The sun over Botswana wasn't just hot; it was aggressive. It was a hammer trying to drive the whole world flat. And somewhere in that shimmering, endless nothing, three men were dying of shame.
Jeremy Clarkson, slumped against the bonnet of a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé, was watching the bodywork dissolve in real-time. "It's not rust," he mumbled, gesturing to a flaking door panel that crumbled like a dry biscuit. "It's a structural time-lapse. I've owned a cheese sandwich with better integrity."
Behind him, a cloud of flies and optimism announced the arrival of Richard Hammond in a 1963 Opel Kadett. The little car was held together by prayer, beige paint, and a single, heroic coat of under-seal. "She’s screaming," Hammond said cheerfully, patting the dashboard, "but it's a happy scream. Like a terrier that's seen a postman."
Then came the sound of absolute mechanical contempt. A low, guttural thrum that vibrated through the soles of your shoes. James May’s 1974 Mercedes 230E, the "Rolls-Royce of rust-buckets," rolled to a stop. It was boxy, grey, and utterly unkillable. May got out, adjusted his cuffs, and said, "Mine has developed a slight hesitation in the middle-lower rev range. I've diagnosed it as 'drama from the other two.'"
Their mission, given by a producer who clearly hated them, was to cross the Makgadikgadi Pans—a salt flat the size of Portugal with no shade, no water, and no mercy.
The Lancia lasted three miles before its electrics surrendered. A cloud of acrid smoke rose from the dashboard. Jeremy yanked the stereo out. "It's fine," he said. "I've bypassed the ignition. I'm now starting the car with a live wire and a prayer." He touched two bare wires together. Sparks flew. The engine coughed. "SEE? Engineering!"
The Opel Kadett's problem was less dramatic but more humiliating: the suspension was made of wet newspaper. Every pebble sent Hammond's spine into his skull. He solved it by filling the rear footwells with boulders. "Ballast!" he yelled over the crashing noises. "It's a rally technique!"
Only James May was serene. The Mercedes, despite sounding like a sewing machine full of gravel, simply went. It did not overheat. It did not complain. It just absorbed the corrugated dirt tracks with Teutonic indifference.
On the second day, they reached the edge of the salt pan. It was a blinding, white wasteland that stretched to a curved horizon. The heat haze made ghost lakes that danced and vanished.
"Right," Jeremy said, sweating through his shirt. "The rules of the salt pan: Do not stop. Do not turn sharply. And for the love of God, do not crack the sump."
They set off. The Lancia, now running on a twisted coat hanger and Jeremy's sheer will, left a trail of blue smoke. The Opel Kadett bounced like a frog in a blender. The Mercedes followed, windows up, air conditioning on (a miracle), with James May listening to a tape of Baroque concertos.
Halfway across, Hammond’s Opel died. Just… stopped. Fuel starvation. He got out, kicked a tyre, and immediately regretted it as his boot sank into the burning salt. "It's like a giant's frying pan!" he shrieked.
Jeremy, seeing an opportunity, turned around. The Lancia’s front wheel dug in. CRACK. The sump hit a hidden ridge of salt rock. A black slick of oil spread across the white pan like an inkblot.
Silence.
Then, the low growl of the Mercedes. James May pulled alongside, wound down the window, and looked at the two broken cars. He didn't gloat. He just sighed.
"Right," James said. "Here's the plan. Hammond, you get in the back. Jeremy, you tie your Lancia's front bumper to my tow bar. We drag your corpse to the other side."
"Will it make it?" Jeremy asked, suddenly humble.
James looked at the Mercedes’ temperature gauge—rock steady. He looked at the fuel—half a tank. He looked at the salt pan—endless and cruel.
He smiled. "It's not a question of 'if.' It's a question of 'how boringly inevitable.'"
And so they crawled across the rest of the pan. The Mercedes, towing the dead Lancia like a sled of shame, with Hammond's Opel tied behind that, forming a three-car train of catastrophe. The sun set. The salt turned pink, then purple, then black.
