10 Years of American Motoring – Audi/Morris/Porsche
Discussion
sprouting said:
Maybe i missed it but what happened to the 968?
Sold Winter of 2011.Post Hurricane Irene.
Insurers wouldn't pay out for replacement of....
Anything.
Cost to replace:
AC/Heating system
Hot water heater
Fridge Freezer
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Underfloor insulation.
__________________
More than a 968.
"Decide to realize equity in 968.
Sell long distance to very nice man from Nebraska.
A present to himself for 3 years sobriety.
Rare feel good moment."
Rather a busy time then.
Rather a busy post that one
Sunday August 31st 2014.
Up and about early O’clock.
Bank Holiday weekend, nice and quiet.
Need eggs and bathroom stationery.
Distracted by used car dealership on the ‘wrong’ side of town.
Element waits patiently. Off to a new home on Friday.
Great brand name. The 'P' is silent.
BMW Z4 wid da red rimz.
2007 - $20,000
Allegedly 28,000 miles
90 days to see if engine/transmission (auto naturally) explode.
Windscreen pillar surround.
Hmmm…..
Mercedes SL500 R230
2003 – $18950.00
31,000 miles
Sold as seen – mandatory brave pills needed.
Low rider air suspension setting.
Cheers, Whatty
October 2012
Hurricane Sandy. Forecast to be worse than 2011 event.
NJ declares State of Emergency 3 days prior to landfall.
Glad we didn’t repaint basement after last one.
Put furniture on trestles, move rugs, guns and valuables upstairs.
Ms. Whatty – 4 months pregnant watches.
Doesn’t do ‘inactivity’ well. Atmosphere ‘tense’.
Sunday October 29.
Sandy makes landfall in NJ.
Ms.Whatty reluctantly relocates to relatives home on higher ground.
Honda and faithful SAAB likewise.
Early evening, very very windy but no rain or signs of water.
22:00hrs - 02:00hrs. f
k me!
Hurricane hits town. Mayhem ensues.
Electricity substations blow. Sky continually lit up electric blue.
A thousand trees uproot, break, snap. Very noisy.
Mother Nature. She don’t take no prisoners.
Aftermath.
Outside our house.
100 yards up the street.
One Prius, one lucky owner.
Debatable I suppose.
Thank you for your patience.
German car stuff on way.
Cheers,Whatty
Hurricane Sandy. Forecast to be worse than 2011 event.
NJ declares State of Emergency 3 days prior to landfall.
Glad we didn’t repaint basement after last one.
Put furniture on trestles, move rugs, guns and valuables upstairs.
Ms. Whatty – 4 months pregnant watches.
Doesn’t do ‘inactivity’ well. Atmosphere ‘tense’.
Sunday October 29.
Sandy makes landfall in NJ.
Ms.Whatty reluctantly relocates to relatives home on higher ground.
Honda and faithful SAAB likewise.
Early evening, very very windy but no rain or signs of water.
22:00hrs - 02:00hrs. f
k me! Hurricane hits town. Mayhem ensues.
Electricity substations blow. Sky continually lit up electric blue.
A thousand trees uproot, break, snap. Very noisy.
Mother Nature. She don’t take no prisoners.
Aftermath.
Outside our house.
100 yards up the street.
One Prius, one lucky owner.
Debatable I suppose.
Thank you for your patience.
German car stuff on way.
Cheers,Whatty
August 31st 2014.
Killing time. 8 days to departure for the U.K.
Short Hills Mall, New Jersey.
Something for everyone.
Including car blokes.
Bentley Mulsanne.
Nice blue.
Porsche 911 Carrera
PDK. Sports Chrono
Turbo wheels
Ducktail.
Looks a little lost to me on the now very wide 991.
Tesla Store.
Business a bit slow.
Enquired about buying in kit form.
Irony lost on salesman. Not unusual.
Lot of bored blokes.
Jersey Shore casting call.
Bit bored myself.
Ah that’s more like it.
911 GT3 RS Trackday car.
Hmm. Where to drive it?
This will do nicely.
Private Motor Club.
Drifters need not apply I imagine.
New York Metro area.
A million golf courses.
Only one of these.
Cheers, Whatty
Killing time. 8 days to departure for the U.K.
Short Hills Mall, New Jersey.
Something for everyone.
Including car blokes.
Bentley Mulsanne.
Nice blue.
Porsche 911 Carrera
PDK. Sports Chrono
Turbo wheels
Ducktail.
Looks a little lost to me on the now very wide 991.
Tesla Store.
Business a bit slow.
Enquired about buying in kit form.
Irony lost on salesman. Not unusual.
Lot of bored blokes.
Jersey Shore casting call.
Bit bored myself.
Ah that’s more like it.
911 GT3 RS Trackday car.
Hmm. Where to drive it?
This will do nicely.
Private Motor Club.
Drifters need not apply I imagine.
New York Metro area.
A million golf courses.
Only one of these.
Cheers, Whatty
November 2012.
Post Hurricane Sandy.
NJ – 37 dead.
Cost of damage to NJ’s economy and third world infrastructure $56 billion.
Cost of damage to our property – Zero.
Another bullet dodged but related stress level high.
Consider relocation. Master Whatty on way.
Shelve relocation idea.
Winter 2012/13.
