The Grand Tour: One For The Road

[Kevin M.]

To me, the series (which, like Top Gear, was always more about the chemistry of the hosts than about cars) came along at a time when friends and family were moving away or dying, and watching an episode was like gathering with some good friends for a good drink and an argument or two. 

The Grand Tour aspired to be a series where people of all ages and backgrounds could gather and embrace the strange and the silly and the arbitrary definition of “cool”. Ultimately, three old British guys were never going to be cool, but that just made it more amusing when they tried. 

I got to meet James May a few weeks ago when he was in California promoting his gin brand. I don’t really get star struck, but I felt a sort of giddiness shaking hands with someone whose shows had been there for me at defining moments of my life. Now that the series is over, I don’t suspect Clarkson will return to America again. Hammond might. It’d be nice to meet and greet all three of them at some point..

There are rumors Amazon wants to continue the series. I pray they don’t. Or maybe wait a decade or so, then a new trio of hosts can attempt adventures in old/used electric and hybrid clunkers. 

Kevin M. (RPCV)