A memorable moment came when the team introduced "The Stig's African Cousin," a local version of the show's masked test driver. Dressed in a loincloth and his signature white helmet, he attempted to set lap times for the three cars. Oliver managed a time of 1:12, May's Mercedes set a time of 1:06. However, when Clarkson's Lancia failed to start, the African Stig simply walked away.
, this car was praised for its build quality despite the harsh conditions. After the trip, it was donated to an adviser who assisted the production team. 1968 Volkswagen Beetle top gear botswana cars
(The Backup) : This car served as the penalty for any presenter whose car failed completely. It was painted in a bright "backup" color to humiliate the driver. What Happened to Them? A memorable moment came when the team introduced
They set off. The Lancia, now running on a twisted coat hanger and Jeremy's sheer will, left a trail of blue smoke. The Opel Kadett bounced like a frog in a blender. The Mercedes followed, windows up, air conditioning on (a miracle), with James May listening to a tape of Baroque concertos. However, when Clarkson's Lancia failed to start, the
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.
Get a breakdown of the they took across Botswana.
Chosen for no specific reason, but became a fan favorite nicknamed " 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E
