The Stig's Top 5 Car Stories!

Follow ‪@BenCollinsDrives‬ for more! He was the STIG for most of Top Gear and his stories are incredible.
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#VINwiki #TheStig #TopGear

[@imperialmodelworks8473]

I'd have laughed hysterically if this would have been a video of him sitting there for 15 minutes in the white suit and helmet, not saying a word. 😊

[@acexxxoasis]

I was hoping for that. Knowing who the stig is kinda sad for me.😂

[@johnchenoweth278]

Omg yess !!

[@colinrankin220]

I was thinking the same thing

[@chrischaf]

​@@johnchenoweth278 reading this comment on my phone, and there was a message/link embedding in your comment: "Translate to English" lol So, of course I had to click it :D It *translated*: "Omg yess !!" To "Omg yes !!" Thank you Google Translate! 😂

[@johnchenoweth278]

​@@chrischafHahaha 🤣🤣🤣

[@EdBolian]

Having Ben on was definitely the highlight of my year for VINwiki. Thanks Stig!

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Some say he's not The Stig, he's The Stig's book book writing cousin.

[@JN-ed7bg]

It's great to hear the stories and background from so-called "Top Gear" after all these years!

[@mountainmandale1587]

Agree!

[@RJLightning68]

Would it be interesting if Ben was a host on Top Gear???

[@Suckwhamfarts-bled]

@@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13u almost had it 😂

[@WeAreCurated]

One of the most iconic automotive characters of our generation.

[@bghoody5665]

For a character who never got to show his face or speak, he sure did make a big impact.

[@stee6stee9]

Ben Collins is a driving god. So humble, so polite, so fucking fast.

[@marvindebot3264]

"Because at that speed (400kph) things approach quite quickly" - Ben on maxing the Veyron on the autobahn. LOL.

[@youarestoopud]

Ben seems like such a genuine guy for being such an icon. I'm glad he is doing well.

[@DoctorRazzArea4]

"Nothing on it beeps" - Great quote

[@C-M-E]

The iconic 'face' of golden-era Top Gear. Legend status car dude. One and only in my book.

[@marcelallenke26]

How the hell did BBC not pay you enough for the best ever car tv show in history? You were just as much a part of the show as the other 3....

[@jus__gra]

He literally lived every week in the bbc wondering if he’d be coming back the next. He sadly wasn’t held as high as the other 3.

[@Secret1one2]

After all, The Stig is just a character. They could have stuck any driver at Ben's level in that suit and pulled it off. I'll glad they didn't though, because listening to Ben talking about it now is amazing ❤

[@you2uber530]

ש🎉גקכרר1³​@@Secret1one2ה1

[@craponlycomesoutadogsarse1731]

@@Secret1one2 but would it really have been the same. His consistency and skill as a driver and teacher as well as personality (which does come out despite the helmet and role playing) would not have been easy to replace. Which is probably why he was in the role for as long as he was. Defo deserved more. Comes across as a pretty decent chap.

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Ben was right to feel threatened, because BBC are entirely stupid enough to have dumped him and ruined the character.

[@timmah2723]

“Old Land Rovers, if they don’t leak, it’s because they’ve run out of oil.” 😂

[@DanielLopez-up6os]

Thats basically the same in the military, if the truck or the tank isnt leaking, youre in trouble.

[@joshua.snyder]

Nice to hear a genuine driver and car guy tell legit stories! Ben is the best!

[@scottnelson1713]

This is one of the best VINwiki episodes ever. Love this guy.

[@thomaspavelko9412]

"And then do what ever speed you wanted "... Thats just mind blowing that he's not just saying that just casually.

[@oliver.gilbert]

I mean from the authorities POV, they have paid for a permit to film and have a very talented race car driver driving for most of it, so it's fairly safe

[@thomaspavelko9412]

@@oliver.gilbert it's never the professional that causes the accident. Not tossing shade on him or them for going God speed.

[@JPspinFPV]

For me the Schumacher story was the most fascinating. Absolute class.

[@noonehere1793]

VinWiki interviews a legend! Well done!👍👍 totally agree on the handbrake…..i don’t know who thought up the whole electric brake thing but they are WRONG.

[@puritan745]

100%

[@marvindebot3264]

It's an American thing I think. They barely use it for parking let alone what it is really useful for.

[@lj1k436]

TIMESTAMPS FOR WHOEVER WANTS EM 5. 0:14 4. 9:20 3. 20:49 2. 27:01 1. 42:54 like to help others see

[@violinmiata]

Something about the Stig Ben Collins saying “rad” that made me grin ear to ear. He’s a living legend in the truest form.

[@my31and37]

Thanks Ed! and Thanks Ben!. Very enjoyable video

[@ruben3305]

Some say that his first uploaded vehicle on VinWiki was a tricycle and they’re interviewing a proxy on this video. All we know is he’s called the Stig!

[@bikkiikun]

I think, that crash where the Koenigsegggggg ate the tyre actually helpedand promoted the marque better than anything.

[@dosgos]

It was the improvements they made rather than endless complaints.

[@foundnotlost]

It highlighted the cars problem with down force leading to the little duck tail wing

[@mclarenjohnf1]

Ben is not only a great driver he is a truly nice person. his KZbin channel is coming along well and he is gelling as a real character on all his collaborations with other channels.

[@ryanhoffmann9341]

Andy Wilman must go down as one of the best TV producers in history. To make TV that is enjoyable over, and over, and over again is almost impossible to do.

[@flat6croc]

Well, they hit on a formula and repeated it over and over. It was formulaic to the point of being tiresome over time. I'm not saying there was no skill / wit to it. But I think it was working out the formula where the added value was.

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

Dude is an encyclopedia of cars.

[@imaner76]

Well that was bloody spectacular! I could listen to this guy all day. Thankfully he now also has a KZbin channel! Well played Ben, Stig of Blomqvist.

[@XCLURICHAUN]

@bencollinsdrives you completed the show as far as I am concerned. loved to hear your stories about your time on top gear!

[@ndafarachaitezvi1139]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@LordHolley]

That was really fun to watch.

[@rustyshaklferd1897]

Something about Doug Demuro owning a carerra gt and the stig doesn’t just doesn’t make sense to me.

[@Big_AlMC]

Stig knows what over engineered shite is.

[@CodyDoesIt]

The fact WD gets a shout out from the Stig! Man 2 epic men of our time period. Yin and Yang

[@Barton_Motors_Ltd]

Childhood hero. Plz get Jezza on someday

[@cmcb7230]

I too also despise the handbrake/emergency brake button.

[@amarifrazier5491]

The stigggggg im proud of vin wiki thank u gus thanks to the tru two founders ❤

[@Oldguynotbald]

I could listen to Ben and Randy P all day!

[@michaelh.9866]

Thanks, Ben!

[@egyptology22]

It just sounded like Ben reading his book. If you read Mark Webber's book, he said he knew Ben was the stig because of the way he walked. I'm glad they are all still mates though.

[@Over_The_Top-1320]

Veyron = “13 minutes to empty the tank!”. When the fuel mileage is measured in minutes, you better have your own oil fields!

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

This guy made a good show into a legendary show, sold loads of merch and DVDs. But because his face wasn't known, he never got the big payday. Don't let bosses screw you out of the pay your deserve folks.

[@AnInterestedObserver]

Thanks for that. It was really interesting, time well spent in finding out about the Stig and Top Gear from the inside.

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Great line..... " ....... that can all go and fish ....... "

[@scottwozniak3988]

Outstanding! Best episode, yet. (and that is saying something!)

[@gavinmelia4133]

Ben you made the Stig what he is and there will never be able to do what u do. 👍👍👍

[@ashkechum101]

I met someone at a car meet who brought at lancia delta integrale, was insane and just random chance to see such a rare car I’ve driven so much in video games.

[@Chanannagins]

I honestly love the fact that Ben knows who WhistlinDiesel is

[@Lusty_85]

5:05 Living in the UK in the Cotswolds a 4wd 2L hatchback is what the roads are built for!! My dream car is a lil Nissan Pulsar Gti-R in black for the same reasons, but I do hope to see you hooning her about one day as I'm near Castle Combe so there is always a chance I do get to see the Stig using that lil red Lancia weapon as intended especially if it's actually used regularly ❤

[@tjroelsma]

It's still hard to comprehend how colossally stupid the BBC was in firing Clarkson and then how they ran the show into the ground.

[@kirklamplugh5062]

They didn't fire him. They were all working under contracts and they didn't review Jeremy's contract.

[@tjroelsma]

@@kirklamplugh5062Oh, they fired him alright. I know there was a lot of mumbo-jumbo about Clarkson being suspended by the BBC until the end of his contract and then the BBC not renewing it, but that was just a polite way of saying "get your ass out of here and never come back."

