Sandiacre firm visited by Grand Tour and Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond

A Sandiacre firm has received a visit from a Grand Tour and former Top Gear presenter who was on a quest to seek a wiring loom for a replica car being built as part of a workshop project.

Richard Hammond dropped in to Autosparks earlier this year having made the journey to the borough from Herefordshire where a second series of his satellite TV show 'Richard Hammond's Workshop' is being filmed.  The docuseries follows Richard and his family team of expert mechanics as they struggle to make a success out of the business.

However, when the team needed a full replacement wiring harness for an Alvis TA21, they travelled North to the team Hammond described as “The Wizards” 

Richard and the crew spent a whole morning at the company, being shown around before collecting his completed wiring loom ready for fitting back at the workshop. But he didn’t leave without spending time with the skilled workforce, chatting and taking selfies.

Company director Debbie Johnson, who acted as “tour guide” for Mr. Hammond on his visit said, “It was an absolute delight showing Richard Hammond around our manufacturing facility. He has such a genuine enthusiasm for classic car restoration. Our staff were thrilled that he showed such an interest in their work and spent so much time chatting to them.”

"It was great to hear so much about Richard’s Alvis restoration. It really helps to bring the work we do here to life.” 

You can see more about Richard’s Alvis project and catch up on the series so far on discovery+.