Clarkson approached the challenge with a romantic nostalgia for Lancia's rally-bred glory days. He chose a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé, drawn to the brand's legendary past and, admittedly, a bit of style over substance. The car was a beautiful, sporty coupe—a bold statement, but an utterly impractical choice for the brutal African terrain.
The journey's difficulty forced "ridiculous as they were necessary" modifications:
(from the 2013 Uganda trip) ended up. Share public link
(Richard Hammond) : Nicknamed this car became a fan favorite. Hammond chose it for its simplicity, though it initially suffered from a leaking fuel tank and brakes that only worked on one wheel. It was the only car not to be significantly modified or "lightened" to cross the salt pans. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
Jeremy Clarkson defied all automotive logic by choosing a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé, a car from a brand notorious for catastrophic rust and terrible reliability. Why the Beta Coupé? top gear botswana cars
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.'"
"Oliver" was the only car to survive the trip in good condition and was shipped back to the UK, where it remains in Hammond's possession. 3. James May: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
: Left entirely stock; Hammond refused to strip the car to protect its character. Performance on the Journey
The Botswana Special proved that cars do not need four-wheel drive, massive lift kits, or modern technology to conquer the wilderness. It highlighted how simple mechanical engineering, lightweight design, and a bit of driver determination can overcome the harshest environments on Earth. Most importantly, it transformed three cheap, old used cars into timeless television icons. Clarkson approached the challenge with a romantic nostalgia
"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."
They faced the risk of sinking permanently, making the journey a high-stakes adventure.
(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
: Long thought lost or crushed, it was recently rediscovered by fans on blocks in a yard in Botswana. The Backup & Support The Volkswagen Beetle The journey's difficulty forced "ridiculous as they were
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!"
Detail where the trio's cars from the ended up
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Oliver became an official character in the episode. The emotional core of the special was cemented when Oliver sank in a deep river crossing in the Okavango Delta, prompting a genuine, distraught scream from Hammond. After being drained of water, the resilient little Opel fired back to life. Hammond fell so deeply in love with the car that he paid to ship it back to the UK. It remains in his personal collection to this day and has appeared on his private media channels. 2. The Lancia Beta Coupé: Jeremy Clarkson’s Choice Vehicle Overview 2.0-liter inline-4 Power: Approximately 119 horsepower Drive Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive Performance in the Desert