http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/...est=latestnews

 

$2M 917 replica? Must have a real 917 engine in there. Or "had" one.

 

Such a shame. Mark Hales is a good guy and knows what he's doing. David Piper has a real 917 as well as this car built up from spares (hence, a "replica") Heck, even Kevin Jeannette is quoted in the judgement.

The best summary is Chris Harris' blog post here: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=26990 There's already a fund for Mark, who has to sell his house to pay the judgement and court costs.

I've spent a lot of time driving other people's irreplaceable cars, started doing that before many were valuable (the last 250 GTO I drove had sold for $660,000 not long before. Yes, that was a long time ago, considering they now trade for $35M+) and this is going to put a damper on all of this "throw the keys to a friend" stuff.

I always make (maybe now made) the owners look me in the eye and shake hands with me when I said, "I can't afford to fix it." That's not enough, now...

Sad...

 

that's the saddest part of this story...the rules of engagement have just changed for a lot of people, I think.

 

oh snap!

 

Wow, that sucks!!

 

I don't have millions, but if I let someone drive my car I know that I am financially responsible. If I don't trust the person then I shouldn't hand over the keys. This Piper guy is an A$$ and should be shunned. I hope he gets the cold shoulder from every "car guy" he meets. Putting someone out of their home over an engine, no matter how expensive, shows someone with completely wrong priorities.

 

^ What he said + 1 Million. However, I wouldn't drive something I couldn't fix.

 

I second that thought. Also, $100,000 in legal fees, but "only" $76,000 in damages

 

The guy is a A hole, 65,000 is maintenance money on a 917 engine. He wants everyone to see his toys but when it gets broken he throws a fit and somones gonna pay. He,s not a car guy, just another dick with money.

 

Sure seems like BS on Piper's part, I agree, and only the lawyers make out like bandits (as usual). However, the court sided with him, so perhaps there is more to the story?

 

I'm shure there was business component to this deal and yes the driver may have been legally responsible for damages. But its chump change to this guy and his actions change the climate for a lot of people and takes out some of the fun. I will never get to drive a 917, but I can get a taste of the experience through the writings of a good journalist. I hope this does not change.

 

I'm not a lawyer but I agree, there has to be more to this story. Not only why he lost in court but also his attorney fees. It's hard to imagine fees would be more than the judgement... UNLESS Piper was originally asking for way more money and "only" got $76K (which would be a partial "victory" for Hales). And going up against a rich plaintiff for 3 years could get very very expensive.

 

moral of the story....

think twice about driving your students cars. it may cost you plenty.

 

Thats the shame of this, Why do I always have to think twice.