To refer to something as the end of an era is perhaps widely overused in today’s world. Most ‘eras’ don’t tend to last long enough to leave you with any long lasting memories before the next, popular thing takes your attention. For something to be defined as an era, it surely must have substantially impacted people’s lives.

In the case of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, the 22 years they’ve been on screen are at the genesis of why so many of us of a certain age love cars. Their humour, knowledge and passion for the automotive world have made content they produce thoroughly rewatchable and a testament to their presenting style. It is no surprise that compilation videos of moments from Top Gear and The Grand Tour receive hundreds of thousands of views on a regular basis and I'm unashamed to say I’ve seen nearly every one of them.

One For The Road was always going to be an emotional watch. The teaser and official trailer gave glimpses of what was coming our way, although any marketing for this final special was ultimately unnecessary. For millions of fans around the world, this two hour episode was essential viewing and took the typical formula we have known and loved and sprinkled a theme of melancholy throughout. The objective was simple for the trio: travel the width of Zimbabwe from east to west in cars they’ve always wanted to own. Clarkson chose a Lancia Montecarlo, May brought a Triumph Stag and Hammond rocked up in a Ford Capri.

Playing all the hits

For The Grand Tour, and Top Gear before it, the specials represented the best of driving. Taking beloved and often misunderstood cars around the world to exotic (and sometimes terrifying) locations to push them to the limit. For many of us, our sense of adventure could be lived vicariously through them.

Of course, we know that nothing ever lasts forever and the rigours of these specials, with cars 99 per cent of the time not fit for purpose, must have taken its toll on the presenters in the end. For the final special, however, all of that was put to the side to provide an episode that packed in all of the highlights in the form of catchphrases, quirks and themes that we’ve known and loved and that have endeared the trio to our hearts over the last two decades. Clarkson’s famous “Speeeed”, “powerrrr” and “let’s not get bogged down…” were given a final outing. Those who broke down were, as is tradition, left behind. The cars driven were modified within an inch of their lives, travelling on train tracks, boats and across the most difficult of terrain as they limped to the finish line.

However, this special had an entirely different feel about it. Gone was the constant bickering which had become a theme of many of the recent specials, instead replaced by a sense of comradery and an acceptance of its significance. Small moments commonplace in the majority of content the trio had produced were now laced with poignancy. Clarkson recognised that he’d skidded around a corner for the final time on television, a moment that usually wouldn’t have been given a second thought, now played over and over in your mind. It was all building up to a final scene like no other.

That final scene

Close to the completion of their objective of driving from the east to the west of Zimbabwe, the map revealed a nearby location cemented into Top Gear legacy. Kubu Island, located in the Makgadikgadi Pan area of Botswana is widely considered to be one of the greatest locations the trio have visited in their 22 years on screen. Featured in the first ever special in Botswana 17 years ago, to reach it, the lads had to shed weight off their cars and tackle a salt pan determined to sink and derail their journey. Soundtracked by ‘Brothers in Arms’ by Dire Straits, they retraced their steps, wearing masks and goggles to protect themselves from the dust that engulfed their now doorless cars. At the island, they were met with the same Baobab Tree, the same large rocks, the same stunning sunset. Clips from the first Top Gear special on BBC were interspersed with corresponding ones from the present day. Almost 17 years later, there could be no more fitting location to finish their story.

Stood together for one final time, Clarkson unplugged his microphone and members of the cast and crew hugged and shook hands, acknowledging the end of the journey and a job supremely well done. Fast and Furious 7 style, the cars drove into the sunset in separate directions as the screen faded to black. The end.

The future of The Grand Tour

Such is the emotion that has consumed One For The Road; you could be forgiven for forgetting that The Grand Tour will indeed return, although this time with new presenters. One question immediately springs to mind: is this a good idea?

Clarkson, Hammond and May hit upon a formula that is impossible to recreate. The Top Gear episodes that followed their departure were good, but not the same. The Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness trio was maybe the closest to recreating that feeling, although Harris’ knowledge was so much superior to the others that he is deserving of his own show entirely.

So, what to do with The Grand Tour? Now that it has been finished in the most perfect manner, perhaps it would be better for Amazon to close the chapter on it. By all means create a new car show, but leave The Grand Tour as a collection of 46 episodes of motoring joy. Top Gear should have done the same.

For those of you who, like me, are sad that it’s all over, the entire Top Gear series is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. If you ever have a spare hour, I implore you to go back and watch any episode from any year. Despite the world moving on, the shows are rewatchable in the present day and evoke a particular sense of nostalgia that cannot be replicated by many another programmes. If you have children, I encourage you to introduce them to it. It could be the spark that ignites their love for cars, the same spark I experienced over 20 years ago.

The Grand Tour: One For The Road is now available to watch on Prime Video.

To hear a selection of podcast episodes with some key figures from the Grand Tour and Top Gear, see the list below with links through to Acast (these episodes are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify).

Richard Porter - Top Gear and Grand Tour Script Editor
https://shows.acast.com/the-driven-chat-podcast/episodes/richard-porter-aka-sniff-petrol

Brian Klein - Top Gear Studio Director
https://shows.acast.com/the-driven-chat-podcast/episodes/brian-klein-top-gear-director

Andy Harriss - Top Gear Health and Safety Coordinator
https://shows.acast.com/the-driven-chat-podcast/episodes/car-stunts-and-safety-with-andy-harriss

words: Mike Booth
pictures & video: Amazon - MGM Studios