"It couldn't pull t' skin off custard." That's a fantastic phrase I've never heard before!

@bettyswollocks7683

3 жыл бұрын

You do know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit

@TheIndulged1

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like my last STD test.

@DoubleD91

3 жыл бұрын

@@bettyswollocks7683 Still wit though!

@stendecstretcher4983

3 жыл бұрын

Or off a rice pudding.

@scott-si1oe

3 жыл бұрын

We have a different saying in Scotland but let's keep it clean 🤣

Never heard anyone speak so highly of a Vectra. 😂

@stevenwest000

2 жыл бұрын

Lol 😂

@jackanory-balamory

Жыл бұрын

When you're a highly trained pursuit driver I guess you can get the most out of any car. And public roads are different to the track.

@ElectricPics

Жыл бұрын

I had a 54 plate Vectra 3.2 GSi for a year. While it was not much to look at inside or out, it was comfortable for long periods, but importantly the suspension and overall handling was well fettled and it gripped like a limpet, and would actually do a real 160, without floating.

@mikeraphone6745

Жыл бұрын

Cus they where cheap and easy to repair when there crashed .

@no-yy1qg

Жыл бұрын

Had one briefly, you can essentially straightshift from 1st to 2nd, then on into 3rd at 70mph with the wheels spinning the whole time, fighting the torquesteer. Utterly mad cars. Shite, but mad.

I had the pleasure of starting Police Interceptors way back in 2005 as the Inspector in charge of the team. It was a petrol heads dream!. A blank sheet of paper to get whatever cars I wanted. We had a fantastic relationship with ProDrive and Mitsubushi, so had all the various evos and scoobys including the Limited GB270... now GB268 as we wrote them off!. We also had an Audi RS6 and Honda NSX to play with !!...but the public never knew that....A fantastic team of dedicated officers who were the best in the business at catching criminals. Essex too had a plain Vectra and a plain 3 series....looked like battered pieces of crap but went like stink!...who would have known interceptors would be so popular...and a little known fact about the name....we called them interceptors after the black car driven by Mad Max !!!!!

@wills4141

3 жыл бұрын

Well, if you want to be pedantic they were all interceptors but the black ones were "Pursuit Special"s Could you not justify a '73 Ford Falcon?

@frazerguest2864

3 жыл бұрын

An NSX? Please, tell us more !

@paulmoor595

3 жыл бұрын

@@frazerguest2864 When Police Interceptors became quite a thing in Essex, so there was more interaction with the car cruiser scene which had become massive. Car companies were throwing cars at us. Honda offered a bright red NSX. We were never going to say no to that!. It was striped up with magnetic removable graphics and a set of blue lights so we could use it operationally. The looks we got at traffic lights were ridiculous!. Two cops in a new NSX super car. It sounded fantastic. It was only bettered by the bright yellow Lambo Diablo!. .

@frazerguest2864

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulmoor595 : Cheers Paul. I’ve seen the pictures in the motoring press of marked-up Lotus Esprits, Lamborghinis etc, but I just assumed they were used for PR. Was the NSX and it’s like ever used operationally ?

@paulmoor595

3 жыл бұрын

@@frazerguest2864 No it was used in a full operational capacity during its time. It was always deployed with other more standard cars. Unfortunately we only had that for a few months over a summer, but a great experience and fantastic sounding car at high revs!.

Nice to hear the vectra being praised. As a Vauxhall employee I had a few vectra 's on the lease scheme and was always happy to drive them. We also had the signum which was a slightly stretched vectra not astra. Great video and thanks for sharing.

I served in the Met. I loved the Ford Fiestas, small car, wasn’t a response vehicle but those little cars were like a go cart, and around the back streets there was no beating them. In a straight line they bottomed out at a pretty low speed tbh. It was Mario Carts, and I whipped the $hit out of some of the more powerful vehicles purely because they were so small and narrow, and you could whip a 180 handbrake turn in fractions of a second. I’m glad my policing days are behind me, but they were such a blast too. I have regrets in life, but my time in the Met isn’t included.

