I have not liked this series. Too many repeats of previous challenges. I know the difficulty in coming up with new pieces everytime, but this post isn't about that. This is about the final episode. The ending was poetic.
I'm really surprised no one has brought this up yet. It was a rather poignant point they were making about "British sportscars". It wasn't so much about the "cars" as much as it was about "Top Gear". Follow me a bit.
All these random "hot hatches" (Top Gear variations in different countries) are taking peoples attention away from the classic; and especially true of the much trumpeted US launch. Promising newer, "fresher" presenters, new thinking, etc. It's easy to see why the new shows have a lot of promise and potential over the coming years (if they make it that long).
The three cars represent the presenters: classics, great in their day, as they got older time kinda caught up with them. They understand that. They know that this will have to come to an end soon. And no matter what the reason they go off the air, it won't matter. Looking back, we'll be reminded of how awesome they were what they did to change the automotive industry.
There is a lot to be taken away from James's and Richard's point:
We were all rather dazzled by the xr3i and the golf gti and so on. But really it was a bit of a fad. No one these days is saying, "oh I'd love an old xr3. But a Jensen Healey, a Lotus, a TVR...YES! -James May
I think driving to a British seaside resort, in a funny little British sportscar, with a naked lady statue and a giant urn on the seat next to me...is...above all else...fun. And for all our serious side, the British have always been rather good at fun. And my whole experience is tinged at all times with the knowledge that we're doing something that's...ended. -Richard Hammond
Just like these cars, the presenters know at some point the old must make way for the new. But like these great machines, they will never be forgotten. Jeremy, Richard and James made driving fun again. They made loving cars cool again. Like their vehicular counterparts, we'll all envy the originals. The cars...the show...will forever be the greatest ever made and none will come close to that prestige or have that title of being "Original".
Top Gear withstood the test of time and did what no one else had done: made us all fall in love with being petrol heads...and proud of it.
I tip my hat to you Top Gear.
It has been a fantastic 7 years (of the current format and team).
Thank you for reminding us.
Cheers.