This potential near miss reminds me of a scary situation I had in my 1972 Series III OTS:
It was the summer of 1982 in Munich on a gorgeous summer Saturday. I was simply cruising the streets of this beautiful city with the top down. I had turned down a typical near side street and after a few blokes had to slam on the brakes when a pedestrian jumped in front of me. It was fortunate the narrow street forced me to be going only about 20. I had no sooner come to a complete stop and was drawing a calming breath than the idiot jumped into the passenger seat. He was rambling and extolling the virtues of the Jaguar E-Type. He was wearing filthy jeans, a torn shirt and hadn�t had any acquaintance with a barber or shower in far too long. He begged for a ride. No amount of cajoling or demanding would dislodge my newly acquired, unwanted hippy passenger.
After several minutes of questioning I finally pulled from him that he was bound for the main train station. I figured the sooner I got him there the sooner he would leave. To me, it seemed to take forever to get there � but it was probably only a 20 minute drive. Fortunately, he kept up the conversation with questions and glowing comments on the E-Type.
When we arrived, he pulled his scuffy backpack into his lap and said he owed me for the ride. He asked if I did any drugs. NO. He asked if I smoked. NO. He asked if I drank liquor. While the answer was Yes, I did not want anything from this guy. Each offer was accompanied with the offer of teh item in question – that backpack held more than it appeared it could. Oddly, he then asked if I was a member of a religious cult or some such. I was simply a young Army captain with a high-level security clearance who was getting more and more anxious by the minute. He then pulled a very expensive camera that he offered me for $100. Gee, I wonder where he came up with that little gem?!?
As his litany of offerings continued, I was getting less anxious and more nervous which quickly evolved into fear. I did notice a police car parked just across the street but the distance and reaction time seemed too distant/long for much comfort.
Having struck out on several fronts, his final offer was to see if I wanted to buy his switchblade. When he flicked the blade into the open position, I nearly bolted from the car (my left hand had been resting on the door handle since I had parked in front of the train station). I demurred. Finally, he existed my Jag and disappeared into the station � likely in search of another small, easily concealed, expensive item.
I knew it had been an ordeal and that I was shaken, but when my knee buckled putting in the clutch, I knew the extent of my emotions.
I continued my cruising but the sun seemed much brighter and the day much warmer.
Craig----- Original Message -----
From: “L. Lynn Gardner” lgardner28@cableone.net
Date: Monday, April 5, 2004 3:59 pm
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Ultra Rare E-Types
I don’t know that there is any moral to this but my wife and I
were
getting into my '73 2+2 and this guy comes over, well I’m thinking
he’s
admiring the car when he asks me if I can give him a lift, at this
point, actually a few moments earlier, I realize that this guy
looks
pretty unsavory. I tell him I’m sorry but there isn’t any room and
drive away. As I’m driving away I notice that there was a Boise PD
across the street watching. Probably nothing but I sure got some
strange vibs from that guy and I am a little more careful and
observant
about people who are interested in my E type.
Lynn G
On Monday, April 5, 2004, at 03:15 PM, chuck goolsbee wrote:Upon approaching home, a strange character
turned around in the road and came up behind me honking his
horn,
waving
his hands and flashing his lights! Instantly recognizing the
signs of
crazy Jaguar nut, I pulled over and sure enough it was one–
Steven!
heh… how many of us, seeing Steven behaving in the described
manner
in our rear-view mirrors would just floor it and make a hasty
get-away? =)–
–chuck goolsbee
65ots, 1E10715
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