James May’s cherished Porsche 911 heads to auction, giving US fans a shot at Top Gear history

James May is parting with a car he’s held onto since the day it rolled off the line in Stuttgart.

His Carrara White Porsche 911 Carrera S is officially heading to auction.

It’s low-mileage, fully documented, and maintained exactly the way you’d expect from Captain Slow.

And for US fans who grew up watching the show, this might be the closest they’ll ever get to owning a piece of Top Gear history

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What makes a James May Porsche 911 such a rare catch

James May bought this 997.2 Carrera S brand new in 2010 and has kept it ever since. 

Every choice – the Carrara White paint, the Ocean Blue leather – came from his original order form. 

Under the rear lid sits a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six with 380 horsepower and a six-speed manual.

A combo many fans consider peak modern 911. 

Collecting Cars

And with just 31,294 miles, it’s barely been exercised.

It’s been garage-stored and serviced only by Porsche Centre West London and Number 5 Garage, which meant its upkeep never slipped. 

When it went in for a major round of work in 2025, it received new radiators, tires, coolant hoses, A/C condensers and drier, plus fresh fluids, filters, gearbox oil, brake fluid, and wiper blades. 

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It passed its most recent service cleanly after that, as you’d expect from a car this carefully maintained.

And now, it’s listed on Collecting Cars – the auction already climbing past £55,997 at the time of writing.

The sale includes the manuals, service history, invoices, V5, order form and May’s famously fussy cleaning brush. 

All-in-all, this car is exactly what collectors crave: an analog-era 911 with untouched provenance.

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Why May’s example hits every collector trigger

Enthusiasts are turning back to the 997.2 for its naturally aspirated character, hydraulic steering, and classic size.

Traits that disappeared as the Porsche 911 modernized. 

Clean, documented examples are rising in value, and celebrity-owned cars often jump higher still.

There’s also growing interest from US buyers willing to chase right-hand drive imports.

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Especially when they come with this kind of long-term ownership and careful servicing. 

May’s car fits perfectly into that shift: authentic, unmodified, and kept in the kind of condition that makes auction watchers lean in.

If bidding takes off, it’ll prove what fans already know – James May didn’t just keep this 911 Carrera S tidy, he kept it special. 

And whoever wins it won’t just be buying a great car. 

They’ll be taking home a chapter of motoring TV history.

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