(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
solidified its reputation as one of the toughest machines ever built by mankind.
Oliver is the only one of the three cars to leave Africa. Hammond fell so in love with the car that he shipped it back to the UK immediately after filming, a process that took two years due to paperwork issues.
The Top Gear Botswana Special shifted the formula of the show away from reviewing new supercars toward celebrating the bond between humans and old automobiles. The episode proved that regular road cars possess a level of durability that modern, electronics-heavy vehicles rarely match.
in a river, but the car was miraculously revived by the team's bush mechanics Wildlife Protection top gear botswana cars
In a move that baffled his co-hosts, Hammond bought a beige 1963 Opel Kadett. It was boxy, slow, and seemingly the least capable off-roader imaginable. Clarkson and May mocked him relentlessly, calling it "boring." However, the Kadett was built with simple, agricultural toughness. It was light, easy to fix, and unburdened by complex electronics. Hammond named the car "Oliver," and over the course of the trip, a genuine love affair blossomed between man and machine.
Throughout the trip, Hammond babied the Opel. He cleaned it, talked to it, and fixed it with care. By the time they reached the final stretch—a race to the border along the "animal roads"—Hammond had realized that he couldn't leave the car behind.
The fate of the three vehicles has become a compelling part of the story.
Here is the lineup of the contenders.
James May chose the ultimate symbol of durability: a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123 chassis). Why the Choice Was Logical
After the special, Hammond was so attached that he shipped "Oliver" back to the UK, where he restored it. The car has since become a beloved family heirloom, even being used to teach his daughter to drive.
Fans of the show often ask: Are these cars still alive?
won the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide, proving that a basic, lightweight car with zero electronics can sometimes outperform modern engineering marvels. (James May) : May selected the Mercedes because
After nearly "drowning" during a river crossing—a moment that saw Hammond screaming in genuine distress—
Hammond chose a vehicle significantly older than the others. "
The Botswana Special is frequently voted by fans as the greatest Top Gear episode ever made. There are several reasons for this: