Richard Hammond Drives a Helicar in Carnage a Trois, to Clarkson and May' Terror

The creation in question is referred to as the Helicar, but it is actually a 1920 Leyat Helica. The idea was to have a vehicle that would operate like a plane, but without wings, despite the fact that it has a massive propeller in the front but comes with a conventional steering wheel.

Its aero-engine only provided eight horsepower, but its light body made up for the difference in power-to-weight ratio. As a result, a Hélica managed to top 100 mph in 1927. To be entirely accurate, its driver managed to reach the speed of 106 mph (ca. 171 kph) at a circuit in France.

Sadly for Marcel Leyat, the founder of the company, the firm did “not take off” and only sold 30 units during its six-year existence. At least one of them managed to survive World War II, and it got its chance at stardom through its appearance on this show, which follows several parts of the recipe behind the Top Gear show. Mind you, the latter is just an observation, not a complaint.

With the history lesson complete on our part, it is time to let you know that you can go and watch The Grand Tour's latest special on Amazon Prime. There will be plenty of French vehicles to learn about, along with the specific humor that only works between Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

If previous shows are to be a reference, it is clear that this one will also make some people feel offended. Our suggestion is to remember that this is a form of entertainment, take a deep breath, and enjoy the show.