he really is the british tsuchia . unless i am missing somebody ? . was a presenter and reviewer for top tv car shows through 90s. had a cool collected yet witty attitude. is a top professional racing driver and did both simultaneously ... thats both tiff needell and the drift king
Jonny... This episode and the last one have been just new levels of fabulousness. They've been the pinnacle of story telling, production and nostalgia. The car culture represented in these last two has changed beyond recognition, but the passion is absolutely familiar. So some nostalgic dewy eyed-ness at things past, and some hope for the future of motoring. It's genuinely moved me and I'm sure many others. CMTMB
Last year I had the great pleasure of being driven around Croft Circuit in an BMW M2 for many laps. What a gentleman Tiff is, what a driver, he absolutely thrashed that car around the track yet always in complete control even when the back end drifting out. Great video, well done for setting it up and we'll done Tiff.
Another vote for Tiff in the armchair for an extended chat about his automotive life, please Jonny. I had the pleasure of meeting him once- extremely briefly- several years ago and he was such an unassuming charismatic presence you just felt immediately at ease in his presence. Lovely bloke.
You need to get Tiff on the chairs for an Idol Chat, he's going to have so many stories to tell! I'm not a Ford fan but do know how special the RS500 race cars were so to see one be driven in anger is a delight. Kudos to the owner for letting go out and be properly driven by a 70+ year old. It was built to be driven hard, not kept in a museum.
I thought Johnny was taking the piss saying Tiff was in his 70s, he’s bloody 72 years old. What a guy Tiff is, great seeing him back in an RS. Well done Johnny for sorting this.
Oh man this takes me back. An era when I used to drive from time to time for a car dealer I drove a few Cozzies and they were epic. I didn't get paid but I got to drive cars that I could never afford. I think I may have even seen this race. Wow I feel old. Tiff looked like a kid with two jellies and he's lost none of that enthusiasm. Many thanks for sharing.
Tiff, ahh such a legend and what you get on camera is exactly what you get off camera. His enthusiasm has never dwindled as many who've traversed Thruxton side ways with him will attest to, whilst he single handedly keeps tyre suppliers in business.
I suspect the owner is thrilled! Not only have they collected and preserved the car driven by Tim Harvey, but now they have this video showing Tiff driving the car too! It really adds to the story attached to the car!
Tiff Needell - A man living out the ultimate dream life, the enthusiasm, the passion, the joy and connection to everything between the gloves and the track! You might be one of my idols for this! 👌
Uncle Drift, what a bloke. As much as my uncle fueled my love of cars, there is a small part of me that wishes he was a peddler too like Tiff. Brilliant episode Jonny, as always.
It's impossible to not like Tiff, great driver and presenter, has a good sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously. You wouldn't think he was in his 70's
Wow. This video was a pure joy to watch! I remember that original Top Gear episode and to see Tiff drive the sister car to the one he race in all these years later was super. He’s got something so special and it was lovely to see your banter. Well done on this video. Definitely one of your best and I would recommend anyone to watch this. ❤
This took me back to the days of Group A here in Oz, watching these cars @ Bathurst, Amaroo etc., watching Tiff Needell drive, brought on a healthy dose nostalgia.
Excellent content, young Mr Smith, Thank You. Utter respect to Tiff, a PROPER Top Gear presenter. Bizarrely, my "Take Away" from the video is the huge rear overhang behind the rear axle on the Sierra. I guess I'm enjoying the shorter rear overhang on modern EVs more, these days. And as you said, a big thank you to the companies that enabled you to provide us humble folks with some great entertainment!
Thanks for this Jonny. Tiff is one of the biggest influences on me learning to love cars so much growing up. An absolute master behind the wheel and an incredible way with words - all the while going sideways. Honourable mentions also to Clarkson, Willson, VBH et al.
Always loved Tiffs enthusiasm and driving brilliance. He recently took my son around Thruxton circuit near Andover for a ride in his Tiffs Taxi BMW M2. What a lovely guy and a master at the wheel. An experience recommended to all Tiff fans.😉
One of the best videos yet and I honestly think Tiff is an absolute legend. He's definitely a big part of why I own an E39 M5. Thanks for sharing an amazing day.
Ah, what a fabulous piece, makes me misty eyed. Remember the orginal top gear segment from way back when! Great to see Tiff in such rude health and clearly still has the driving chops, along with that unmistakable tinge of excitement in his voice! Bravo 👏🏻
I didn't realise how much I missed Tiff until I i saw this. Such a good episode. It would be great having Tiff on again in the future, or any of the old friends, Plato, Vicky, heck even Chris Goffey!
Great video Jonny, Tiff & Lee. This feels like the start of a series. Get Tiff at a race circuit in some nostalgic cars. Everyone needs more Tiff in there lives!
Great video, it was by watching that episode of the Cosworth review by Tiff all those years ago that made me promise myself I would get a Cossie. Although I never owned a 3 door, I had the pleasure of owning a Sapphire Cosworth, followed a few years later by an Escort Cosworth Lux model !
I miss ole Tiff. FFS 70 years old, giving it all she'll suffer, all while giving it turn by turn commentary... Hats off to em. What a legend. That was mega.
Loved this Johnny felt really emotional seeing this as a 49yr old this was my era from the 4 classes to the one class .... and TG covering this with Tony Mason ... thx Tiff and Johnny xx
Thanks Mr Smith for sharing Tiff with us, there's something about him that always lightens my day. Really enjoyed the look of this video, what a treat. Nice trailer with a better package inside, would be nice to tow my banger in. 😊
Tiff is an absolute legend, i remember the old top gear episodes his driving skills are next level would love a video of him in a car he can give it full beans !!
Possibly my favourite-ever LBS episode. What a magnificent in-lap commentary from Tiff! And he had the grace and presence of mind to name-check both Harvey and Bristow while driving. Awesome.
What a video. Two of the most modest, honest, passionate people in the car industry. Tiff talking about Johnny being an influencer. Tiff was a proper influencer. I started watching Top Gear because of Tiff. At a tad older than 70, what a man. Well done Johnny...loved every second.
You can take the age out the racer, but you can’t take the racer out of the age. Tiff not letting as he always doesn’t lol. Amazing guy and amazing channel. Great to see you together again.
I had to hold on by my fingernails through the racing transport trailer bits (something of a niche audience?) but it was worth it to see/hear the great Needell being himself, which I think, is the secret of his appeal to audiences across the years. Long may he continue to wring the most out of a car.
Tiff has aged well. Must be having a good life. Loved the Cossie Sierras in the BTCC but I was a Vauxhall Cavalier/ John Clelland fan as I was driving Cavaliers at that time.
Could watch this content all day long, you just know there is copious amounts of out takes and fun being had as actual end footage, and that's the genuine warmth showing through. Would have been good to see Tiff's old Skoda Rally Jacket or maybe the gossamer thin leather coat that's much fabled on S & S. Great episode Jonny.
A wonderful video-really enjoyed it. The car, the story, the filming, the production (and the trailer, and insurance, obviously😂) were great, but the obvious stand-out was Tiff and the friendship and chemistry you both have in abundance. Magic stuff-more please🙂
Jonny thx so much for getting Tiff out for a go in the Sierra Cosworth touring car ,in street form here in Canada they were sold as the Food Merkur Scorpio XR4TI 2.3 litre 5 speed 175 bhp no intercooler fitted, I drove one through a friend from a dealership and loved how it drove, great drive, here they were sold as fully optioned out and the price was not bad sitting right around $26,000 CDN good value when comparing it to allot of cars in the day 1985, I had the funds , i couldn't get a car , there were so few to be had unless i wanted to fly to Toronto or Vancouver and in these larger cities they had stock and were marking them up $5000 over sticker , this much money i didn't have, so i stuck with my Volvo 242 GLT which in the end i think was a better car in the long run and i still drive them to this day, i have still never driven a car that drove like the Merkur XR4TI 👍
Have had the humbling experience of Tiff barrelling past me at Thruxton like I was stood still on a track day - he's an absolute legend but if it was my car he was driving I'd want comprehensive insurance in place too 😂 - great chemistry between the two of you!
