A broken down Fcar really brings out the best and worst in people | FerrariChat
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A broken down Fcar really brings out the best and worst in people

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Fave, Oct 31, 2010.

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  1. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
    4,157
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    L. Ike Hunt
    #1 Fave, Oct 31, 2010
    Yesterday my GT4 broke down early morning, assuming clutch went, pulled onto a side street in front of a house and called a flatbed tow truck.
    Over the 90 minutes waiting the house wife came out with her daughter where the little girl said, 'look ma a Ferrari', the mother didn't believe the kid and looked at the hood and said 'oh yeah it is a Ferrari' while giving me a scowling look as if to say how dare you own something we don't, or can't afford, and they drove off. I broke down in a neighbourhood that borders 2 affluent areas.

    When the tow truck came the husband came out asking what happened. I told him and we talked about the car. He was genuinely upset. His heart was really going out to me. He's never seen a GT4 and when told it was a 74 he really got emotional. I mean I thought this guy was going to cry or at least give me a hug!

    Well the wife came home and I guess she was upset as the tow truck was in her parking spot. She came right out and said 'well that must be ****ing embarrassing!' to her husband. I looked at her and said this car is 35 years old, something's bound to break. I'm just a few years older and things break on me so no I'm not embarrassed. She told me if it was her she would be embarrassed.

    The husband apologized and we all went our seperate ways.

    I took the car to my warehouse and some guys in another unit who are into classic racers gave commiserations while wowing over the car. I think I made some new buddies which was cool as I'm also into classic bikes.

    So for me being a new owner I found it funny as how people react. I wasn't embarrassed, heart broken yes, I knew it was coming sooner than later.

    After calming down and talking with a couple guys on the board here, big thanks to Gino and Brettski, I read over Birdman's clutch walk through and now I'm looking forward to getting into her this week.

    That's it just thought I'd share.

    Cheers
     
  2. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,312
    Vegas baby
    #2 TheMayor, Oct 31, 2010
    I've found that some people just don't get it -- but a lot do.

    I never sweat the ones who don't. They aren't worth getting worked up about.

    To me, you either respect someone's property or misfortune or you just shut. If you can't shut up, then please move to Planet Miserable where all the other Miserable people live.

    Get your car working soon, take it back there, wait for her to come out, and then give it an "Italian Tune Up." The guy will love it and you'll feel a whole lot better.

    Call it having your cake and eating it too.
     
  3. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
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    L. Ike Hunt
    #3 Fave, Oct 31, 2010
    I just realized i misspelt broken in the title. That's embarrassing lol.

    I was actually thinking of going back in the spring and taking him out for a spin.
     
  4. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    26,163
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    #4 donv, Oct 31, 2010
    My old Mondial broke down on the freeway at rush hour one afternoon. It overheated and blew out a coolant line, so steam was going everywhere... several people stopped and were quite helpful, although there wasn't much I could do except to wait for a tow truck.
     
  5. ylshih

    ylshih Shogun Assassin
    Honorary Owner

    Mar 21, 2004
    20,458
    Northern CA
    Full Name:
    Yin
    #5 ylshih, Oct 31, 2010
    I broke down in my 308 GTB on Hollywood Blvd on a Friday night at 8:00PM (1983?). I had both sides of the street gawking, laughing and clapping as the car got pushed to the side! :eek:
     
  6. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,142
    Orange County, CA
    #6 SrfCity, Oct 31, 2010
    No surprise that you'd get some people not too supportive when this happened. Personally I'd prefer to be out of sight rather than somewhere that a few idiots can make fun of the situation.
     
  7. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,312
    Vegas baby
    #7 TheMayor, Oct 31, 2010
    Even Fchat isn't immune. Look at the rather sarcastic threads about some 458 fires.
     
  8. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
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    L. Ike Hunt
    #8 Fave, Oct 31, 2010
    True enough. Could have been worse. At least it wasn't on fire.
     
  9. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
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    David
    #9 VIZSLA, Oct 31, 2010
    What's needed is a car cover camouflaged to look like a Fiero. Stranded? Just throw it on and get sympathy not scorn. Turnabout is fair play after all ;)
     
  10. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,535
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    Clifford Gunboat
    #10 UroTrash, Oct 31, 2010
    Business idea!

