{"id":47659,"date":"2023-04-18T08:00:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T12:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=47659"},"modified":"2023-04-18T08:00:29","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T12:00:29","slug":"jeremy-clarksons-africa-special-bmw-5-series-touring-was-found-in-uganda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=47659","title":{"rendered":"Jeremy Clarkson’s Africa Special BMW 5 Series Touring Was Found in Uganda"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the last Top Gear<\/a> specials with the original three hosts\u2014Clarkson, Hammond, and May\u2014featured them driving through Africa in three old, cheap cars. Clarkson\u2019s choice of car was an E39 BMW 5 Series<\/a> Touring that went through hell but still managed to be one of the more reliable cars throughout the adventure. After most Top Gear specials, the production crew sells off the cars used and they\u2019re lost to history. However, this specific E39 5 Series Touring was actually found by\u00a0Reddit<\/em><\/a> sleuth r\/Background_Advance77.<\/p>\n

The car is currently in Uganda, which is where the Africa special began. It\u2019s also where Hammond\u2019s Subaru is, so at least two of the cars are still together. The Reddit sleuth even looked into its registration history and found that it\u2019s still being driven today, which is great to know. It would be a shame if a cool car like this one ended up in a crusher, given that it\u2019s an African E39 5 Series Touring that was driven by Clarkson on the most beloved car show in history.<\/p>\n

It also seems that the rear window was repaired, as it\u2019s intact. If you remember, Clarkson tied a log to the rear of the car, so he could use it for traction when stuck in mud. However, while driving along the log bounced up and shattered his rear window. So it looks like a subsequent owner had it fixed. The giant cutout in the door was also replaced, as James May cut a section of sheetmetal out of the 5er\u2019s door to use as a skid plate. And someone must have fixed most of it because it looks to be in surprisingly good shape, considering the battering it took with Clarkson at the wheel.<\/p>\n

According to the Redditor that tracked this car down, it\u2019s currently owned by a mechanic, who seems to be keeping it at their shop, so it isn\u2019t accessible to the public. So if you\u2019re in Uganda and thinking about swinging by to see Clarkson\u2019s car, you\u2019re out of luck.<\/p>\n

Top Gear was genuinely special back in those days. Watching reruns of old Top Gear episodes helped form my love of cars, helped get me through rough times, and ultimately helped put me right where I am today. So seeing Clarkson\u2019s E39 5 Series Touring alive and well, still in Uganda after all these years, gives me the warm and fuzzies inside and I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not alone.<\/p>\n