Stan’s Toy

Stan has enjoyed his toy, his Mercedes SL 550, for about ten years.  He kept it showroom clean, spit-shined and even put a gloss on the tires.  I loved to watch him put the top town.   When he activated it, the hard top almost magically raised and folded like an accordion and tucked itself away neatly in its compartment.  The process reminded me of the jingle, “Transformers!  More than meets the eye!  Transformers!  Robots in disguise!”  He didn’t drive his SL on a daily basis but took great pleasure going for a drive through north Georgia mountains, taking it on a short road trip or at any other opportunity to put the top down and cruise.  Oh, and handing the key over to a valet on a special dinner night really made him stand tall.

There’s a certain camaraderie among sports car drivers, particularly, SL 550 drivers.  They understand each other.  They give thumbs up to each other with pride, and when they happen to meet up they love to have a long chat about their cars, how they got them, how long they waited to get their toy and how the baby burns up the highway.

The SL is not Stan’s first sports car.  In the way-back, in 1973 he had a 1968 E-type Jag roadster.  It was gun-metal gray with a black rag top.  He kept that car with its famous sleek body style polished like fine steel.  It was absolutely gorgeous — but a piece of crap, especially the electrical system.  Stan worked on that car all week long just so we could gloriously drive it on the weekend!  Stan always said the jag is the most beautiful car you’ll ever see – broken, sitting on the side of a road.

When he first got the SL, 7-year old Tessa, said, I hope he doesn’t drive it like a Corvette-head.  He did.  Of course he did, and had my heart racing and knuckles white many times.  He darted in and out between cars, took the curves with speed and loved to hit the gas to feel the car respond.  I can feel the hair-raising, nerve-wracking sensation right now as I write.  Once we arrived wherever we were going, I’d sometimes need a few minutes to get over my fear and anger before I could even speak to him.  But I have to admit, on the rare occasion I drove the SL, I became a little Corvette-head-y as well.  It was a great car to drive.

Stan sold it last week.  The new owner was excited.  Thrilled! Elated!  It is Jack’s toy now.

Stan is ok.  Yes, he’s taking it well.  I thought I might need to get him in my lap and rock him a while though.  But selling the SL is part of this process.  One more item is now checked off the grand to-do list.  And when we end our days of traveling for months at a time and decide to stay home a little more, Stan’s already planning to own another one.