May's Mercedes was the unsung hero of the expedition. While Clarkson's Lancia broke down and Hammond's Opel sank, the Mercedes quietly and comfortably conquered the salt flats, deep sand, and rocky trails. It suffered almost no mechanical failures, proving May’s sensible logic entirely correct. The Backup Car: 1968 Volkswagen Beetle

The is widely considered one of the greatest automotive adventures ever filmed . First aired in November 2007, it followed Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they attempted to cross Botswana in three two-wheel-drive cars bought for less than £1,500. Their mission: to prove that simple, used cars could be better suited for rugged terrain than modern "Chelsea Tractors" (SUVs). The Three Main Contenders

Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is legendary for proving that cheap, two-wheel-drive "bangers" could survive 1,000 miles across some of Africa's most punishing terrain. The Core Trio

Whether you are a gearhead or just a fan of great television, the story of these three cars is one of the most compelling in modern broadcasting history.

But more than the scenery or the banter, this special was defined by its metal protagonists. In this long-form article, we take a deep dive into the history, the journey, and the ultimate fates of the three iconic cars from the Botswana Special, ensuring that when you search for "Top Gear Botswana Cars," you find the definitive guide.

While the Lancia disintegrated and the Opel needed rescue, the Mercedes just shrugged. It was indestructible. It didn't care about the sand, the heat, or the rough terrain. It just motored on. In the final sprint to the Zimbabwe border, the Mercedes was the only car that crossed the line under its own power without a tow rope attached.

Richard Hammond bought a 1963 Opel Kadett , a small, robust German car that he affectionately nicknamed "Oliver."

: The final push involved navigating through water and wildlife-rich terrain. Where are they now?

The Botswana Special changed the trajectory of motoring entertainment. It proved that the best travel stories aren't written in luxury SUVs, but in cheap, broken-down commuter cars that force their drivers to become mechanics, survivalists, and friends. If you want to dive deeper into this classic road trip,

James May, known as "Captain Slow," went for the logical choice: a W123 chassis Mercedes-Benz 230E. This is widely considered one of the most reliable cars ever built. It was a tank—heavy, over-engineered, and comfortable. While Clarkson sweated in the Lancia and Hammond bounced around in the Opel, May sat in air-conditioned comfort, listening to classical music. It was a masterclass in buying a car for reliability rather than excitement.

The 2007 Top Gear Botswana Special (Series 10, Episode 4) is widely regarded as one of the greatest episodes in the show’s history, and a major reason for its success was the car choices. The challenge was simple yet brutal: buy a two-wheel-drive car for less than £1,500 (roughly $2,000 at the time) that was never intended for off-roading, and drive it 1,000 miles across Botswana.