Top Gear. For many, the name evokes images of roaring engines, breathtaking cinematography, and three slightly silly men undertaking challenges that range from the absurd to the truly epic. While the standard studio episodes were always entertaining, it was the ambitious, feature-length adventures – the Top Gear Specials – that truly captured the imagination of viewers worldwide. These weren’t just car reviews; they were grand expeditions, pushing both the presenters and their often-unsuitable vehicles to their absolute limits in some of the planet’s most demanding environments. This article delves into that incredible catalog, presenting a comprehensive list of Top Gear specials, celebrating the spirit of adventure, mechanical mishaps, and unforgettable television that defined an era. If you’re looking to revisit classic moments or discover these epic journeys for the first time, exploring this list of Top Gear specials is the perfect starting point.
Why Top Gear Specials Became Iconic
What set the Top Gear Specials apart from regular episodes, and indeed, from most other television? Several factors contributed to their legendary status. Firstly, the scale was immense. With larger budgets and extended runtimes, the specials allowed for storytelling on a truly cinematic level. They weren’t confined to a track or the English countryside; they spanned continents, from the icy wastes of the Arctic to the humid jungles of Vietnam and the vast deserts of Africa.
Secondly, the focus shifted from technical car reviews to the journey itself. The cars often became characters in their own right, not because of their performance specs, but because of their resilience (or lack thereof) in facing impossible conditions. The struggle, the breakdown, the ingenious (and often dangerous) repairs became central to the narrative.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the specials amplified the unique chemistry between Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Under extreme pressure and in isolated locations, their genuine camaraderie, rivalries, and shared misery created moments of television gold that simply couldn’t be replicated in a studio. These elements combined to make each entry on the list of Top Gear specials a highly anticipated event, eagerly awaited by fans year after year.
A Journey Through The Complete List of Top Gear Specials
Here lies the heart of our exploration – a look back at the incredible adventures that make up the list of Top Gear specials. While the show continued with different presenters, the specials featuring the iconic trio of Clarkson, Hammond, and May are arguably the most famous and transformative. We’ll focus on these groundbreaking journeys, which are essential entries for anyone exploring the list of Top Gear specials.
The Polar Special
Year: 2007 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: The Arctic (Resolute, Canada, to the 1996 Position of the Magnetic North Pole)
The Challenge: To be the first to reach the 1996 Magnetic North Pole in a car. Clarkson and May attempted it in a modified Toyota Hilux, while Hammond raced them on a dog sled.
Why It’s Memorable: This was the first true feature-length special and set the bar incredibly high. The stunning, harsh landscapes, the sheer danger involved, and the incredible durability of the Hilux (now a Top Gear legend) make this a standout. The banter between Clarkson and May in their cramped cabin, and Hammond’s solitary struggle, provided compelling drama and humor. It remains a high point in the list of Top Gear specials.
The US Special
Year: 2007 (aired as a two-part episode)
Location: Various US states (from Miami, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana)
The Challenge: Buy three cheap, second-hand cars and drive them 1,000 miles across several Southern states, facing various automotive and cultural challenges along the way.
Why It’s Memorable: This special leaned heavily into the cultural differences and the presenters’ often-controversial interactions with American culture. The challenges included preparing for a hurricane, driving through Alabama with controversial slogans on their cars, and selling their vehicles in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Its blend of road trip hijinks and awkward encounters makes it a uniquely memorable entry on the list of Top Gear specials.
The Botswana Special
Year: 2007 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: Botswana
The Challenge: Buy a car for under £1500 and drive it across Botswana, including across the Makgadikgadi Pan, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and through the Okavango Delta.
Why It’s Memorable: This special is famous for the presenters’ choice of incredibly unsuitable cars – a Lancia Beta Coupe, a Mercedes-Benz 230E, and, most famously, a 1963 Opel Kadett bought by Hammond and affectionately nicknamed ‘Oliver’. The journey across the salt flat was visually stunning and mechanically brutal, while the river crossing provided classic Top Gear chaos. ‘Oliver’s’ survival against all odds solidified this special’s place as a fan favorite within the list of Top Gear specials.
The Vietnam Special
Year: 2008 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: Vietnam
The Challenge: Buy motorcycles (despite most of them not knowing how to ride) for a small budget and travel the entire length of Vietnam in eight days.
Why It’s Memorable: This special is widely considered one of the best. Its beauty lies in its simplicity – just a long, challenging journey through a stunning country on unsuitable vehicles. The cultural immersion was deeper than in previous specials, and the sense of accomplishment (and pain) was palpable. Hammond’s horrific crash added real drama, while the incredible scenery and the hosts’ struggles with their bikes and the local conditions provided constant entertainment. It’s a crown jewel in the list of Top Gear specials.
The Bolivia Special
Year: 2009 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: Bolivia and Chile (from the Bolivian rainforest to the Pacific coast)
The Challenge: Buy SUVs from a local’s newspaper ad for a low price in the Bolivian jungle and drive them to the Pacific coast of Chile, crossing the Andes mountains.
Why It’s Memorable: This special featured dramatic ascents into high altitude, perilous mountain roads (the infamous Yungas Road or “Death Road”), and significant mechanical failures amplified by the remote and difficult terrain. Hammond’s chosen vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, faced numerous issues, while May’s Suzuki Vitara and Clarkson’s Range Rover Classic also struggled. The stunning, varied landscapes and the very real danger made this a thrilling entry on the list of Top Gear specials.