SAAB 9-5 V6 fast becoming my third office.
Now at 140K miles, no issues. Laughs at -5c cold starts.
Turbo engine loves the freezing air. Kick down on slip roads a giggle.
Brilliant in snow. Too much snow.
Town snow plow blocks driveway entrance.
Town Ordinances dictate no snow blowers in action before 07:00am.
05:00am start requires digging driveway out by hand.Much joy.
March 2013.
Master Whatty arrives safely. Hooray!
First car ride: Honda Element. Boo!
Spring 2013.
SAAB gets Spring clean detail. Looks good from ten feet.
Scrubs up quite well. Might even get new bonnet decal and wheel centers.
Cheers, Whatty.
Post Hurricane Sandy.
NJ – 37 dead.
Cost of damage to NJ’s economy and third world infrastructure $56 billion.
Cost of damage to our property – Zero.
Another bullet dodged but related stress level high.
Consider relocation. Master Whatty on way.
Shelve relocation idea.
Winter 2012/13.
SAAB 9-5 V6 fast becoming my third office.
Now at 140K miles, no issues. Laughs at -5c cold starts.
Turbo engine loves the freezing air. Kick down on slip roads a giggle.
Brilliant in snow. Too much snow.
Town snow plow blocks driveway entrance.
Town Ordinances dictate no snow blowers in action before 07:00am.
05:00am start requires digging driveway out by hand.Much joy.
March 2013.
Master Whatty arrives safely. Hooray!
First car ride: Honda Element. Boo!
Spring 2013.
SAAB gets Spring clean detail. Looks good from ten feet.
Scrubs up quite well. Might even get new bonnet decal and wheel centers.
Cheers, Whatty.
Roo said:
I was reminded of your neighbours property when I read this story in yesterday's paper.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2739212/No...
Yep, same hydraulic jack method used for our neighbours. Impressive Peterbuilt truck rig powered the hydraulic rams.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2739212/No...
They faced a difficult decision to either sell for the value of the land alone c. 1/3rd of value prior to the flood or work with their insurance company and raise the house. The actually cost of raising was pretty cheap c. $10,000. It was the cost of replacing all the internal walls, electrical and plumbing that really added up.
As it is now they are not terribly happy with the way the house looks but their views of the river have increased somewhat
Late May 2013.
New Jersey commuter life getting tedious.
NJ office getting very claustrophobic. Architecture doesn’t help.
Non-opening windows + canned air 365 days a year.
Need for fresh air + itchy car keys syndrome.
Random web surfing = irrational new father car purchase.
4 seats good, 2 seats bad.
2000 SL500 R129. Very Black.
Very low mileage 55k miles.
Very nice alloys.
2 owners from new. Slight smell of cigar smoke.
Another NJ garage queen.
June 2013.
A Saturday. Early – 06:00
First weekend after purchase.
Garden State Parkway. America’s busiest toll road.
172.4 miles long. Trucks forbidden.
Very straight - perfect for speed testing.
NJ State Trooper territory. Speeders dealt with severely.
Note reinforced concrete highway divider.
Perfect for rebounding drunk or just inattentive drivers back across 3/4/5 lanes of fast moving traffic.
R129 500SL
32 valve DOHC V8
5 speed automatic
Bank of America parking lot.
Pre-testing checks.
Hard top fitted for improved aero.
Handsome.
New Jersey commuter life getting tedious.
NJ office getting very claustrophobic. Architecture doesn’t help.
Non-opening windows + canned air 365 days a year.
Need for fresh air + itchy car keys syndrome.
Random web surfing = irrational new father car purchase.
4 seats good, 2 seats bad.
2000 SL500 R129. Very Black.
Very low mileage 55k miles.
Very nice alloys.
2 owners from new. Slight smell of cigar smoke.
Another NJ garage queen.
June 2013.
A Saturday. Early – 06:00
First weekend after purchase.
Garden State Parkway. America’s busiest toll road.
172.4 miles long. Trucks forbidden.
Very straight - perfect for speed testing.
NJ State Trooper territory. Speeders dealt with severely.
Note reinforced concrete highway divider.
Perfect for rebounding drunk or just inattentive drivers back across 3/4/5 lanes of fast moving traffic.
R129 500SL
32 valve DOHC V8
5 speed automatic
Bank of America parking lot.
Pre-testing checks.
Hard top fitted for improved aero.
Handsome.
June 2013
Garden State Parkway Entrance 137.
Southbound. Minimal traffic.
Outside lane.
SL500 R129
V8 DOHC
302 bhp
Depress accelerator
Engine noise increases.
Front of car rises.
Undertaken by Toyota Camry (Jewish Racing Yellow obv.)
Right. Foot right down.
Engage kick down.
Increase in engine noise.
Speedometer indication not proportional to engine revolutions.
Pull over on to shoulder.
Assume MB parking brake not released.
Parking brake found to be released.
Open hood/bonnet.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Ignition leads all present.
Return to house and Wikipedia.
‘The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight’
Check owner’s manual for kerb weight – 4300 lbs.
Consider initiating class action lawsuit against Mercedes Benz.
(Frivolous lawsuits – America’s #1 favourite pastime)
Garden State Parkway Entrance 137.
Southbound. Minimal traffic.
Outside lane.
