The Grand Tour: One For The Road | Botswana Special Cars

[@liamthomas9622]

This part choked me up a lot, one of the best specials they've done, so many callbacks, so many memories remembered, and finishing where it all started was the icing on the cake

[@MrGeorge0285]

The transition between the first special and this one had me choked up. The woosh sound between shots was so good and apt.

[@flaxtube322]

The best TV ive seen in a long long time.

[@michaellatimer7826]

the fact that they remember the guys name who the left the doors with after 17 years is astonishing

[@Rasscasse]

That’s a good point actually remembered Noah’s name!. Think how many people they have bumped into around the world in the past 17/20 years whatever it is, since they met Noah. 100s if not 1000s

[@Fabulousprofound168]

Might be scripted?

[@Ward1706]

Nah, the emotion was too raw.

[@zoidberg444]

To be fair I seem to remember that Lancia spent most of the special broken. Clarkson might have been very familiar with the mechanic who kept that turd running. Whoever this Noah is he was good.

[@LeoMkII]

​@@Fabulousprofound168 never seen that look in Clarkson's face

[@dti407]

The last fifteen minutes were the best fifteen minutes of 22 years, and there’s been a lot of bests.

[@DaSpaceJammer]

Absolutely, I definitely didn’t shed any tears watching them until this episode. I’m just grateful I was able to enjoy them for so long, and the passion they’ve allowed me to realize for cars. What a trio of lads, some of the best chemistry the world has ever seen.

[@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff]

Tough Watch for JASON DAWE this

[@Lloyd_J_RiSpark]

For those of you that may be wondering where Oliver is? He is safe and sound with Hammond and was restored.

[@BRToby1]

Is currently on display too at the Haynes Museum

[@100beamm]

i think hammond still drives it and not just displayed​@@BRToby1

[@DittoGTI]

Hammond has since also bought a red Opel Kadett to match, named Olivia

[@DittoGTI]

​@@100beammHe takes it to shows and sometimes lends it to museums to show

[@Lburt07]

They must take them back to the UK and restore them and reunite them with Oliver!

[@MIKEK3NT]

James said he didn’t want his Mercedes to be in Europe

[@Bruh845]

@@MIKEK3NTwhy’s that?

[@totallyunrelated1292]

@@Bruh845they are probably both driveable or salvageable or at least mays merc is so he probably wants the car to be driven by locals and not put in a museum

[@erg1947]

​@totallyunrelated1292 honestly the lancia might be fixable too. They didn't really have time to much more than get it running during the special, they couldn't spend days getting it all sorted.

[@darylyatestransportblogs]

Dispite James wanting the Mercedes to stay where it is I wouldn't be surprised if someone puts an offer for both cars to be sent to the UK to be restored, I wonder if the Beetle still exists as well.

[@adamalfredsson373]

It’s staggering that those cars still exist given the condition they were in at the end of the Botswana special

[@Mustang150y]

Few years ago, they were found by someone, really didn't expect them reuniting

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

@@Mustang150y I remember seeing those photos, so I was wondering in the back of my mind if they were gonna find them on this special, and am so glad they did. That made their journey that much more ‘full circle’.

[@ghampster21]

I give would give a massive respect to the guy who managed to put the cars back together after all these years.

[@br4kecheckd]

Why would they not be? There is no rain, dry weather, dry air and wind. They can't rust or rot because there is no medium for that you need moisture and cold

[@bookie5667]

How incredible to find the old cars. It's also incredible that Jeremy's car has miraculously changed to light blue, and the interior is different too.

[@neogriff]

What choked me was when Jeremy said "this might be my very last ever televised skid..." 😢 So... This is it, eh?! It's a fantastic journey, spanning over 22 years... well, it's 21 for James since he got lost and joined in a year later 😅 Hands down, they're the most successful television trio... In the world!

[@Rasscasse]

👌

[@Spitfiresammons]

Seeing Jeremy and James reunited with the Botswana special cars must be emotional after 17 years.

[@mattu1914]

Its staged so probably no

[@SuperSucc69]

​@@mattu1914 I think their reactions are genuine. James was definitely not acting. I reckon the producers planned it but didn't tell them.

[@jdgjagerbomber9430]

@@mattu1914I feel like the cars are put there on purpose but I feel like they didn’t know it was happening

[@bookie5667]

Now all they need to do is reunite Jeremy's car with it's original paint, because it wasn't light blue in the Top Gear special.

[@aidanholden3619]

@@bookie5667 17 years of sitting in the sun will fade it like that.

[@lennyface8195]

I was 8 years old when I first saw the Botswana Special, and I'll be 26 in November. Seeing those cars still in (mostly) one piece and their reactions to finding them... it's like being greeted by an old friend you haven't seen in years. The sheer feeling of euphoria, a sense of completion, like I was there with them throughout the journey. God, I can't stop tearing up.

[@Rasscasse]

I’m glad you shared this post. Gives me a different perspective. I was an adult when they started and an older adult now . But in your case, to have had the trio there, doing their thing, from you being eight years old to 26, well that’s really something. All through your formative years. Thanks for giving me a glimpse through your window .

[@reyniercampher3815]

26 myself, I didn't see the special till later on though, but I have been trying to wrap my mind around this. For my entire life, top gear/the grand tour has been my favorite show. Now that it's really over... Such a strange feeling. Thank you for sharing.

[@EvilOdysseus]

Finding Jeremy and James' old cars from 17 years ago was a 1 in a million chance. It was the perfect round trip.

[@ADJLfanatic3000]

NOt really, they had been tracked down in the past, it was known they still existed. this was planned but probably not told to jeremy and james to get their real reactions

[@lachlanpike5469]

Jermany already found the car on twitter several years ago But not in that condition

[@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff]

James getting that emotional can only happen unscripted

[@ej_tech]

Drive Tribe made a video on how the cars were found kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4utm3mpdt2BbdU

[@TheWeeJet]

We knew about Jeremy's car and have done for years. But I don't think we knew about James car.

[@Mario_RX7]

This part… this part absolutely broke me. Especially when James May was stunned and took off his hat as the sign of respect for the cars.❤

[@Jb33124]

God... This made me tear up. So many memories. So may years... Television will never be the same without this Trio.

[@Imperialismusic]

Oh to be honest. Iv been struggling with depression lately (quite badly) but this entire episode really cheered me up. And the ending was a perfect sending off I think.

[@thedaimlerden]

Keep it up man, one step at a time!

[@radioactiveanomaly6567]

Im in the same boat. Lets keep up the good fight my friend

[@anthonywhite721]

Keep strong dude.

[@27rauf]

This year has been too much for many of us brother. Just keep on doing what you do and it'll get better

[@seanbonella]

Keep strong

[@f1since08]

I'm old enough to remember when the Botswana special was actually called the Africa special. These cars are part of my childhood, I'm so glad we got one final goodbye from them along with the boys.

[@fireball2275]

Wait they renamed it?

[@f1since08]

@@fireball2275 Prior to what is now the African special, the Botswana episode was called the Africa special

[@JamesTobiasStewart]

​@@fireball2275Yeah they started calling it the Botswana Special more after the Nile Source adventure, since with two big adventures set in Africa I'd guess they didn't want people getting confused.

[@fireball2275]

@@JamesTobiasStewart oh of course, that makes sense

[@S0M3GUY778]

For some reason this part was more emotional than the ending scene. We knew there was gonna be an emotional final scene, but the scene where Clarkson and May rediscovered their Botswana cars was a total surprise to me and it's like seeing a group of friends reunite after decades. A beautiful scene for a beautiful episode

[@DeadlyPants123]

I cried a lot when this came on. Botswana was the first and favourite special I ever watched.

[@DraftyDaftyHubertOHare]

The look of genuine astonishment on James’ face, and the excitement as he leaves the car

[@2KXMKR]

Their faces say it all. Few will understand the deep emotional bond men form with their cars. To us, this is like seeing our childhood dog again.