    Sell chevy magnetic or adhesive stickers for exotic owners to slap on (over Ferrari/Lambo/Aston emblem) for onlookers and tow truck operators!
     
  11. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
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    David
    #11 VIZSLA, Oct 31, 2010
    Properly done it might be a solution to the "Ferrari Discount" as well.
     
  12. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 21, 2006
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    Kurt
    #12 willrace, Oct 31, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2010
    ....and building/remodel subs, and landscapers.....

    Sure wouldn't hurt, dat's fo sho!!

    edit: just noticed that VIZSLA was already on the same track - lol
     
  13. docmirror

    docmirror Formula Junior

    May 6, 2004
    781
    Ft Worth TX
    #13 docmirror, Oct 31, 2010
    Miserable **** (rhymes with 'punt').
     
  14. joba

    joba Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2009
    662
    NY
    #14 joba, Oct 31, 2010
    "Planet Miserable ", I am definitely going borrow that one.
     
  15. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    #15 PAP 348, Nov 1, 2010
    Some people are just nasty. :rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
  16. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
    1,591
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    Jason
    #16 Ducman491, Nov 1, 2010
    Sorry about you're breakdown but even more sorry for the poor guy who has to live with that woman!
     
  17. Cozmic_Kid

    Cozmic_Kid F1 Veteran

    Dec 1, 2005
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    B. Frandsen
    #17 Cozmic_Kid, Nov 1, 2010
    I was once many years ago in a potent car with a friend. We came to a red light and there was a ton of younger people looking at us.

    My friend pumped it big time, revving it insanely and when it hit green he would fly out of the spot and disappear in no time.

    So he is revving and the light goes yellow.... Green and he gun it... for a second, and the acclerator cable break in two, the car die completely, but we manage to roll around the corner with 10 km/h and down a little hill and away from them.

    I was laughing my ass off SO much I was crying. It was so perfectly timed.

    The young kids just stood there in disbelief and then started laughing as well.

    My friend could have crawled into a mousehole :D
     
  18. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,142
    Atlanta
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    Tom Spiro
    #18 spirot, Nov 1, 2010
    When I bought my first Ferrari at the age of 26 - the first summer I had it 1995 it was very hot in the greater Pittsburgh area,I was returning from PGH vintage GP and the car was overheating so I pulled over to let it cool off... as I was waiting - in stop and go construction traffic - most folks asked if I was ok... but a couple of people just rolled down their windows and were laughing and saying stuff like my van' running ass hole... or something like that...

    So it does bring out the best and worst in people... mostly the best!
     
  19. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    #19 J. Salmon, Nov 1, 2010
    The key is in your reaction. Everybody has situations like this, the real smooth guys (and I ain't one of 'em) laugh it off and make it seem like nothing. If you sit there screaming and *****ing, not too many will have a sympathy. But if you laugh it off and take a bow, it sure goes over better.

    Of course if I were the OP, I would have laughed and told the lady "oh yeah, it IS embarrassing! But unlike your husband, I get to send my busted old wreck to the shop and get it fixed."
     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    #20 BigTex, Nov 1, 2010
    Just be nice.......

    When they ask if "I need help" I assure them that satellite telemetry has already informed the Factory of my status, and the Pit Crew will be coming around the corner any SECOND!!!
     
  21. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
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    David
    #21 VIZSLA, Nov 1, 2010
    Or just blame it on the Flux Capacitor and advise them to stand well away. Just to be safe :D
     
  22. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    #22 PAP 348, Nov 1, 2010
    Thats a good one, will remember it if my car ever breaks down one day. :eek::eek:
     
  23. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
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    David
    #23 VIZSLA, Nov 1, 2010
    I can't imagine that ever happening to the Papster.
     
  24. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 7, 2003
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    C6H14O5
    #24 Etcetera, Nov 1, 2010
    No.

    Ferrari get FIAT magnetics.

    Lambo gets AUDI magnetics.

    Aston gets FORD magnetics.
     
  25. Fave

    Fave F1 Rookie

    Aug 12, 2010
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    L. Ike Hunt
    #25 Fave, Nov 1, 2010
    That was awesome ! Lol
     
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