@nigeh5326

2 жыл бұрын

Back in the 60s they used Mini Cooper S 1275s which would only do about 95, although v few cars back then handled as well or went above 90 apart from Jags and Lotus Cortinas

@mrdeafa25

Жыл бұрын

you sound exactly like the kind of dickhead that we have come to expect in the traffic police. grow up.

I think every fleet has a "Christine". 😃

That’s so true about looking after your cars (or motorbikes) and they’ll look after you (to a point).

You never fail to cheer me up, no matter how bad my day has been. Thankyou Ben 💛

Ben.... I can't express how grateful I am that you are willing to share the stories and feeling that you have, the emotions and feelings you share, it's great to see someone opening up. I have always wanted to be a police officer but never taken the plunge and not really sure how to go about it. The human face you put on your "character " I hope changes the opinion of the Police to some people. Which makes them a bit more thoughtful when interacting with Officer's. We are all people. Anyway take care and keep up the content. If you're ever near Cardiff and we are allowed to meet people I'll be happy to get you a drink of your choice. Thank you Ben

Good to hear your stories and see you smiling Ben 👍

You can always spot someone who knows nothing about engines because their cars spotless 😊

Among the cars we had in the late 80s/early 90s in the Traffic Department in Tayside Police, were Vauxhall Senators, firstly the 12 valve and latterly the 24 valve ones. They were great cars, very quick and responsive and comfortable to drive. Least favourite one was a Sierra Cosworth, too low to the ground and you felt every little bump. Most noticeable change for me nowadays is the sheer volume of traffic on the road now, compared to then. I don’t know what the figures are, but I think people of my age will particularly notice it.

@psions555

Жыл бұрын

The Senators were beasts and I remember the fear they instilled in motorists when I was a kid. After the Omega no more Australian/American type cheap and cheerful police cars for us in the UK. Just pathetic lease deal special Panda cars or expensive luxo barges.

Have a good weekend Ben and people!

You always cheer me up. Just read your book. You have been through so much but great to see you laughing. Thank you Ben.

Loving your videos Ben and i wish there were more Police like you, down to earth and genuine is a rare quality these days, great Stories.

You know what, how much of sound guy is Ben seriously! Id buy this guy a pint in a heart beat! Keep telling your stories mate🤙

@BenPearson1965

3 жыл бұрын

👍🏻👊🏻

After watching Interceptors my 7 year old daughter loved meeting you Ben at the Supercar meet Baildon a couple of years ago, she was so impressed sitting in the 330D Touring sounding the siren and trying a hat on,what a good day that was. I'm not sure if any of the film crew footage was used that day though.

1.7 turbo diesel Astra that had been to the moon and back, it was my car and I looked after it. It was then replaced with a new 306 d turbo that handled like a roller skate. I did my advanced but none of them cars brought a smile to my face like those two. Love the stories and I can relate to it all. Thanks for showing the human side of bobbying.

Came upon this 39 seconds after uploading, with 1 other view ! Really enjoy your candid and very interesting uploads. This one no different so far , a car called Christine 😂 Best wishes in all you do. Thanks for ... being you!

I know what you mean about that engine, I have drive a few of the 2.8T Saab that uses the same engine as the VXR Vectra, has so much torque, actually only a single twin scroll turbo. Love your videos, and feel very greatful for all the Police out there that put there life's on the line. I think I speak for everyone here, that we are all eternally greatful!

Another great video Ben. The V70 might be a slow car on the road but can't beat it for practicality!!!! Very useful for musicians who have huge musical instruments to lug about!!

When I started we had Ford escorts, truly a hateful car, rotating blue light and no siren (only traffic cars had sirens), last car i drove was a Volvo S60R response car, it was rapid machine and drank fuel like a rabid alcoholic. Definitely right about the V6 Vauxhall’s they were epic.

I remember the good ol VXR days, you are completely right it had a certain kudos about it with that beast of a V6. P.S always scrum for the keys.

Another brilliant video n lovely to hear the 1.4 astra mark 3 mentioned, can't wait for next one ❤️

People like you really make me feel more comfortable with police keep up the great content!

