A GRANITE statue of former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been unveiled at his classic car restoration workshop, The Smallest Cog, based in Rotherwas, Hereford.

Hammond, who lives at Bollitree Castle in Weston-under-Penyard near Ross-on-Wye, was the subject of the unusual tribute, which was revealed in a video posted on The Smallest Cog’s Instagram page.

The clip showcased the entire process of creating the statue, from scanning Hammond’s features to the precise stone carving and final unveiling.

It even captured a light-hearted moment where his stone likeness was transported with its head poking out of a truck.

The idea for the sculpture came from Planet Granite UK, and the workshop team eagerly embraced the suggestion. Sharing the video on Instagram, they joked: “Doesn’t everyone have a life-size statue of their boss knocking about?”

The Smallest Cog, which launched in 2021, is at the heart of a Discovery Plus docuseries following Hammond’s foray into the world of classic car restoration.

He set up the business alongside mechanics Neil, Anthony, and Andrew Greenhouse, who had maintained his cars for years but were on the verge of losing their own workshop.

Rather than letting their skills go to waste, Hammond partnered with them to establish The Smallest Cog.

Reflecting on the financial commitment required to start the venture, Hammond admitted he had to sell several cherished vehicles, including a Bentley and a 1969 Porsche 911 T, to cover costs: “I needed to buy a paint oven, a prep bay, and all the rest of it, so I had to let some cars go. I regret selling that Porsche—it was born the same year as me.”

Whether it will be displayed at the workshop itself or placed elsewhere remains to be seen, but the statue’s unveiling marks a unique tribute to Hammond’s influence in the world of classic car restoration.