Service history reflects exactly what you’d expect from former Top Gear host James May
November 23, 2025 at 21:03
- James May’s 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S heads to auction with no reserve.
- Just 31k miles, full service history, and extensive recent maintenance included.
- Clean, documented 997.2 example with classic spec and celebrity provenance.
Owning a piece of Top Gear history is a thing some fans only dream of. Now, those with the cash to flash can potentially have all that and a delightful little car in one.
This 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S rolled off the production line and straight into the garage of James May, who at the time co-hosted Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond before the trio moved on to Amazon’s The Grand Tour. Now, he’s selling it with a sterling service history, low mileage, and no reserve.
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Captain Slow ordered the car in Carrara White over Ocean Blue leather, opting for a classic, understated pairing that suits the softer-edged 997.2 design.
It rides on 19-inch Carrera Classic wheels with 5mm spacers and wears N2-rated Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Red calipers peek out from behind the wheels as one of the few flashy bits.
Of course, the drivetrain is the real party piece here. And for good reason, as it’s a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six that makes 380 horsepower ( kW) and 310 lb-ft ( Nm) of torque. It sends that grunt to the rear wheels only via a six-speed manual transaxle.
Beyond its connection to May, this continues to be a well-loved version of the 911 thanks to its analog character.
Equipment includes PASM, PSM, a limited-slip differential, Bose audio, PCM with navigation, cruise control, a grey-tinted windscreen, a rear wiper, and the factory Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (now disconnected).
The sale includes the original order form, owner’s manuals, MOT certificates, invoices, V5, and even May’s personal cleaning brush.
The service history is robust and well-documented. The latest maintenance, carried out in May 2025 at 30,793 miles by Number 5 Garage, included new front radiators, front tires, all coolant hoses, A/C condensers and drier, fluids, filters, brake fluid, gearbox oil, and wiper blades.
Previous services were performed in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017 by Porsche Centre West London and Number 5 Garage, showing long-term, consistent care.
Between the mileage, the careful ownership, the clean history, and the celebrity provenance, this 997.2 Carrera S stands out as a rare opportunity. Those keen to own a slice of automotive television lore can find Captain Slow’s personal Porsche listed on Collecting Cars over here.
Images: Collecting Cars