[@AI-Records24]

The problem with that place is lack of accountability, when you have that you have stupid people in high places making insane decisions

[@Asserti]

@@AI-Records24not having accountability is exactly why Jeremy thought he could slap someone

[@AI-Records24]

@@Asserti also why Jimmy got away with what he did for so long, and why the supposedly unbiased news outlet is biased. Plus, he didn’t think he could, he did.

[@DaleCarterDrives]

"It does smell, it leaks, it's noisy... why isn;t it weeping?".... me over here taking it personally hahahaha

[@elcasho]

Thanks for the great memories and laughs!

[@netspytr]

My goodness ! So great. Ed well done. Ben you are awesome.

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

great stories. When I was a kid one of my mates aged 17 blagged some inheritance early and bought a V8 Rover SD1. He gave it a stage 3 tune and an XJS gearbox. The only true thing on his insurance was his name. This was 1984

[@marvindebot3264]

Billy Baxter in the Reasonably Priced car was the greatest lap anywhere, any time. Jenifer comes close but didn't she do a mini-series about racing minis?

[@johnmunro4952]

"it was a big old soup spoon" most British thing ever said.

[@wjanes11]

I agree with him completely and wish I had them all too.

[@stunter2875]

Loved every minute of this episode.

[@Bowman_is_king]

The lancia delta evo is one of my favorite cars both how it looks and power output. It’s just the perfect looking hatchback it’s got a timeless look. I don’t think anyone will ever make a hatch that comes close to how good the delta looks.

[@janstafford1490]

Impressive interview humbly probably one of the most famous people ‘in the world’

[@billyvegas111]

Ben shouting out Whistlin Diesel. Best part.

[@willusher3297]

“If it doesn’t leak, it means it’s run out of oil“ 😂

[@marvindebot3264]

Mine doesn't leak oil (I spent a lot to make that happen) but it certainly leaks water. If it's raining you get wet somewhere.

[@Mr5Stars]

Wow The REAL STIG, NICE!!!!

[@regretabletangibility]

Hearing him reference Cody by his username(WD) must be feel pretty iconic ;D

[@braddeicide]

I saw a Lancia Delta Integrale parked at the local fish and chip shop, with cones all around it for people that didn't know what it was :) Non car people would get car too close because it's no Lamborghini.

[@landonnice2272]

Vinwiki just took an old story and retold it after a quick edit....surprise surprise

[@Mercman1010]

We need an F1 bonus round where everyone is in a suzuki. Like all 20 current drivers on one track at the same time

[@VINwiki]

What is your favorite Stig memory?

[@colingale]

in the koenigsegg when he went off and Jeremy exclaimed he drove so hard he was eating tires , and true to the video that silver car had a mouth full of rubber.

[@MegaEdge777]

Reminiscing over a personal drive, like mastering the Carrera GT on track.

[@paulcarmi8130]

Turning on the lights in blackpool 😂

[@99bimmer]

The FXX was on slicks, so it had to get taken off the board

[@sawdustandcigarettes]

When Stigs Chinese cousin kicks James May in the "Plums"

[@martindavenport225]

With reference to the Blackpool trip, they had to do 750 miles and they thought they couldn’t do it….. But in an earlier series Jezza drove from London to Edinburgh and back again on one tank in an Audi. That’s 800 miles. But it wouldn’t have been such good TV.

[@Jesus_H._Tap-DancingChrist]

4:44 The stig with Clarkson's hair is hilarious

[@Dolby109]

While not having driven most of these cars I do agree quite a lot. On the new NSX I think it would have been better (or at least more engaging) if they had just skipped the hybrid system all together, and just done a TT V6, and also have an optional manual. Given the hybrid system adds weight I'm not sure it's really helping very much on track, maybe more in a drag race, but IMO that's boring. Ultimately the NSX looks good but it's like the GT-R in performance, where it sacrificed too much user connection for raw speed, and then still gets beat around a track by a Camaro (ZL1 1LE) that does have a manual trans.

[@andrewglover9608]

Boris beaten by a blind guy....that figures.

[@BadnfluenceNZ]

Shouting out whistlin diesel classic. As a mechanic with I've driven this and that yarns I love hearing the dream list recollected by a true pro and childhood hero character

[@uroprop]

All cars should be free for this guy

[@mountainhusk4382]

12:20 I'm surprised how he mentioned Whistlindiesel.

