: In the game reserves, the hosts attempted to rebuild sections of their stripped cars using makeshift materials to protect themselves from lions and other predators. Where Are They Now?
: This was the "backup" car if any presenter's car failed. Because the trio hated the Beetle, they were highly motivated to keep their own cars running. Ironically, the Beetle completed the entire journey without a single breakdown. Production Vehicles top gear botswana cars
£1,499 The Philosophy: Over-engineering. : In the game reserves, the hosts attempted
: May banked on German engineering and the Mercedes' reputation for being "the car of Africa." Despite its age and being rear-wheel drive, it proved remarkably resilient throughout the 1,000-mile trek. The Backup: Volkswagen Beetle Because the trio hated the Beetle, they were
, this small car became the breakout star of the episode. Hammond famously fell in love with it, naming it "Oliver." Unlike the other cars, Hammond shipped Oliver back to the UK
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.
While Clarkson bought style and Hammond bought heart, James May bought engineering. He selected a battleship-grey Mercedes-Benz W123. At the time, it looked like a grandpa’s saloon. In hindsight, it was the smartest buy in Top Gear history.