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Oliver is the only one of the three cars to leave Africa. Hammond fell so in love with the car that he shipped it back to the UK immediately after filming, a process that took two years due to paperwork issues.
Richard Hammond developed such a deep, emotional connection with the car that he had it shipped back to the UK, restored it, and still owns it today. Nickname: "Oliver." 2. Jeremy Clarkson’s Lancia Beta Coupé
Chosen for its style rather than its reliability, the Lancia was the most "Top Gear" choice possible. Throughout the 1,000-mile trek, it suffered catastrophic suspension failures and constant overheating. Despite Clarkson’s insistence that it was a "supercar," it required more maintenance than the other two combined. top gear botswana cars
The Lancia was a comedic disaster, breaking down repeatedly and struggling with the terrain. However, it did successfully traverse the salt pans with some modifications.
Richard Hammond picked a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he immediately nicknamed "Oliver". Oliver is the only one of the three cars to leave Africa
However, the bond was cemented during a river crossing. Attempting to ford a river in the Okavango Delta, Hammond drove Oliver into the water, only for the current to sweep the car away. The car sank, and Hammond swam to safety. Later that night, Hammond worked tirelessly to dry out the electrics and get Oliver running again, refusing to abandon it. He missed filming a crucial stunt because he forgot to turn on his camera, resulting in the crew having to redo the scene.
The Lancia eventually made a triumphant return to the screen. In the final Grand Tour special, "One for the Road," Clarkson was reunited with his old car, admitting, "I don't believe it, that is astonishing, I am slightly choked up. My heart has gone nuts". Nickname: "Oliver
Clarkson, true to his love of Italian cars, chose a 1981 Lancia Beta Coupe.
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.