Weird breakdown stories
Discussion
(1) Pulled into a layby to check the road map for directions (pre-satnav days). As I pulled past some parked cars I was flagged down by a hand waving out of one of the cars. I pulled up and got out to see a couple naked in their car asking if they could borrow my mobile phone to call for assistance as their car wouldn't start. I duly obliged.
(2) Drove my mums brand new, 150 miles on the clock, Corsa 1.4 automatic up to Central London. As I pulled away from the lights at Trafalgar square the car broke down, blocked traffic from behind me and from the lane joining to the left. Car wouldn't start at all and the engine seemed to have seized solid so I couldn't even move it in N. It caused gridlock and mayhem. It took the AA 15 minutes to get towards Trafalgar Square and another hour to negotiate the traffic. Cause: the infamous plastic tensioners and cambelt of VX's.
(3) Went to Tesco around 9pm. Fairly empty car park. A Green Flag patrol was attending to a Zafira, the same as mine. Bought nappies etc and came out. The Green Flag patrolman approached me:
GF = Green Flag Patrolman
Me = Me
PL = Psycho Lady
GF: Excuse me sir, I don't know if you can help, but this lady has had her spare wheel stolen and if you live locally to her, would it be possible for her to borrow your spare to get her home, she'll get a new tyre in the morning and return your spare to you?
Me: Not a problem. Where do you live?
PL: In Allington. (only 4 miles from me)
So the patrolman gets his jack and tools out in preparation.
PL: I'm not dropping off your wheel. You'll have to come and get it.
Me: Err. Sorry?
PL: You can't come around unless my husband is in. I ain't having strangers knowing where I live.
Me: So I'm giving you a stranger my £100 wheel with a £100 tyre on it and you want me to collect it but only when you say so.
PL: (By now ranting) You can collect your wheel when I tell you!
So I get in the car and drive off looking at the despondent Green Flag man in my rear view mirror and a mouthy psycho shouting obscenities at me.
(2) Drove my mums brand new, 150 miles on the clock, Corsa 1.4 automatic up to Central London. As I pulled away from the lights at Trafalgar square the car broke down, blocked traffic from behind me and from the lane joining to the left. Car wouldn't start at all and the engine seemed to have seized solid so I couldn't even move it in N. It caused gridlock and mayhem. It took the AA 15 minutes to get towards Trafalgar Square and another hour to negotiate the traffic. Cause: the infamous plastic tensioners and cambelt of VX's.
(3) Went to Tesco around 9pm. Fairly empty car park. A Green Flag patrol was attending to a Zafira, the same as mine. Bought nappies etc and came out. The Green Flag patrolman approached me:
GF = Green Flag Patrolman
Me = Me
PL = Psycho Lady
GF: Excuse me sir, I don't know if you can help, but this lady has had her spare wheel stolen and if you live locally to her, would it be possible for her to borrow your spare to get her home, she'll get a new tyre in the morning and return your spare to you?
Me: Not a problem. Where do you live?
PL: In Allington. (only 4 miles from me)
So the patrolman gets his jack and tools out in preparation.
PL: I'm not dropping off your wheel. You'll have to come and get it.
Me: Err. Sorry?
PL: You can't come around unless my husband is in. I ain't having strangers knowing where I live.
Me: So I'm giving you a stranger my £100 wheel with a £100 tyre on it and you want me to collect it but only when you say so.
PL: (By now ranting) You can collect your wheel when I tell you!
So I get in the car and drive off looking at the despondent Green Flag man in my rear view mirror and a mouthy psycho shouting obscenities at me.
Matt UK said:
vikingaero said:
(1) Pulled into a layby to check the road map for directions (pre-satnav days). As I pulled past some parked cars I was flagged down by a hand waving out of one of the cars. I pulled up and got out to see a couple naked in their car asking if they could borrow my mobile phone to call for assistance as their car wouldn't start. I duly obliged.
Is that not a well-know 'opening gambit' on the dogging scene? 
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