SL500 R129
V8 DOHC
302 bhp
Depress accelerator
Engine noise increases.
Front of car rises.
Undertaken by Toyota Camry (Jewish Racing Yellow obv.)
Right. Foot right down.
Engage kick down.
Increase in engine noise.
Speedometer indication not proportional to engine revolutions.
Pull over on to shoulder.
Assume MB parking brake not released.
Parking brake found to be released.
Open hood/bonnet.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Ignition leads all present.
Return to house and Wikipedia.
‘The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight’
Check owner’s manual for kerb weight – 4300 lbs.
Consider initiating class action lawsuit against Mercedes Benz.
(Frivolous lawsuits – America’s #1 favourite pastime)
Edited by Whatty on Tuesday 2nd September 12:43
Sunday August 24th 2014.
NY Jets ‘Metlife’ Stadium
Meadowlands, NJ
Selfishly taking up 4 of the 27, 000 car parking slots.
Element enjoys a door ding free environment.
Whatty JR’s first motorsport event.
Sports Car Club of America Autosolo.
Ooops – wrong parking lot.
That will be the wannabe Supercar-driver-Lambo-experience.
Looked very slow.
Let’s try again.
Lot F.
This looks more promising.
Cheers Whatty,
NY Jets ‘Metlife’ Stadium
Meadowlands, NJ
Selfishly taking up 4 of the 27, 000 car parking slots.
Element enjoys a door ding free environment.
Whatty JR’s first motorsport event.
Sports Car Club of America Autosolo.
Ooops – wrong parking lot.
That will be the wannabe Supercar-driver-Lambo-experience.
Looked very slow.
Let’s try again.
Lot F.
This looks more promising.
Cheers Whatty,
Nice to be back in the friendly autocross paddock.
Here’s what their up to.
Not a wannabe supercar driver event.
Bit of language at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe1IS7iDavg
Not sure what car this was.
Video found on Youtube
Possibly this?
Big variety of car's competing.
Mitsubishi Lancer.
Dedicated AX car.
Muchos dinero invested.
Note no cage. ‘Low speed’ environment doesn’t warrant it.
Unlimited Class.
Biggish rear spoiler.
Likewise tire set up.
Cheers, Whatty
Here’s what their up to.
Not a wannabe supercar driver event.
Bit of language at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe1IS7iDavg
Not sure what car this was.
Video found on Youtube
Possibly this?
Big variety of car's competing.
Mitsubishi Lancer.
Dedicated AX car.
Muchos dinero invested.
Note no cage. ‘Low speed’ environment doesn’t warrant it.
Unlimited Class.
Biggish rear spoiler.
Likewise tire set up.
Cheers, Whatty
Thursday, September 4th 2014.
Had a couple day’s off from PH thread writing.
5 days to departure deadline.
More pressing issues.
Last trip to Jersey Shore. Whatty Jr’s second beach experience.
Animal export paperwork to finalize. Bureaucratic nightmare.
Haircut. Old school Italian American barbers.
Note 1950’s décor and ‘No Hope in Dope’ sticker.
Personally had some profitable/creative moments courtesy of ‘Bob’ over the years. Oh well.
Barber an Napoli Football Club fan.
Knew rather too much about Norwich City’s demotion to the Championship.
His business partner a bit of a car guy.
Meanwhile back on the street.
95f heat – way too hot for Whattys.
Cool Ford pickup.
Thanks for reading.
Had a couple day’s off from PH thread writing.
5 days to departure deadline.
More pressing issues.
Last trip to Jersey Shore. Whatty Jr’s second beach experience.
Animal export paperwork to finalize. Bureaucratic nightmare.
Haircut. Old school Italian American barbers.
Note 1950’s décor and ‘No Hope in Dope’ sticker.
Personally had some profitable/creative moments courtesy of ‘Bob’ over the years. Oh well.
Barber an Napoli Football Club fan.
Knew rather too much about Norwich City’s demotion to the Championship.
His business partner a bit of a car guy.
Meanwhile back on the street.
95f heat – way too hot for Whattys.
Cool Ford pickup.
Thanks for reading.
Roo said:
That's a pretty soulless looking building you were based in.
Sorry if it's been asked and I've missed it - what's prompted the return to the UK?
The 'old' office certainly looks soulless doesn't it? It did feel a bit prison like at times Sorry if it's been asked and I've missed it - what's prompted the return to the UK?
Our reason for leaving? A very good question.
As it's the second time I've been asked in this thread I'll answer it fully..... in a bit.
Right now I have to go to the airport to meet the Honda Element's new owner, he's flying in from Oklahoma.
So, business first. Its been a way of life here. For far too long.
Cheers, Whatty.
Autumn 2013
I persevered with the big black Benz and adjusted to the fact that it gathered speed rather than actually accelerated.
Impressive build quality, all very solid and weighing in at 5000 pounds it did a great job at crushing NJ's continually crumbly roads.
Fuel consumption also impressive, anything but a feather like right foot would see the fuel tank empty itself in about 250 miles.
Loved the Teutonic muscle car looks.
Never bothered to take the hard top off.
Distracted by Whatty Jr and a deteriorating work environment I rather lost interest in it as anything other than as a commuter tool.
Congestion ahead.
Really?
New life challenges ahead?
Definitely.
Challenged by black paint swirls and the persisting odour of cigars I spent three days claying, waxing and polishing it. Very therapeutic.
Only time I took the hard top off was to photograph it for the advert.
Glaring NJ light makes for tricky shots.
Flogged it in June this year to a BMW 750i driver looking for open top summer fun.
I'll save the story of the test drive for another time. Likewise the 968's.
Originally from Beirut the guy certainly knew how to haggle.
Standing firm meant I only lost half a sleeve rather than my whole shirt.
September 5th 2014.
Five days to departure.
Today’s project. Complete sale of Honda Element.
Job#1.
Quick last minute wipe over of Honda.
Damn, all car cleaning cloths dirty.
Improvise.
Freebie XXXL t-shirt – perfect.
Just don’t ask me how I came by it.
Task complete.
T-shirt works. Cut up at a later date.
Meguiars detailing spray. Great stuff. Now all gone.
Finished product.
One Unhappy Seller and Driveway Queen.
Her one and only ‘new’ car.
Didn’t drive it much. Too busy with work.
13,600 NJ miles, not a ding, not a dent.
Job #2.
Transfer infant seat from Element to Lexus ES350 borrowed from Ms. Whatty’s Dad.
ISO fix inventor I salute you. Still manage to skin my knuckles.
2011 Honda Element – 13,600 miles – Driveway Queen
2007 Lexus ES350 – 92,000 miles – Daily Workhorse
Job #3.
Drive to Newark airport for 10:30 flight arrival
Easy drive. 20 minutes door-to-door.
Garden State Parkway North to I-78 East to Rt .1 & 9 and Newark Airport complex
NJ State Government advertising.
Big Sign. Big Ad Dollars.
NJ auto insurance cost? 4 x the U.K equivalent.
Caution! Prisoners at work.
Jail inmates clearing roadside garbage.
Not sure if County, State or Federal Penitentiary inmates.
Excuse poor picture.
And here we are.
“Welcome to Newark Liberty International Airport, for your safety and security please keep your luggage with you at all times. Unattended vehicles will be towed”
Sad that I know that PA announcement by heart.
Lost count of the number of times I’ve flown in and out of the place.
Post 9/11 Security means quite a walk to the terminal building.
Terminal A.
Not sure what our buyer looks like.
Improvise.
Success. Buyer met.
Nice guy.
Transaction concluded smoothly.
Buyer happy. Long distance transactions always a concern.
I hate to disappoint.
Honda off to a new home in Oklahoma.
If you reading this Paul, have a fun trip home and do keep in touch.
Lunch.
NJ Pizza. Possibly the best in the world.
Of course you’ll disagree if you live in Brooklyn or on Staten Island.
Its always delivered and its def. not Domino’s.
Black olives, peppers and pepperoni.
Thanks for reading.
I persevered with the big black Benz and adjusted to the fact that it gathered speed rather than actually accelerated.
Impressive build quality, all very solid and weighing in at 5000 pounds it did a great job at crushing NJ's continually crumbly roads.
Fuel consumption also impressive, anything but a feather like right foot would see the fuel tank empty itself in about 250 miles.
Loved the Teutonic muscle car looks.
Never bothered to take the hard top off.
Distracted by Whatty Jr and a deteriorating work environment I rather lost interest in it as anything other than as a commuter tool.
Congestion ahead.
Really?
New life challenges ahead?
Definitely.
Challenged by black paint swirls and the persisting odour of cigars I spent three days claying, waxing and polishing it. Very therapeutic.
Only time I took the hard top off was to photograph it for the advert.
Glaring NJ light makes for tricky shots.
Flogged it in June this year to a BMW 750i driver looking for open top summer fun.
I'll save the story of the test drive for another time. Likewise the 968's.
Originally from Beirut the guy certainly knew how to haggle.
Standing firm meant I only lost half a sleeve rather than my whole shirt.
September 5th 2014.
Five days to departure.
Today’s project. Complete sale of Honda Element.
Job#1.
Quick last minute wipe over of Honda.
Damn, all car cleaning cloths dirty.
Improvise.
Freebie XXXL t-shirt – perfect.
Just don’t ask me how I came by it.
Task complete.
T-shirt works. Cut up at a later date.
Meguiars detailing spray. Great stuff. Now all gone.
Finished product.
One Unhappy Seller and Driveway Queen.
Her one and only ‘new’ car.
Didn’t drive it much. Too busy with work.
13,600 NJ miles, not a ding, not a dent.
Job #2.
Transfer infant seat from Element to Lexus ES350 borrowed from Ms. Whatty’s Dad.
ISO fix inventor I salute you. Still manage to skin my knuckles.
2011 Honda Element – 13,600 miles – Driveway Queen
2007 Lexus ES350 – 92,000 miles – Daily Workhorse
Job #3.
Drive to Newark airport for 10:30 flight arrival
Easy drive. 20 minutes door-to-door.
Garden State Parkway North to I-78 East to Rt .1 & 9 and Newark Airport complex
NJ State Government advertising.
Big Sign. Big Ad Dollars.
NJ auto insurance cost? 4 x the U.K equivalent.
Caution! Prisoners at work.
Jail inmates clearing roadside garbage.
Not sure if County, State or Federal Penitentiary inmates.
Excuse poor picture.
And here we are.
“Welcome to Newark Liberty International Airport, for your safety and security please keep your luggage with you at all times. Unattended vehicles will be towed”
Sad that I know that PA announcement by heart.
Lost count of the number of times I’ve flown in and out of the place.
Post 9/11 Security means quite a walk to the terminal building.
Terminal A.
Not sure what our buyer looks like.
Improvise.
Success. Buyer met.
Nice guy.
Transaction concluded smoothly.
Buyer happy. Long distance transactions always a concern.
I hate to disappoint.
Honda off to a new home in Oklahoma.
If you reading this Paul, have a fun trip home and do keep in touch.
Lunch.
NJ Pizza. Possibly the best in the world.
Of course you’ll disagree if you live in Brooklyn or on Staten Island.
Its always delivered and its def. not Domino’s.
Black olives, peppers and pepperoni.
Thanks for reading.
Roo said:
The Benz came up really well.
I agree about the hardtop. I've always thought that model looked better with one on.
Thanks Roo*, Being more Gentleman Polisher than Dedicated Detailer I was quite pleased with the way it came it up.I agree about the hardtop. I've always thought that model looked better with one on.
Especially as it spent January and February on the driveway covered in snow and ice thanks to a six week trip overseas.
Started first turn of the key, no small thing when overnight temperature's here drop to -5C.
Hood down. Front 3/4 angle flatters.
- Still need to answer your question re. leaving here. Hope to later today.
Cheers, Whatty
Roo said:
I assume Whatty dog will have to go through quarantine.
Car already lined up here, or first thing on your list?
Having done the Euro car bit in the US are you going to go the other way and do US cars over here?
Thanks for hanging in there Mr Roo, I was a bit concerned about reader fatigue. Car already lined up here, or first thing on your list?
Having done the Euro car bit in the US are you going to go the other way and do US cars over here?
Whatty Dogs, plural, don’t have to do the old six month sentence in quarantine.
Thanks to some common sense policy making, micro-chipping and rabies vaccinations Dyson & Hoover (not their real names, but they deserve internet anonymity
) qualify for pet passports and thus only have to spend 4 hours at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre before release. On the car front, we have a suitably soft and slushy automatic ride set up for Ms. Whatty. and something V6 powered for me lurking in the wings.
But not from the Detroit Big 3.
Did you smell a sale?
Bit of car trouble today with the Lexus resulted in a bit of welcome ‘manual’ action.
Possibly an open door or interior light left on resulted in a flat battery and a FFS moment from me needing to get the dogs to the vet.
Mr. & Ms. Mike-the-great-neighbours generously chucked me the keys to their new Subaru Legacy so as to keep what was a rather important appointment.
Trusty Scooby Do flat four, six speed gearbox and annoying electric parking brake.
Comfy seats. Satisfying snick snick gearchange.
Look, Hub caps!
Nice drive, could do with slightly wider tyres.
No doubt resulting under-steer engineered in by manufacturers to ‘protect’ buyers.
Auto industry insiders tell me that these days steel wheels are often actually lighter than their alloy counterparts. Peugeot Rallye?
Feel free to contradict.
Vet appointment kept, paperwork in order, afternoon/evening spent sourcing and fitting new Lexus battery.
Now 23.00hrs E.S.T.
Knackered.
Night night
Whatty.
alangtt said:
I'm fascinated by you, your life and this thread. I've never been to America, looking at your photos It's everything I imagine it to be.
Is it your house with the Mercedes outside it (the huge one?)
I’m flattered to be considered a subject of fascination. Is it your house with the Mercedes outside it (the huge one?)
In reality I’m just an ordinary sort of bloke.
Likewise the huge house isn’t ours. In fact it’s not actually a house.
Known here as a ‘professional building’ its used by Doctors, Dentists, Accountants etc.
Owned by Ms. Whatty’s family, it’s handily located around the corner from our more modest home. It’s made for a good location over the years to take pictures of cars.
Our own house is a fairly humble 1920’s 3 bedroom detached ‘bungalow’ (albeit on two storeys, three if you include the basement.)
Here's another local house just sold.
Celebrity neighbours.
The Addams family are also moving out.
Fairview Cemetery, New Jersey.
Home to a certain Ms. W Houston.
Singer, actress, substance abuser.
Lived fast, died middle aged, left a house furnished in dubious taste
Roo said:
We sell a lot of gen 2 Prius' which bizarrely come with an alloy wheel with a plastic wheel trim on them.
Roo said:
If you get the opportunity to go you should do so.
I've been fortunate enough to go several times on holiday, but never to the East coast.
West coast and surrounding states looks vastly different.
That's the great thing about the US. It's huge with varying climates and scenery with something that will appeal to everyone.
Roo is quite right. Well worth a visit. BIG country.I've been fortunate enough to go several times on holiday, but never to the East coast.
West coast and surrounding states looks vastly different.
That's the great thing about the US. It's huge with varying climates and scenery with something that will appeal to everyone.
People back home ask me what is it like to live in the ‘States’ and quite simply the answer is ‘I don’t know’.
The sheer scale and cultural diversity of the place mean that I can’t offer an comprehensive overview of America other than New Jersey, my base since 1998.
I can provide a picture of life in a typical small New Jersey commuter town.
Monday September 8th 2014.
05:00 hours E.S.T
38 hours to departure.
