Superchief Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 First of all, I am spitting mad and if I could find a certain person, I would put them in the hospital ….also- sad and disappointed in myself. I guess I feel like it's my fault...how could I be so stupid. I guess I am going to tell you my story, in hopes that it may help someone else avoid my mistake. I own a Black Shelby GT500 Convertible. I decided early on to customize it with Shelby and Ford Performance parts only, and to date I am very happy with all of my mods. The most notable mods are the Ford Racing suspension, the Shelby Chrome wheels, the new BF Goodrich tires and the Carol Shelby Autograph signature with vin. Of course the cobra emblems and Ford Racing exhaust chrome tips help make the car very distinctive. But I now realize that with all of this distinction comes extreme jealousy with some low lifes. For this I am mad and sad and disappointed in myself. The story: Friday, August 22, … It was a spotty rainy day, but it cleared up around 6pm. I decided to take out the car with clear skies and dry streets. My wife and I were going downtown to the new Four Seasons Hotel to check out the eighth floor outside bar and restaurant that looked over the riverfront. We were checking this out, because we wanted to find a fun and unique place for tomorrows Bruce Springsteen concert . When we pulled up, we received immediate attention by the head bellhop and manager. The manager said he would park my car upfront and keep an eye on it. Fast forward two hours, …as I was walking toward the front door, I heard security talking about a Mustang. I told them I have one parked in front. They told me we have a problem with your car. A young white male, approximately 25 years old went up to your car and sprayed a bottle of beer in your car. Yes, my top was down and the dash, vents, radio, Shelby plaque, seat, wheel, some front carpet were hit with beer. I saw Joe Buck and Joe Edwards who immediately upon my arrival… told me that they had witness the event, and could identify the man. They searched the area and we could not find the person. I am left with a cleanup to be preformed. It could have been worse…like keying, or dents etc…but I just thought I would pass on some thoughts… -Don’t trust anyone to watch your car as good as yourself -Don’t leave your top down in a public place…in seconds you can be vandalized -Some people do not know the golden rule I started the cleanup tonight as of 1:00am and will make it right again…but I have learned a lesson that my enjoyment is a torture to others. Why does a person do such a thing…what do they gain…to they laugh and feel enjoyment?? I don’t know…. As I pulled in my driveway, I noticed that I just turned 3800 miles. To all that have read this post…I am sorry about the length but It has help me to share this experience. I am not mad anymore. I will make her right again…I will not dwell and be consumed with this evil act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SGT1977 Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I don't have a GT 500 but I have a convertible too. I am sorry for your troubles and hope that it can all be cleaned up with no permanent damage. Thanks for the head's up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superchief Posted August 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I don't have a GT 500 but I have a convertible too. I am sorry for your troubles and hope that it can all be cleaned up with no permanent damage. Thanks for the head's up! I think it will be fine...I will start to detail later today ... taking my time... Thanks for your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRQuarto Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I feel your pain bud....I had that same sick feeling when I came out and found my car keyed. Once it is cleaned up and past, you will be back to being perfectly content, but at the same time you will never treat your car the same way...you will always be even more protective of it. Good to know that he didn't do worse, even though what he did was still pretty crappy and gutless.+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sorry to hear that some dirtbag had to do this to your car. I hope the clean up goes well for you. I'm sure it will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stsltd Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Very sorry to hear of your experience last night - its truly sad that some people have no respect for others and their property - before my car came in, I had read a number of threads where guys were saying they never leave the car with the top down and I remember thinking they were pretty paranoid bunch - however, once my car arrived and you see the attention it gets, I too follow that rule, even when I am only going to be somewhere a few minutes...always parking farther out ( much to my wifes dismay), leaving the car home sometimes when I am not comfortable where it ill be parked, etc While I am sure it will clean up fine, its unfortunate in that if you are like me, this is a memory of your car that you will most likely never forget - grateful that it was not more physical damage - keying, cutting the top (the one I am waiting for), stealing the car itself.... On the other hand, if your weather has been like ours, you have a great opportunity to take a fantastic car out, with the top down and make a lot more great memories, and hopefully push this one back in to the far reaches. Probably a good thing you did not find the guy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3railbank Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 For some of the legal types here- suppose he or any other owner witnesses the vandalism of their vehicle; who will be held responsible for shall we say an "on the spot" correction. Obviously, there is no direct threat to one's person, but getting the LEO's there before the bad guy takes off is unlikely as well. I am no advocate of violence as I have to clean up the human damage left behind, but I am sure there are some here that will gain some satisfaction through more direct means. Will those be the one coming out on the bad end? Just wondering with all the stories about these things happening to our cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfarmdog Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sorry to hear about the incident. I have been to frequent car shows where people let their kids crawl all over the cars and have seen adults get in the cars. One of the last shows I was at a person was detained for the police by local security because he had gotten into several cars and appeared to be going through the glove compartments and consoles. People just don't have any consideration anymore... