I’m the new owner of James May’s WORST Grand Tour car… yes, the Crosley from Eurocrash 😅
Posted by ZachAscot@reddit | thegrandtour | View on Reddit | 36 comments
Alright, I’ve been keeping this quiet for a while… but I can’t hide it anymore.
I am now the proud (and slightly baffled) owner of that Crosley CC convertible from The Grand Tour: Eurocrash - the one James May somehow drove across Europe at about the speed of a mobility scooter.
It’s possibly the most ridiculous car I’ve ever seen, let alone owned. In my video I explain how I ended up with it, the full story behind getting it, what it’s like to drive (spoiler: painfully slow), and why it might be the worst car the trio have ever used.
If you remember the Eurocrash episode or just love bizarre classic cars, this is for you.
Would love to know - if this landed in your driveway, would you keep it, restore it… or burn it?
Informal-Zone-7229@reddit
I saw this car in the background at Hammond's shop when Clarkson delivered the tractor he wanted chromed and lightened to be suspended in his new pub. So this had to be a very recent thing.
SingleSoil@reddit
You look like young James May. Keep this car another 30 years, hopefully your hair turns white and you’ll look right like him 😂
f1hunor@reddit
He reminds me of Eric Idle from Monty Python (no offense).
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Hahah, that's super funny. It feels like my destiny....
JF0909@reddit
Question #1: did you spend more or less than James did?
Question #2: were you drunk when you bought it?
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Ah, you certainly don't hang about (unlike the Crosley that can't do anything BUT hang about). Nice questions! - Ok, so without going into too much detail yes I did pay more than James! I view it as an investment (or justified insanity). The use of the car on the show adds a decent amount of value and technically it is the most famous Crosley (or infamous) in the world....
Ok, so another good question. Alarmingly, I was sober. What does that say....? yikes
JF0909@reddit
Can't say I wouldn't do the same thing if I was in your position. You own a really cool piece of motoring and TGT history. Enjoy it!
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much! Well my plan is to share it with as many fans as possible, so that's why I'm going to be making a lot of interesting videos with the car!
JF0909@reddit
Did you buy it directly from James or have had any contact with him? I'd probably ask him to autograph the dashboard.
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Sadly not, but I like your thinking. James sold the Crosley to a member of production straight after the shoot! - I purchased it from part of the production team. I did however send James a letter and gift letting him know that I've got his Crosley and I got a photo back of him opening my parcel!
AkariFBK@reddit
I wonder if you can fit in a Hayabusa engine on the Crosley 🤔🤔🤔
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Now THAT would be fun (and alarming) LOL
_TheShapeOfColor_@reddit
You should do it and then tell the lads. Bet they'd love to see that lol
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
I wrote a letter to James and sent him a commissioned piece of art from one of my friends and he actually sent a pic of him opening my parcel!
_TheShapeOfColor_@reddit
I LOVE THAT!
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Message me and I'll send you the pic if you like!
OttoVonWong@reddit
Turbo Busley!
Gizm082@reddit
What a pain!
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
LOL, it certainly was getting back to being road-worthy!
Frankyvander@reddit
How much did you need to do to get it road worthy?
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Good question! Needed all new ignition components, a brand new carb imported from America. The original carb on the car was a webber from a WW2 Jeep and it was actually the wrong carb for the car, causing over fuelling issues etc. I've had an inline filter fitted due to the tank being a bit dirty.
Unstoffe@reddit
Do you park it in your kitchen?
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
LOL I have been tempted to drive it through the house......
Unstoffe@reddit
Do it, brother!
Relative_Ad9477@reddit
Congratulations or my condolences
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Hahah, that's my favourite reaction to the purchase of this car yet. One thing I will say, is that after a lot of trial and error (and waiting for parts from America) the Crosley is finally running 'properly'!
Relative_Ad9477@reddit
I thought it is a cute little car - whats the new top speed?
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
It really grows on you! - I find it charming! The owners manual says around 40mph!
Scalage89@reddit
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 39 rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
LOL in my case it's:
AHHHHHHH 22 AHHHHHHHHH
HotAd6484@reddit
Well bought? This was certain.y one of the TG/GT cars I despised the most! Good luck.
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Haha, exactly. Nobody forgets the Crosley purely because of how BAD it was. Probably the worst car they ever used. It'll always be infamous and that's why I think it's a solid bet! Hey, I hope you can learn to love it, it's grown on me haha
themidnightgreen4649@reddit
Needs a motorbike engine, preferably a haybusa XD
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
It's already scary enough LOL!!!
Tinguiririca@reddit
Honestly, for a daily driver or for a short trip this doesnt look bad at all, as long as you stay away from highways or speed lanes.
ZachAscot@reddit (OP)
Exactly, quiet roads are ok. I've never ventured too far as it certainly takes a lot of driving skill to handle 'the beast'. The car is very easily unsettled, so passing cars even at around 30mph + are going to shake you around and the car hates bumps!!!