The final stretch takes the team through Israel and into the West Bank. The emotional and narrative climax occurs at a stable in Bethlehem, where the trio discovers a humorous twist on the traditional gold, frankincense, and myrrh gifts awaiting them. Behind the Scenes: Real Danger and Concussions
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The premise is deceptively simple: find three used, roofless roadsters for under £3,500 and drive from the center of Iraq to the coast of Israel (via Jordan). Of course, the Top Gear production team never does anything simply. The journey begins in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan—a region described by Jeremy Clarkson as "the second most dangerous place on Earth, after a pub in Stoke."
Hammond chose a left-hand-drive Fiat Barchetta. Painted in a striking ocean blue, it was arguably the prettiest car of the trio. However, it was also the most unreliable. The Fiat suffered from constant electrical gremlins, cooling issues, and a catastrophic fuel leak that nearly ended Hammond's journey prematurely. James May: BMW Z3 top gear - middle east special full episode
The , originally aired on December 26, 2010 , is widely considered one of the most ambitious and visually stunning episodes in the show's history. Spanning approximately 1,200 miles, the 76-minute extended episode follows Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they retrace the biblical journey of the Three Wise Men across the Middle East to Bethlehem. Episode Overview and Premise
The episode begins with the presenters arriving at an active military airfield in Iraq aboard a cargo plane. The initial drive through rural Iraq challenges their preconceptions, showcasing stunning landscapes and hospitable locals, contrasted with the omnipresent security checkpoints. 2. The Turkish Detour and Syria
If you are about to watch the , here is what to expect minute-by-minute: The final stretch takes the team through Israel
: Starting in Erbil, the team visited an abandoned amusement park before heading toward the Turkish border.
: Along the way, they modified their cars to handle the terrain; notably, Jeremy's Mazda was given a "technicolor" paint job and desert-proofing.
| Aspect | Detail | | :--- | :--- | | | Middle East Special (also known as the Nativity Special) | | Original Air Date | December 26, 2010 | | Running Time | 76 minutes | | Challenge | Recreate the journey of the Three Wise Men from Iraq to Bethlehem in £3,500 convertibles. | | Route | 1,200-mile (1,900 km) journey through Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. | | Cars | Jeremy: Mazda MX-5 Richard: Fiat Barchetta Riviera Special James: BMW Z3 (exceeded the budget by £466) | | Memorable Moments | Scary cargo plane landing in Iraq, James's BMW breakdowns, Jeremy's "bulletproof" sand-filled doors, and the emotional arrival at "the stable." | The premise is deceptively simple: find three used,
The creative core of the episode was a comedic, motoring-themed reimagining of the traditional Nativity story. The trio was tasked with stepping into the shoes of the Three Wise Men.
What made the Middle East Special truly groundbreaking was the geography. The trio covered roughly 1,200 miles through countries experiencing rapid historical shifts.
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Where can I rewatch old top gear full episodes? (2002 till 2017)
True to form, the cars were chosen not for their suitability, but for the presenters' specific brands of vanity: