The Kadett was incredibly simple, lightweight, and lacked complex electronics that could break down in the wilderness.
To avoid sinking, Clarkson and May had to remove doors, windows, and seats.
: The final push involved navigating through water and wildlife-rich terrain. Where are they now?
The W123 is legendary for being practically indestructible and is frequently used as a bush taxi across Africa. top gear botswana cars
The presenters were challenged to prove that people don't need massive SUVs for tough environments by purchasing cars for less than £1,500. Richard Hammond's 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver
Hammond fell so deeply in love with the little car that he refused to leave it behind. He paid to ship Oliver back to the United Kingdom. It was fully restored, featured in later Top Gear episodes, and remains a prized part of Hammond's personal collection today.
To help me tailor any further automotive or Top Gear information, let me know: The Kadett was incredibly simple, lightweight, and lacked
Their destination was the Namibian border, a 1,000-mile journey across the brutal Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and the treacherous Okavango Delta. The three vehicles they chose became icons of automotive endurance. 1. Oliver: The 1963 Opel Kadett (Richard Hammond)
Here’s what the Botswana special teaches us about real travel:
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) Where are they now
The hosts were warned that if their car could not be fixed after a breakdown, they would have to complete the journey in their "least favorite car of all time"—a Volkswagen Beetle. While the backup car was not utilized by the main trio, it added a layer of fear that pushed the presenters to keep their broken-down vehicles running. Why these Botswana Cars Mattered
But this little car became the heart of the episode. Hammond instantly bonded with it, christening it "Oliver," and that attachment only grew as it outperformed the more glamorous cars. At the Makgadikgadi Salt Flats, while Clarkson and May had to strip their cars, the lightweight Oliver crossed without a single major modification. The only major scare came when it was partially submerged while fording a river, leading to Hammond's desperate late-night repairs and the legendary cry of "Oliver!" he made when restarting the car. The moment remains one of the most emotional in Top Gear history.
as a backup car. If any presenter’s car failed completely, they would be forced to drive the
The result was a journey of over 1,000 miles across salt pans, the Okavango Delta, and dense brushwood, leading to the creation of television motoring history. Here is a detailed look at the cars that defined the Botswana Special. 1. Jeremy Clarkson’s 1981 Lancia Beta Coupé