Top Gear Middle Eastern Special -

Just don't forget the carpet.

"Traction," May explained, laying the carpet under the wheels. "It’s the same principle as the Egyptians using logs to build the pyramids. Except we are idiots, and the pyramids are a 1996 Fiat Barchetta."

"We are going to die here," said Hammond, quietly. "Yes," replied May. "But at least the stereo in the Fiat still works." Leave it to Captain Slow to save the day. While Clarkson wanted to set the BMW on fire (a recurring theme), May produced a roll of carpet from the Fiat's minuscule boot. top gear middle eastern special

By Jason Barlow (for Top Gear Magazine)

In a moment of genuine pathos, the three men stood on the roof of Clarkson’s BMW, staring at the vast, empty horizon. There was no traffic. No sound. Just the wind and the ticking of hot metal. Just don't forget the carpet

And James May? He bought a 1996 Fiat Barchetta. A tiny, flimsy, Italian two-seater that looked like a ballet shoe. "It is the prettiest car here," he noted, peering at the engine. "It also appears to be leaking all of its bodily fluids onto this pristine hotel driveway." The Middle East special is not about driving. It is about survival. As the trio crossed from the UAE into Oman, the ambient temperature hit 48 degrees Celsius.

"Hammer!" he shouted, digging frantically. "I’ve beached it! I’ve beached the bloody car!" Except we are idiots, and the pyramids are

Clarkson’s BMW leather seats turned into a frying pan. Hammond discovered that the VW’s air conditioning was a hairdryer pointing at his face. May, in the Fiat, simply removed his shirt, revealing a torso so pale it reflected the sun back into space.