There's plenty of "FAIL" to go round here. Obviously on the kid for crashing the car. Even in a '69 Camaro, it takes some effort to crash a car in a residential neighborhood. And "FAIL" for the father. Even if the kid took the keys without permission (which is the vibe I'm getting), dad FAILED to impart a sense of responsibility on his son, and the result was that the kid willingly took the keys, and dad's treasured car for a spin.
At 17, I wouldn't have considered taking either of my parents cars without permission, and they drove a sedan an station wagon.
Being in Jersey, this kid is sure to off with his dad threatening to take away his cell, however not actually doing it. His mom screaming at him, but taking him shopping for a new wardrobe afterward. And then finally, he will still get 6 to 7 years of LaSalle or Arizona State paid in full by his parents... if he makes it that far.
When I was 20 I barely screeched the tires coming around a corner in a deserted parking lot. I got a reckless driving ticket for that. As luck would have it, I was in Georgia and apparently "reckless driving" looks just like a DUI on your record. Fortunately I had an attorney that got me down to 49mph in a 35. I still don't know how that is supposed to work since I was in a parking lot, but whatever.
This kid deserves more. He took a 40 year old piece of history and destroyed someone's property by misusing it. They should wait until he turns 40, then completely wipe his record clean. No education record, no credit history, no job experience. Maybe then he will know the amount of history he managed to destroy in the matter of seconds.
@Duncan345: I've done my fair share of stupid shit and have even ended up between houses riding with someone else that had a brain fart. However we were destroying our own vehicles, not ones we had "borrowed".
To be fair though we did just about end up in somebody's living room. I was not driving, I swear.
See... I'm young (20), and my dad has a 69 Camaro that I drive occasionally... yet the idea of me EVER doing something like that anyplace but a parking lot or deserted 5 lane freeway boggles my mind. Granted it might also help that he's told me multiple times he can always have another kid but it'd take way to much time to get another car like this. Yeah, I love you too dad.
@meng_mao: Yeah if he was my kid I would whip his ass for even contemplating doing it in a parking lot or deserted 5 lane highway. I AM THE FUCKING THOUGHT POLICE!
I might have been lenient if he had instead contemplated getting some tail in the back seat...
@Mad_Science: I bet he was listening to my favorite cover band, Crystal Shit. Milkmen FTW! Heart clicky for you (not sure how I managed to not have so clicked by now)
The worst of all of this is the kids intial reaction to blame it on the car and not his lack of ability. No lesson is learned that way. And of course that damaged clutch probably self repaired itself during the crash. "Son, I am not beating you for the damage, I am beating you for the lie."
I remember when Camaros were used almost entirely for this purpose--showing stupid kids the thrills and drawbacks of trying to show off in a 400-horsepower oxcart. Now that they're revered as high-status automotive art, a whole generation of kids are being deprived of doing really stupid things in really stupid cars. Kudos to the parents that restored the glory days of really setting your kid up for humiliation and extreme grounding. If this kid had a Camry, he would have simply turned to drugs.
07/30/09
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At 17, I wouldn't have considered taking either of my parents cars without permission, and they drove a sedan an station wagon.
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07/30/09
Thanks officer...
07/30/09
There's no way, no way that you came from my loins. Soon as I get home, first thing I'm gonna do is punch yo mamma in da mouth!
07/30/09
This kid deserves more. He took a 40 year old piece of history and destroyed someone's property by misusing it. They should wait until he turns 40, then completely wipe his record clean. No education record, no credit history, no job experience. Maybe then he will know the amount of history he managed to destroy in the matter of seconds.
07/30/09
To be fair though we did just about end up in somebody's living room. I was not driving, I swear.
07/29/09
17 years ago you haven`t used a condom... and 17 years later your stupid son gets your lovely classic car and destroy someones front lawn...
07/29/09
See... I'm young (20), and my dad has a 69 Camaro that I drive occasionally... yet the idea of me EVER doing something like that anyplace but a parking lot or deserted 5 lane freeway boggles my mind. Granted it might also help that he's told me multiple times he can always have another kid but it'd take way to much time to get another car like this. Yeah, I love you too dad.
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07/30/09
I might have been lenient if he had instead contemplated getting some tail in the back seat...
07/29/09
(It's an easier cheap shot than sticking SLR Guy's face on when all you have is MS Paint.)
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07/29/09
What a shame...
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