Since its premiere in 2016, The Grand Tour has delivered a mix of drama, comedy, and heartfelt moments as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May travel the globe, reviewing everything from classic cars to pick-up trucks.
As the trio embarks on their final grand adventure across Zimbabwe in The Grand Tour: One For The Road, now streaming on Prime Video, let’s revisit some of the wildest moments from seasons 1 to 5.
1. Racing across the sea
In one of their most daring adventures, Clarkson, May and Hammond swap their cars for boats to navigate the 30 miles of open sea with nothing but life jackets for protection. The initially calm waters quickly turn stormy, and their boats are violently tossed by waves, leaving them drenched as narrowly avoiding massive container ships blocking their path. Clarkson is the first to reach the harbour, alone and without the film crew, followed by Hammond. Both agree it was the toughest and most dangerous experience they’ve faced. May arrives last, utterly exhausted, underscoring how brutal the journey was – even for a group used to high-speed car races and hair-raising stunts.
2. Catapulting a Citroën to France
In classic The Grand Tour fashion, when Clarkson, Hammond, and May plan to send a car back to France, their method is nothing short of outrageous. The method? Launching it through the air using a 60-foot-tall, 32-ton catapult. After a few false starts and some adjustments, the trio hoists a Citroën C3 Pluriel onto the catapult using a crane. With Clarkson and Hammond at the controls, the car is flung through the sky at high speed. Though it doesn’t quite make it to France, it crashes spectacularly onto a nearby shed, proving once again that nothing is ever quite straightforward with these three.
3. The Colombia Meltdown
The Grand Tour wouldn’t be the same without heated arguments, but this one stands out. While searching for wildlife to photograph in the Colombian jungle, the tension between the trio escalates into a chaotic meltdown. James May’s Jeep breaks down and they resort to throwing rocks at each other and ‘accidentally’ hitting each other with cars, culminating in another classic Clarkson roar of "Hammond!" echoing through the jungle over the sound of revving engines.
4. The Flame-Throwing Drone Test
In one of the show’s most explosive challenges, the trio navigate a course while avoiding airborne flamethrowers. Testing the power and agility of their cars, they rig their cars with chains of firecrackers on the bonnet, roof, and boot lid. Despite their best efforts, Hammond, Clarkson, and May don’t escape the fiery assault, resulting in a scorching defeat.
5. Chaos at Stansted Airport
Creativity meets chaos as Clarkson and Hammond devise impractical ways to speed through the airport. Clarkson turns his suitcase into a go-kart, complete with wheels and a steering wheel, while Hammond transforms his laptop into a mini skateboard. Their antics cause mayhem at the terminal as they attempt to bypass security and customs in their uniquely disruptive style.
6. Blowing up a Beach to Find Pirate Treasure
On a Madagascan beach, Clarkson, Hammond, and May search for a 7-foot, 200-pound gold cross that once belonged to the famed pirate La Buse. Each adopts a different approach: Hammond uses a metal detector, May assembles a rudimentary treasure-detecting solution system, and Clarkson, after making banana daiquiris in a bar-shaped shelter, opts to use dynamite. A slight miscalculation leaves Clarkson with mere seconds to escape the ensuing explosions, resulting in a very panicked retreat. Needless to say, the lost treasure of La Buse remains undiscovered.
7. Destroying Jeremy Clarkson’s Farmhouse
A lost bet leads to one of the most destructive scenes in The Grand Tour. James May and Richard Hammond team up to demolish Clarkson’s farmhouse in the Cotswolds. With one opting for pure destruction and the other embracing a more methodical approach, they ultimately decide that a full demolition is the only way to settle the score.
Looking for more thrilling and hilarious moments from Clarkson, Hammond and May?
Find out how to watch The Grand Tour: One For The Road on Prime Video.
