Top Gear Botswana Cars Jun 2026

What was your favorite moment from the Botswana Special? Let us know in the comments

The Lancia was recently rediscovered in Botswana in 2020 by a YouTuber, showing its unique battle scars from the special. 2. Richard Hammond: 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver")

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 . top gear botswana cars

Against all mathematical odds, the Lancia survived. Its dirt-cheap rally heritage gave it surprising agility on the rough terrain, though it required constant mechanical interventions. Clarkson grew so attached to the car that he nicknamed it "Doris." Decades later, fans still celebrate the Beta Coupé as one of the most resilient, unlikely survivors in television history. Richard Hammond’s 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver")

These cars all bear South African license plates, specifically those of Gauteng Province. What was your favorite moment from the Botswana Special

Jeremy Clarkson chose a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé for the journey, a choice that met immediate skepticism from his co-hosts due to Lancia's notorious reputation for unreliability and rust. Specifications and Modifications : 2.0-liter twin-cam inline-four Drive : Front-wheel drive

Crucially, they were told that if their car broke down beyond repair, they would have to complete the journey in the producers' backup car: an immense, bright orange Mercedes-Benz station wagon. The shame of driving the "Orange Box" was the fuel that kept the trio going. Richard Hammond: 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver") For more

Plagued by constant breakdowns and electrical failures, it was widely considered the most unreliable of the trio. The Backup Car Volkswagen Beetle : The producers provided a