A red Range Rover Classic (3.5-liter V8). It was chosen for its legendary off-road pedigree, though this specific model suffered from atrocious build quality and a completely broken electrical system.
The journey spans roughly 1,000 miles across South America, taking the presenters through three distinct, brutal environments. 1. The Amazon Rainforest
The challenge was simple but daunting: buy a second-hand 4x4 from the local Bolivian classifieds for less than £3,500 ($5,000) and drive it across the continent. The presenters had to buy their cars sight-unseen, leading to a "perfect recipe for fun" and mechanical disaster. Condition & Issues Range Rover Classic
Originally thought to be a 3.9L V8, it was actually a 3.5L carburetted model. Suffered from severe overheating. Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40)
: The team actually failed to cross the Guallatiri volcano via their planned straight route due to severe altitude hypoxia , which forced them to take Viagra to combat high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). top gear bolivia special full fixed episode
The journey takes the hosts through the dense Amazon rainforest, across rivers, and over rough terrain. They face numerous challenges, including breakdowns, accidents, and the harsh Bolivian environment.
A Toyota Land Cruiser (which proved to be the toughest, despite missing a roof).
: Navigating dense, mosquito-ridden jungle.
The production team had limited control once in Bolivia. The Range Rover’s failures (fuel pump, brake lines, electrical shorts) were genuine age-related issues. The car was over 20 years old. The show’s editors simply kept the camera rolling when things broke—that’s not fixing; that’s documentary filmmaking. A red Range Rover Classic (3
After surviving the jungle and the Death Road, the trio faced a completely different enemy: altitude. As they climbed the Andes toward Chile, they reached heights of over 17,200 feet (more than 5,200 meters) above sea level.
The hosts were given three specially modified vehicles:
The Bolivia Special is celebrated because it features a perfect narrative arc, transitioning from dense jungle comedy to high-altitude survival horror. 1. The Amazon Rainforest Escape
The journey spanned some of the most dangerous and varied terrains on Earth, including dense jungle, the North Yungas "Death Road," Condition & Issues Range Rover Classic Originally thought
Former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman and the presenters have repeatedly addressed these claims. The truth is more mundane but more impressive:
If you watch early television rips or unpatched syndicated versions of the Bolivia Special, you will encounter several jarring issues. The "Full Fixed" version corrected these major flaws: 1. The Audio and Music Rights Patch
Unlike previous specials, the presenters chose their own vehicles ahead of time without knowing their true conditions:
Unlike other specials, there was no backup car provided. If a car died, the presenter was out.
The premise is classic Top Gear: the presenters are tasked with buying a second-hand 4x4 from local classified ads for no more than each, without inspecting the vehicles beforehand. They are then dropped deep in the Bolivian rainforest and must drive 1,000 miles (approx. 1,600 km) across the country, from the Amazon basin, over the unforgiving Andes mountains, and finally to the Pacific coast of Chile.
Unlike later specials where the presenters chose their vehicles before arriving, the Bolivia Special began with a unique twist. Clarkson, Hammond, and May were dropped into the deep Amazon rainforest via a boat, where they were forced to buy three used, budget 4x4s from a local newspaper classifieds section for less than £3,500 each.