[@mechanicallycreative9788]

So intelligent he believes in Xenu.

[@rjnation5042]

With the Lancia you've got the same type as Chris Harris, very good buy, Rj in Oz

[@marcl.1346]

22:02 the economy run was from Switzerland to Blackpool

[@Valdismith]

HE said my favorite cars, 911(the better you can get Turbo/GT3/2), Delta Integrale, Carrera GT and I love off-road, not as much as sportscars, but I enjoy it. Maybe go on a a budget and combine all with a Subaru Impreza STI or Lancer Evo with some mods, The subaru corners incredibly even in a SUV form with the boxer low between the front wheels, it listens to my inputs.

[@anthonyiodice]

Thank you on the hand brake comment!

[@Mane89]

Old land rovers are actual Tanks tbh

[@oz3bto]

Old land rover .. One of the few cars left where you just need a toolbox to fix it

[@Steve.Cutler]

Very good video. Well done!!

[@slickrick3010]

5:35 how to say you wanted a wide track version without saying you wanted a wide track version

[@notyouraveragegoldenpotato]

The impact that this guy had on my life (and mostly my driving record) is immense😂 for real though my life. As a younger guy of course I couldn't afford performance anywhere near the level of cars he drove. I had always been extremely handy though in anything I did and quickly found myself with years of experience in metalworking , welding and fabrication of all sorts, advanced mechanics and performance modification and tuning. Landed a job working (restoring and building and modifying) classic and modern euro performance vehicles. Now here I am, years down the road. Still poor as ever, but I own my dream car, and I've built all my cars (a solid collection) to embarrass 99% of vehicles on the road😂

[@jenseninterceptor3416]

Thanks, great vid, is there any footage of the Stig at Le Mans driving that Carrera GT its one of the best cars to drive in Project Cars 3

[@premepurpp9274]

What a legend

[@andrewmcewan8081]

at the start of the hot hatch phase so the original 205s and the cars it was competing with ,the insurance companies hadn't worked out what was going on so policies were the same as average family cars .

[@speirk]

Dearest Mr. Collins, surely you remembered Jay Kay? From Jamiroquai? Was he not the fastest Celebrity In A Reasonably Priced Car?

[@jaredchampagne2752]

When did the sting finally reveal himself? I missed this! I thought he’d never reveal himself.

[@SqueaksUofA]

I could not imagine being beat by a blind guy in a timed driving event.

[@evanrozsa]

So awesome.

[@AraCarrano]

Thank you BBC funding. Attempt at TGUSA with Constructor and Insurance companies as sponsors was only made worse by commercial breaks and recap lead ins after each commercial break.

[@CaptainRex-sl4xk]

RIP Top Gear 😢

[@FOH3663]

Wheelman extraordinaire ...

[@Jesus_H._Tap-DancingChrist]

I wish he'd been my driving instructor

[@richardstarkey71]

Innovation is a down-up affair, when you listen to the customer you get a better product. I design many different things, I do this keeping the user in mind. We are on the precipice of a revolution. To that end the lye plant @MIT (a source of feed stock) sodium ion battries

[@TimMosley-q7d]

I thought for years that he was Schumacher (?). But he willl do 😁

[@Steelythestacker]

What Ben says about the manual handbrake is absolutely true. I have two situations where knowing how to use an actual handbrake saved me from getting into an accident.

[@BoBnotThat1]

Oh i could talk to him for years, I'm on the same wave length as him. A man who loves everything I do, and likes to drive the same.

[@AI-Records24]

You know what enrages me? When they told him he’d be sacked if he crashed another car and then later on they allow a cricket presenter to crash EVERY car he drives without doing anything, until it leads to such a serious one that the show ends. Then doesn’t even air the episode. The problem is they have zero accountability, the funding will keep coming either way so they don’t care. Sheep will watch anything. The end result is stupid people in high places making insane decisions.

[@zknarc]

I had no idea how serious it all got until Ben talked about the legal case on Ben Fowler's podcast where he says if he'd lost the case, he'd have lost everything given the finances needed.

[@stephenmitchum5864]

I thought Michael Schumacher was the Stig 😂😂😂😂

[@taur73]

Ben,,, the OG Stig,,, 👌☺️

[@JeremiahL1616]

Best stig imo❤