Summary

  • The trio's journey through Vietnam on motorbikes in the Vietnam Special is a refreshing change from their usual car-centered adventures.
  • The exploration of Bolivia in the Bolivia Special features sensationalized moments and breathtaking scenes along a dangerous mountain road.
  • The Middle East Special erases misconceptions about the region as the presenters navigate through Bethlehem with a hint of paranoia.

Top Gear has been a popular reality TV show for over 30 years, and it's time to talk about the best specials. Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard consistently prove their Midas touch is everlasting. In The Grand Tour special, the car experts maintain their comedic form as they journey across Norway and engage in all forms of mischief. Even though the presenters have adapted to life away from the BBC, their work in Top Gear is still remembered fondly.

On their former show, the trio occasionally went on road trips to different countries where they explored the landscapes as well as the different cultures. With a running time that was longer than the standard 60 minutes of the normal episodes, the specials were always something to look forward to. There have been funny episodes of Top Gear, but which is the best overall?

1 Vietnam Special

Top Gear Season 12

While there were no cars involved, the Vietnam Special became one of the best episodes ever. In the episode, the trio travels 1000 miles across Vietnam using motorbikes. The special is rejuvenating due to the lack of cars. Even more interesting is that the decision to go on motorbikes is born out of circumstances, since it turns out the money they were given isn’t enough to buy a car in Vietnam.

That alone brings the discussion of vehicles being too expensive in developing countries. Jeremy getting snubbed while begging motorists to sell their cars to him at a thruway price and the trio bragging about achieving something American soldiers failed to do during the Vietnam War were notable moments, as they crossed the entire country in less than 10 days.

2 Bolivia Special

Top Gear Season 14

In this special, the presenters are given £3,500 to buy locally used cars, after which they journey from the Bolivian rainforests to the coast of Chile. Apart from beautifully shot scenes, the sensationalized moments, including one where they move through the Amazon vegetation, look like they are taken from one of the best jungle movies.

Furthermore, there have been many breathtaking Top Gear moments, but the one where they travel across the dangerous 40-mile mountain road known El Camino de la Muerte (Death Road) feels tense. To sprinkle some horror into the proceedings, there are several crosses across the road to serve as a reminder of how many people have died there.

3 USA Special

Top Gear Season 9

In the USA special, the presenters travel from Miami to New Orleans in used cars to find out if renting a car is cheaper than owning one. The tendency of Clarkson, May, and Hammond to unapologetically say and do offensive things is one of the major reasons Top Gear stands out from other projects that are considered great car shows. Even better is the never-ending “Britain is better than America” argument on the show, since Top Gear is a British show. This time, the presenters become even more daring in their efforts to offend Americans, making the viewers eager to see what the repercussions will be.

4 Botswana Special

Top Gear Season 10

Hammond's car sinks in the Botswana Special (Top Gear)

Clarkson, May, and Hammond buy cheap cars and travel across rough Botswana country lanes to prove that the said rides are better than SUVs. Using cars that aren’t designed for off-road use in a country with bad roads is an even bigger test for the presenters, but they manage. Along the way, they showcase their improvisational skills as they strip down their cars to skeletons to reduce weight. Hammond falls in love with his 1963 Opel Kadett (nicknamed Oliver) and is overwhelmed with grief when it sinks.

5 Patagonia Special

Top Gear Season 22

The Top Gear crew in front of cars.

In the Patagonia special, the car experts travel from Chile to Argentina in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the tiny-block V8 engine. The special remains memorable because it marks the only time the presenters and crew almost die. All the mayhem in Argentina is triggered by Jeremy’s number plate (H982 FKL), which the locals feel is a reference to the Falklands War. In a scene that could as well mirror that of a thriller, the trio makes a hasty treat to Chile as they are attacked by angry locals.

6 Polar Special

Top Gear Season 9

Featured image split Clarkson and Hammond argue and a Reliant Robin rolls over in Top Gear

In this special, Clarkson and May attempt to be the first people to reach the Magnetic North Pole using a car. Events are spiced up by the fact that the duo has to race against Hammond, who has opted to use the dog sled (the main means of transport in the arctic). This gives the special a true North Pole experience. In regard to the hilarious ending, everyone gets christened with a funny name after adding “Sir Ranulph” in front of their own name in honor of Sir Ranulph Fienness. Clarkson becomes furious after being denied a chance to brag, since Hammond never makes it to the finish line.

7 Burma Special

Top Gear Season 21

The electric car (Geoff) in Top Gear Season 14, Episode 2

In this special, the gearheads travel across Burma in lorries, so they can get to Thailand and build a bridge across the River Kwai. Cinephiles will love the fact that the premise of the special is a nod to one of the best war dramas, The Bridge Across The River Kwai. Given how resourceful they are, Jeremy, Clarkson, and May build a bridge. Since buddies can always be trusted to find all sorts of creative ways to have fun, they decided to engage in a drag race in the capital.

8 Africa Special

Top Gear Season 19

In the Africa special, the presenters buy cheap cars and travel across East Africa to find the source of the River Nile. The special lives up to its bold announcement: "You’ve seen David Attenborough's take on Africa, now it’s time to see Top Gear’s take on Africa." From analyzing the intense traffic jam of Kampala to showcasing the vast landscapes that lead to Lake Victoria, the film takes viewers on a satisfying adventure. The challenges are ever ending, too, with the 3 friends having to convert their cars into bedrooms after lacking a place to sleep and going on a fresh search after realizing that Lake Victoria isn’t actually the source of the Nile.

9 Nepal Special

Top Gear Season 27

The trio makes modified trains in Top Gear Season 17, Episode 4

The only special not to be done by the original trio sees Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Freddie Flintoff drive through Nepal in £6000 cars. Though the humor that Clarkson and company are known for is lacking, the experts do a great job of analyzing their cars as well as the locations they travel to. Images of the lush scenery remain in the retina, too, and so do the well-constructed roads.

10 Middle East Special

Top Gear Season 16

In this special, the presenters recreate the path to Bethlehem. The special does actually erase the misconceptions people have about the Middle East, with the presenters getting to have the time of their lives. What’s better is watching the normally courageous Jeremy become paranoid and insists on making his car bulletproof, just in case. It's one of the best specials on Top Gear.

Top Gear TV Poster

Cast
Jeremy Clarkson , Jason Dawe , Matt LeBlanc
Release Date
October 20, 2002
Seasons
33
Network
BBC

Various seasons of Top Gear are available for streaming on JustWatch, Prime Video, Peacock, and Netflix.

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