Thread hijacking. My thread so I guess I can do what I like.
I started writing the above response yesterday morning and then thought I’d go out with Whatty Jr. and grab a few more pictures of the town we live in. On our return and just as I was about to upload them we suffered a power outage on our block. Annoying.
As we still have a thousand and one things still to do I’m afraid the virtual local town tour will have to wait till I get back to the U.K.
However I still just have time to address the reason for my soon to be ex-expat status.
When I started this thread back on July 25th I set myself the target of finishing the ‘story’ before we leave. Having spent the last 23 years working to tight schedules I actually thought this would be one deadline that was quite easy to meet. Not so it would appear.
My American tale is not really that remarkable. In fact I’m sure that the other 799,000 Brits who live here have far more exciting stories to tell.
As to why I’m leaving I probably need to briefly describe just how I got here in the first place. It recently dawned on me that I’ve now spent 15 years of my 23-year career working in the United States, the last ten as a Green Card holder.
For legal reasons I can’t say specifically what that career entailed, suffice to say it involves the media with a specialization in ‘communication’.
That sounds both glamorous and mysterious.
In reality it’s not. But this country is very litigious so in turn I have to be very ambiguous.
In fact I’ve just cancelled an insurance ‘umbrella’ policy for $5 million that protects me in the event of a lawsuits.
The premiums weren’t that expensive but they do put a sizeable hole in your fun budget over the years.
And N.J's expensively educated lawyers do love to sue. America really has too many of them. Law Schools and lawyers alike.
Me? I left school at sixteen and after a couple of false starts started a career in 1993 that has, up until the last couple of years, provided me with a comfortable living.
I’m not wealthy, in fact by relocating to New Jersey I gave up a very comfortable lifestyle in deepest Norfolk.
To stay there might have provided an easier path to more cash in the bank.
But easy paths lead to boring roads that don’t go anywhere.
1998.
Aged 29, no education bar 3 G.C.E’s and a certificate in cycling proficiency I arrive in New Jersey to start ‘something’.
I’m not technical but I’ve worked with OEM automotive, aerospace and defense companies.
Likewise Federal and State Governments, the Military and Universities like to talk to me.
Despite a lack of formal education I’m quite good at what I do.
That sounds arrogant and immodest.
I only know this because I’m now barred from doing it in the U.S.A, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Quite flattering really.
But I digress.
And I have to walk the Whatty dogs.
Edited by Whatty on Monday 8th September 15:26
Roo said:
YOU'RE A SPY.
)In fact I'm a bit of a unilateralist and prefer to work alone or in small teams. (Now that does sound clandestine
) Most migrants to the U.S come for a number of reasons. Work/ Education/Marriage or in the case of many; a better, even safer way of life for their families. I'm lucky enough not to be in that latter group.
My work brought me here, and my employer effectively 'bought' my Green Card based on my expert knowledge and skills in 2006.
Obviously if they had known I was going to get married to Ms. Whatty in 2009 they could have saved the $$$$.
Not a cheap process I understand.
That same employer was quite keen that I actually become a U.S Citizen and Passport holder. No thanks.
A fresh start here is still a very attractive prospect for many folk. In fact the U.S sponsors Visa lotteries with Poland and Ireland for the chance to start a new life in the U.S.
Monday September 8th 2014
21:25 E.S.T
Phew, long day, house empty-ish, bags packed, friends farewelled.
Obviously we’ll be back to visit.
And here we are, ready to go.
One last walk out with Whatty dog #1.
Driven past this place a thousand times, never stopped to really look.
Oldsmobile 442 and snowplow equipped Bronco. (Edited to add its a Chevy actually
)
Working Class Heroes. Cue Bruce Springtseen.
Somebody’s future project?
Now that what you call patina.
Its all in the details.
Drag race winner.
Playboy reader.
Bad photographer
Thanks America. Seen some stuff.
Had some interesting experiences.
Met some fascinatinging people.
Reality often stranger than fiction.
Got chatted up by a Secret Service Agent (female, standard issue Glock)
She was guarding the Governor of Kentucky.
I was getting pissed on his Bourbon.
Watched Mexicans trying to cross the Rio Grande River into Texas.
Very windy, very dusty. Definitely not a Country for Old Men.
Hunted for chukar in Pennsylvania.
Safety orange a bit jarring. Wot, no tweed?
Threatened by a gun toting Vietnam War draft dodger in Seattle.
It was a Derringer. The pacifist’s pistol of choice?
Escaped numerous speeding tickets using my UK Driving licence.
A foreign address and the pink and green paper bit just baffles the police.
‘So where is ……..Noor-Witch?’
21:25 E.S.T
Phew, long day, house empty-ish, bags packed, friends farewelled.
Obviously we’ll be back to visit.
And here we are, ready to go.
One last walk out with Whatty dog #1.
Driven past this place a thousand times, never stopped to really look.
Oldsmobile 442 and snowplow equipped Bronco. (Edited to add its a Chevy actually
)Working Class Heroes. Cue Bruce Springtseen.
Somebody’s future project?
Now that what you call patina.
Its all in the details.
Drag race winner.
Playboy reader.
Bad photographer
Thanks America. Seen some stuff.
Had some interesting experiences.
Met some fascinatinging people.
Reality often stranger than fiction.
