Top Gear Bolivia Special Full Fixed Episode May 2026
The Bolivia Special represents the peak of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May era. It moved beyond simple car reviews and became a travel documentary, a survival thriller, and a buddy comedy all in one.
The "fix" for this episode isn't a technical patch; it's the realization that you are watching three friends at the height of their powers, struggling against nature without the massive production safety nets of later seasons. If you haven't seen it, watch the full version immediately. If you have, it’s time to watch it again.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Essential Viewing Moment: Jeremy Clarkson shouting "POWER!" while attempting to winch his Range Rover up a waterfall.
The Top Gear Bolivia Special (Series 14, Episode 6) is widely considered one of the greatest motoring adventures ever filmed. The "full fixed" or "director's cut" versions typically include extended scenes—such as the "Fallen Tree" obstacle—and restored original licensed music that is often replaced in international or streaming versions. 🏎️ The Mission & Vehicles
The presenters were dropped in the Amazon rainforest with £3,500 each to buy a used 4x4 from local classifieds. Jeremy Clarkson: Range Rover Classic
(3.5L V8). Chosen for comfort and off-road pedigree, though it suffered from constant mechanical "niggles." top gear bolivia special full fixed episode
Richard Hammond: Toyota Land Cruiser (40 Series). Nicknamed "The Donkey," it was incredibly resilient but struggled with high-altitude starts. James May: Suzuki Samurai
. Despite its small size, its lightness made it surprisingly capable in the mud, though it lacked power for climbing. 🗺️ The Route
The journey spanned roughly 1,000 miles from the heart of the Amazon to the Pacific coast of Chile.
The Amazon Rainforest: The starting point where they had to winch their cars off a raft and hack through dense undergrowth.
Death Road (Yungas Road): One of the most famous segments in Top Gear history. They navigated narrow dirt ledges with sheer drops of up to 1,500 feet while meeting oncoming traffic. The Bolivia Special represents the peak of the
The Altiplano & Andes: Climbing to over 17,000 feet, the trio suffered from severe altitude sickness, and the cars' engines struggled for oxygen.
Atacama Desert: A final high-speed descent down massive sand dunes toward the ocean. 🛠️ Key Modifications & Challenges
Altitude Solutions: To cope with the thin air, the team famously used Viagra (to prevent altitude sickness) and modified their engine intakes.
Waterproofing: They used non-standard materials like Vaseline and condoms to waterproof engine parts for river crossings.
Customization in La Paz: Clarkson and Hammond fitted massive tires and roll cages, which actually hindered their gear ratios, while May simply "mended" his car. 📺 Where to Watch "Full" Versions Early digital captures of the Bolivia Special were
Finding the "fixed" version with original music (like Pink Floyd's Shine On You Crazy Diamond) can be tricky due to licensing.
It’s important to clarify a core fact before providing a write-up: There is no credible evidence that the Top Gear Bolivia Special (Series 14, Episode 6, originally aired December 27, 2009) was ever “fixed” in the sense of staging outcomes, pre-determining failures, or scripting the presenters’ genuine reactions.
The episode is widely regarded by fans and critics alike as one of the greatest road trip specials in the show’s history precisely because of its authentic sense of danger, struggle, and unpredictability.
Below is a write-up explaining the context, the persistent “fixed” accusations, and the reality behind the production.
Early digital captures of the Bolivia Special were often stretched or cropped. The episode was shot in glorious 16:9 widescreen, but many older AVI and MKV files floating around torrent sites forced it into 4:3, chopping off hilarious reaction shots (like May’s faceplate-deep in a river).
The most famous segment—driving the infamous Camino a la Muerte (Death Road)—was sometimes edited down by 4-5 minutes in syndicated versions to fit commercial breaks. A “full fixed episode” restores those tense, unbroken moments where the trio physically dangles their vehicles over a 2,000-foot drop.