The Unbreakable Bond: Why Jeremy Clarkson’s Porsche 928 Is His All-Time Favourite Car

Jeremy Clarkson’s Porsche 928 is not just a car; it is a profound piece of his personal and professional history, a machine forever linked to one of the most emotional moments of his life. As of December 2025, the story of this V8-powered Grand Tourer continues to fascinate car enthusiasts and fans of *Top Gear* and *The Grand Tour* alike, precisely because its legacy is built on speed, controversy, and a heartbreaking dash against time. This article dives deep into the two 928s that defined Clarkson’s relationship with the model, exploring the personal tragedy and the geopolitical drama that cemented the car’s status as his all-time favourite.

The 928 is a car he famously declared was “alright,” a rare and high compliment from the notoriously critical journalist. Its unique front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and effortless high-speed cruising ability made it a revolutionary design for Porsche, and for Clarkson, it became a symbol of reliability and salvation during a family crisis. The story is a powerful reminder that for all the supercars he has driven, the most meaningful are often those tied to life’s most pivotal moments.

Jeremy Clarkson: A Profile in Motoring and Media

Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is one of the world's most recognizable and influential figures in motoring journalism and television. His career spans decades, evolving from a local newspaper reporter to a global media personality.

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• Full Name: Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson
• Born: 11 April 1960
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 65
• Birthplace: Doncaster, England, UK
• Key Professions: Television Presenter, Journalist, Author, Farmer, Game Show Host.
• Notable Works: *Top Gear* (1988–1999, 2002–2015), *The Grand Tour* (2016–Present), *Clarkson's Farm* (2021–Present), *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?* (Host since 2018).
• Nicknames: Jezza, The Orangutan (a reference to his on-screen persona).
• Key Collaborators: Richard Hammond and James May.

The Emotional Drive: Why the 928 is Clarkson’s Salvation

The Porsche 928’s place in Clarkson’s heart is secured not by a review, but by a personal tragedy. In 1994, Clarkson was a motoring journalist on loan with a press car when he received a devastating phone call: his father, Eddie G. Clarkson, was dying.

A Race Against Time in the Porsche 928 S4/GT

Clarkson immediately began a desperate, high-speed dash across the country to reach his father's bedside. The car he was driving was a Porsche 928, likely a high-performance variant like the 928 S4 or the later 928 GT, as his father died in 1994.

He recounted that the car’s effortless ability to maintain an average speed of over 170 mph for long stretches was the only reason he made it in time. The 928, with its massive 5.0-liter, 32-valve V8 engine and sophisticated Grand Tourer suspension, proved to be the perfect machine for the task.

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He arrived with minutes to spare, allowing him to say a final goodbye. This moment permanently fused the car's engineering excellence with profound emotional significance. The 928 wasn't a luxury item; it was a tool that granted him the closure he needed. This is the core reason he has repeatedly called the 928 his favourite car of all time, a story that he movingly shared years later during the *Top Gear* Patagonia Special.

The Controversial Grand Tourer: The Patagonia Special 928GT

A second, and much more infamous, Porsche 928 cemented the model's public profile in Clarkson's career: the car he drove in the 2014 *Top Gear* Patagonia Special. For the epic road trip across Argentina, Clarkson chose a 1991 Porsche 928 GT, while his co-hosts drove a Lotus Esprit and a Ford Mustang Mach 1.

The Infamous H982 FKL Licence Plate

The trip was cut short by a major international incident. Clarkson's 928 GT bore the controversial licence plate "H982 FKL." This registration was immediately interpreted by local Argentinian veterans and citizens as a deliberate and provocative reference to the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas).

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The *Top Gear* team denied the plate was intentional, claiming it was a coincidence. However, the resulting public fury and violent protests forced the team to abandon their cars and flee the country under police escort. The controversy became a global news story, highlighting the explosive nature of the show's stunts.

What Happened to the Patagonia Porsche 928?

The current status of the controversial 928 GT (along with Hammond’s Mustang and May’s Lotus) remains a subject of intense speculation and debate among fans. The cars were abandoned in Argentina and subsequently impounded by local authorities in Rio Grande.

The BBC attempted to formally recover the vehicles from the Argentine customs house, but the process became mired in legal and diplomatic complexities. The last widely reported information suggests the cars were still held in the country, or potentially destroyed, to prevent them from being sold as morbid souvenirs. While some online sources have speculated on their fate, a definitive, confirmed report of the 928 GT’s current location—whether recovered, in a museum, or scrapped—has not been officially released by the BBC or the Argentinian government as of late 2025.

The Porsche 928: A Technical Masterpiece and LSI Entity Breakdown

Clarkson’s deep admiration is rooted in the 928’s technical brilliance, which offered a distinct alternative to the classic rear-engined 911. The 928 was Porsche’s attempt to move beyond the 911, and its design was revolutionary for a 1970s sports car.

Key Technical Specifications and Variants

The 928 was a true technological marvel, which is why it functioned so perfectly as a high-speed intercontinental cruiser. Its unique features include:

• Engine Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (a transaxle layout for perfect 50/50 weight distribution).
• Engine Variants: Ranging from the original 4.5 L M28/01 V8 to the final 5.4 L V8 in the GTS model.
• The S4 Model: Introduced in 1987, the S4 featured a 32-valve 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 316 horsepower and a significantly improved aerodynamic drag coefficient (0.34 cx).
• The GT Model: The 928 GT, driven by Clarkson in Patagonia, was a high-performance version of the S4, often featuring a five-speed manual gearbox and a more aggressive tune.
• Weissach Axle: A passive rear-wheel steering system that improved stability, a pioneering feature for its time.
• Design: A sleek, 2-door 2+2 hatchback/fastback coupé design, popular as an easy-to-handle, comfortable, and effortless Grand Tourer.

Clarkson’s connection to the Porsche 928 transcends mere automotive enthusiasm. It is a deeply personal relationship with a machine that, in his words, "got him there" when it mattered most. Whether discussing the emotional dash to his father’s bedside or the controversial journey through Patagonia, the 928 remains the car that defines the heart behind the famously outspoken journalist.