Got chatted up by a Secret Service Agent (female, standard issue Glock)
She was guarding the Governor of Kentucky.
I was getting pissed on his Bourbon.
Watched Mexicans trying to cross the Rio Grande River into Texas.
Very windy, very dusty. Definitely not a Country for Old Men.
Hunted for chukar in Pennsylvania.
Safety orange a bit jarring. Wot, no tweed?
Threatened by a gun toting Vietnam War draft dodger in Seattle.
It was a Derringer. The pacifist’s pistol of choice?
Escaped numerous speeding tickets using my UK Driving licence.
A foreign address and the pink and green paper bit just baffles the police.
‘So where is ……..Noor-Witch?’
Edited by Whatty on Tuesday 9th September 04:34
Family Whatty has produced a fair few Ex-pats over the years.
So wander lust might be in my genes.
Between them they clocked up a few countries.
Africa, India, the Middle East and North America.
Some were teachers, others in business.
Some came home to the U.K. Some didn’t.
To the best of my knowledge most didn’t make a fortune overseas.
Meet the original ‘Whatty’.
Whatty Junior’s great grandfather.
A Captain in the R.A.S.C he was made a Military M.B.E in 1944 for organizing the repair of enemy vehicles captured in North Africa. In part this enabled the British 8th Army in North Africa to extend its supply chain and ultimately defeat the Afrika Corps.
He never spoke about it. I spent a bit of time digging the information up.
Humble background. Bus driver, Motorcyclist, Soldier, self taught Arabic speaker.
Worked for British Petroleum in Iran and the Iraqi Petroleum Company in Basrah.
Before it was fashionable.
Fast driver. Died in 1986. Sorely missed.
Would have made a good PH’er.
Meet Whatty Jr. Again.
18 months old.
Yells a lot. Makes Ms. Whatty and me laugh.
Have helmet. Will travel
Being a Dad has provided both new responsibilities and perspectives.
Seen a lot of stuff ‘here.’ Still want to do a lot of things ‘over there.’
Sail with Whatty Senior, drive the ‘Ring and Spa, shoot woodpigeons again with my old mate. (If you are reading this LB…. I know, rose tinted glasses)
Ms. Whatty wants to keep chickens, learn stick shift and see more of Europe.
A true Expat herself, sort of. Her family came over in 1629.
She’s a real trooper for putting up with me. Swears like one as well.
Whatty Junior doesn’t know what he wants yet.
But we’re prepared to suffer a bit of upheaval to give him a wider perspective on the world than he might get growing up in NJ.
Hopefully original Whatty would approve.
Thanks PistonHeads.
You’ve been a much needed home-from-home on occasion.
And in case your wondering.
And so I don’t forget.
Cheers, Whatty.
Deadline made
//Ends//
So wander lust might be in my genes.
Between them they clocked up a few countries.
Africa, India, the Middle East and North America.
Some were teachers, others in business.
Some came home to the U.K. Some didn’t.
To the best of my knowledge most didn’t make a fortune overseas.
Meet the original ‘Whatty’.
Whatty Junior’s great grandfather.
A Captain in the R.A.S.C he was made a Military M.B.E in 1944 for organizing the repair of enemy vehicles captured in North Africa. In part this enabled the British 8th Army in North Africa to extend its supply chain and ultimately defeat the Afrika Corps.
He never spoke about it. I spent a bit of time digging the information up.
Humble background. Bus driver, Motorcyclist, Soldier, self taught Arabic speaker.
Worked for British Petroleum in Iran and the Iraqi Petroleum Company in Basrah.
Before it was fashionable.
Fast driver. Died in 1986. Sorely missed.
Would have made a good PH’er.
Meet Whatty Jr. Again.
18 months old.
Yells a lot. Makes Ms. Whatty and me laugh.
Have helmet. Will travel
Being a Dad has provided both new responsibilities and perspectives.
Seen a lot of stuff ‘here.’ Still want to do a lot of things ‘over there.’
Sail with Whatty Senior, drive the ‘Ring and Spa, shoot woodpigeons again with my old mate. (If you are reading this LB…. I know, rose tinted glasses)
Ms. Whatty wants to keep chickens, learn stick shift and see more of Europe.
A true Expat herself, sort of. Her family came over in 1629.
She’s a real trooper for putting up with me. Swears like one as well.
Whatty Junior doesn’t know what he wants yet.
But we’re prepared to suffer a bit of upheaval to give him a wider perspective on the world than he might get growing up in NJ.
Hopefully original Whatty would approve.
Thanks PistonHeads.
You’ve been a much needed home-from-home on occasion.
And in case your wondering.
And so I don’t forget.
Cheers, Whatty.
Deadline made
//Ends//
02:10 B.S.T - Sept.12.2014
Jetlagsville, Norfolk, UK
Well that was a hectic couple of days.
My last act in American Motoring.
American Dude Rule #1.
Don't mess with another man's truck.
Alternately:
There is now a Chevy Truck parked on an N.J street that is forever England.
Cheers Mike. Talk soon.
Apologies to Rupert Brooke.
Secondly, a genuine 'thank you' for your kind comments.
Reading back my last post it looked a bit contrived.
Apart from the Birds Custard tin.
That just looked tasty, in reality it was empty for years.
Edited to add.
Turns out the 'real' Whatty was actually a motor engineer for the East Midlands Omnibus Company. Drove them, possibly modded them.
Suffice to say, I'm 'back', Ms. & Master Whatty have arrived.
And possibly most importantly.
A BIG thank you to Virgin Atlantic Cargo & Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.
Made a stressful project at times a lot easier than we anticipated.
Apologies to the v.nice Senorita at the not very well signed Virgin Atl. Cargo office in Newark, NJ
When I asked if you were 'Virgin' I meant in the corporate sense.
Also apologies to the other 249 passengers and crew on Tuesday's nights VS002 flight. Master Whatty, while a veteran of 5 previous Atlantic crossings, screamed his head off.
Recalculating?
At times I thought the real time journey map had frozen.
On the road:
M4: M25: A1M: A505: A14:
Saw none of it. Crashed out.
A11, saw most of it.
Whatty Dog #1. Jetlagged.
By my feet he saw none of it.
His last journey this arduous was his first car ride in my Golf GTi.
En route home from Maryland in 2006 he threw up for 6 hours straight.
in 2006.
Making good time.
Bargain 30k miler Citreon C4 a nice cruiser.
Dash pod styling liked. Retro frog chic'.
Clap hands wipers amuse.
Suffolk has changed. Elveden Village has completely vanished.
Getting close.
Norfolk has changed.
Proximity to Lotus Factory means lots of prototypes recalled from my yoof.
Lotus Carlton a fave. Primitive wooden box on dash housed makeshift guages.
Super-Luxo-Barges? Not so many.
Hometown + Maybach = Surreal.
Touchdown:
Whatty has landed. T.F.T.
As has Scottie Whatty.
Poor sod, 3500 miles door-to-door.
Now faces deportation to North of the Border.
In truth he always looks this 'happy'.
Even these new seats sat on the driveway couldn't cheer him up.
My names 'Whatty', I was a recovering car bloke.
It was 456 days since my last car purchase.
Cheers and's it good to be back.
Jetlagsville, Norfolk, UK
Well that was a hectic couple of days.
My last act in American Motoring.
American Dude Rule #1.
Don't mess with another man's truck.
Alternately:
There is now a Chevy Truck parked on an N.J street that is forever England.
Cheers Mike. Talk soon.
Apologies to Rupert Brooke.
Secondly, a genuine 'thank you' for your kind comments.
Reading back my last post it looked a bit contrived.
Apart from the Birds Custard tin.
That just looked tasty, in reality it was empty for years.
Edited to add.
Turns out the 'real' Whatty was actually a motor engineer for the East Midlands Omnibus Company. Drove them, possibly modded them.
Suffice to say, I'm 'back', Ms. & Master Whatty have arrived.
And possibly most importantly.
A BIG thank you to Virgin Atlantic Cargo & Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.
Made a stressful project at times a lot easier than we anticipated.
Apologies to the v.nice Senorita at the not very well signed Virgin Atl. Cargo office in Newark, NJ
When I asked if you were 'Virgin' I meant in the corporate sense.
Also apologies to the other 249 passengers and crew on Tuesday's nights VS002 flight. Master Whatty, while a veteran of 5 previous Atlantic crossings, screamed his head off.
Recalculating?
At times I thought the real time journey map had frozen.
On the road:
M4: M25: A1M: A505: A14:
Saw none of it. Crashed out.
A11, saw most of it.
Whatty Dog #1. Jetlagged.
By my feet he saw none of it.
His last journey this arduous was his first car ride in my Golf GTi.
En route home from Maryland in 2006 he threw up for 6 hours straight.
in 2006.Making good time.
Bargain 30k miler Citreon C4 a nice cruiser.
Dash pod styling liked. Retro frog chic'.
Clap hands wipers amuse.
Suffolk has changed. Elveden Village has completely vanished.
Getting close.
Norfolk has changed.
Proximity to Lotus Factory means lots of prototypes recalled from my yoof.
Lotus Carlton a fave. Primitive wooden box on dash housed makeshift guages.
Super-Luxo-Barges? Not so many.
Hometown + Maybach = Surreal.
Touchdown:
Whatty has landed. T.F.T.
As has Scottie Whatty.
Poor sod, 3500 miles door-to-door.
Now faces deportation to North of the Border.
In truth he always looks this 'happy'.
Even these new seats sat on the driveway couldn't cheer him up.
My names 'Whatty', I was a recovering car bloke.
It was 456 days since my last car purchase.
Cheers and's it good to be back.
Edited by Whatty on Friday 12th September 02:58
Edited by Whatty on Friday 12th September 03:04
Tuesday September 16th- North Norfolk
Now this is my idea of a commuter road..well lane.
Meanwhile a bit further south.
The new ride awaits my return.
What goes around, comes around.
See first post on thread.
Not a 1.8T though.
Nor FWD.
My names 'Whatty', I was a recovering car bloke.
It was 456 days since my last car purchase.
Cheers, Whatty.
Now this is my idea of a commuter road..well lane.
Meanwhile a bit further south.
The new ride awaits my return.
What goes around, comes around.
See first post on thread.
Not a 1.8T though.
Nor FWD.
My names 'Whatty', I was a recovering car bloke.
It was 456 days since my last car purchase.
Cheers, Whatty.
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 15th March 08:58
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