When the voice on the phone says “you need to go drive the McLaren”, you go drive the McLaren. When I get these calls from my friend, it reminds me of the line from Ghostbusters, “Ray, when they ask you if you are a God the answer is yes!” When you are asked to drive one of your friend’s exotics, the answer is, yes.
Richard lives in Manhattan and likes esoteric automobiles. I no longer live in Manhattan, but have a two-car garage so I get to house and drive at least one of his rolling art forms from time to time. Also, my house is only about 20 minutes away from the storage facility that has held many of his interesting rides.
It can make for some interesting back to back comparative drives on the beautiful roads of Westchester New York. Hop into the ’92 Acura NSX and roll back in a ’77 Maserati Bora. Set off with the 2002 Vanquish V12 and then slide back up my driveway in the 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti V12.
Richard and I met through business but bonded over cars. Richard appreciates cars as aesthetic and historic elements of design but does not work on them. I slot in somewhere between his interests and a true mechanic. Early on I would “borrow” his 1959 Healey to do work on it for him on weekends, weekends at my summer share rental in the Hamptons. A very nice chore at the shore.
Richard soon followed up the Healey with a brand new 1991 Lotus Elan M100, an Isuzu turbo powered front wheel driven convertible rocket. (haters gonna hate) The Elan was gradually enhanced with many simple choice upgrades including high performance tires, a chip and a stainless steel free flow exhaust. This real man knows how to handle any amount of torque steer.
While the Lotus was still around, a bevy of motors joined the dream team. 1986 928S was added along with a 1966 Jaguar S sedan, then on to a 1977 Maserati Bora, (which got a ground up restoration), a 1970 E-type coupe (of which I was a part owner), a 1972 Lamborghini Espada, a 1992 Acura NSX, a 2001 Isuzu Vehicross (in fly yellow), a 1975 Lamborghini Uraco, a 1977 Lamborghini Countach, a 1978 Maserati Khamsin (weirdest steering I’ve ever encountered), 2002 Audi ALMS Commemorative TT, a 1999 Ferrari 456, a different 928S, a different 1977 Maserati Bora, a 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish, a 2008 Audi R8, a 1982 Collector Edition Corvette (what?), a 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and most recently a 2011 Cadillac CTSV Coupe and a 2017 McLaren 570S and finally, at least for now, a 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish.
Richard truly believes that cars, as beautiful as they are, are cars and cars were meant to be driven, regularly. Lucky for me, astoundingly lucky for me. Exercising the fleet can make for me, a tried and true Car Guy, some moments of bliss.
Thanks for great cars, geography and amazing friends.
Hop into the ’92 NSX and blast back in a Maserati Bora a rolling comparison of mid-engine expressions. Set off with the 2002 V12 Vanquish and then stride back home in the 612 V12 Scaglietti. A pair of front engined V12s approaching ccollector status. Climb into the 2008 R8 that is an extension of your senses and then barrel on back home in the Collector Edition Corvette.
The 2015 Vanquish, his most recent dream car, arrived at the dealer and I went along to “help” him get it back to his storage space.
We rode L.I. Rail Road from Penn Station. Took a cab to the dealership and got the tutorial on this Sexy Beast. Even more so than his 2002 varient of the Vanquish this is truly a pro baller in a Saville row suit.
Richard has owned various combinations of these cars but the fleet has recently culled down to “just” 2015 Vanquish and the 2011 CTS V coupe. Not a shabby brace of used autos. So, when Richard calls my answer is always yes.