Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure

Top Gear, Grand Tour, Clarkson and Me

De: Andy Wilman

Narrado por: Andy Wilman

Brought to you by Penguin.

Top Gear turned gloomy Sunday nights into celebratory Friday nights. It made household names of presenters Clarkson, Hammond and May, their unique chemistry and buddy movie antics proving irresistible to a vast global audience. With these three at the helm, Top Gear earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the most popular factual TV show on the planet.

Then, a short while later, it was all gone.

How did a thoroughly sensible little consumer advice programme on cars turn into a global phenomenon in the first place, though? How did it all go wrong? And how did they rise from the ashes as The Grand Tour, and go on to scale even greater heights?

One man has all the answers.

There from the beginning, Top Gear and The Grand Tour co-creator, and Jeremy’s oldest friend, Andy Wilman, opens the bonnet on over twenty years of motoring mayhem. In Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure, the mysterious man in the shadows tells the inside story of your favourite TV shows for the first time.

Irreverent, joyful and as laugh-out-loud funny as the shows themselves, it’s the best book about Top Gear and The Grand Tour . . . in the world.

© Andy Wilman 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Thank you, Mr. Wilman.

I don’t want to write an emotional review on my phone, but this was incredible. I just finished it, and in absence of a novel of appreciation, I just want to say: thank you, Mr. Wilman.

Brilliant!

I am a wreck having just finished listening to this. Why? Partially because my husband, our son, and I just saw the final episode of The Grand Tour last night. We’d seen all of the first three seasons, but somehow hadn’t seen the longer episodes that closed out the series. Who knew the timing of this book and our finishing of the series would coincide. The other part is that I’m a sentimental fool, and The Three Idiots as we affectionately call them, have been part of our lives since our son was a toddler. He used to play Top Gear while driving his Power Wheels Jeep around the back yard.

This lovely book was funny, insightful, and wrought with tension at times. It made me smile and laugh out loud, and it also made me teary all in the best way. I loved it. I love that dear Mr. Wilman read it himself. It’s a treasure.

Great Compendium

Wonderful supporting details and stories for those who enjoy the four guys, from Top Gear through Grand Tour.

Trip down memory lane.

What a pleasure it was to hear the behind the scenes take from the man himself that was behind so much of what happened. Revisiting all of the episodes that shaped my childhood and hearing about how the shows I loved so much were made was a gift. Truly amazing book Mr. Wilman.

Storytelling at its finest.

Mr. Wilman is a different kind of person. Hid ability to imagine what he wants and make it happen is only 2nd to his ability to tell a story. He co-piloted a plane into the stratosphere. Anyone who was a fan of the biggest car show in history has no idea the actual role he played. Not only was I heartbroken when both of the shows ended but, I was heartbroken when I closed the book on its final page. Please, don't sleep on this.

If you are a Top Gear/Grand Tour fan, must read!

Great back story of the shows, wonderful to hear Mr. Wilman’s perspective. Very funny and well read.

Wilman is a legend, awesome read

As a TG and GT fan, I was also sad after the last episode of GT, but this brilliant “behind the scenes” insight brings some laughs and also closure to the epic 22 year story.

Must read for top gear fans

Great insight on the makings of Top Gear and the Grand Tour. A trip down memory lane while adding lots of interesting insider details that only someone like Andy Wilman would be able to. Narrated excellently. A must read.

This book made me emotional towards the end

This book was everything I wanted it to be. I loved it! Thank you for sharing your lives with us!

And On That Bombshell….

Amazing, laugh and laugh all the way. Andy (and his uncle) is such a great storyteller. Dives in to what all the show fans want to know and never disappoint.