It was during this leg that the Lancia finally began to die. The heat was too much. Yet, in a display of mechanical sympathy that defied logic, Clarkson managed to keep it running. He famously discovered that the car would only start if he poured water over the starter motor, a routine he performed daily.
: The cars faced deep sand and river crossings. Hammond famously "drowned"
| Presenter | Car | Key Weakness | Reason It Survived/Failed | |------------|-----|--------------|----------------------------| | | 1985 Lancia Beta Coupé (2000 IE) | Rust, electrics, everything | Died quickly (failed brakes, electrics, gearbox). Repaired with a welded diff, but caught fire. | | Richard Hammond | 1981 Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra mk1) | Rust, cooling, head gaskets | Surprisingly tough. Only needed minor fixes; finished the trip. | | James May | 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E (W123) | Boring, heavy, slow | Winner. Indestructible. Cruise control worked perfectly. Only got stuck in deep mud (pulled out by the Opel). |
With your trusty by your side, you're ready to tackle some of the country's most spectacular routes: