11 Apr 07
I've not had the chance to do anything spunky or manly, like lassoing a steer from the back of it. I've not even, as some have suggested I might, offered to tarmac people's drives for a surprisingly reasonable sum.
Although the Elegance gets a generally favourable reaction it doesn't please everyone in the current anti-4x4 climate. Taking some pictures of it for this report on Minchinhampton Common, totally minding my own business, a wiry figure in a high visibility jacket came straining up the road on his bike and said, in a very clear and strident voice that was clearly aimed at me: 'Stupid f***ing car.'
Something in me just lost perspective and I found myself chasing this guy up the road (in the L200). Now I'm not of a Bush/Clarkson persuasion on these matters and, if truth be told, hold no brief for middle-class mums bullying their way around suburbia in 13mpg X5s and ML V8s.
However, this grim little bastard in his organic cycle helmet had no idea I was a freeloading journalist: for all he knew I was a farmer running the thing on organic cabbage.
I drew level with him, lowered the passenger window and asked him to repeat what he said. But before he could say anything it occurred to me that by confronting him I was living up to everything he expected of a person who drives a car with chromed roof bars.
