Richard Hammond's Iconic 'Lambo Chevy' Moment Explained

Nov 14, 2025 by Alex Braham 56 views

$Richard Hammond's Iconic 'Lambo Chevy' Moment ExplainedWhen you hear *Richard Hammond* and the phrase "Lambo Chevy," your mind probably races to spectacular car crashes, hilarious banter, and the unforgettable antics of *The Grand Tour* crew. Guys, this isn't just a random bit of slang; it's a deep dive into two of the most infamous, jaw-dropping, and frankly, terrifying incidents involving our favorite hamster, Richard Hammond. The "Lambo Chevy" isn't a single car, nor is it actually a Lamborghini, and it definitely isn't a Chevy in the literal sense of a General Motors product involved in the *Rimac* crash. Instead, it’s a brilliant, self-deprecating quip that encapsulates Hammond's penchant for finding himself in high-speed, high-consequence predicaments, brilliantly blending two separate, near-fatal accidents into one iconic punchline. We're going to unpack this whole saga, from the high-octane drama of the *Rimac Concept One* crash in *Switzerland* to the mind-boggling speed of the *jet-powered dragster* that nearly ended his career much earlier. This phrase has become a cornerstone of *Hammond's* comedic identity, a testament to his resilience, and a running gag that *Jeremy Clarkson* and *James May* have milked for all its worth, much to our entertainment. It’s a story of incredible power, catastrophic failure, incredible luck, and even better humor, making it one of the most memorable catchphrases in modern automotive television history. So buckle up, because we're about to explain exactly why this seemingly nonsensical phrase has become so famous and why it continues to echo in the halls of automotive legend, making fans crack up and marvel at the sheer audacity of it all. It’s more than just a joke; it’s a legend in the making, reflecting the unique brand of entertainment this trio has perfected over decades.## Decoding the Famous "Lambo Chevy" CatchphraseAlright, let's cut to the chase and decode this legendary "Lambo Chevy" phrase, because it’s a lot more nuanced and hilarious than you might think at first glance. *Richard Hammond's* iconic quip isn't about one specific car; it's a brilliant, self-referential joke that stitches together two of his most spectacular, near-fatal crashes into a single, punchy phrase. The first part, the "Lambo" reference, isn't actually about a *Lamborghini* at all, guys. Nope! It refers to the incredibly powerful *Rimac Concept One*, an all-electric hypercar that Hammond absolutely *annihilated* during a hill climb challenge for *The Grand Tour* in *Switzerland*. This beast of a machine, with its staggering horsepower and instant torque, was a truly exotic piece of engineering, and its sleek, aggressive lines certainly evoked the spirit of a high-end Italian supercar, making the "Lambo" part a humorous, if inaccurate, shorthand for an incredibly expensive, incredibly fast, and incredibly totaled vehicle. The crash itself was horrific: the *Rimac* veered off the road, rolled down a steep hill, and burst into flames, leaving Hammond with a fractured knee but miraculously alive. The second part, the "Chevy" bit, takes us even further back in time, to *Richard Hammond's* nearly fatal crash in 2006 while filming for *Top Gear*. This wasn't a *Chevrolet* either, but a *Vauxhall-powered jet-propelled dragster* named *Vampire*, which he was driving at an astounding 319 mph before a tire blew out, sending the vehicle cartwheeling. He suffered a serious brain injury from that one, and his recovery was a long and arduous journey. Why "Chevy," then? Well, *Vauxhall* is a British brand owned by General Motors, just like *Chevrolet*. Given the transatlantic nature of *Top Gear's* and *The Grand Tour's* audience, and perhaps for a simpler, more relatable punchline for American viewers, Hammond—or perhaps the show’s writers—jokingly referred to the *Vauxhall* dragster as a "Chevy." It’s a bit of a wink and a nod, connecting two utterly distinct but equally catastrophic events with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor. This combination highlights his unique ability to turn personal danger into legendary comedic gold, reinforcing his image as the *Grand Tour's* resident crash test dummy. It's truly a testament to his resilience and the trio's incredible dynamic, where even near-death experiences become fodder for endless jokes and affectionate teasing. The phrase perfectly encapsulates the wild, dangerous, and utterly hilarious world they inhabit, cementing its place in automotive television lore. He’s basically saying, "Yeah, I crashed *another* ridiculously fast, exotic car, and it reminds me of that *other* time I crashed a ridiculously fast, dangerous car!" Pure gold, guys, pure gold.## The Grand Tour's Epic Swiss Mishap: The Rimac Concept One CrashWhen we talk about the "Lambo" part of *Richard Hammond's* famous quip, we are, without a shadow of a doubt, referring to the truly spectacular, utterly terrifying, and ultimately legendary crash involving the *Rimac Concept One* during *The Grand Tour’s* second season filming in *Switzerland*. This wasn’t just any car; the *Rimac Concept One* was, at the time, a cutting-edge, all-electric hypercar, a marvel of engineering from *Croatia* that redefined what electric performance could be. It boasted an incredible 1,224 horsepower and a mind-boggling 1,180 lb-ft of torque, capable of hitting 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. For a car enthusiast like Hammond, it was an irresistible challenge, a chance to push the limits on a demanding hill climb circuit. The location for this momentous (and calamitous) event was the *Hemberg Hill Climb* in *Switzerland*, a narrow, winding, and notoriously challenging course that tested both car and driver to their absolute limits. As *Hammond* pushed the *Rimac* through the final section of the climb, approaching the finish line, disaster struck. Exiting a sweeping bend, the car's rear wheels lost traction, possibly due to excessive speed, a slight misjudgment, or perhaps the sheer, brutal power of the electric motors overwhelming the grip. The car veered off the asphalt, skidded onto the grass, and then, with terrifying momentum, tumbled down a steep embankment, rolling several times before coming to a fiery rest. The sight of the *Rimac* engulfed in flames, a mangled wreck at the bottom of the hill, sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching. Miraculously, *Richard Hammond* managed to escape the burning wreckage just moments before it was completely consumed by fire. He was quickly attended to by medical personnel and airlifted to a hospital, suffering from a fractured knee and, undoubtedly, a massive dose of adrenaline and shock. The immediate aftermath was tense; *Jeremy Clarkson* and *James May* were visibly shaken, fearing the worst for their friend and colleague, especially given his history. However, in true *Hammond* fashion, he quickly recovered his spirits, even managing to film a witty update from his hospital bed, reassuring fans and, of course, setting the stage for the endless jokes that would follow from *Clarkson* and *May*. This incident not only highlighted the inherent dangers of pushing these incredible machines to their limits for entertainment but also underscored *Hammond’s* remarkable resilience and knack for surviving seemingly impossible situations. The *Rimac Concept One* crash became an instant, iconic moment in *The Grand Tour's* history, solidifying *Hammond's* reputation as the$