[@octopuscardoor]

What really makes this cooler is that in an interview after the special was filmed they said that nothing was scripted, this was just happenstance

[@Theaggressivesalad]

I think the 2 cars being put there were scripted. Likely all done by the production team behind the scenes. Jezza and James were likely not told about it until they arrived at the car's location.

[@mrdarknezz6285]

This era of the show ending after 22 years really makes you depressed especially if you grew up loving cars and shows like this especially with the iconic trio were the perfect show to watch

[@Simba-1996]

They’re not seeing old cars again. They’re seeing old friends that brought great memories.

[@alastairmacnaughton7673]

This was the perfect send off and I must admit this made me nearly tear up

[@wintersoilder5676]

We all tear up bro the track at the end really got me man

[@GP30_Foamer]

I still can’t believe they actually reunited with the original cars, and finishing where the original one finished at the exact same tree had me crying the entire time. I’ll miss these three, this couldn’t have been a better send off!

[@gedhoughton9523]

James' face when he realised it's his :') 1:19 that's how much a car means to you. Seeing an old friend again.

[@DRAG0NSPIRIT10]

Imagine if the original punishment Beetle was there too, and still pristine to rub salt in 😆

[@m.sydneyvern2260]

Seeing those two reunite with their cars from the first special makes my heart go soft. Jeremy, James, and Richard truly made my childhood that more sweet and ignited my passion for cars.

[@Dimension2010]

Somehow James May removing his hat makes me think of Dr. Alan Grant.

[@sonycans]

I saw many previews of this episode but this came as a surprise... All one round trip back to where they started and finding the cars still there 17 years later... I loved every minute of this 2 hour episode... Even watched the credits too.

[@metalSLIME313]

Look at May expression at 1:16, it just like they reuniting with an old friends

[@buzzytrombone4353]

This is the only time that I had ever cried, watching something from these three guys because I had seen a behind the scenes picture of Jezza standing beside the Lancia and the Merc on Instagram and I thought that it was nice to see him reunited with the Lancia and felt that it was nothing more than a nice private behind the scenes moment. I didn't know that they would be arsed to film their reactions to seeing these two cars again, but I am very happy that they decided to because it really does bring things to a full circle.

[@PimSchouten]

Those cars belong in a museum

[@Snarl616]

and possibly restored. or at least preserved.

[@Offical_LadaRiva_1982]

​​@@Snarl616you know the world of top gear? The place where old cars were stored? Yeah well most of them were scrapped

[@Snarl616]

@@Offical_LadaRiva_1982 You are VERY uninformed. Hammond bought the 308 yellow ferrari, the black lamborghini Urraco was restored, same for the Opel Kadett named "Oliver", the Alfa Romeo 75, the Starion, all the 3 cars from the latest TGT special, and that's the first examples that come to my mind proving you totally wrong.

[@Offical_LadaRiva_1982]

@@Snarl616 Thanks for the correction, I said *most* I knew Oliver was owned by Richard Hammond

[@Snarl616]

@@Offical_LadaRiva_1982 and there are many more. The mini from the india special was also restored (just type the number plate on google), and in the comments they said the rolls royce was restored too. Also, many of them are preserved in a museum. There is a reddit post saying that they will be scrapped, but sorry: between the museum website that still has them, and a reddit post with no links, I'll believe the website.

[@jogrobler]

That moment of silence from 2:45, where James just gently taps the Mercedes as if to memorise that final moment, and then closes the boot as if he's closing a chapter in his life. That's the part of the episode where I realised I will be saying goodbye to a core part of my childhood.

[@bitofeverything860]

The only part of this that I was disappointed in was that there was no mention of Hammond's car "Oliver". It would have been nice when they told Hammond about their cars he replied with something like: "They look in pretty rough shape. It makes me think of what happened to my car...oh that's right, he's sitting happy and clean in a garage back home".

[@Lady-Seashell-Bikini]

Oliver has been mentioned so many times and is the most famous Top Gear car. This moment is for the Lancia and the Merc.

[@mhikari92]

...And with a hot girlfriend. (No seriously , Hammond had bought another Kadett A , named Olivia , to go along with Oliver.)

[@Stickleback]

Noah is a true Gentleman Legend.

[@jeffselwood7212]

It was me Jeff Selwood who told Jeremy they had been found on Twitter in 2021 after watching Antarctic to Africa My tweet was featured on drivetribe . Its no surprise to me that on the last special they revisited the cars,it was no coincidence tbh..the Lancia was in the town of Maun,the Merc in the next village. The producers knew this and incorporated it into the last ever episode. Botswana is enormous,you simply wouldnt just drive past lol..however the reactions to seeing the cars is genuinely moving and unscripted. I only hope they are brought to the U.K and restored to some degree at least. Thank you to Jeremy for his eloquent reply. It genuinely made my day. The episode was truly epic and a fitting send off.

[@kahlaarabbani2907]

I loved this scene so much, felt very nostalgic after seeing those 2 cars still standing after 20 years. Especially the lancia's cuz it shows both the first and last lancia that jeremy took at the start and now the end of the specials.

[@EAcapuccino]

All these years later, james and Jeremy reunite with their very first old bangers. ❤️ Such a fond memeory! I remember when the Botswana special was new! 😊

[@BogdanArdeleanuSB]

This scene and what these 3 have done to the world, is to be put near the Nobel-prize winners in journalism!! They have changed people, they have cured depression, they have put a lot of tears and smiles onto millions of people's faces, they were there when the minds were off and I've always felt them as a warm hand on my shoulder saying "you're alright!" I will miss these guys so much, I've had them alongside me for more than half of my entire life. I've cried like a kid when they announced the end of the GT tent episodes and I cried now, seeing them apart for good. But, I have to admit, deep within me, I was glad to see them part ways in the most dignifying manner, shaking hands and being men! 'Cuz that's what it was all about - 3 men doing men stuff! I shall miss you guys dearly....

[@krishayden3177]

James going full jurassic park, with taking off his hat and getting out the car in disbelief

[@robertdora7026]

Brilliant last episode! I rarely criticise critics (as everyone does and should have their own opinion), but I truly believe that any critic who didn't think this was a good episode of The Grand Tour sadly didn't get the point of this episode. This episode was a celebration of the three of them together on screen for such a long time, the incredible and rare chemistry they have together, and for their history of special episodes that their long long time fans (of which there are still many) love. THAT is what this episode was about, pure and simple, and it well and truly 'delivered' for their long time fans: at the end of such an era you can't ask for much more than that.

[@ericmadsen7470]

This was a surreal moment for Jeremy and James when they reunited with their cars. The Lancia and the Merc.

[@chrisstorey6972]

What a lovely way to end the trio of Clarkson, May and Hammond. You guys brought a lot of happiness and laughter in my life, all the best to you in your years of rest.

[@BabyishDuck]

This segment was amazing. Still remember watching Botswana special when I was younger.

[@limey_]

was such a good throwback, almost too good..

[@henrygrootenify]

Yeah i get the feeling it was faked by production

[@Ali-qy1nj]

Cry about it you miserable bastards

[@seanbonella]

​@@henrygrootenify rubbish

[@momoloco99rh]

The cars were found a few years back and I remember seeing it on reddit, they probably also did, ofc the production located them and staged this but I think their reaction is genuine, they knew they were seeing the cars already but it made them emotional anyway… that’s why Jeremy brought the Lancia headlight.

[@mallrat7926]

@@momoloco99rh I heard the production team set it up, but they did it without ever telling the trio and kept it as a surprise.

[@joshuakerslake4193]

The entire crew was working on the stricken beta until we were rewarded with the most glorious sound in the world life. IT LIVES IT LIVES!!!

[@berkkarsi]

One of the best moments in TV history.

[@bradclemons4134]

The look on Jeremy's face when he was standing near that very same car, remembering their very first TG special really got to me.

[@gibbonsgriffithsinc7731]

Jeremy being reunited with an old friend ❤

[@hughjass2745]

It's nice that they're together, while Oliver went onto a life of garaged pampering back on Hammond's farm.

[@noobingaroundpt7167]

4:24 A Mercedes smell is iconic

[@elijahstevenson2546]

It's hard to believe that years after the first special on Top Gear, they would find the old cars on the last road trip.

