I never understand the people who talk about the Crossfire being a head turner, or those who say they regularly get comments about the car from people at gas stations or wherever.

Perhaps it is that the car is not entirely uncommon here in the Chicago area, or maybe it's that I live in an area where a lot of people have some very nice cars. Whatever the reason, I don't notice that my car gathers much attention (which I view as a good thing), or that anyone thinks it's anything unique or special.

However, I did feel very complimented today when a friend asked me if I'd give him my key and let him take it for a drive. I was rather surprised and asked him why. His response was that he thought it was a very cool car, he'd heard favorable things about performance and handling... he thought it would be fun.

Why was I surprised? Because this conversation took place in a warehouse where he keeps some of his cars, including 2 Ferraris, a Diablo, a Ford GT40 and a Shelby Cobra.

I gave him the key. Maybe one of these days, he'll toss me the keys to one of his cars.

 

Hmm, I remember I was at 7-11 getting a slurpee when I came outside to see a cute girl around my age checking out my car.

I press the keyfob to unlock the door as I walk towards my car, and I notice her gaze shift between me and the car, and the tension grew untill she finally stammered, "I like your car".

I say, "Thanks"

"So what kind of car is it?"

"It's a crossfire"

"No, I mean who makes it?"

"Oh, it's made by Chrysler"

I could sense her disapointment at this point, and her demeanor changes as she says
"Oh.... I see... well it was nice to meet you., but I've got to get back to work now...."

"Well it's a Merced-- Nevermind."


Chrysler gets no respect around these parts (

 

for the 'next' time...

an accurate statement...

"It was built by Mercedes, for a limited time"

 

I'm not a nitpicker or anything, but the Crossfore was actually built by Karmann in Germany using Mercedes Parts. Karmann also built other Mercedes, Audi's and VW models in the same plant.

 

Not to be a nitpicker or anything, but Karmann was under contract with Mercedes, effectively making the employees at the factory during time of the Crossfire employees of Daimler-Chrysler....Mercedes.

 

I am a nit-picker, and any girl that would snub a beautiful car simply because of the logo on the front, would snub a man when his money ran out.

I think you're the lucky one in this case. Lucky that your involvement with her was limited to one minute.

 

John - I hope at the very least he will let you try out the GT-40 and the Cobra.

 

I tend to want to call it a Karmann Crossfire. They did the work. Chrysler is like the parent that barely cares at all about their kid's well-being, Mercedes is like the dead-beat dad that barely pays child support.

But you're right. He is the lucky one.

 

Maybe it is your area, however I too live in an area which is common with every car imagenable -- Mazzeratti's, Porche, highest end Mercedes, BMW's, Bently's, Ferrari's -- you name it an you'll see it on the roads in the DC area including Maryland and Virginia. Lot's of diplomats and others with tons of money to dump into beautiful cars. Despite that, my Crossfire still get's plenty of attention. While I love that, I hope it doesn't turn into a curse like it may have for others on the Forum that have experienced malicious vandalism.

Good luck getting the keys to the Cobra and the GT40.

 

I've found that it is all dependent on the type of people. There are people who appreciate a good looking ride and are not snobbish. There are people who appreciate a good looking ride and are snobbish. Then, there are people who don't appreciate much of anything.

I've seen people, when my car catches their eye, start smiling and stare at it's beauty. Sometimes, they'll even give a thumbs up, honk, or holler something out the window. These are the people who appreciate a good looking ride and are not snobbish.

I've seen people catch sight of my car and then look away very quickly and won't look back. They act like they're interested in the billboard advertising a real estate agency. These are the ones who were struck by the beauty but couldn't stand it because they weren't driving it.

Then there are those who wouldn't notice if a young Elizabeth Taylor was standing in front of them smiling from ear to ear.

From region to region, people tend to be more one way than the other. Here, in my neck of the woods, I often attract a great deal of attention. Very seldom drive somewhere when someone doesn't yell something from a street corner; from their front yard, etc.

 

I think that's spot on. I always liked people from Kansas. I sat next to a great lady on a plance from Kansas yesterday on my leg back from Chicago. She was from Lawrence.

 

" I could sense her disapointment at this point, and her demeanor changes as she says "Oh.... I see... well it was nice to meet you., but I've got to get back to work now...."

Was her disappointment with your answer... or did you just get closer and she got a better look at you? I find the young women checking out my ride first, but then when they see me (and my gray hair) they lose interest and turn away. A "girl" my own age would not be a girl and would not be very interesting, anyway. LOL

 

LMAO!!!!!!!

 

I've had just the opposite from a couple of people who've responded with "Cool! It's a Mopar!" - to which I respond "There isn't anything Mopar about that car."

 

The GT40 - definitely, that car is a beast! ... which is why I think it's the one he'd be least likely to hand over the keys to. My next choice would be the Diablo.

 

unless you are part of this group, I don't even answer anymore...I just smile, say thanks, and I got to go.....let them wonder....

 

Late on Sunday night at a gas station just south of Detroit, I said 'Hi, cold night' to a man about my own age beside me, he laughed and said ' Just like Canada, that's a beautiful car'.
I laughed as well and told him that it was Chrysler and he told me that he had retired from Chrysler in 2000, he'd spotted my plates and I guess he knew what label was on the car.

 

OMG thats so dead-on true

 

You are correct.... but here is my take.

Mercedes is the dead-beat dad that refuses to believe it is his child. That is worse than not paying child support!

 

Yeah, that's pretty much how they see it.

"Crossfire? No, no, no. We never had anything to do with that. I don't know what you're talking about."
"But you provide parts to Chrysler for it..."
"SO?"