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.
Like the Lancia, May's Mercedes was left in Africa after filming. For years, rumors persisted that it had been crushed. However, YouTuber Ryan Ball also located the Mercedes in Botswana.
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. top gear botswana cars
Jeremy Clarkson opted for glamour and performance over sensibility by choosing a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé. Lancia is a brand historically synonymous with two things: brilliant rally heritage and atrocious mechanical reliability. Clarkson's car suffered from a relentless barrage of electrical faults, overheating issues, and structural failures from the moment the tires hit the dirt. Cruel Modifications
While it suffered from electrical issues and, predictably, had structural issues, the Lancia actually proved surprisingly resilient, lasting longer than expected. It became the symbol of "inevitable failure" that somehow kept going. Chosen for its style rather than its reliability,
It was during this leg that the Lancia finally began to die. The heat was too much. Yet, in a display of mechanical sympathy that defied logic, Clarkson managed to keep it running. He famously discovered that the car would only start if he poured water over the starter motor, a routine he performed daily.
Hammond became so attached to his little Opel Kadett that he decided to have it restored and shipped back to his home in Britain after filming, where he still owns it to this day. The car even makes a brief, poignant appearance in the final Grand Tour special, One for the Road , as the trio drive past it in the UK. Like the Lancia, May's Mercedes was left in
(James May) : May selected the Mercedes because it was a vehicle "Africa favored and loved". Known for its durability and old-school German engineering, it quietly completed the journey with minimal issues compared to the others. 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé
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
Jeremy Clarkson chose a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé, a decision that epitomized his "ambitious but rubbish" mantra. Lancias of this era were notorious for two things: beautiful styling and catastrophic rust. The Gamble
The chosen vehicles were expected to fail, yet they produced some of the most memorable moments in Top Gear history. Here is a detailed look at the cars from the Botswana Special. 1. Richard Hammond’s "Oliver" (1963 Opel Kadett)