Three hours later, they rolled into a village on the far side. The Mercedes’ headlights cut through the dark. It was still running. It had never, for a single second, looked worried.
James parked. Killed the engine. The silence was profound.
Jeremy got out, walked to the front of the Mercedes, and knelt in the dust.
"I'm not worthy," he said.
Hammond limped over. "You know what? That car is better than all of us."
James May opened the bonnet. He stared at the oily, ancient, unstoppable engine. He didn't say anything clever. He just gave the valve cover a single, affectionate pat.
And that, as Jeremy would later write, "was the moment we learned that you don't buy a car in Botswana. You adopt a god."
In the 2007 Botswana Special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with driving across Botswana in used, two-wheel-drive cars bought for less than £1,500. Their mission was to prove these cars could handle rough terrain just as well as expensive SUVs. The Main Vehicles Opel Kadett
(nicknamed "Oliver"): Chosen by Richard Hammond, this small 1963 car became the breakout star of the episode. Hammond grew so attached to "Oliver" that he brought the car back to the UK, where he still owns it today. Mercedes-Benz 230E
: Selected by James May for its reputation for durability in Africa. During the journey, it underwent extreme weight-saving modifications, including removing all body panels. Lancia Beta Coupé
: 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
(The Backup): This car served as the penalty for any presenter whose car failed completely. It was painted in a bright "backup" color to humiliate the driver. What Happened to Them?
Surviving the Salt: The Legends of the Top Gear Botswana Special The 2007 Top Gear Botswana Special
remains a high-water mark for the series, proving that you don't need a customized 4x4 to cross a continent—you just need a bit of blind optimism and $1,500. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with driving across Botswana, from the Zimbabwean border to the Namibian border, using only used two-wheel-drive cars that were never meant to see a dirt road, let alone the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or the Okavango Delta [0.5.1]. Here are the three unlikely heroes of that journey: 1. The 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé (Jeremy Clarkson)
Chosen for its style rather than its reliability, the Lancia was the most "Top Gear" choice possible. Throughout the 1,000-mile trek, it suffered catastrophic suspension failures and constant overheating. Despite Clarkson’s insistence that it was a "supercar," it required more maintenance than the other two combined.
The Outcome: For years, it was believed to have been scrapped. However, as of 2020, the shell was discovered in Maun, Botswana, partially reassembled but missing its wheels and lights [0.5.2]. 2. "Oliver" – The 1963 Opel Kadett (Richard Hammond)
While Clarkson and May treated their cars like disposable tools, Hammond fell in love with his 1963 Opel Kadett, naming it "Oliver." Despite being the smallest and oldest car, Oliver survived the salt pans and even a full submersion in the Okavango Delta water crossings.
The Outcome: Oliver is the only car of the three that returned to the UK. Hammond loved the car so much he had it shipped back, restored it, and it has since appeared in several of his solo projects [0.5.2]. 3. The 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (James May)
Ever the pragmatist, May chose a car known for its tank-like build quality. The Mercedes-Benz W123 is a staple of African taxi fleets, and it lived up to its reputation. While May spent most of the trip stripping the interior to save weight, the car remained remarkably reliable compared to the Lancia.
The Outcome: At the end of the trip, the Mercedes was donated to a local advisor who assisted the crew during filming [0.5.2]. The Backup: The Volkswagen Beetle
As a penalty for any car that broke down completely, the producers provided a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle (painted in a "clownish" theme). Ironically, the Beetle—with its rear-engine layout and air-cooled engine—was perfectly suited for the terrain. None of the hosts were forced to drive it, and it was ultimately donated to a bush mechanic in the support team [0.5.2].
The Botswana Special is widely regarded by fans as one of the best episodes in the show's history due to its combination of stunning scenery and the genuine mechanical peril of the chosen vehicles [0.5.3].
Analysis of the "Unsuitable" Vehicles of the Top Gear Botswana Special top gear botswana cars
Botswana Special (2007) is widely regarded by fans and critics as the definitive blueprint for the show’s "Special" format. The core premise—driving 1,000 miles across the Kalahari Desert, the Makgadikgadi salt pans, and the Okavango Delta in cars specifically chosen for being "unsuitable"—serves as a case study in mechanical resilience versus environmental extremity. The Selection: Three Unlikely Contenders
The presenters were tasked with purchasing a used, two-wheel-drive car for no more than £1,500. Their choices represented three distinct automotive philosophies: Nickname/Legacy Jeremy Clarkson Lancia Beta Coupé "The Heartbreaker" Richard Hammond Opel Kadett Mercedes-Benz 230E "The Over-Engineered" Lancia Beta Coupé (Clarkson)
Clarkson’s choice was the most technically fragile. Historically plagued by rust and electrical issues, the Lancia was an "unsuitable" choice by design. To survive the heat, Clarkson famously removed the car's doors and hood to increase airflow—a modification that eventually compromised the structural integrity and invited Botswana's dust into every internal component. Opel Kadett " (Hammond)
Hammond chose a vehicle significantly older than the others. "
" became a fan favorite due to its simplicity. Lacking complex electronics, it was the only car that could be easily repaired by the presenters themselves. Despite being submerged in a river crossing, the Opel was revived and eventually shipped back to the UK by Hammond, where it remains in his personal collection today. Mercedes-Benz 230E
May opted for German reliability. The W123-chassis Mercedes is globally renowned for its durability in developing nations. Despite the harsh salt pans and sand dunes, May’s vehicle required the least amount of mechanical intervention, proving that over-engineering is often the best defense against extreme geography. Environmental Impact and Legacy
The expedition was the first time cars had successfully crossed the Makgadikgadi salt pans, though the environmental impact remains a point of historical discussion among fans. The cars’ fates varied significantly after filming: The was donated to an advisor who assisted the crew. The
was left in Botswana; though long thought scrapped, it was discovered partially reassembled in Maun as recently as 2020. The Volkswagen Beetle
, which served as the "backup car" (a penalty vehicle no presenter wanted to drive), was donated to a local bush mechanic.
For more details on the production and episode specifics, you can visit the Top Gear Botswana Special Wikipedia page or view behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram.
In the 2007 Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4), Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with buying a two-wheel-drive car for less than £1,500 to drive 1,000 miles across Botswana. The journey spanned from the Zimbabwean border, across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, through the Okavango Delta, and finally to the Namibian border. The Main Vehicles Richard Hammond Opel Kadett ("Oliver")
Hammond became emotionally attached to "Oliver," eventually shipping it back to the UK for restoration. Mercedes-Benz 230E
Chosen for its reputation for African durability, it survived the trip despite various mechanical issues. Jeremy Clarkson Lancia Beta Coupé
Plagued by constant breakdowns and electrical failures, it was widely considered the most unreliable of the trio. The Backup Car Volkswagen Beetle : The producers provided a
as a backup car. If any presenter’s car failed completely, they would be forced to drive the
for the remainder of the trip—a prospect all three hosts famously loathed Key Challenges & Modifications Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
: To avoid breaking through the thin salty crust into the "primeval ooze" beneath, the hosts stripped their cars of all non-essential weight, including seats, interior trim, and even window glass. Okavango Delta
: The cars faced deep sand and river crossings. Hammond famously "drowned"
in a river, but the car was miraculously revived by the team's bush mechanics Wildlife Protection
: In the game reserves, the hosts attempted to rebuild sections of their stripped cars using makeshift materials to protect themselves from lions and other predators. Where Are They Now?
The Top Gear Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded as the episode that defined the "special" format: three cheap, two-wheel-drive cars attempting to cross a country to prove they are better than expensive SUVs. The Lineup: Three Unlikely Heroes
Tasked with finding a car for less than £1,500 that had no off-road pedigree, the trio selected three very different machines:
Richard Hammond’s 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver"): Hammond chose this small, lightweight car for its simplicity. He famously fell in love with it, shouting "Oliver!" whenever it faced peril. It was the only car of the three that didn't have its weight stripped to cross the salt flats. Jeremy Clarkson’s 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé
: Clarkson chose a Lancia because the brand was legendary in rallying. However, this specific model was an automatic and plagued by reliability issues, breaking down almost immediately at the start of the journey. James May’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
: May banked on German engineering and the Mercedes' reputation for being "the car of Africa." Despite its age and being rear-wheel drive, it proved remarkably resilient throughout the 1,000-mile trek. The Backup: Volkswagen Beetle
: In a running gag for the special, the producers provided a Beetle as a backup car. Because the trio hated it, they were highly motivated to keep their original cars running to avoid having to drive it. The Journey: 1,000 Miles of Punishment
The mission was to drive from Botswana’s eastern border with Zimbabwe to its western border with Namibia, crossing some of the harshest terrain on Earth.
The Makgadikgadi Pan: One of the world's largest salt flats. To prevent their thin-tired cars from breaking through the "creme brulee" crust into the ooze below, the presenters had to strip their cars of almost all weight, including doors and interior panels.
The Kalahari Desert: A grueling test of cooling systems and suspension.
The Okavango Delta: The final push involved navigating through water and wildlife-rich terrain. Where are they now?
While many Top Gear cars are scrapped after filming, the Botswana trio had a different fate:
Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is legendary for proving that cheap, two-wheel-drive "bangers" could survive 1,000 miles across some of Africa's most punishing terrain. The Core Trio
The presenters were given £1,500 to buy cars that were NOT designed for off-roading. 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver") : Driven by Richard Hammond. Performance
: The "hero" of the trip. Due to its extreme lightness, it skipped across the Makgadikgadi salt pans while the others sank.
: Hammond loved it so much he shipped it back to the UK, where it has since undergone multiple restorations and still appears on his DriveTribe 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E : Driven by James May. Performance
: Chosen for its legendary African durability. It survived the trip with relatively few mechanical failures compared to the others, though it did require significant weight-shedding (stripping doors and glass) to cross the salt pans. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé : Driven by Jeremy Clarkson. Performance
: Infamously unreliable. It suffered from constant electrical issues, broken dials, and total brake failure by the end of the trip.
: Long thought lost or crushed, it was recently rediscovered by fans on blocks in a yard in Botswana. The Backup & Support The Volkswagen Beetle
: This was the "backup" car if any presenter's car failed. Because the trio hated the Beetle, they were highly motivated to keep their own cars running. Ironically, the Beetle completed the entire journey without a single breakdown. Production Vehicles
: The crew used much more practical vehicles to film, including Toyota Land Cruisers Land Rover Defenders , which are generally the recommended vehicle types for actual travel in the region. Survival Modifications To survive the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
, the cars had to be stripped of all "unnecessary" weight to prevent them from breaking through the thin salty crust into the "primeval ooze" below.
Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered the episode that defined the show’s legendary "special" format. Tasked with crossing 1,000 miles of African terrain in two-wheel-drive cars bought for under £1,500, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May chose vehicles that became more than just machines—they became characters with their own distinct narratives. The Three Contenders The Three Wreckers of the Makgadikgadi The sun
The Top Gear Botswana Special remains one of the most iconic episodes in the history of the long-running BBC motoring show. Airing in 2007, it marked the first time Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with buying second-hand cars and driving them across an entire country. Unlike previous challenges, this was a grueling 1,000-mile journey across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and through the Okavango Delta.
The premise was simple: each presenter was given £1,500 to buy a car that was not an off-roader. They had to prove that used cars were more capable and reliable than the expensive SUVs driven by "Chelsea tractors" owners. The result was a masterclass in automotive endurance and comedic chemistry. The Cars of the Botswana Special Jeremy Clarkson’s 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé
Jeremy chose a Lancia Beta Coupé, a decision that most car enthusiasts viewed as a death sentence given Lancia’s reputation for rust and unreliability. Throughout the journey, the Lancia suffered from constant electrical failures and structural issues. To save weight for the salt pans, Jeremy famously stripped the car of its doors and hood. Despite the Lancia being "the most unreliable car in the world," it miraculously finished the journey, earning Jeremy's genuine respect. Richard Hammond’s 1963 Opel Kadett (Oliver)
Richard opted for a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he affectionately named "Oliver." Small, lightweight, and surprisingly sturdy, Oliver became the breakout star of the episode. While it struggled with river crossings—nearly drowning at one point—the little car’s simplicity allowed Richard to fix it with basic tools. Hammond’s emotional attachment to the car was so strong that he eventually had it shipped back to the UK, where it remains part of his personal collection today. James May’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
True to his "Captain Slow" persona, James chose a Mercedes-Benz 230E. Known for their "over-engineered" build quality, the W123 Mercedes was the logical choice for African terrain. While it suffered from some suspension issues and James’s stubborn refusal to strip the car for weight, it was arguably the most comfortable and reliable vehicle of the trio. It proved that German engineering from the 1980s was nearly indestructible. The Challenges The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The first major hurdle was crossing one of the largest salt flats in the world. The crust was thin, and underneath lay a "slime" that could swallow cars whole. This was where the weight-saving measures began, leading to the sight of three skeleton-like cars racing across a shimmering white horizon. The Okavango Delta
To reach the finish line at the border of Namibia, the trio had to navigate the lush, predator-filled Okavango Delta. This required the cars to be modified for deep water crossings and protected against local wildlife. The team famously encountered elephants and lions, highlighting the vulnerability of their budget vehicles. Legacy of the Special
The Botswana Special set the blueprint for future Top Gear and The Grand Tour adventures. It moved the show away from the studio and onto the global stage, blending travelogue filmmaking with automotive testing. Most importantly, it proved that a car is more than just metal and rubber; it can have a "soul," a sentiment best exemplified by Hammond’s bond with Oliver.
If you are a fan of this era of Top Gear, I can help you with: Finding where to stream the episode today Technical specs for Oliver or the Lancia Planning a similar self-drive safari in Botswana
In the 2007 Botswana Special, the presenters were tasked with crossing 1,000 miles of rugged terrain from the Zimbabwean border to the Namibian border using only two-wheel-drive cars bought for less than £1,500. 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver") : Driven by Richard Hammond
, this small car became the breakout star of the episode. Hammond famously fell in love with it, naming it "Oliver." Unlike the other cars, Hammond shipped Oliver back to the UK
after filming, where it was restored and remains in his personal collection. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé : Chosen by Jeremy Clarkson
, this car was notoriously unreliable but surprisingly capable in the Makgadikgadi salt plains after being stripped of its doors and trunk to save weight. As of 2020, it was found partially reassembled in Maun, Botswana. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E : Driven by
, this car was praised for its build quality despite the harsh conditions. After the trip, it was donated to an adviser who assisted the production team. 1968 Volkswagen Beetle
: This served as the "backup" car that the presenters had to drive if their primary vehicles failed. Since all three primary cars finished the journey, the Beetle was donated to a bush mechanic from the support team. specific challenges they faced or see where they revisited these cars in The Grand Tour
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.
When we think of iconic road trips in automotive television history, one episode stands perched at the summit, dustier and more battered than the rest: Top Gear’s Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4). While the later Bolivia and Vietnam specials are masterpieces, the journey from the panhandle of Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans remains the purest distillation of what made the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May era so perfect.
But the true stars of that 2007 episode weren't the presenters—they were the three rolling wrecks they bought for £1,500 each. The Top Gear Botswana cars—a Lancia Beta Coupe, an Opel Kadett, and a Mercedes-Benz 230E—have since achieved mythological status. This article explores why these specific cars were chosen, how they survived (or didn’t), and where they are today.
