Auto Trader has released data showing a huge surge in searches on its classifieds platform for a pair of British classics featured in the final episode of The Grand Tour which aired earlier this month on Amazon Prime.
The episode starred Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in their last-ever globetrotting adventure, this time at the wheel of three classic cars – a Lancia Beta Montecarlo, Ford Capri GXL and Triumph Stag respectively.
On the day the episode aired, Auto Trader advert views for the Ford Capri were up 185 per cent over the previous week, with Triumph Stag views up 793 per cent. Data was not released for the Lancia most likely due to its rarity on today’s market.
Similar trends were also seen in Google searches at the time, with searches for the two British offerings up 75 per cent.
“Classic cars like the Ford Capri and Triumph Stag have always held a special place in the hearts of British car enthusiasts,” said Erin Barker, editorial director at Auto Trader. “The latest episode of The Grand Tour has brought these iconic models back into the spotlight, reminding viewers of their timeless appeal and that seeing their favourite fellow petrolheads driving them is part of the appeal.
As a result, we’ve seen a huge surge in interest, with both models becoming incredibly popular on our platform in the days following the show’s release, proving that celebrities and popular culture still have a huge impact on our lifestyles, including purchasing a new car.”
