Hammond famously kept the car, brought it back to the UK, restored it, and still owns it today. 3. James May’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123)

Richard Hammond opted for a 1963 Opel Kadett, a small, simple, and lightweight German family car. Hammond formed an instant, deep emotional bond with the vehicle, famously naming it "Oliver."

The Top Gear Botswana Special remains one of the most iconic episodes in the history of the long-running BBC motoring show. Airing in 2007, it marked the first time Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were tasked with buying second-hand cars and driving them across an entire country. Unlike previous challenges, this was a grueling 1,000-mile journey across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and through the Okavango Delta.

It suffered a dramatic drowning incident while crossing a river in the Okavango Delta, forcing Hammond to spend hours stripping the engine to revive it.

The 2007 Top Gear Botswana Special is widely considered the definitive turning point for the iconic motoring show. It was the moment Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May traded the safety of the studio for a grueling, 1,000-mile epic across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and the Okavango Delta.

As a running joke and penalty system, the producers decreed that if any presenter's car broke down permanently, they would be forced to drive the "backup car": a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle.

: Kept standard until the final leg, where it was stripped down to the bare metal to navigate the delta. Performance on the Journey

In true Captain Slow fashion, James May made the most sensible choice. He purchased a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E. The W123 series Mercedes is renowned for being one of the most durable cars ever built, and May relied on the fact that Africa had "loved" the model for decades due to its robust engineering and availability of spare parts.

To prevent overheating, Clarkson removed the bonnet and doors, which invited clouds of choking dust into the cabin.

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

Oliver survived the trip remarkably well, including being submerged in the Okavango Delta after a ferry failure. Hammond developed a deep, genuine emotional bond with the car, and it became the emotional heart of the special.

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: was donated to an advisor who assisted the crew. The

: To avoid breaking through the thin salty crust into the "primeval ooze" beneath, the hosts stripped their cars of all non-essential weight, including seats, interior trim, and even window glass. Okavango Delta

Anyone know exactly where the original Lancia and Mercedes from the first Botswana special are? : r/TopGear

Jeremy Clarkson has historically hated Lancia. He once famously called them "Italy’s contribution to therust bucket industry." So, it was a shock when he arrived in Botswana with a rust-free, electric-blue Lancia Beta Coupe.

Botswana is a gem of a destination for any traveler, boasting an incredible array of landscapes, from the lush Okavango Delta to the arid expanse of the Kalahari Desert. The country's sparse population and protected areas ensure that its natural beauty remains largely untouched, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure-seekers. Whether you're a seasoned safari-goer or just looking for a taste of Africa's raw beauty, Botswana has something to offer.

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

" 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

Get a breakdown of the they took across Botswana.