The Price: £1,200 The Philosophy: Reliability (and a bit of character).
Richard Hammond did what any sensible person would do: he bought a box. Specifically, a beige 1963 Opel Kadett.
He named it Oliver.
While Clarkson was dealing with electrical gremlins and May was struggling with comfort, Oliver just kept going. The little Opel became a character in its own right. It survived the salt pans, it survived the river crossing (after a lot of drying out), and it survived Hammond’s emotional attachment.
We all remember the heartbreak on Hammond’s face when he thought he’d lost Oliver to the river. And we all remember the joy when he bought the car back from the crew and shipped it to the UK. Oliver is perhaps the only car from a cheap car challenge to become a permanent celebrity, eventually appearing on The Grand Tour and making appearances at car shows. It proved that old Japanese-German reliability beats Italian flair any day of the week.
The challenge was deceptively simple: Buy a car for no more than £1,500 that represents the "soul of motoring." Drive it from the Botswana/Zimbabwe border, across the brutal, waterlogged flats of the Okavango Delta, and finish 1,000 miles later at the Makgadikgadi Pan.
Forced to live without support crews or modern 4x4s, the trio picked three vehicles that, on paper, were spectacularly bad choices for Africa.
The episode is structured around a series of challenges that pushed the cars to their breaking points.
The Price: £1,500 (on the nose) The Philosophy: Style and comfort.
Jeremy Clarkson has historically hated Lancia. He once famously called them "Italy’s contribution to therust bucket industry." So, it was a shock when he arrived in Botswana with a rust-free, electric-blue Lancia Beta Coupe.
His argument was simple: for the budget of a cheap suit, he had bought a proper Italian sports car. Initially, it seemed he had pulled a masterstroke. It had a luxurious interior, it didn't leak, and it looked magnificent against the African sunset.
However, the Lancia’s fragile Italian constitution couldn't handle the abuse. The gearbox seized, the suspension collapsed, and eventually, the engine gave up the ghost. But before it died, it gave us one of the show's most iconic images: Clarkson, topless, driving a crumpled sports car through a river crossing, looking like a fashion model on a disastrous shoot. It was a tragic, beautiful end to a car that tried too hard.
The Botswana Special remains the gold standard for a reason. It wasn't just about the cars; it was about the balance of the trio.
In the end, the Mercedes won the challenge, but the fans won the memories. We learned that you can drive across a country with a sewing machine strapped to your bonnet (long story), that showering in a waterfall is harder than it looks, and that a £1,500 budget can buy you an adventure of a lifetime.
What was your favorite moment from the Botswana Special? Let us know in the comments
Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered one of the show's most iconic episodes. The challenge required Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May to buy a used car in Africa for less than ($2,000) that was strictly two-wheel drive and not designed for off-road use.
Their 1,000-mile journey from the Zimbabwe border to the Namibia border took them across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Okavango Delta The Presenters' Cars
The trio selected vehicles they believed could outperform modern SUVs in "leafy country lanes". Engine / Specs Why It Was Chosen 1963 Opel Kadett Richard Hammond 1.0L, 40hp
Chosen for no specific reason, but became a fan favorite nicknamed " 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
Chosen for Mercedes' legendary reputation for reliability across Africa. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé Jeremy Clarkson 2.0L (Automatic)
Chosen because Lancias were historically successful rally cars. Performance and Modifications
To survive the treacherous salt pans, where heavy cars risk breaking through the crust into primeval ooze, the team had to make drastic changes.
Relics of the Salt Pans: The Top Gear Botswana Special If you ask any fan to name the definitive Top Gear adventure, the 2007 Botswana Special Revisiting the Holy Trinity: A Deep Dive into
is usually the first words out of their mouth. It was the first time Clarkson, Hammond, and May were sent to a foreign land with a shoestring budget ($1,500 each) and a simple goal: drive 1,000 miles across the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta to the Namibian border.