I remember going to R.T.C. when I was in the fire service and the traffic officer turning up in his BMW saying he'd felt the back end twitching in the wet just as you said.

Great to see your latest tale! Sinergy between man and Christine! Bless you, 💕

From the outside looking in, the X5 looks like a right beast. Another brilliant video also :)

As a trucker it is the same scenario as yours Ben as a new driver you always get the bag of spanners...makes you appreciate the better ones later on in your career.

@armchairgeneralissimo

3 жыл бұрын

It sometimes works in our favor though, the bag of spanners I was given was an Actros with close to 1 million miles on it obviously it crapped out within a matter of months and I ended up with a brand new rental truck. The rental truck I got given was a Volvo FH16 with almost all the options ticked that was a lovely couple of weeks.

@nervo6321

3 жыл бұрын

@@armchairgeneralissimo Nice One

I had a Vectra VXR as an allocated car whilst at Heckmondwike, I agree with you Ben, a great traffic car. I also thought that the MK 1 Skoda Octavia VRS was a brilliant traffic car whilst I was at Toller Lane but they were a little bit fragile and were destroyed by all the speed bumps in the area.

Awesome Ben thanks for another great vid! Idea for next video, can you talk us through the internals of the car, what all the tech does, buttons, what are the rules around lights and sirens? Much love x

PSNI wagon in the thumbnail. Class

Keep these coming Ben!

I'm a simple man I see a new video, I watch.

Really interesting,thanks for that

Ben all the best for the future, as a fellow vectra 2.8 v6 special driver i can concer they were awesome and thank God I didn't need to pay for the fuel.

@paulanderson7796

11 ай бұрын

*concur

Another video that i loved your such a great story teller, and sound effects . I laugh too . Thanks Ben you made my week . X

Another quality video lads 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Volvo V/XC70s were my favourite, absolutely the best seats for being sat in for extended periods, and I didn't find them particularly slow as a regular V, the XC was a little more sluggish. The only car I would have preferred over them would have been my personal Saab 95 HOT Aero which was even more comfortable, and felt much quicker. Although I didn't have quite the same weight in regularly as a duty vehicle.

Loving the content Ben!

Another great video Ben

There is always one officer at a station that will come in 20 minutes early to get the best car😂

Just love all your videos so happy when i see a new one is up keep it up your amazing!!!!

@paulanderson7796

11 ай бұрын

*you're

Your looking happier in every video. Good to see. Best wishes mate.

@paulanderson7796

11 ай бұрын

*You're

Hi Ben, I received you book the other and just started reading it looking forward to reading the rest xx

Those vectra VXR's sound fantastic. I had an astra vxr and my friend had the vectra vxr. Great fun

Awesome Ben

My dad is a former traffic cop. He also loved the 2.8 vectra. Personally I never really saw the attraction of them but I'd love to have a go of one, see what the attraction is.

Hooray Ben!

More great vids, hope there’s a lot more to come 😊

Vxr veccy were spot on, I was Impressed with the torque more than anything' after that I moved on to a Golf r32' a m3 and now my most sensible a A class Amg line oh and my overlander D2 landy. Must be gutting for you not in the pursuit game anymore. I always used to think that Traffic Bobby's had the best Job in the world' that is without the visuals they had to see. Best wishes and thanks for that interview.

The Vectra!!! Big yes, we had a proper 'stealth bomber' that everyone fought over. 2.8 twin turbo auto estate. It was the dogs doo dahs. No, I'm not or ever could have been a traffic officer. We used to supply training cars to Northumbria up at Ponteland. Happy days indeed. I've had all kinds over the years, Porsche, Ferrari, Merc, BMW and Mustang but I still need a Vectra twin turbo for the collection. Thank you for the recollection

I had a Saab 93 V6, basically the Vectra VXR but in a party frock. Can definitely confirm, they drive so much better than you’d think.

Great content bro💪💪

Thanks again Ben.

Hope Ben's getting better, keep telling your stories mate and having a laugh you will get through things wish him well.