The Middle East Special
Year: 2010 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: The Middle East (from Iraq to Bethlehem)
The Challenge: Follow the path of the Three Wise Men from Northern Iraq to Bethlehem in cheap two-seater sports cars (a Mazda MX-5, a Fiat Barchetta, and a BMW Z3).
Why It’s Memorable: This special was notable for its daring route through politically sensitive areas, requiring security escorts and adding a layer of tension rarely seen in their adventures. The juxtaposition of driving fun cars through historical and sometimes dangerous landscapes made it unique. The challenge of keeping lightweight sports cars running through rough terrain and checkpoints provided classic Top Gear frustrations and triumphs, earning its place on the list of Top Gear specials.
The India Special
Year: 2011 (aired as a Christmas Special)
Location: India
The Challenge: Undertake a trade mission to India to promote British business, travelling across the country in three very British cars (a Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Jaguar XJS, and a Mini Cooper).
Why It’s Memorable: This special showcased the vibrant chaos of India, with challenges designed to engage with the local culture and business world, often with typical Top Gear irreverence. From attempting to hold a trade fair to dealing with dense traffic and attempting car-based advertising, the special was full of color, noise, and absurdity. It’s a visually rich and often hilarious addition to the list of Top Gear specials.
The Africa Special (Source of the Nile)
Year: 2013 (aired as a two-part episode)
Location: East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania)
The Challenge: Find the definitive source of the Nile river, each using a different second-hand station wagon modified for the journey.
Why It’s Memorable: This was a return to a multi-part format and a true expedition. The journey took them through challenging terrain, including thick jungle, rough roads, and river crossings. The debate over the actual source of the Nile added a narrative hook, and the modifications (and subsequent failures) of their chosen cars – a Subaru Impreza WRX, a BMW 528i estate, and a Volvo 850R wagon – were central to the humor and struggle. A sprawling, classic adventure for the list of Top Gear specials.
The Burma Special
Year: 2014 (aired as a two-part episode)
Location: Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand
The Challenge: Build a bridge over the River Kwai using trucks they bought and drove across Burma.
Why It’s Memorable: Another ambitious multi-part special, this journey took the presenters through stunning and relatively unexplored landscapes (for Western television). The challenge of converting trucks into functional bridge segments and the logistical nightmares of transporting them were immense. The scale of the undertaking and the beautiful scenery made this a significant entry in the list of Top Gear specials.
The Patagonia Special
Year: 2014 (aired as a two-part episode)
Location: Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
The Challenge: Drive across Patagonia to the southernmost city in the world to play a game of car-based football.
Why It’s Memorable: This special became infamous not just for its incredible landscapes and challenging driving conditions, but for the controversy surrounding a car’s license plate which led to the film crew being forced out of Argentina. The journey itself featured beautiful, remote locations and typically difficult Top Gear challenges, making it a dramatic and ultimately pivotal moment in the show’s history and a high-stakes addition to the list of Top Gear specials.
Fan Favorites and Most Epic Moments
While every special on this list of Top Gear specials has its merits, certain ones consistently rank high with fans. The Vietnam Special is almost universally praised for its pure adventure and stunning visuals. The Botswana Special is beloved for the sheer absurdity of its car choices and the unexpected heroism of ‘Oliver’. The Bolivia Special is often cited for its breathtaking (and terrifying) roads and high-altitude drama.
Epic moments are scattered throughout this list of Top Gear specials: Clarkson falling through the ice in the Polar Special, Hammond’s tearful farewell to ‘Oliver’, the perilous drive down Bolivia’s Death Road, attempting to build boats in Vietnam, navigating minefields (carefully!) in the Middle East, or the dramatic, unplanned exit from Argentina in Patagonia. These moments encapsulate the blend of genuine danger, raw emotion, and unparalleled humor that defined the era.
Where to Watch Top Gear Specials
For those eager to dive into this incredible list of Top Gear specials, there are several options. Availability varies by region, but common platforms include streaming services like BBC iPlayer (in the UK), Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and sometimes others depending on current licensing deals. Many of the specials are also available for digital purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or YouTube, and physical DVD or Blu-ray collections remain a popular way to own this list of Top Gear specials permanently. Always check official sources for legal viewing options in your location.
The Legacy of the Top Gear Specials
The impact of the adventures detailed in this list of Top Gear specials cannot be overstated. They transformed Top Gear from a popular car show into a global entertainment phenomenon. They proved that a show about cars could deliver gripping, cinematic journeys that appealed to a massive audience, regardless of their interest in automobiles. This format influenced subsequent iterations of Top Gear and directly inspired The Grand Tour, which continued the tradition of ambitious, feature-length specials. The challenges undertaken and the ground covered in this comprehensive list of Top Gear specials set a benchmark for automotive and travel television that is rarely matched.
Conclusion
From freezing poles to sweltering jungles, treacherous mountains to bustling cities, the list of Top Gear specials represents some of the most daring, funny, and visually stunning road trips ever committed to film. They showcase the world in a unique way, seen through the lens of automotive struggle and the inimitable dynamic of three presenters pushing themselves and their machines to the limit. Re людьми exploring this list of Top Gear specials is a journey in itself, offering hours of unforgettable entertainment.
Which special from this incredible list of Top Gear specials is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
