Discussion
Took the Cerb in to Austec this morning to get the big fuse issue fixed, in readiness for the SpareRing trip this weekend and as it was such a nice sunny day, I decided to bring him to work as a treat for both of us 
I work in central Brighton, and have use of a private car park next to my office. As I arrived at the car park I had to drive through say 100 people unusually milling about in the street right by the car park. It seems there had been a fire alert in the nearby Council offices and they had all been chucked out, but happily chatting in the sunshine.
So, there's me (and those who know me know Im no shrinking violet), cruising ever so slowly through the crowd, people stepping aside to allow me to make progress. The car was burbling away, sun gleaming off the very yellow paintwork. I think to myself "they must think Im a right berk/flash Harry doing this".
I pull up at the car park entrance, open the car door to get out and unlock the gate with window dropping to allow the doors to open. As I emerge, quite graciously, for a fat bloke (nigh 4.5 years of ownership Ive got the nack off to a 'T'), about 40 or so of the crowd start giving me (well, OK the car) a gentle hand clap of appreciaition and more than a few "nice car, VERY nice car" and "ooh its gorgeous" (obviously thats the womon
) etc, compliments.
To ruin the whole moment I went bright red with embarrassment and mumbled my thanks
I love this car
I work in central Brighton, and have use of a private car park next to my office. As I arrived at the car park I had to drive through say 100 people unusually milling about in the street right by the car park. It seems there had been a fire alert in the nearby Council offices and they had all been chucked out, but happily chatting in the sunshine.
So, there's me (and those who know me know Im no shrinking violet), cruising ever so slowly through the crowd, people stepping aside to allow me to make progress. The car was burbling away, sun gleaming off the very yellow paintwork. I think to myself "they must think Im a right berk/flash Harry doing this".
I pull up at the car park entrance, open the car door to get out and unlock the gate with window dropping to allow the doors to open. As I emerge, quite graciously, for a fat bloke (nigh 4.5 years of ownership Ive got the nack off to a 'T'), about 40 or so of the crowd start giving me (well, OK the car) a gentle hand clap of appreciaition and more than a few "nice car, VERY nice car" and "ooh its gorgeous" (obviously thats the womon
) etc, compliments. To ruin the whole moment I went bright red with embarrassment and mumbled my thanks
I love this car
. Usually that many people watching (let alone clapping) is enough to make your starter motor go into spasm, sounds like you got off lightly There's something about TVR's that bring out the best in people isn't there - they're gorgeous to look at but don't attract the sometimes contemptuous envy that Astons, Fezzas and porkers sometimes bring out in people. I doubt you'd have had a round of applause driving a DB9, say.
There's a certain down-to-earthness about them
I've had similar compliments when in my Elise, I'm shy at the best of times so I usually say thanks, curl up in a ball and jump in the car and go....then I have a smile to myslef and yes I think you get it more in cars like Elises and TVR's than you would in a Ferrari or Porsche mainly because everyone knows what they are and will probably have seen a few before.
and yes I think you get it more in cars like Elises and TVR's than you would in a Ferrari or Porsche mainly because everyone knows what they are and will probably have seen a few before.WorAl said:
I'm also quite shy and retiring and love being the centre of attention in the car, its great isnt it? I don't think i've heard a negative comment about the car yet, all i see is people snapping their necks to have a look at it....
Time for this photo again, taken at Castle Coombe a couple of weeks back and love being the centre of attention in the car, its great isnt it? I don't think i've heard a negative comment about the car yet, all i see is people snapping their necks to have a look at it....
In general I have to agree with how car is greeted.
I however, have the exception. I pass my local pub on the way home every day, and the same crowd of sorry soles are stood outside fumigating their lungs on a daily basis. Because they can't sit in their designated bar stools to puff away and have to brave the cold, they never smile and wave as I go by. I would not mind, but I always drop a gear to let off a few noises of acknowledgement. Makes me smile
You can't please everyone
I however, have the exception. I pass my local pub on the way home every day, and the same crowd of sorry soles are stood outside fumigating their lungs on a daily basis. Because they can't sit in their designated bar stools to puff away and have to brave the cold, they never smile and wave as I go by. I would not mind, but I always drop a gear to let off a few noises of acknowledgement. Makes me smile
You can't please everyone
Whilst in Germany, I needed the use of a ramp to effect a quick exhaust repair (I'd given it a wallop coming off the ferry). I'd met an english chap in the bar, and he'd given me the address of this garage, so the next day to popped down to see if the chap could help.
Upon arrival, the proprietor immediately came out and ooh'd and ahh'd over the car before getting one of the workshop gimps to remove whatever BMW was currently on the ramps and get mine up there instead. Meanwhile, he got in is car to go and get his mate. I chat to garage staff in broken English/German, drink coffee, smoke fags. Owner returns with his mate, they both ohh and ahh some more and ask lots of questions. Meanwhile the postwoman has turned up, describing it as "the coolest car I've ever seen". Owner's mate is on the phone calling others too.
All in all I was in this garage for about an hour (5 mins work, 55 mins chatting!), but which time most of the population of this tiny village had either popped in, or was waiting outside for it to fire up again. The owner even tried to refuse any payment! (I bunged him 20 Euros anyway).
I fact pretty much everywhere I went that trip (Germany, Holland, Belgium) there was a whole lotta luv for the Cerb.
Upon arrival, the proprietor immediately came out and ooh'd and ahh'd over the car before getting one of the workshop gimps to remove whatever BMW was currently on the ramps and get mine up there instead. Meanwhile, he got in is car to go and get his mate. I chat to garage staff in broken English/German, drink coffee, smoke fags. Owner returns with his mate, they both ohh and ahh some more and ask lots of questions. Meanwhile the postwoman has turned up, describing it as "the coolest car I've ever seen". Owner's mate is on the phone calling others too.
All in all I was in this garage for about an hour (5 mins work, 55 mins chatting!), but which time most of the population of this tiny village had either popped in, or was waiting outside for it to fire up again. The owner even tried to refuse any payment! (I bunged him 20 Euros anyway).
I fact pretty much everywhere I went that trip (Germany, Holland, Belgium) there was a whole lotta luv for the Cerb.
FarmyardPants said:
. Usually that many people watching (let alone clapping) is enough to make your starter motor go into spasm, sounds like you got off lightly There's something about TVR's that bring out the best in people isn't there - they're gorgeous to look at but don't attract the sometimes contemptuous envy that Astons, Fezzas and porkers sometimes bring out in people. I doubt you'd have had a round of applause driving a DB9, say.
There's a certain down-to-earthness about them
It must be something about the happy people in Brighton. Quite a few years back, I was crawling through traffic there and was stopped outside and office where it was obviously fag break time for the girlies. Thought along similar lines (they must think I am a posing twit), but got a chorus of "lets hear it/give it some revs/lovely car" etc. Of course it would have been rude not to oblige and I gave it some beans, but I also felt my face heat up slightly in the process!
Took mine into work today and on the way in passed some schoolkids on bicycles and one shouted out "Look! Tvr!" 
Makes you smile doesnt it?
And then later on at work in the car park I was showing a friend the bloody scratch I'd put on it and a lad came over and said "nice car mate is it yours?" and I of course said "yes", then he replied "nice dodge, dont see many of them around here!" What a :w@nker:!
Makes you smile doesnt it?And then later on at work in the car park I was showing a friend the bloody scratch I'd put on it and a lad came over and said "nice car mate is it yours?" and I of course said "yes", then he replied "nice dodge, dont see many of them around here!" What a :w@nker:!
grahamn said:
optimax sniffer said:
I'm in Belgium for two weeks with the cerb, and it's getting lots of attention. Probably because they don't know what the F
k it is. 
I wish the bloke that hit me up the arse in Spa last year was paying more attention.k it is. 
Glad to see your dry wit is sharpened in readiness for this trip G! 
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