Anybody that has worked within a company that has a 'fleet' knows what Ben means about the jalopy 😆 Absolutely spot on description mate 👍 If you are a 'driver' you know your vehicles, you know which one(s) feel(s) right, and you KNOW which ones to try and avoid like the plague! I have been into work an hour earlier before, just to get the better vehicle! Another fantastic video Ben. Nice to see you pushing forward with this 👌👊💙

This reminded of when my husband got stopped for speeding in my Mums Lada ! The policeman's words were are we in a rush sir ? Well yes Woolworths have just got some Tracey islands in , wonder how many times all that was retold:) keep them coming best thing about fridays .

@qasimmir7117

2 жыл бұрын

Tracy Islands.😂😂😂

Senator 24v was fast apparently. My grandad was in a shop and overheard a copper saying he had pulled 150mph in it hahah. 204bhp 3.0l brand new at the time

Love these stories. Watched you on TV for years and always wanted to see a more behind the scenes type thing. This is perfect! Notifications on looking forward to future episodes!

Bought an ex police xdrive 30d about 18 months ago….minus the little bumps and knicks inside it’s an absolute machine, I can see why you lads used them 🥵🥵 👍👍👍

@Horizon301.

2 жыл бұрын

What mileage?

When he claimed people were looking at a shitty slabby sided Vectra and thinking “that’s a mean car” I was confident enough to disregard the rest of the video and bail out. Numpty. 😂

@BenPearson1965

Жыл бұрын

Come on the Mr expert! Give me more 😂😂😂 what should it have been? What’s mean?

Wonderful!

Still reading your book and it reads well, but I have to read it in small doses, as the journey you are on has the same travel agent as mine 😉 In these videos you seem to becoming more relaxed, its nice to see.

Wow…. I even pre-empted the rotating beacon noise as well before you done it 🤣, that brought back some memories and yes it was a Jam Sandwich as well🙌🏼.

In my time in the Irish police you never got to choose your car - you were detailed for a specific car. In Limerick we only had two in our station - think it was tango 51 (T51) or T52. Usually (1980's) it was a 1.6L Cortina and later a Sierra or Montego with the odd Toyota Carina. They used to get new cars every year back then. We also had some dogs of cars - I recall tourists laughing at us (5 gardai) in a Renault 4 rushing to a row or the time I was chasing a car in a fucking Yaris - the biggest POS cars ever. The Vectra's were my favourite Garda cars too. I was so impressed with those I bought a new one as my own private car. We also had a plethora of smaller cars - corollas, Mazda 323's, a few Maestro's and Fiesta's. The traffic corps usually had the nicest cars. 2.0GL Cortinas and high spec vectra's while the plain cloths special task force had unmarked blue Ford Granada's which were as obvious as hell they were garda cars with all the aerials and the Dublin reg numbers. Probably the best garda car I had in my career was the 2012 Ford Focus estate we had. Glad I am not around now with all the Hyundies they are using - I know I would have hated those.

@shane6115

Жыл бұрын

I remember in the early 80,s some detectives in Dublin had Renault 18 turbos, very rare though.

Brilliant, thank you :)

Rolling!!! Have probably driven all the same cars more or less. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It’s great to see all forces have the same ‘issues’. My memories are built around the sunny streets of London mostly with a sprinkling of Gwent. Talking of fun....pursuit in an X5, middle of winter, going through roundabouts....very interesting....by that I mean arse twitching! Lol!!!

You're mentioning cars from an era when I did traffic policing. Our Highway Patrol units in most of Australia were either the 6.0L V8 SS Commodore (Holden) or a V8 5.0L or turbo 6 Ford Falcon. I couldn't imagine driving something as small as a Vectra.

Ive watched a lot of your programs on tv over the years and as much as I enjoyed some of the series I didn`t like them all and was amazed sometimes when officers would chase after a car, eventually stop the car with a TPAC and while an officer was pulling the driver out the drivers door other officers would be smashing the rear windscreen with batons and shouting " GET OUT THE CAR " did make laugh.

Once again, you look and sound like you're having fun. Enjoy the weekend.

I love Bens descriptions, “couldn’t pull the skin off custard”, classic😂.

