How often has this happened to you? I was driving back from a meeting in Glasgow today in the Khamsin, which is about 15 miles from my office. I saw a Police Traffic Patrol car coming towards me as I turned into a junction. The car came up behind me quite fast, then followed me and pulled me over, with blue lights etc. The two police officers had never seen one of these before and were desperate to know what it was and all about it! They delayed pulling me over as they were enjoying the noise it made! I think that is the 5th time I have been pulled over by police traffic and beat cops to look at my old cars! glad it made their day! Paul Scotland UK
Cops are people - and it's nice to experience people who enjoy classics. Never been pulled over, but similar to you - I was on my way west from Boston Mass on highway I-90. No other cars in sight, cruising well over the speed limit but comfortable for my car. At some point I spotted the unmistakable outline of a State Police Cruiser gaining on me from way back. I eased off the throttle and drove "normally" the few minutes it took for the Trooper to catch up. He lingered a long time at my left rear 3/4 position then pulled alongside. I turned to face him, and he gave an emphatic 'thumbs up' with a grin that would've gone around his head if it weren't for his ears. Made my day. And his too maybe. - Art
driving my 550 Ferrari.. he used the excuse that i was 3 miles over the speed limit. after 5 min. of BS the real reason came out. what kind of car and on and on. Penn. state trooper, young
I remember fueling up the Merak SS once and across from me were two police officers gassing up their squad car eying my baby up and down. After I finished I went into the station for something and came back out to find them walking around her and nodding their heads in approval, they asked me a few questions, year, engine, fun to drive, etc etc, and I was happy to answer them. Then as they were heading back to their car one of the officers turned around and said, 'Man, I bet that thing goes pretty dam fast eh?!' To which I replied 'yes sir, it gets me right up to the speed limit in no time!' He chuckled and said nice answer and I wished them well on their way. Another time too, not police related, but we were getting on a ferry while participating in the Sunshine Coast Maserati Run in British Columbia, Canada, and the ferry was basically full to the brim and there I was the last car stuck at the front of the line in danger of missing it and having to wait 2 hours for the next sailing. When just as I was about to kill the engine, I heard the radio of the lot worker crackle, 'what's that red car anyways?, send him up we can make room, I wanna check this thing out!'. So they raised the gates and allowed me to proceed up the ramp, the only car on this double lane road to the upper deck of the ferry where they had asked all the other cars to move forward and make room for me to park on a ~45 degree angle so they could close the gate behind me! Once we were underway a whole bunch of the ferry crew started showing up to check out my baby, it was a perfect end to a fun cruise!
I've been pulled over 2x in the past 3 months for no front license plate as the only reason. First time got a warning, second time they wrote me a ticket for it ($119, which includes a fee for "moving violation line item" despite being a tag only issue. Since it was issued by state highway patrol, it'll also show on my driving record (despite having no points) unlike one issued by a meter cop. I noticed how the 100 other cars every 5 minutes that didnt' have front plates were left alone. Fortunately, I'm moving to Michigan soon where they dont' require front plates.
Mike, I heard this law was about to get repealed. Heard anything? But then I've also heard that the law is never enforced. Sadly you proved that to be incorrect. Sorry to hear it. Otherwise, great stories guys!
Heard the same, but also all those damn red light cameras would be removed too. I will believe it when i see it. I have driven three coupes for about seven years in ohio, never with a front plate and never had an issue so long as i put a plate in the window when parking at meters. Contrast to now getting actively pulled over on the highway for no front plate on me 911 turbo and ticketed that will show on my driving record (despite no points). Wish i had reasonable minority discrimination grounds to fight it in court, but i am calling the prosecutor today and may still try to fight it on some level out of principle.
I would fight it too. That's really a BS ticket. You don't deserve the crap that comes along with it. Worst case is they can turn it into something like an equipment violation (you don't have the hardware to mount the plate yet...) so that it won't hit your ins co. The county only wants your money, not your blood, so they are usually very willing to "help you out" like that. There are front plate holders that you can mount to the tow hook in front. Some people will keep it in the trunk and if pulled over they tell the cop that the detail guy forgot to put the plate back on. You can then mount it on the spot and be on your way. Also good for parking.
As FM posted, a great story! Trust all is well. Hope to join the Vancouver Maserati group for some drives in the spring, even though I've gone over to an F-car. Cheers! Jon