[@ivorharden]

Wasn't expecting this blast from the past. 😢😢😢

[@Stickleback]

I knew these cars existed a year ago give or take, an upload on you tube, it was fantastic they were re-united again after all those years.

[@revelare_xvii6269]

When you remember that Oliver is the only surviving car from the Botswana special.

[@garrettbrooks6576]

He's really the only surviving car out of the whole Top Gear era I imagine.

[@trainman9024]

@@garrettbrooks6576 no the train cars still exist and their will defiantly still be a few around what I want to know is do the trucks still exist

[@garrettbrooks6576]

The ones from Burma or the ones from S12 E1?

[@dod_the_angel]

​@@garrettbrooks6576 actually quite a few survived and are kept at a top gear exhibit at the national motor museum. Some of the ones from the specials I don't think are there but are still being used

[@oliverboisen7475]

@@trainman9024 Wasn't the Hilux that went to the North Pole put into a museum in London or something?

[@MR14official]

To see that the other 2 cars from that special apart from Oliver were still around warmed my heart tremendously😊

[@donnienguyen7475]

Even though I just known these three recently, I can't help but have bits of tears at the end.

[@seankorol]

Those two cars are something very special. They should be restored and either put on the road or put in a museum.

[@kagettadashi4214]

When Botswana special first ever come into television, I was 4 years old, and now, I'm 21 years old. I didn't actually feel that long, it is just like yesterday, but it is actually 17 years ago. I hope somebody retrieve them to be put into Top Gear Museum, because those 2 are the standpoint of the legendary Special Series of Top Gear. I hope those 2 belong to museum, as a reminder for younger generation that there was a trio middle-aged man that crossing a salt pan that no car has ever driven across it before the trio and their crew members done it.

[@Glnn_n]

This was not acting love the passion in their eyes and the way they did this ❤

[@Chromia1]

I was bawling like a baby the whole time❤

[@marvel9r421]

I watched the old Botswana episode, and it is, indeed, in fact, their old cars from the Botswana Adventure episodes. I'm gonna take two words out of Jeremy's book and say... I'm staggered!

[@123youtue1]

How did they run into them?

[@dougsfilmtv9810]

When I saw that scene, I was like it can't be and when I saw Lite Bite Cafe, I knew it was the original cars they drove through Botswana, and I am surprised they didn't get scrapped and 2 decades later they are still there.

[@Whoami691]

I could't believe it. After all this time, of all the places, in all the world... Their cars had been preserved as a monument for all these years and they never even knew it... it really is just beautiful. We all assumed they were scrapped... but they were preserved and left back where it all began.

[@themrmarkprior]

It's what non-car people just don't get, they see all cars as just tons of wires, glass metal and rubber, thats all they see! People like you are I know, we have an unshakeable belief, that cars are living entities - Jeremy Clarkson.

[@Roadrunners13]

Totally relate, I would love to see some of my old cars

[@rafaeloda]

Those should be in the british museum. The 1st cars to cross the Makgadikgadi.

[@UncleFester84]

I love the way he hesitates touching his old car...

[@Red_Beard2798]

There's a part of me that wants to believe that this was planned *for us* given how perfectly everything else fell into place in their final special; the whole "Ending where it we began" thing had to have been planned from the get-go because that is *way* too coincidental to be a momentary decision. But I hope the Botswana cars appearing was truly a miraculous happenstance that they just found as they rode into Botswana again

[@Kilmerman]

The cars were found some years ago by somebody. While they do stage some things and this was certainly staged by the producers, it doesn't seem like they told Jeremy and James. Their reactions seem genuine. They probably just put the cars there, guided the guys along that path and knew that one of them would spot them.

[@bcrock8655]

​@@KilmermanAgree. They both acknowledged that the cars were found and James even did a video about it on Drivetribe but their reactions to seeing them again looked genuine.

[@dusannestorovic5699]

I think the producers knew but didn't tell the two, and they filmed their reactions live Either way, them seeing those cars again after all this time must bring back a lot of memories and emotions for them

[@adambradbury906]

For me, the best part of this is James removing his hat on instinct. Might just be coincidence, but i like to think its a sign of respect.

