VA15105 Ford Transit Custom 300L1, Shadow Black (Richard Hammond's The Smallest Cog)

Herefordshire-based classic car restoration workshop, The Smallest Cog, was founded by TV presenter Richard Hammond in January 2021. The Transit modelled arrived at the workshop in February 2022 and has remained in constant use. 

Richard was excited to have what he considers to be ‘his’ van. The first new vehicle he ever had charge of was a high-top Renault Traffic belonging to the antique pine furniture business he worked for as a young man - he has loved vans ever since. 

He made a short film for the DriveTribe website about this Transit, praising its performance and comfort whilst also describing it as a time machine that reminded him of his youth. 

The van was put to work immediately, used for everything from collecting parts or equipment to popping out to get lunch. It’s also employed as a tender and occasional tow vehicle for The Smallest Cog’s racing team, carrying the parts, tools and tea-making equipment that are an essential part of classic car racing. 

The racing team began as a PR exercise for the workshop, allowing them to showcase their technical abilities by building an MGB GT, which is now partially sponsored by CORGI, to race in the Classic Sports Car Club’s Swinging 60’s Racing Series. 

It was initially driven by Anthony Greenhouse, but more recently, Richard has also raced the car because he couldn’t resist the lure of the racetrack.