The core premise involved the presenters purchasing vehicles from local Bolivian classified ads for under £3,500 each , sight unseen. Jeremy Clarkson Range Rover Classic (3.9L fuel-injected). Richard Hammond Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40) with a soft-top conversion. Suzuki Jimny (SJ40) with a 1.3L engine.
Many fans have only ever seen the chopped-down, 45-minute version uploaded to Dailymotion or the corrupted file that freezes when May’s Suzuki gets stuck in a swamp. You are doing yourself a disservice.
The Bolivia Special – Top Gear (Season 14, Episode 6) - Apple TV
Another notable moment was the presenters' crossing of the infamous "Devil's Tooth," a steep and rocky mountain pass that threatened to derail their journey. The grueling climb, followed by a treacherous descent, was a testament to the presenters' determination and resilience. top gear bolivia special full fixed episode
The genius of the Bolivia Special lies in the car selection. Unlike other specials where they bought sensible off-roaders, the producers forced them to buy "off-road vehicles" that were completely unsuited for the terrain.
Powered by a 3.9-liter V8, this luxury SUV was plagued by constant electrical failures, a broken fuel pump, and collapsing suspension. Despite its unreliability, its raw power and comfort proved vital.
The Ultimate Guide to the Legendary "Top Gear Bolivia Special" The core premise involved the presenters purchasing vehicles
The Bolivia Special set the blueprint for every Top Gear and The Grand Tour road trip that followed. It proved that the chemistry of Clarkson, Hammond, and May was best utilized when pushed to the absolute psychological and physical limit. It wasn’t just a show about three guys driving old cars; it was an epic travelogue exploring human resilience, camaraderie, and the unbreakable bond between a man and his broken-down machine.
This extended version runs over 90 minutes (compared to the 76-minute broadcast version) and includes extra scenes, more detailed breakdowns, and often more of the trio's bickering and problem-solving. If you're looking for the most complete experience, this Director's Cut is the version to find.
A blue Suzuki Samurai. Small, light, and agile, but utterly devoid of comfort. Suzuki Jimny (SJ40) with a 1
A red Suzuki Jimny (SJ413) with a 1.3L engine. It arrived in red instead of the advertised blue and had a broken 4-wheel drive system (effectively 3-wheel drive). Key Highlights & Obstacles
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.
Early syndication prints sometimes cropped the 16:9 widescreen presentation or suffered from audio-video desynchronization. Fans seeking the "fixed" version want a crisp, high-definition presentation where the audio matches the grueling gear shifts perfectly.
In many regions, the original broadcast version of the special is not the only one available. A of the Bolivia Special was released as part of the Top Gear: The Great Adventures 3 DVD. This version is significantly longer and is often considered the definitive way to watch the episode.