Top Gear Botswana Cars

Oliver was the breakout star of the special. Being incredibly light, it floated over the thick crust of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans where heavier cars sank. It suffered one major disaster when it sank in a river crossing, drowning the engine. Hammond painstakingly cleaned out the water, and against all odds, Oliver fired back to life. The car performed so well that Hammond fell in love with it, officially imported it back to the UK, and still owns it today. 3. James May’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E

May chose the ultimate symbol of over-engineered German reliability: the W123 generation Mercedes-Benz. This rear-wheel-drive sedan was already famous globally for its durability in harsh environments.

: Jeremy Clarkson's choice, picked for Lancia's rally pedigree. Despite frequent mechanical failures—particularly with its starter motor—it managed to finish the 1,000-mile journey. Volkswagen Beetle top gear botswana cars

defied all statistical odds by surviving, proving that even the most unreliable Italian cars possess a stubborn soul.

The legacy of the Top Gear Botswana cars endured for nearly two decades, culminating in their poignant reunion in the final episode of The Grand Tour . Their final journey, One for the Road , ended with the trio back on Kubu Island in the Makgadikgadi Pan—a perfect and emotional full-circle moment for a trio of presenters and their three iconic cars. Oliver was the breakout star of the special

: Left entirely stock; Hammond refused to strip the car to protect its character. Performance on the Journey

The Botswana Special is widely considered by fans to be the first "true" Top Gear special and is often ranked as one of the best episodes ever. It set a new benchmark for automotive adventure television, proving that compelling drama could be found in the relationship between man and a cheap, broken-down machine in a hostile environment. Hammond painstakingly cleaned out the water, and against

The brilliance of the episode lay in the machinery. These were not rugged Land Rovers or tricked-out Toyotas; they were decrepit European saloons bought on a shoestring budget.