Beautiful peice nice to see you giving something back to Tiff true sign of appreciation to the man that helped build you career and you clearly made his day this was amazing, true respect Johnny true respect
he really is the british tsuchia . unless i am missing somebody ? . was a presenter and reviewer for top tv car shows through 90s. had a cool collected yet witty attitude. is a top professional racing driver and did both simultaneously ... thats both tiff needell and the drift king
Jonny... This episode and the last one have been just new levels of fabulousness. They've been the pinnacle of story telling, production and nostalgia. The car culture represented in these last two has changed beyond recognition, but the passion is absolutely familiar. So some nostalgic dewy eyed-ness at things past, and some hope for the future of motoring. It's genuinely moved me and I'm sure many others. CMTMB
Last year I had the great pleasure of being driven around Croft Circuit in an BMW M2 for many laps. What a gentleman Tiff is, what a driver, he absolutely thrashed that car around the track yet always in complete control even when the back end drifting out.
Great video, well done for setting it up and we'll done Tiff.
Lovely sentiment in your comment mate, i share it too but what does cmtmb mean??
Another vote for Tiff in the armchair for an extended chat about his automotive life, please Jonny.
I had the pleasure of meeting him once- extremely briefly- several years ago and he was such an unassuming charismatic presence you just felt immediately at ease in his presence. Lovely bloke.
I miss the days of Tiff terrifying everyone during the Fifth Gear team tests, it's great to see he's still as bonkers as ever.
And giving the insurance company a heart attack 😂
Watching Plato bury his foot in the passenger seat footwell next to Tiff was always a good crack up.
You need to get Tiff on the chairs for an Idol Chat, he's going to have so many stories to tell!
I'm not a Ford fan but do know how special the RS500 race cars were so to see one be driven in anger is a delight. Kudos to the owner for letting go out and be properly driven by a 70+ year old. It was built to be driven hard, not kept in a museum.
I thought Johnny was taking the piss saying Tiff was in his 70s, he’s bloody 72 years old. What a guy Tiff is, great seeing him back in an RS. Well done Johnny for sorting this.
I had to Google it to check too 😂
Agreed. I was shocked. We all love Tiff ❤️
Same here, i still had the tiff needell of Fifth Gear in my mind lol. 72 or not, he's still not affraid to send it!
He's looking bloody good for 72, I'd never have guessed.
Man you said it. The maths makes sense but there is no way I’d realise when I see him driving. Have to love tiff ❤
This made me smile so much . Watching tiff was like I was driving the car my self . We need more of tiff Johnny
Oh man this takes me back. An era when I used to drive from time to time for a car dealer I drove a few Cozzies and they were epic. I didn't get paid but I got to drive cars that I could never afford. I think I may have even seen this race. Wow I feel old. Tiff looked like a kid with two jellies and he's lost none of that enthusiasm. Many thanks for sharing.
Tiff, ahh such a legend and what you get on camera is exactly what you get off camera. His enthusiasm has never dwindled as many who've traversed Thruxton side ways with him will attest to, whilst he single handedly keeps tyre suppliers in business.
Wonderful! Thanks to everyone for making it happen.
100%
Brilliant! Thank you for putting this together for our collective entertainment. Wonderful car and Tiff is a national treasure
Fantastic! Thanks Jonny and Tiff and film crew. And thanks to the wonderful owner of this car for letting it out to stretch its legs.
I suspect the owner is thrilled! Not only have they collected and preserved the car driven by Tim Harvey, but now they have this video showing Tiff driving the car too! It really adds to the story attached to the car!