But the real stars weren’t the presenters—they were three ancient, two-wheel-drive cars that had no business surviving the African bush. Here is a look back at the legendary machines that tackled the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. 1963 Opel Kadett (“Oliver”)
Richard Hammond’s choice became arguably the most famous car in the show's history. Small, lightweight, and surprisingly simple, the was perfectly suited for the sandy terrain.
The Bond: Hammond fell so deeply in love with the car that he named it .
The Fate: After nearly "drowning" during a river crossing—a moment that saw Hammond screaming in genuine distress—
was eventually restored and shipped back to the UK, where it remains in Hammond’s personal collection today. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé
Jeremy Clarkson, ever the glutton for punishment, chose a Lancia. In true Lancia fashion, it was beautiful, fast, and fundamentally "made of tracing paper." The Struggle: The
suffered from constant suspension failures and electrical gremlins. To save weight for the salt pans, Clarkson stripped it down to a skeleton, removing the doors and most of the bodywork.
The Verdict: Despite being the most unreliable car on paper, it technically made it to the finish line, proving that "soul" sometimes beats logic. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E James May opted for German reliability with a W123 Mercedes . It was the sensible choice—until it wasn't.
The Build: While the Merc was built like a tank, its weight was a massive disadvantage in the soft sand. May famously had to perform "field surgery" on the car, including a memorable moment where he used a part from a broken radio to keep it running.
The Aesthetic: By the end of the trip, the Mercedes was caked in dust and missing various parts, yet it looked like it could go for another 200,000 miles. The "Backup" Car: Volkswagen Beetle
Per the show's rules, if a presenter's car broke down beyond repair, they would be forced to drive the "backup" car—a Volkswagen Beetle
. Because all three presenters shared a deep-seated hatred for the
, the sight of it trailing them through the dust provided the ultimate motivation to keep their beat-up Lancias and Mercs moving. Botswana Special
proved that you don't need a modern 4x4 to explore the world; you just need a bit of grit, some basic tools, and a car with a name.
Which of the three Botswana legends was your favorite, or do you want to see a breakdown of the cars from the Bolivia Special next?
Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded as one of the show's greatest moments, marking their first major international "special" where the trio attempted to cross 1,000 miles of rugged terrain in cheap, two-wheel-drive cars. The Iconic Cars
The presenters were challenged to prove that people don't need massive SUVs for tough environments by purchasing cars for less than £1,500. Richard Hammond's 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver
"): Perhaps the most famous car in the show's history, Hammond became so attached to this tiny yellow car that he actually named it " ". Despite nearly sinking in a river crossing,
survived the trip and was later shipped back to the UK by Hammond.
Jeremy Clarkson's 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé: True to his "power" philosophy, Clarkson chose a car known for being both beautiful and notoriously unreliable. It suffered constant mechanical failures and required significant weight stripping—including removing its doors—to survive the Makgadikgadi salt pans.
James May's 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E: May chose a car legendary for its German engineering and durability. While it lacked the flair of the others, it was arguably the most practical choice for the grueling desert and bush terrain. Interesting Facts & Controversy
Environmental Impact: The episode faced criticism from conservationists who claimed the tyre tracks left across the "pristine wilderness" of the Makgadikgadi salt pans would remain visible for decades. The "Scrap" Cars
: Per show rules, if any car broke down beyond repair, the presenter had to drive a "backup" car—a Volkswagen Beetle
. All three hosts found this prospect so "humiliating" that they worked tirelessly to keep their original cars running.
Full Circle: Nearly two decades later, in the final episode of The Grand Tour ("One for the Road"), the trio returned to Botswana and were reunited with the original Lancia and Mercedes, which were still sitting by the side of the road where they had been left.
For more detailed breakdowns of the show's best vehicles, you can check out lists like HotCars' Best Special Cars or dive into the fan discussions on the Top Gear Reddit. Top Gear's top international gaffes - BBC News
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
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 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.
Conclusion: Suitable mainly for paved or well-maintained gravel roads; not recommended as primary overland vehicle in remote Botswana.