[@Shauma_llama]

I remember binge-watching so many episodes of Top Gear in 2009 on BBC Ameriica back when they showed BBC shows and hadn't yet become the "Star Trek the Next Generation" channel. Miss those days.

[@MediaArchive2-z9f]

Somewhere in a parallel universe Hammond finds Oliver and sends him home to be restored by smallest Cog.

[@DankBlank]

That mercedes interior looked pretty good lol

[@garryrptr]

I remember few years back, i saw a post on reddit they found these cars and kept it in a garage... Thank goodness.

[@DraftyDaftyHubertOHare]

This segment was so special

[@lordjimbo2]

3:35 - Killed me, the notion that it was truly over. I know that feeling.

[@oliransome173]

One of most favourite clips of all time

[@DRBigADV]

4:20 the Mercedes still smells the same... That's actually so funny, because Clarkson and Hammond hidnhalf a cow in May's car in the Botswana special 😂

[@tommcglone2867]

I got legit goosebumps when i realised what they found.

[@bio-boosted]

Hands up who is going back to watch the original special after seeing the finale

[@fvhitman4hire]

That merc looks like a daily driver to this day.. solid car!

[@captpicard100]

It’s almost like the cars knew they would be coming back, and also wanted to say a final goodbye to Jezza and James.

[@DivinePeace1102]

Half of me says to bring them back to the UK. The other half says to leave them there. Absolutely astonishing.

[@dhaines9793]

One of the most heartfelt episodes ever.

[@millennialchicken]

Littlest Cog, please bring these home. They need to be reunited once more with Oliver.

[@nhaaaPl]

I remember a few years back when it made the news that someone found Clarkson's car. Good to see they fixed them up a little, was in a worse shape in those photos. Someone also found one or two of the africa special cars.

[@TheMinipily]

I remember well when these cars were first found. Richard Hammond's KZbin Channel had some guys that found the cars so presumably they must have organised for these cars to be displayed for this scene. Really touching.

[@gibbonsgriffithsinc7731]

The way Jeremy looks and speaks when he sees the Lancia is moving

[@darkmugetsu6572]

Woulod love to hear the behind the scenes, I bet Jeremy and James had no idea and the production crew/Camera Crew had this set up and planned as a surprise for them.

[@selder_7]

I’m glad that Oliver escaped this fate

[@aplynch030399]

I imagine the memories came rushing back

[@kaprun100]

Guys, you made history. Thank you. Truly.

[@dazzaboy04]

When he first said "No way!" I actually thought Kubu Island was now inhabited with a village of people

[@jakevanderbergh5458]

This was my exact thought as well haha!

[@daymoncleveland0622]

That was my first thought. "Wow, and lot has changed in 17 years!" 😂

[@blizzardstorm894]

You gotta admit that was a bit funny when Jeremy went and got his souvenir and James said let's stick it in😂

[@zach123413]

This part made me tear up. There’s no way this was by chance, either them or someone in the crew must of known they were there and told them to go through that village. But still…made me cry a little

[@JustMatt91]

Id like to think the crews standing off just laughing themselves silly at their reactions to seeing those cars and knowing they pulled off the greatest surprise ever.

[@Trek001]

I know it couldn't have happened, but just imagine if they had been drivable and they finished in them to the island

[@garrettbrooks6576]

You know, it's been 17 years since the Botswana special was made, and the fact that these 2 old cars that have been beaten, battered and scarred by the elements of that special, are still there in one piece is astonishing. Makes me wonder where all the others ended up going.

[@Vstar299]

This scene warms my heart ❤️

[@abhinavmj1613]

I feel like that merc deserves to be restored. It's in surprisingly good condition for how long it's been there.

[@davidty2006]

don't know about full restoration. Maybe just a good clean and having it run would be enough.

[@JRC99]

I don't think it's the same car. James had a large section of the roof cut out of his.

[@Bukki13]

This is like me when I rediscovered Super Mario 63 and Alien Hominid while scrolling through YT one day