@@Graham_WidemanTim drove the car last year at the Super Touring event at Brands Hatch along with his race engineer from Andy Rouse Engineering
Best episode yet. Two friends having fun. Can’t beat it.
Tiff Needell - A man living out the ultimate dream life, the enthusiasm, the passion, the joy and connection to everything between the gloves and the track! You might be one of my idols for this! 👌
Must have got something in my eye watching that lap and the commentary, got me right in the feels 🥹
Uncle Drift, what a bloke. As much as my uncle fueled my love of cars, there is a small part of me that wishes he was a peddler too like Tiff. Brilliant episode Jonny, as always.
It's impossible to not like Tiff, great driver and presenter, has a good sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously. You wouldn't think he was in his 70's
Love Tiff, great to see you guys back together, disappointed that it was too warm for a Skoda rally jacket 😉
Fricking epic episode. So lovely to get Tiff back in "his" car. I loved every second of this video.
Tiff Needell, what a boy. Still full of enthusiasm, talks as fast as he drives. Very enjoyable video, again.
Wow. This video was a pure joy to watch! I remember that original Top Gear episode and to see Tiff drive the sister car to the one he race in all these years later was super. He’s got something so special and it was lovely to see your banter.
Well done on this video. Definitely one of your best and I would recommend anyone to watch this. ❤
TH-cam GOLD! Tiff is a legend, as is the Cosworth. Thanks for making this happen Jonny!
Genuinely felt quite emotional watching this. Thank u all evolved 😎🙏👍✌
This took me back to the days of Group A here in Oz, watching these cars @ Bathurst, Amaroo etc., watching Tiff Needell drive, brought on a healthy dose nostalgia.
Excellent content, young Mr Smith, Thank You. Utter respect to Tiff, a PROPER Top Gear presenter. Bizarrely, my "Take Away" from the video is the huge rear overhang behind the rear axle on the Sierra. I guess I'm enjoying the shorter rear overhang on modern EVs more, these days. And as you said, a big thank you to the companies that enabled you to provide us humble folks with some great entertainment!
Glorious. Who doesn't love a bit of Tiff and Jonny.
2 Boys spending time with their Heroes and its TV gold, this could be a 3hr video and not be boring. I love it 🥰🥰
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Thank you Jonny, and thank you Tiff!
Thanks for this Jonny. Tiff is one of the biggest influences on me learning to love cars so much growing up. An absolute master behind the wheel and an incredible way with words - all the while going sideways.
Honourable mentions also to Clarkson, Willson, VBH et al.
Oh my god … Tiff hasn’t aged … legend as a driver , legend as a presenter … thanks JS
Always loved Tiffs enthusiasm and driving brilliance. He recently took my son around Thruxton circuit near Andover for a ride in his Tiffs Taxi BMW M2. What a lovely guy and a master at the wheel. An experience recommended to all Tiff fans.😉
Love this episode and going with Tiff round Mallory.
I did a few trackdays there in 2010/11 in my Audi Coupe and loved it.
One of the best videos yet and I honestly think Tiff is an absolute legend. He's definitely a big part of why I own an E39 M5. Thanks for sharing an amazing day.
Hi Jonny. The rapport between you and Tiff is wonderful to see! I have a lot of time for that man, 72 and still the master. Cheers. Leigh.
Im 20 years younger than Tiff, and his stream of conciousness still streams faster than mine. Wot a lovely geezer!👍
Thanks Jonny for bringing Tiff to our screens once again, great bit of film 👍🏽
Ah, what a fabulous piece, makes me misty eyed. Remember the orginal top gear segment from way back when! Great to see Tiff in such rude health and clearly still has the driving chops, along with that unmistakable tinge of excitement in his voice! Bravo 👏🏻
Loved it, Tiff in his 70's bloody hell im getting old, remember the TG episode. Great vid 👍
I didn't realise how much I missed Tiff until I i saw this. Such a good episode. It would be great having Tiff on again in the future, or any of the old friends, Plato, Vicky, heck even Chris Goffey!
