It reinforced the "indestructible" reputation of the Toyota Land Cruiser, despite Hammond's mechanical woes.
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.
A tan Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40), a legendary off-roader that unfortunately arrived in the worst mechanical condition of the three. High Drama: Rainforests, Death Road, and Volcanoes top gear bolivia special full fixed episode
It is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, Top Gear special ever made. The chemistry is at its peak, the journey is genuinely perilous, and the challenges are real. It's a masterclass in television presenting, balancing high-stakes adventure with genuine humor.
Clarkson declared his the winner, concluding that "the most unreliable car in the world is the most reliable car in the world," as it survived the journey despite constant overheating. TV REVIEW: Top Gear – Bolivia Special (2009) It reinforced the "indestructible" reputation of the Toyota
The Top Gear Bolivia Special (Series 14, Episode 6) features Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May navigating the Amazon rainforest to the Chilean coast in affordable 4x4s. This acclaimed installment includes iconic moments such as driving the North Yungas road, scaling the Guallatiri volcano, and the Range Rover Classic's triumph. Full episodes are available on Prime Video and Plex . BBC One - Top Gear, Series 14, Bolivia Special
The final ascent took them to an altitude of 17,200 feet (over 5,200 meters). The Suzuki struggled to stay running, while the Range Rover’s cooling system began to fail. 5. The Atacama Descent A tan Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40), a legendary
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Services like Tubi, Freevee, and Prime Video host the remastered, official extended cuts of Top Gear Specials. Ensure you select the "Specials" category rather than the standard Season 14 episodic list.
After surviving the jungle and the Death Road, the team ascended into the Andes mountains, reaching altitudes of over 17,200 feet (5,200 meters). Both the presenters and their naturally aspirated engines starved for oxygen. This segment highlighted the physical toll of the journey, as the crew required supplemental oxygen to combat severe altitude sickness (hypoxia).
