Davidson chopper, ridden by Peter Fonda in the iconic 1969 movie, Easy Rider. Equally tastefully, it had been fitted with an iPod audio system continuously playing Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’!
Jeremy’s Vespa and the Stars ‘n Stripes Honda are now part of the growing Top Gear exhibit at the National Motor Museum. Fans of the show will also experience the Top Gear ‘Enormodrome’ which aims to recreate the feel of the Top Gear studio. As well as regular features from the programme including the Cool Wall and Celebrity ‘Lap Time’ boards, visitors can watch an exclusive video presentation from behind-the-scenes at the Top Gear HQ with Jeremy, Richard and James plus clips from the show featuring the cars on display.
