Been doing some traveling for business lately, I have one client/customer I'm doing some work for that is financially independent and is very into cars. I've always known of his interest of things that go fast but don't normally talk cars with clients. Anyway, for one reason or another, the topic came up and I told him about my eight 88 Fieros. He got all excited, not because he's a Fiero enthusist but, because he's a car enthusist. He proceded to ask me to join him for dinner on his house boat. Told me where to meet him. Well, this is a very good customer that always treats those he likes well and he likes me. So, I'd be a fool to turn him down.
First thing when I arrive, I meet his very lovely wife who appears to be about my age. Oh, I forgot to mention, this client is in his late seventies to early eighties. Regardless, he takes me on a tour of his new 20 foot wide by 105 foot long house boat. This thing is frickin huge. Enough about the boat, it is a stand alone piece of art with a 28 foot runabout tied up to it for scooting around the lake on.
Next, he wants to show me a few of his toys, so we drive about 30 miles to his son's house. If anyone remember the show "Dallas" with Larry Hagman, well, this house is a duplicate of the home on that show. I mean, an exact duplicate. OK, so we go to his "storage building. In that building was his collection of toys. The first car I saw was an 06 Viper, (I think it was an 06) it had 2000 miles on it but wouldn't start because, it had sat there so long, the battery was dead. The next thing in line was an 07 Harley Sportster, fully dressed, then, two more fully dressed Sportsters, but, I don't know what years, followed by a 1932 Ford, fully restored. Behind that was his ZO6 Vette followed by his Aniversary Vette. I think the Anniversay Vette is an 03 but didn't ask, none of the sports cars had over 3000 miles on them. He asked me if I would like to drive the Z06, I balked at the opportunity, remember, he's my customer and it would not look good to marr the paint on a customers pride and joy. But, I did agree to crawl in and start it up, just to re-charge the battery. No, I didn't drive it.
Next, were one or two more Harleys, I forget. Behind all of that was his new Mercedes 600S, 12 cylinder car. Beside it was a two door Mercedes with the same engine, can't remember what it was because the next thing I know, he throws me the keys to the 600S and says, "Hop in, this car needs driven, I want to show you one other building and what's in it. So, I say OK, I had no idea where we were going but what the heck. We, or should I say, I drive about 20 miles back toward or original point and he has me pull over at a brand new building with a windsock. We go inside and he proceeds to show me his new Euro-Copter, being a former helo pilot myself, he knew I would love it and he was right. Oh yeah, there were two more Harleys in the Hangar. Drove the Merc. 600S back to the spot we picked it up, I've got to say, that was the smoothest riding car I've ever driven. It also cruises very nicely above double digits. I thanked him for the experience and went back to the hotel I was staying at. Today, when I saw him again, he just winked at me and asked if I had a good time driving the Merc. All I could do was grin from ear to ear.
Just had to tell some one. One really fun night!
Thanks for taking the time to read about my evening.
Edited to add: Oh BTW, he told me he has already put a down payment on a new ZR1 Corvette. Was kind of ticked because he had to pay more than list. Such a life, I can only envy.
Ron
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 05-29-2008).]
