The last person to arrive had to give a speech in aid of the North Yorkshire Carbon Management and Sustainability Trust.
The show format featured James May and Richard Hammond presenting in an empty studio, without Clarkson or the usual live audience.
Also visible in the studio was the "elephant in the room", a 10ft plastic replica elephant from a Hull design company which the show's makers borrowed, called Jeremy.
A scene showing a quiz in a pub with some of the show's producers had people on social media speculating whether one of them was Oisin Tymon, whom Clarkson fell out with.
Other highlights included Hammond being strapped to the top of an aeroplane, his prize for winning their first challenge, a classic car challenge.
Reports have speculated as to what the viewing figures for the final show will be.Its highest-ever figures are 8.35 million, from a 2007 show featuring Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton.
Opinion on social media was divided, with fans and celebrities expressing sadness and glee.
Clarkson was vocal about the final, calling the final instalment "cobbled together" in a column he wrote for The Sun.
The show will return with new host, Chris Evans, next year.
Evans has called on Top Gear fans to send in short audition clips to join him as a co-host on the revamped show.
- PAA
