Unlike the others, Hammond chose a small, relatively light car, but its lack of power proved to be a humorous challenge in the deep sand.
An unusual choice based on Lancia’s rally heritage, but it proved to be a "basket case" from the start.
The most iconic segment of the episode came when the trio reached the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The surface had a thin crust, and underneath was a sticky, muddy substance. Clarkson and May's heavier cars immediately broke through, forcing them to strip down to the bare metal. Hammond, who had grown attached to Oliver, refused to dismantle his car, and the Opel proved light enough to cross the pan without modification, only shedding the spare tire and radiator grill. top gear botswana cars
: A grueling test of cooling systems and suspension.
Tasked with finding a car for less than £1,500 that had no off-road pedigree, the trio selected three very different machines: Unlike the others, Hammond chose a small, relatively
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
To save weight and prevent overheating during the desert crossings, Clarkson stripped the Lancia down to its bare bones. He removed the doors, the bonnet, the boot lid, and most of the interior dashboard, turning the stylish Italian coupe into a Mad Max-style skeleton. 2. Richard Hammond’s 1963 Opel Kadett (“Oliver”) The surface had a thin crust, and underneath
His argument was simple: for the budget of a cheap suit, he had bought a proper Italian sports car. Initially, it seemed he had pulled a masterstroke. It had a luxurious interior, it didn't leak, and it looked magnificent against the African sunset.
James May chose the ultimate symbol of durability: a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123 chassis). Why the Choice Was Logical
Compare this trip to their other iconic African journey, the . Share public link
Clarkson’s Lancia was plagued by constant mechanical breakdowns from day one. To reduce weight and keep the overheating engine cool, Clarkson stripped the car down entirely, removing the doors, hood, and boot lid. Despite being the most unreliable car on paper, it miraculously survived the journey to the Zimbabwean border. Richard Hammond: 1963 Opel Kadett ("Oliver")