Motoring enthusiasts could dread the 13th of September as it marks the final time a motoring show with the three top presenters of the automotive world, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, head out on an adventure in Zimbabwe. This emotional and spirited journey, titled "One For The Road," is part of The Grand Tour series and will air exclusively on Amazon Prime.
The trio has been popular since its BBC Top Gear days, famous for its brutal car reviews, splendid British humor, high-speed action, a ton of car knowledge, and of course, for its Top Gear specials. However, it wasn't just the cars, it was the unmatchable chemistry between three friends who pretended to hate each other that turned out to work the most. Their playful banter and seamless camaraderie became the hallmark of the episodes of Top Gear, making each episode an unforgettable experience.
The show was a favorite among car enthusiasts in their twenties, thirties, and forties, with its specials standing out as particularly memorable. Highlights included the 1,000-mile motorcycle adventure through Vietnam, the quest to locate the source of the Nile in three second-hand estate cars, and the dramatic crossing of Africa's salt flats and game reserves in three worn-out cars with no doors.
The series also featured specials involving muscle cars in a journey across America to set top speed records on the salt flats and the polar expedition, which showcased a gripping man vs. nature scenario and marked the first car to reach the North Pole. These iconic events became the stuff of legend for car fans, who could only dream of such adventures themselves.
However, Clarkson, May, and Hammond left the BBC after Clarkson was involved in a 'fracas'. The three, alongside producer Andy Wilman, started their own production company to film The Grand Tour. They collaborated with Amazon to feature the show exclusively on Prime. After its first series in 2016, when it broke all records, the trio embarked on adventures every year, demonstrating that even as they aged into their fifties and sixties, their enthusiasm for high-octane exploration remained undiminished.
Sadly, it appears that the era of car explorations is coming to an end this year. The trio will journey to Zimbabwe, followed by a nostalgic return to Botswana, the birthplace of their Top Gear specials. They will embark on a breathtaking road trip through dramatic and challenging landscapes in a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-liter, and a Triumph Stag, before wrapping up the episode with an emotionally charged finale on a strangely familiar island.
When asked at the Edinburgh TV Festival why the trio was ending the global phenomenon, as reported by Daily Mail, Wilman said:
"We are getting to the point where enough is enough. On top of that, there is the sense that we want to end things on our own terms. It had to come to an end and we wanted to be the ones who called it."
The episode was shot in September last year where the trio will return to Kubu Island, Botswana. Wilman described the episode as "deliberately gentle" as the three stars wanted to go back to where they started from. He added:
"They wanted to go 'unplugged'. We wanted to go back to 2005, leave the dynamite at home, we will go with s*** old cars. They give you more TV than modern new cars, they give you more stories, more laughs. So they wanted evocative cars that they adore and they wanted to be in Africa. It is the favorite continent we ever filmed in.
"Their comradery is next level. I think that you can see that they know this is the last time they will do this.
"We decided a long time ago. The one thing we wanted to be in control of is deciding when and where and how we landed."
In recent years, the three presenters have each pursued their own ventures. Clarkson turned to farming, leading to the expansion of several related businesses. May launched his gin and invested in a pub, and Hammond opened a new garage.
As life progresses and time moves on, some things remain deeply cherished in our hearts. For many, Clarkson, May, and Hammond are more than just television personalities—they embody our passions, the machines we love, and the thrill of adventure. Through their unforgettable journeys and insightful humor, they have taught us to appreciate, respect, and savor the marvels of automotive engineering, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and delight.
It remains to be seen if Clarkson makes use of his popular line in the upcoming episode - "And on that bombshell, it is time to end."
