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

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

Even Fchat isn't immune. Look at the rather sarcastic threads about some 458 fires.

 

True enough. Could have been worse. At least it wasn't on fire.

 

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

 

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!

 

Properly done it might be a solution to the "Ferrari Discount" as well.

 

....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

 

Miserable **** (rhymes with 'punt').

 

"Planet Miserable ", I am definitely going borrow that one.

 

Some people are just nasty.

 

Sorry about you're breakdown but even more sorry for the poor guy who has to live with that woman!

 

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

 

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!

 

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."

 

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!!!

 

Or just blame it on the Flux Capacitor and advise them to stand well away. Just to be safe

 

Thats a good one, will remember it if my car ever breaks down one day.

 

I can't imagine that ever happening to the Papster.

 

No.

Ferrari get FIAT magnetics.

Lambo gets AUDI magnetics.

Aston gets FORD magnetics.

 

That was awesome ! Lol