Great video Jonny, Tiff & Lee. This feels like the start of a series. Get Tiff at a race circuit in some nostalgic cars. Everyone needs more Tiff in there lives!
Great video, it was by watching that episode of the Cosworth review by Tiff all those years ago that made me promise myself I would get a Cossie.
Although I never owned a 3 door, I had the pleasure of owning a Sapphire Cosworth, followed a few years later by an Escort Cosworth Lux model !
Excellent Woolarding
😂
This was wonderful, Tiff has still got it. Thanks Jonny for another excellent video.
What an absolute joy to watch. The whole idea plus the chemistry between you guys, just delightful.
Many thanks. Glad you liked this trip down memory lane.
I miss ole Tiff. FFS 70 years old, giving it all she'll suffer, all while giving it turn by turn commentary... Hats off to em. What a legend. That was mega.
More more more more more, this sums up my childhood, watching these epic cars and mega drivers. Please can we have a full on series of this Jonny?
Loved this Johnny felt really emotional seeing this as a 49yr old this was my era from the 4 classes to the one class .... and TG covering this with Tony Mason ... thx Tiff and Johnny xx
I can't give this enough likes ! It was good to see you two together again, I need more though....
Tiff reminiscing while driving was fantastic.
What a wonderful video, great to see Tiff back in action, and huge thanks to the owner for agreeing to it!
Love Tiff and his infectious enthusiasm
This was great and brings back memories of a kid watching touring cars with the legends.
A real treat to watch. I could hardly believe the video could be real before watching it.
Excellent Woollarding on the thumbnail, and great to see Tiff on the channel! As others have said, genuinely a legendary figure.
Well played Lee, giving over your pride and joy for us all to enjoy, especially Tiff 👏🏻
Thanks Mr Smith for sharing Tiff with us, there's something about him that always lightens my day. Really enjoyed the look of this video, what a treat. Nice trailer with a better package inside, would be nice to tow my banger in. 😊
Tiff is an absolute legend, i remember the old top gear episodes his driving skills are next level would love a video of him in a car he can give it full beans !!
Absolutely superb! What a wonderful man Tiff is. Great stuff Jonny!
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode of Smith and Tiff !
What an incredible video, the passion, the edit, the Tiff, just awesome Jonny!
Possibly my favourite-ever LBS episode. What a magnificent in-lap commentary from Tiff! And he had the grace and presence of mind to name-check both Harvey and Bristow while driving. Awesome.
Absolutely epic! Tiff is such a legend.
What a video.
Two of the most modest, honest, passionate people in the car industry.
Tiff talking about Johnny being an influencer.
Tiff was a proper influencer.
I started watching Top Gear because of Tiff.
At a tad older than 70, what a man.
Well done Johnny...loved every second.
You can take the age out the racer, but you can’t take the racer out of the age.
Tiff not letting as he always doesn’t lol. Amazing guy and amazing channel. Great to see you together again.
What an absolute joy this was to watch. Thank you Jonny and Tiff for such a lovely nostalgic trip down petrol head memory lane.
Great to be able to put all those elements together. Tiff and the Cossie have both lasted well.
Awesome episode, Tiff is a legend and a real gentlemen driving one of the best race cars ever, Thankyou Johnny
What a trailer! What a race car! What an amazing F1 and BTCC driver! And what a host! What a show!!!😊
Love tiff…legend….what an episode Jonny, bravo! 👏
What an episode! Tiff is a living Legend. Top tier Jonny
Nice to see you two working together again bring back the memories 👍🏻
I had to hold on by my fingernails through the racing transport trailer bits (something of a niche audience?) but it was worth it to see/hear the great Needell being himself, which I think, is the secret of his appeal to audiences across the years. Long may he continue to wring the most out of a car.
quality production and superb to see the Big T flamboyantly returning to the track
Tiff has aged well. Must be having a good life. Loved the Cossie Sierras in the BTCC but I was a Vauxhall Cavalier/ John Clelland fan as I was driving Cavaliers at that time.
