Top Gear Botswana Cars Online

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. top gear botswana cars

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:

Route and conditions

Route traversed: mix of paved roads, dry riverbeds (pans), soft sand dunes, scrubland, and shallow river crossings.
Environmental challenges: deep sand, rocky tracks, soft mud, water fording, high daytime temperatures, limited fuel and repair infrastructure.

Buying a "Top Gear Botswana Car" Today

Are you inspired to buy one of these cars? Here is the 2024 market reality check:

Lancia Beta Coupe: Still cheap (approx. £5,000–£10,000 for a runner), but the rust hasn't gotten better. You will need a welder as a best friend.
Opel Kadett (1960s): Rare. Most have rusted away. A clean example will set you back £12,000+.
Mercedes-Benz W123 (230E): The smart buy. These are still affordable (£3,000–£7,000) and parts are readily available. If you actually want to drive to Botswana, buy the Mercedes.

1. Jeremy Clarkson’s 1981 Lancia Beta Coupe (2000 IE)

The "Olive Oil" Disaster

Jeremy, ever the romantic, chose a rust-orange Lancia Beta. In the world of classic cars, the Lancia Beta is infamous for one thing: rust. These cars were notorious for dissolving in European rain, let alone African river crossings.

Why it was insane: The Beta had a fragile aluminium engine block, an electronic ignition that hated moisture, and a carburettor that choked on dust.
The hero moment: Despite catching fire, losing its dashboard electrics, and sounding like a lawnmower with asthma, the Lancia inexplicably survived. In one of Top Gear’s greatest editing feats, Clarkson abandoned the car, only for Hammond and May to tow it to the finish line. It didn't just finish—it looked cool doing it, with its olive green patina contrasting against the white salt flats.

Verdict: The underdog. It proved that Italian flair, even when terminal, has a soul.

Comparative summary (key strengths / weaknesses)

Toyota Hilux: Strengths — reliability, serviceability, load capacity; Weaknesses — larger fuel use, heavier on soft sand unless equipped.
BMW 3 Series: Strengths — comfort on tarmac; Weaknesses — poor clearance, complex repairs.
Renault Clio: Strengths — fuel efficiency on smooth roads; Weaknesses — very limited off-road capability.

Brief comparison

Durability/reliability: Toyota Hilux > Range Rover (older models) > Subaru
Off-road capability (soft sand/clearance): Range Rover ≈ Hilux > Subaru
Speed on mixed surfaces: Subaru > Hilux > Range Rover
Comfort/capacity: Range Rover > Hilux > Subaru

If you want, I can:

Create a step-by-step build/mod list for one of these cars,
Make a detailed packing checklist sized for 2–4 people,
Or map suggested routes and fuel stops for a Botswana-style trip.

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 Top Gear Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode

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]. Route traversed: mix of paved roads, dry riverbeds

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].

1. The Obvious Winner: Mercedes-Benz W123 (James May)

Why it’s the ultimate cheap overland car:
Massive ground clearance, simple mechanical injection (no electronics), tough suspension, and legendary build quality.
Real-world lesson:
A W123 (or W124) is still a superb budget expedition car – parts are widely available in Africa.