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 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." top gear botswana cars
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. Revisiting the Holy Trinity: A Deep Dive into
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."
Analysis of the "Unsuitable" Vehicles of the Top Gear Botswana Special
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. " The struggles: Oliver had no power steering, a
" 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.
The "Oliver" Phenomenon
Hammond famously bought a white, two-door Opel Kadett for just £400—well under budget. He named it "Oliver." This was the quintessential "Hamster" move: buying a car so old (over 40 years at filming) that it predated most safety regulations.
Verdict: Oliver is the most beloved Top Gear car of all time. Hammond later bought the car from the BBC and still owns it today, restored to its former glory.
Top Gear’s Botswana special featured three cars chosen to tackle rough roads and remote terrain while delivering entertainment and challenge. Below are concise details, strengths, and practical notes for each vehicle as used on the episode.