Great video Johnny. Thanks Tiff. Can't beat a "Cossie" stuff of legends now. Always thought what a lovely looking engine it was.
Could watch this content all day long, you just know there is copious amounts of out takes and fun being had as actual end footage, and that's the genuine warmth showing through.
Would have been good to see Tiff's old Skoda Rally Jacket or maybe the gossamer thin leather coat that's much fabled on S & S.
Great episode Jonny.
Wonderful to see Tiff on track and in such a hero car of mine.
Best episode ever, featuring 3 national treasures. Had the pleasure of meeting Tiff at a London to Brighton run 20 years ago; THE OG SSG!!!
A wonderful video-really enjoyed it. The car, the story, the filming, the production (and the trailer, and insurance, obviously😂) were great, but the obvious stand-out was Tiff and the friendship and chemistry you both have in abundance. Magic stuff-more please🙂
I’m so old school that watching Tiff on the track in that Cosworth is a bit like watching my TV Dad. Brilliant.
Epic, old school. We all loved the touring cars of old
That is a classic motor, what a tune Tiff was getting out of that... Great video of your day together, Winning!!!
I have to say my eyes are slightly moist. Thanks Tiff, Johnny and the Cossie ❤
A most excellent blast from the past. Some of your best work Jonny. Great to see Tiff out laying rubber on the track.. Thank you
You knocked it out of the park with this one Jonny. Fantastic job as always. Great to see you and Tiff back on screen together.
Jonny thx so much for getting Tiff out for a go in the Sierra Cosworth touring car ,in street form here in Canada they were sold as the Food Merkur Scorpio XR4TI 2.3 litre 5 speed 175 bhp no intercooler fitted, I drove one through a friend from a dealership and loved how it drove, great drive, here they were sold as fully optioned out and the price was not bad sitting right around $26,000 CDN good value when comparing it to allot of cars in the day 1985, I had the funds , i couldn't get a car , there were so few to be had unless i wanted to fly to Toronto or Vancouver and in these larger cities they had stock and were marking them up $5000 over sticker , this much money i didn't have, so i stuck with my Volvo 242 GLT which in the end i think was a better car in the long run and i still drive them to this day, i have still never driven a car that drove like the Merkur XR4TI 👍
Love this. Love Tiff. What a great episode, Jonny ❤
Start to finish what a great video, the way it cuts back and forth from the classic "VHS" quality video to 2024 4K UHD video, very nicely done.
A true Legend at the wheel there!!
One of your best episodes!
Have had the humbling experience of Tiff barrelling past me at Thruxton like I was stood still on a track day - he's an absolute legend but if it was my car he was driving I'd want comprehensive insurance in place too 😂 - great chemistry between the two of you!
Absolutely brilliant to watch, Tiff made those laps come alive with his commentary
Two Words Legend and Epic. Thanks Jonny and Tiff. Thirty Five years ago and it seems like yesterday Cheers Tiff. Great video guys.
Beautiful peice nice to see you giving something back to Tiff true sign of appreciation to the man that helped build you career and you clearly made his day this was amazing, true respect Johnny true respect
Listening to Tiff pant as he wrangles the Cossie around is such an amazing insight into how physical these cars are. What a legend he is.
That was absolutely epic. Thanks Jonny 😁
Great great episode Jonny, it is great to see Tiff on the wheel of Sierra. Thank you and all parties who involve bringing us this great coverage.
Great video. Thanks to all the enthusiastic co-conspirators who helped make it happen. This is why I like my Sunday evening online.
Great episode love it. Tiff is great need to see more of him
I'm sure that the logistics for pulling this together were a mission! Great video - Thanks!!!
So great to see Tiff enjoying himself