Top Gear Botswana Cars Direct

May argued that old Mercedes-Benz cars were legendary in Africa for their durability and ease of repair, making it a "sensible" choice.

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.

The Cheap Car Road Trip: A Look Back at the Iconic Top Gear Botswana Special

The W123 Mercedes-Benz is widely regarded as one of the most over-engineered, durable consumer vehicles ever built. It was a favorite of bush taxi drivers across Africa for decades due to its thick steel frame, reliable four-cylinder engine, and robust suspension. The Botswana Experience

The Automotive Triumphs of Top Gear’s Botswana Special The 2007 Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered one of the greatest episodes in the show’s history. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with buying a used car in Botswana for less than £1,500. The twist? The cars could not have four-wheel drive. top gear botswana cars

In the final leg through the Okavango Delta, the presenters were told to make their cars "wild animal proof." May was able to find spare Mercedes parts. Clarkson, unable to find anything for his Lancia, created new doors from soda cans, wood, and corrugated iron and attached a megaphone. A hilarious moment of sabotage occurred when Clarkson and Hammond hid a cowbell and pieces of meat in May's car to attract wildlife, while May painted "All Adders Are Puffs" on Oliver and "Lite Bite Cafe" on the Lancia.

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.

Three Clapped-Out Heroes: Why Top Gear’s Botswana Special Is the Ultimate Road Trip Blueprint

Mostly dependable, though it nearly "drowned" during a river crossing and suffered a broken steering rack after hitting a tree root. May argued that old Mercedes-Benz cars were legendary

The Legend of the Kalahari: A Deep Dive into the Top Gear Botswana Cars

The salt flats presented a surreal, blinding landscape. The crust of the salt pans was deceptively thin; underneath lay a thick, gooey mud that could instantly trap a vehicle. Weight reduction was critical here. While Clarkson’s Lancia broke down repeatedly, its lightness kept it from sinking. Hammond's light Opel danced across the top, while May's heavy Mercedes required immense effort and momentum to avoid getting bogged down. The Okavango Delta

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

Do you need information on the of the Opel Kadett or Mercedes W123? Share public link He didn't gloat

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

Because all three presenters despised the Beetle, the fear of having to drive it served as a powerful motivator to keep their highly unsuitable cars running through the worst of the African bush. The Crucial Terrains and Challenges

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)

Oliver performed exceptionally well through most of the trip, easily navigating the rough terrain due to its light footprint. However, disaster struck during a river crossing when the car sank and the engine flooded. After an emotional Hammond painstakingly dried out the distributor and spark plugs, Oliver fired back to life. Hammond loved the car so much that he legally imported it back to the UK after filming. James May: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E

So here’s to Oliver, the Opel Kadett, and that suicidal Lancia. And here’s to your next stupid, wonderful road trip.