I wanted to share my car experiences this week because it was just kinda cool and thought it might be interesting to maybe one person out there.
First a little background. So my company is the leading company for automotive photography. We get in several vehicles a week from Kias to Lamborghinis. Even though I am head of IT/IS and senior digital media specialist, I've still had the opportunity to drive literally over 2500 different vehicles in the last seven years. These drives could be simply around town for a couple of hours all the way up to full on track time. The job is far from any kind of suckness.
Ok. This week we got in just two cars, but they were definitely on the higher end of the scale. One Aston Martin Vanquish S and one Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster. Neither were cleared for track time, but I did get in a couple of hours each of around town time. Drove a Murcielago a couple times before, but never the Roadster. My impressions of the Vanquish were sort of on the negative side. Poor fit and finish. Interior definitely shouted Ford and Jaguar, which I don't consider a good thing, but street characteristics were very nice. Definitely made to be more of a looker than a lap turner. The Lambo, as always, was completely uncomfortable to sit in, but the interior seemed nicer. It's strange to me that the little brother Gallardo's interior is actually much nicer and much more comfortable, but oh well. Street driving characteristing were just kind of rediculous (as was expected). Definitely opposite of the Aston, much more of a lap turner. Both vehicles went back today, but that wasn't before we caused an estimated $30k worth of damages to the Lambo. A 200lbs lightbox dropped directly on it while we were shooting. Dented and scratched the hood and rear decklid. Broke the convertible glass between the seat head supports. Ripped parts of the leather from the seat. Other misc scratches, nicks, and dents. It was the talk of the town at work today. Wish I could put up the insurance pics, but my NDA doesn't allow me to do any other that.
So those drives were all good and well, but that wasn't the thing that really got me excited. I just found out today that this new source of vehicles will be supplying us a Bugatti Veyron in three weeks! You hear that? A Bugatti Veyron! Oh it's only a $1.2M vehicle (not including markup) with 1000hp and isn't even being sold yet. It's going to be one of 3 in the entire US at that time and it will definitely be the most expensive vehicle we've ever worked with. Will I get to drive it? Absolutely not! In fact, only one person will and it will be a trained driver for shoots, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'll put up some impressions of it when it comes in and maybe some pics if I can take them outside of the studio where the NDA wouldn't come into play.
bastard i am envious as hell :mad: :icon_mrgreen: but damn. if you cant post pics, word by word will do lol :bowdown:
Do they need any engineers there? I'd be willing to relocate :kiss3:
I would not complain about a job like that either... even getting the chance to drive a bunch of bottom or middle range cars would be fun to me
As far as the Gallardo having a nicer interior than the Murcielago, I think Audi had a much bigger hand in the design of the Gallardo, and as you probably know Audi has about the best interiors in the business
ps. don't drop any lights on the Veyron :laugh:
Quote from: manofthefield on March 18, 2006, 06:20:13 AMeven getting the chance to drive a bunch of bottom or middle range cars would be fun to me
As the saying goes, driving a fast car fast isn't as fun as driving a slow car fast. Actually, the most fun cars to drive are the cheap ones we can get from press agencies. These are the vehicles that get sent out to magazines and web sites to test and review. You can flog the hell out of them and no one says anything. I remember this Ford Ka for Mexico we shot back in 2001. Gutless as hell, but it was just so much fun.
Quote from: manofthefield on March 18, 2006, 06:20:13 AMAs far as the Gallardo having a nicer interior than the Murcielago, I think Audi had a much bigger hand in the design of the Gallardo, and as you probably know Audi has about the best interiors in the business
It's just a much more livable vehicle. If I had any amount of money in the world to spend on a vehicle, it would probably be that Gallardo or an F430. Both extremely track ready, but completely livable.
Quote from: manofthefield on March 18, 2006, 06:20:13 AMps. don't drop any lights on the Veyron :laugh:
I'm almost certain that they're not going to take any chances hanging ANYTHING over that car. I'm going to have a hard time just getting within viewing distance of that thing, especially if the company that owns it brings in their own security (very common with high-value or pre-release vehicles).
Your serious, you actually get paid to do this?
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on March 18, 2006, 12:35:02 AM
bastard i am envious as hell :mad: :icon_mrgreen: but damn. if you cant post pics, word by word will do lol :bowdown:
+1 :icon_mrgreen:
Oh man, I would love to check out a Veyron in person. It's an amazing, amazing car. I'm very jealous...
-M
We are actually having to raise our insurance coverage for that week the vehicle is in the building. We only cover up to $1M worth of cars at one time. Just found out that they will have one security guard and are bring a professional driver for it. Chances are we wont see it move faster than 5-10 mph. Oh well. It's still going to be nice to see and maybe I can get close enough to touch it. ;)