Top Gear Botswana Cars Updated -

The Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered one of the greatest automotive adventures ever filmed. First aired in November 2007, it followed Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they attempted to cross Botswana in three two-wheel-drive cars bought for less than £1,500. Their mission: to prove that simple, used cars could be better suited for rugged terrain than modern "Chelsea Tractors" (SUVs). The Three Main Contenders

The presenters chose vastly different vehicles to tackle the 1,000-mile journey from the Zimbabwe border to the Namibian border.

The 2007 Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded by fans and critics as one of the show's greatest achievements. The challenge required Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May to cross 1,000 miles of rugged terrain—from the Zimbabwean border to Namibia—using only two-wheel-drive cars bought in Africa for less than £1,500. The Cars and Their Performance

Each presenter chose a vehicle that surprisingly reflected their personality and faced unique mechanical trials: 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver") – Richard Hammond

Performance: The lightest and most agile of the trio. It crossed the Makgadikgadi salt pans without needing to be stripped of its interior, unlike the other two.

Reliability: Mostly dependable, though it nearly "drowned" during a river crossing and suffered a broken steering rack after hitting a tree root.

Fate: Hammond became so attached to "Oliver" that he shipped it back to the UK, where he still owns it and has since fully restored it. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E – James May top gear botswana cars

Performance: Chosen for its legendary reputation for ruggedness in Africa. It was the most comfortable but heavy, requiring May to strip it down to a bare shell to avoid sinking in the salt pans.

Reliability: Exceptionally reliable; it finished the trip with almost no major mechanical failures.

Fate: Initially left in Botswana, it was rediscovered in Maun years later and reunited with May in the final Grand Tour special, "One for the Road". 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé – Jeremy Clarkson

Performance: An unusual choice based on Lancia’s rally heritage, but it proved to be a "basket case" from the start.

Reliability: The most unreliable car on the trip, suffering from broken dials, multiple engine stalls, a jammed throttle, failing brakes, and a broken starter solenoid. It finished the trip by crashing into May's Mercedes because it had no brakes.

Fate: Long thought scrapped, the original car was found on blocks in Botswana by fans in 2021. Clarkson was reunited with it during his final filming in 2024. Key Challenges and Modifications The Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered

The journey's difficulty forced "ridiculous as they were necessary" modifications:

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans: To avoid sinking, Clarkson and May had to remove doors, windows, and seats.

Animal Proofing: For the Okavango Delta, cars were "fortified" with wood, corrugated metal, and even soda cans to deter predators.

The Backup Car: The producers provided a Volkswagen Beetle, which the trio despised. Ironically, it was the only car that never broke down once during the entire 1,000-mile journey. Final Verdict

Reviewers praise the special for its genuine sense of adventure and the rare emotional bond formed between the hosts and their "budget bangers". It transitioned the show from a standard motoring program to an iconic travelogue-comedy format.

2) Subaru Impreza WRX / Legacy (depending on episode)

Type: All-wheel-drive rally-derived saloon/hatchback.
Key strengths: High grip on mixed surfaces, good power-to-weight, responsive handling.
Typical mods shown: Roll cage, rally suspension, underbody protection, spare wheel mount.
Practical notes: Fast on gravel and rough tracks but limited ground clearance and low-range gearing; pack recovery straps, spare tyres, and check cooling system for prolonged low-speed climbs.

Recommendations for Botswana overland trips

Primary vehicle: mid-sized pickup or body-on-frame SUV (e.g., Toyota Hilux, Land Cruiser, Isuzu D-Max) with diesel engine.
Essential modifications: all-terrain tires, raised air intake/snorkel, underbody protection, recovery points, dual battery system, auxiliary fuel/water tanks.
Emergency kit: shovel, traction boards, high-lift jack, rated tow straps, shackles, basic spares (belts, hoses, filters), tire repair kit, compressor.
Navigation & planning: satellite communications (PLB/satellite phone), physical maps, conservative daily mileage to allow for delays.
Maintenance planning: pre-trip mechanical inspection, carry common consumables, identify local service centers along route.

Vehicle analyses

3. James May’s 1979 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123)

"Captain Slow" Wins Again

While Clarkson bought style and Hammond bought heart, James May bought engineering. He selected a battleship-grey Mercedes-Benz W123. At the time, it looked like a grandpa’s saloon. In hindsight, it was the smartest buy in Top Gear history.

The engineering marvel: The W123 was designed to survive the apocalypse. Its suspension was robust enough to handle the rutted tracks, its mechanical fuel injection didn't suffer from vapor lock, and the chassis was galvanized against rust.
The modifications: May famously sealed the distributor cap with a rubber glove to keep water out and taped up the door seals. While Hammond wept and Clarkson burned, May simply sat in air-conditioned comfort, listening to classical music.
The finish line: The Mercedes didn't just finish; it arrived first, looking barely worse for wear. It proved that German "over-engineering" isn't a fault—it’s a survival strategy.

Verdict: The quiet professional. The Mercedes is the car you would actually want to drive across Botswana.

The Emotional Core: A Car is Born

What separates this special from standard car reviews is the emotional narrative arc of Richard Hammond and "Oliver."

Throughout the trip, Hammond babied the Opel. He cleaned it, talked to it, and fixed it with care. By the time they reached the final stretch—a race to the border along the "animal roads"—Hammond had realized that he couldn't leave the car behind.

The climax of the episode saw the trio racing against the sunset. Clarkson’s Lancia was held together with duct tape and hope, May’s Mercedes was cruising effortlessly, and Hammond was pushing the little Opel to its absolute limit.

They crossed the border into Namibia. They had survived. The cars had survived. 2) Subaru Impreza WRX / Legacy (depending on episode)

In a heartwarming post-script, Hammond revealed that he had arranged to ship "Oliver" back to the UK. He restored the car, and to this day, "Oliver" remains a fixture in Hammond’s garage, appearing in his subsequent shows and social media. It was a testament to the idea that a car can be more than just a machine; it can be a companion.