RE: Hack 'Fesses-Up To 911 Turbo Prang
Friday 21st May 2010
You could fill quite an interesting book with tales from motoring writers around the world who have smashed up exotic, expensive and sometimes rare machinery in pursuit (sometimes) of the story.
Hack 'Fesses-Up To 911 Turbo Prang
Public confessional reveals teeanager's Ferris Bueller moment
Sad to say though, such mistakes and misdemeanours resulting in bashed bodywork are rarely reported because the esteemed publications concerned - and the individuals who work for them - have reputations to protect.
In fact, there's a bit of an informal convention that such tales go unreported by colleagues and rivals too. Mainly because we all know that next time it could be one of us, and we'd all prefer to be spared the pain.
So hats off to the motoring writer Peter Cheney at Canada's Globe And Mail newspaper, for his refreshing confessional article about what happened when he tossed the keys to a brand new 911 Turbo press car to his teenage son.
Discussion
Reminds me of the time I wrecked my Dad's Audi on the Nurburgring after I said I was "just popping out for drive". Not a nice feeling getting home with the wreck on a low loader and explaining to him how it happened. Gulp!
Good article. I thought the journo treated his son fairly by making him work to pay for the insurance excess and the damage to the garage door, and sending him on an "advanced" (i.e. stick shift) driving course.
I learnt to always put the car in neutral before starting the engine when I was about 14, and started my Mum's Metro in first gear and smacked into my Dad's shin as he was standing in front of the car. Much cheaper than crashing a new 911 Turbo!
I learnt to always put the car in neutral before starting the engine when I was about 14, and started my Mum's Metro in first gear and smacked into my Dad's shin as he was standing in front of the car. Much cheaper than crashing a new 911 Turbo!
Pfft, who hasn't launched a sports car through their garage door at some point?
http://photos.rawr.co.uk/c62904.html
http://photos.rawr.co.uk/c62904.html
seefarr said:
So I'm guessing he started it in gear, right?
Did that to my Westfield once - started it from outside the car like I always did, except this time it was in gear. Ran into a concrete poll and scratched the nose and front fender
My friend did that to a car at a dealer. The salesman was not happy with her. Did that to my Westfield once - started it from outside the car like I always did, except this time it was in gear. Ran into a concrete poll and scratched the nose and front fender
About 10 years ago my then 12yr old daughter launched her moms Volvo through our front door,no one was hurt and house insurance paid the builders bills. Luckily Volvos are built of sterner stuff than 997 Turbo's, just a new indicator. Couldn't bring myself to be too angry as everyone reminded me of similar mistakes involving Land Rovers when I was 11 and my dad's company Granada when I was 17,even his bosses attitude was 's
t happens'
t happens'I've launched a car through a garage door in the opposite direction.
I was 9, we had some form of SUV on a holiday in Florida. Pulled into the driveway of our villa and dad put the handbrake on but left it in 'drive'. He got out to open the villa, walk through into the garage and press the button to lift the garage door.
Seeing an opportunity to 'rev the engine' I hopped across into the drivers seat and pressed the pedal, i did what is known as a 'kick down' - handbrake isnt stopping a V8 SUV with the throttle wide open...
Straight through the garage door and right into the wall the other side causing immense structural damage. My dad was standing at the edge of the garage just about to press the button to raise the door as this bright red SUV (might have been a Dodge) storms through the door, right past him and into the end wall.
I got grounded... on HOLIDAY!!
I was 9, we had some form of SUV on a holiday in Florida. Pulled into the driveway of our villa and dad put the handbrake on but left it in 'drive'. He got out to open the villa, walk through into the garage and press the button to lift the garage door.
Seeing an opportunity to 'rev the engine' I hopped across into the drivers seat and pressed the pedal, i did what is known as a 'kick down' - handbrake isnt stopping a V8 SUV with the throttle wide open...
Straight through the garage door and right into the wall the other side causing immense structural damage. My dad was standing at the edge of the garage just about to press the button to raise the door as this bright red SUV (might have been a Dodge) storms through the door, right past him and into the end wall.
I got grounded... on HOLIDAY!!
Reminds me of a mate who had a classic mini, he was strippng it down and turned out it wasnt in too bad nick. He had the interior out, had it on the driveway which had a slight fall down into the garage. When he was finished up that night he just popped one of the seats in (not bolted, just set it in there) rolled it down the hill and jumped in, went a bit too fast, put the foot on the brake only to pushed his seat back!! ploughed into the side of the garage and ruined a perfectly good wing. 
Defo not as bad as a split new porker tho!! Ouch!!
Defo not as bad as a split new porker tho!! Ouch!!
Edited by Ricky944s2 on Friday 21st May 11:09
So it was probably parked without the handbrake on? Dad is just as much to blame as the son then I think.
ETA: So the guy knows his son doesn't know how many turns of the key it takes to turn the radio on so why give him the key?
Good read though.
ETA: So the guy knows his son doesn't know how many turns of the key it takes to turn the radio on so why give him the key?
Good read though.
Edited by MSTRBKR on Friday 21st May 11:46
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