21/06/2008 02:56. You know those stories you sometimes see in car magazines under headlines like 'Classic luxury for Mondeo money!'?

Clearly these had some effect on Jeremy and James, because both of them have gone out and bought moderately ancient barges for the price of a medium-sized Ford.

For Clarkson, a 'Grosse' Mercedes 600, the classic company car of dictators and despots the world over.

For May, the timeless elegance of a Rolls-Royce Corniche coupe, the one-time favourite wheels of, er, Elton John and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Although, as James testily points out, they had the less exclusive cabriolet version.

Our chaps were so proud of their new toys that the Top Gear office invited them along for some vaguely... // Top Gear