The CS and the Starbucks kids...

I hadn't had the CS out much in the past couple of weeks, so I decided to take it over to the barber shop and give the boys something to chat about while I got a much needed hair cut.

The shop has the perfect CS parking spot, not 10 feet from the door, and I get to stare at the great lines while they take the weed whacker to my hair.

This particular day there was a seemingly endless parade of Fcar fans, as I saw more cell phone cameras than usual pop out to record the CS' presence.

One young man in his early 20's stood out from the group, taking pictures from every angle and vantage point. After he's done, he comes into the shop and starts teasing one of the barbers about getting a new car. The barber pointed the young man over in my direction.

He was definitely an enthusiast as he knew every aspect and stat on the CS. He did admit that his favorite Ferrari was the F40. When I let him know that one just happened to reside in the CS' garage space, I saw his knees go weak!

With the chat over, he went back to work at the Starbucks next door. When I was done getting spruced up, and getting into the CS, I noticed six sets of eyes at the Starbucks window. As I am strapping in the boys come out and the young enthusiast asks, "How about a test drive"? I looked over and said, "You can't test drive it. But if you want a ride, I've got some time". There goes those knees again, as he exclaims, "You'll give me a ride"? I give him a nod.

I apparently didn't have to ask twice, as before I knew it my passenger seat was occupied with a big grinning Starbucks employee! The road that my barber is on has a great little hill, with a few twists. He stated that this was his first ride in a Ferrari, and that he would always remember it. I was going to make sure that it was going to be firmly etched in his hard drive!

The CS lights to a guteral growl. As we head out of the lot, the open road becons and I give it the 8500 rpm howl through three gears, apexing a couple of corners on the hill. I can see the grin growing wider and wider, with each exclaimation of WOW, coming from right seat.

We turned around to head back to Starbucks reality, all the while he enthused about the acceleration, the handling... and that noise!!

As I drop him off, he must have thanked me 10 times. I doubt he will need anymore cafein for the rest of the week!

I have been around these cars most of my life, and at times take them for granted. But giving a ride to a young enthusiast always takes me back to my roots, and how I would drag my parents 30 miles out of the way just to get a glimpse of a 308 that I thought might be at a dealer! Car guys bridge all generations.

 

Every time I have gotten a hard time from a girl friend about, "You just want to drive these cars to pick up women", I explain the truth!

Why, oh why don't they have the same effect on super models?

 

I was the gas station attendant/McDonald's burger flipper! We all gotta start somewhere, unless you are a member of the lucky sperm club!

I still think you should have taken the CS up north. There are some great roads up there. Blow some of that cool air my way. btw...... it's a balmy 106 as I write this. Thankfully the CS has some great AC!

At the end of the day, we are all the same. But car guys have a unique bond. This kid knew every model and every stat. He was the real deal. If any inspiration comes from that meeting, all the better. Our country needs some inspiration from all of us, as our leaders are trying to destroy the place.

I spent a couple of hours hiding from the heat today doing a little CS detailing!

So many young people feel that they can't make it, and are defeated before they even get going, and it's sad. Perhaps by spending a little time, we can help inspire the next group of people who will someday make a difference.