"Top Gear" Spine of Africa Challenge Quiz

Answer: Many beads

James bought a Mercedes; a very popular car in Africa. Jeremy bought a Lancia Beta; the only Lancia in Botswana. Richard bought a 43 year-old Opel with 40 horsepower and had "much change, with which to buy many beads".

Answer: A lift

Jeremy's car came with cardboard to keep the battery from shorting on the bonnet. The car's many other problems were not so easily fixed.

Answer: Lancia Beta Coupe Superlegera

James and Jeremy stripped excess weight from their cars in order to cross the world's largest salt flats--the Makgadikgadi Pan. They were delighted with their light, doorless cars until they hit the dust...

Answer: Sunset, elephants and the world's best comb-over

After trying (and failing) to describe the elephants in suitable nature documentary fashion, the hosts were diverted by a tourist with the world's best comb-over. Among the proposed names for their nature show was, "Too Late to Look".

Answer: Richard's tent

The cow's head was originally hidden in the trunk of the Mercedes, in order to attract lions, draw flies and make James' life unpleasant. When this didn't have the desired effect, Richard and Jeremy decided to hide the thing in James' tent. Unfortunately, in the dark, they got the wrong tent.

Answer: We can't remember

Hippos emerging from the river trap Richard, Jeremy and the cow's head in a tent. Apparently, hippos spend all day in the water and come out at night for some reason that Jeremy can't remember. Fear of hippos also prevented James from checking the depth of the ford across a river.

Answer: "Oliver", and we don't name cars on "Top Gear"

Simple and sturdy, the Opel survived the trip in remarkably good condition. Considerably lighter than the other cars, Oliver crossed the salt flats in unmodified condition, and was repaired (even improved) after sinking in a river. After the challenge, Oliver was shipped back to England and restored.

Answer: Complete the journey in a Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle was declared every presenter's least favorite car, and dread of completing the trip in a Beetle inspired all three to make heroic repairs to their used cars. It must be said, however, that the Beetle is the only car that survived the entire trip without ever breaking down.

Answer: A "Bond" villain

The Vice President made a dramatic entrance--flying into camp on a paraglider, accompanied by an entourage on quad bikes--that was found to be far superior to that of other heads of state. Initially encouraging about the effort to be the first to cross the salt flats in cars, the Vice President's confidence was visibly shaken when he was shown the vehicles that would be used in the attempt.

Answer: Jeremy

Jeremy has a bird book and checks off the birds he sees on the trip. He is the one who points out ostrich tracks and identifies the bird skeletons at the edge of the Makgadikgadi. Jeremy also is distracted by a hornbill sighting when he's supposed to be looking out for crocodiles in the river.