Trying to sneak in the back way into the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance because we forgot our media passes like idiots, we ran into a gentleman who said he was “with Mercedes.” This is the real, actual conversation that followed between The Gentleman, Matt Hardigree, Nicole Conlan, and myself. [UPDATE: He wrote back!]
Matt Hardigree: We’re media, try to guess who we are!
Gentleman: I have no idea.
Matt Hardigree: Jalopnik!
Gentleman: I don’t know it.
Matt Hardigree: Who are you here with?
Gentleman: I’m with Mercedes. I do Mercedes classics.
Me: Really? I’ve been thinking of a story about a Mercedes classic, the Mercedes SSK from the 1920’s. Do you know about it?
Gentleman: I do not. I only know about the 300SL Gullwing and Roadster.
Me: Oh.
Matt Hardigree: What cars do you drive?
Gentleman: I have a Mercedes SLS. I also have a Ferrari, and a Ghia.
Matt Hardigree: Cool! A Ghia! What kind?
Gentleman: It’s very rare. Less than 100 made. It was the Rat Pack car.
Matt Hardigree: You mean Dean Martin and all those guys?
Gentleman: Yes, they all got one. Except for Sammy.
Me: Uh, except for Sammy?
Gentleman: He did FINE.
Me: Um, sure.
Matt Hardigree: So, where you from?
Gentleman: Denver.
Nicole Conlan: Oh, I’m from Denver! Where in Denver do you live?
Gentleman: The Four Seasons.
Matt Hardigree: ...
Nicole Conlan: ...
Me: ...
And thus concludes the most Pebble Beach conversation at Pebble Beach.
UPDATE: The gentleman in question wrote me an email and seems to be nonchalant and amused.
To: Ballaban
Subject: Walk thru Pebble
[REDACTED] of Mercedes Benz saw this today and knew it was me. Funny.
I’ll assume all of your gang found their way to the field.
Contact the author at ballaban@jalopnik.com.
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