James Martin has lifted the lid on his incredible car collection which is worth more than £5million and includes a classic Ferrari and Colin McRae rally car.
The TV chef, 51, who recently stepped out with his new girlfriend Kim Johnson, is known as a petrolhead and has a vast collection of vehicles.
After starting out as a chef, James has become a household name after hosting both Saturday Kitchen and Saturday Morning.
But as well as being famous for his abilities in the kitchen, James is also known for his love of cars, which he keeps in a garage at his Hampshire home.
The quaint car village is hounded in pretty hand-painted garages, which he showed off during a 2022 appearance on Jodie Kidd’s show, Kidd in a Sweet Shop.
James Martin has lifted the lid on his incredible car collection which is worth more than £5million and includes a classic Ferrari and Colin McRae rally car
The TV chef, 51, who recently stepped out with his new girlfriend Kim Johnson, is known as a petrolhead and has a vast collection of vehicles
It is thought that James first fell in love with motors when he was given a toy Ferrari 288 GTO as a young boy.
James now owns a real Ferrari, the 275 model from 1965 in silver, which underwent a a huge restoration, which included the installation of a new engine.
James admits to still getting behind the wheel to take it for a spin, describing the classic supercar as ‘absolutely incredible’.
The car has also undergone a lot of restoration work, including the installation of a new roll-off engine.
Elsewhere in his collection is a beautiful Ford GT40 which he partnered alongside three-time British Touring Car champion Jason Plato.
It even won the Whitsun Trophy at Goodwood Revival and taken part in hill climbs in Switzerland.
James said: ‘It is an amazing bit of kit. Not until you fire it up and until you drive it there is no other thing on the road like it. None.
‘There is nothing like this on the road. Nothing. The dealer went ‘there we go’, and I went ‘done, sold’. I’d never driven it.’
As well as being famous for his abilities in the kitchen, James is also known for his love of cars, which he keeps in a garage at his Hampshire home
James brought this Shelby GT500 (left) over from Florid
Elsewhere in his collection is a beautiful Ford GT40 which he partnered alongside three-time British Touring Car champion Jason Plato
James now owns a real Ferrari, the 275 model from 1965 in silver, which underwent a a huge restoration, which included the installation of a new engine
Another in his collection is a Ford Escort which finished second in the 1969 Acropolis Rally.
He also owns a rare Mini Cooper which was previously driven by British world rally star Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen.
Another vehicle he drives a lot is this BMW 760Li which singer Jay Kay told him to buy.
James said: ‘A lot of people buy RSA Audis and stuff like that, but the 760Li is absolutely mega – V12, 700 horsepower… Mega.’
James also owns an Alfa Romeo ATL which is currently being restored.
The video of James’ car collection comes after his split from girlfriend of 12 years Louise Davies was revealed.
The celebrity chef, 51, and the TV producer, 47, first began dating in 2011 after they met on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
But a spokesperson for James confirmed they parted ways in December 2023 and remain firm friends.
It comes as James was seen browsing watches in Mayfair alongside personal trainer Kim Johnson on Saturday.
James cut a casual figure for the outing as he sported a black gilet over a light blue shirt and dark blue jeans.
The quaint car village is hounded in pretty hand-painted garages, which he showed off during a 2022 appearance on Jodie Kidd ‘s show, Kidd in a Sweet Shop
James’s diet reveal comes after his split from girlfriend of 12 years Louise Davies, 47, was revealed (pictured together in 2021)
Personal trainer Kim, 38, wrapped up for the outing in a black jumper and navy jacket which she paired with a leather mini skirt.
Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar who was married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011.
Their break-up was disclosed after she was discovered to be enjoying a romance with cricketer Shane Warne following the split.