James May's sand-beaten Maserati goes under the hammer
The car was one of the highlights of the episode "The Sand Job," showcasing the iconic crew's journey through Mauritania. It has now been listed for auction on a British auction portal.
The Maserati Gran Cabrio is undoubtedly one of the more intriguing creations of modern Italian automotive design. Well-maintained examples can be quite a delight for car enthusiasts. This particular one is not well-maintained, but it boasts a fascinating history.
This is the car that James May drove through Mauritania in the second-to-last episode of "The Grand Tour." Jeremy Clarkson chose a Jaguar F-Type, Richard Hammond an Aston Martin DB9, and May opted for the Maserati. The cars were heavily modified to endure the harsh conditions of the Sahara. This includes clearly increased ground clearance, off-road tires, and additional undercarriage protection.
Now, the unique Maserati is up for sale. It recently appeared on the British eBay. According to the seller, "it looks exactly the same as it did on the day it returned to the UK after filming concluded." It was stored indoors but has never been washed.
Unfortunately, due to the modifications, the car cannot be driven on public roads. However, it's likely that a potential buyer wouldn't be too concerned with this limitation.
