Gear Botswana Cars | Top

To combat the overheating and weight issues in the sand dunes, May reluctantly stripped the Mercedes. He removed the doors, hood, and trunk lid. To replace the missing doors, he famously fashioned makeshift barriers out of local wood and reeds, giving the luxury sedan a distinctly tribal aesthetic. Ultimate Fate

Because all three presenters despised the Beetle—and because its air-cooled engine and rear-engine layout actually made it perfectly suited for the sandy African terrain—they went to extreme lengths to keep their own vehicles running just to avoid driving it. Surviving the African Wilderness

| Presenter | Car Choice | Key Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé (Automatic) | A stylish but famously unreliable Italian coupé, chosen for its rally heritage, which immediately makes it an impractical choice for an African trek. | | Richard Hammond | 1963 Opel Kadett (Named "Oliver") | A small, simple, and rugged German-built car that Hammond instantly bonds with, seeing it as the underdog of the group. | | James May | 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123) | A sensible, robust, and durable sedan known for its ability to survive in harsh environments, making it the perfect "Captain Slow" choice. |

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. top gear botswana cars

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.

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 (Series 10, Episode 4), which originally aired in November 2007, represents a landmark moment in television history. It established the legendary "cheap car road trip" blueprint that defined the careers of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. To combat the overheating and weight issues in

Richard Hammond picked a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he immediately nicknamed "Oliver".

Like the Lancia, the Mercedes was left in Botswana after filming. The Backup Car: The Volkswagen Beetle

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. Ultimate Fate Because all three presenters despised the

highlighted Clarkson’s love for speed, style, and stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

Because all three presenters despised the Beetle, it served as the ultimate motivator. Despite the brutal terrain, wild animals, and deep water, the trio pushed their broken vehicles to the absolute limit just to avoid stepping inside the VW. 🏆 Why the Botswana Cars Changed Television