I had an ex traffic car,was an E39 3.0 turbo diesel manual and it was a beast

Ben you are such a nice guy and that's coming from a fellow yorkshireman. The force is lost without you so genuine and funny

Please everyone watching, buy Ben's absolutely amazing book. I've just finished it and it's truly a work of art. Incredibly gripping but also the most honest account possible. For the price it's an absolute must read.

@elite360driver

3 жыл бұрын

What's it called?

Ben much respect mate I find your vids inspirational your so right getting bad times off your chest by talking about it. Im with you on that...

@paulanderson7796

11 ай бұрын

*you're.

Fascinating insight into the traffic cops life..... Christine makes me smile 👍

The Vectra B 2.5 was my christine I absolutely loved that car it looked like something out of robocop and sounded like thunder, everything just moved out of your way when you were behind them whether you were on a call or not

@BenPearson1965

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome car.

"Couldn't pull skin off custard" - having that! 😀

Ayy up Ben have a good bank holiday weekend,see you next time

You need nowadays faster cars to keep up with all the fast fleeing cars. You see sometimes they going into the field, and the police cars can not always follow them, witch car is the best to chassing in the field? Good story again Ben and Josh, thanks, have a great weekend. looking forward to another video of you when you looking at old episodes, with your own comments.

Them vrx vectras was insane, like a big road sleeper blowing stones as you fly past

I remember the vextra vxr on top gear, it couldn't make it round a corner without understeering into the weeds.

@5ivetimes1

2 жыл бұрын

They pulled the fuses for stability control, it’s not supposed to be fully deactivated by design but Top Gear defeated it completely - they didn’t state that though, shitty car journalism.

I've got a mk3 astra van, it's a 3.2 v6 conversion out the vectra c, I think you might approve listening to this.... he's called brutus x

Excellent video

Ben. The funniest thing when you said. Well i am a nut job, i have issues. Is so relateable, i say it a lot 😂😂 your not alone mate. You had some great fun before it took over. Love the vids!!

Love the stories Ben, watched an episode of traffic cops with you on it lastnight mate... what’s your thought of when Essex police had the Subaru’s and evos they were sick cars

Great vids! Great insight into what actually happens, plus can you tell me what shoes they are 😂

Top man!

As a Vectra fan boy 👋... to hear that the VXR was your favourite, was great!

@kieronhardy9403

3 жыл бұрын

Shame he called it a Twin Turbo though.

I have a friend who has an ex police Volvo S80 T6 now that's an absolute blast.

Respect this incredible job 🚓 just thanks for doing it love driving but know so much more 👮🏻‍♂️

I really do like the Vectra VXRs as well especially the look of them great video also!

Rumour is Michael Winslow took inspiration from Ben for his Police Academy performances

@BenPearson1965

3 жыл бұрын

Ha ha ha

Man, I remember the old Vectras. I loved them, even if I did gripe about the horrible indicator stalk! Such great cars.

Brillant have a great weekend big hugs ❤️

Keep the good work

i had a great one last week - driving down the M6 north of Preston. 2x Police Traffic cars parked at the side. As i go passed - A bentley bentayga went past me doing minimum 120mph. The officers are so busy talking that they completely missed it. The Bentley never slowed down at all haha. Lucky boy that day

@paulanderson7796

11 ай бұрын

*past

Thanks for the effort in making the video Ben, greatly appreciate the stories, have watched interceptors since the start, and I don't actually think I have missed an episode! Keep up the great work 🙂

It was mk2 Escorts with the pale blue and white paint job that I remember as a young lad. Supposedly, some police cars were delivered in the blue and some in white so to make them stand out, they swapped doors and bonnets etc and came up with the mixed colour schemes. Traffic units didn’t really exist back then but my first recollection of a traffic car was the Rover SD1 which we also called jam sandwiches - our local ambulance service used the same Buick derived V8 3.5 engine in its Range Rovers and they sounded great! TVR bored them out to five litres and got 340 BHP from them in their sports cars. Can’t remember what came after those but I do recall Vauxhall Senators not long after that. I remember seeing Essex police using Escort Cossies (very apt!) then it spiralled into Subarus and Evos and the true interceptor cars.