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 The guy who did that to your car will pay, some day, one way or the other. Always guaranteed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_KR Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 The guy who did that to your car will pay, some day, one way or the other. Always guaranteed. I totally agree, its called KARMA, and he'll get his.. Good luck with the clean-up, and yes, it could've been much worse.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I totally agree, its called KARMA, and he'll get his.. I'm a big believer in karma. That jerk will get his paid back big time. Your vert will be cleaned up to perfection and that a** will still have nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch40 Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sounds like Prius owner to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri Leicht Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 People just have no respect for themselves or any else nowadays. Very sad. Sorry about your car but you will get it cleaned up perfectly and be happy and the other slob will just continue living his miserable low life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of GT Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I'm reminded of a T-shirt that I saw on a really drunk person once... "INSTANT ASSHOLE, JUST ADD ALCOHOL" It's safe to assume that the A-Hole that sprayed your interior was drunk and belligerent which is the worst type of drunk to have to deal with. I'm sorry to hear this happened to your car, but at least the damage was not costly or permanent. You may need to leave the top down in the sun for a couple of hours in order to get that nasty dryed beer smell out of the carpet, and maybe even a couple of squirts of Fabreeze too. Lesson learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superchief Posted August 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Guys thanks for all your support. One question...the buttons are sticking alittle on the Shaker 1000. They are alittle gumed up. Slow to bounce back after pushed. Should I give it some time to dry...I thought about some compressed air from a can. Any thoughts. Thanks, SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBRA SCOTTY Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR VANDALISM. I HAVE AND O8 GT500 VERT AND WILL TAKE YOUR ADVISE AND CLOSE THE TOP FROM NOW ON. THIS IDIOT WILL PAY ONE DAY FOR HIS OR HER ACTIONS AND THE KARMA THAT WILL FOLLOW THEM WILL BE HELL TO PAY. HOPE YOUR CLEAN UP GOES WELL AND THAT YOUR CAR IS BACK TO IT'S OLD SELF ONCE AGAIN. SCOTTY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyman Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Guys thanks for all your support. One question...the buttons are sticking alittle on the Shaker 1000. They are alittle gumed up. Slow to bounce back after pushed. Should I give it some time to dry...I thought about some compressed air from a can. Any thoughts. Thanks, SC I would try contact cleaner, unless someone knows better. Sorry about the car. I have two verts so I can relate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of GT Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Guys thanks for all your support. One question...the buttons are sticking alittle on the Shaker 1000. They are alittle gumed up. Slow to bounce back after pushed. Should I give it some time to dry...I thought about some compressed air from a can. Any thoughts. Thanks, SC If the buttons are sticking or are slow to pop back, unfortunately they won't get better as they get drier, they will get sticker. That's because of the sugar (yes, beer has sugar in it) that's left after the water has evaporated away. The problem in trying to clean those buttons is that you must be very careful on what you use to clean them with. Some (most, all?) alcohol based cleaners could mare the black plastic turning it white or grey. Even usuing canned air might be a challange because those cans have petrolum based hydrocarbons in them too, and besides that I don't think that just blowing air into the button's crevices will resolve the problem anyway. WD40 MIGHT work, but again, just be careful of how the plastic reacts to it. You could consider trying an aersol eletronic contact cleaner, but just be sure that it won't discolor the black plastic. The bottom line is that you may have to do a spot test to see how the plastic reacts to whatever cleaner you decide to use. But the buttons won't get better unless you clean them with something. You may even have to resort to having the radio pulled out and dismantled in order to get it cleaned properly. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slabo Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 That is very crappy. Sorry you couldn't just have a nice outing without someone messing it up. I just picked up a black vert. and I have been very protective of it. I thought something like this was possible given the a-holes running around. Just spent a week on the road and we put the top up even when just running in for a quick burger. Thanks for the warning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRQuarto Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 If the buttons are sticking or are slow to pop back, unfortunately they won't get better as they get drier, they will get sticker. That's because of the sugar (yes, beer has sugar in it) that's left after the water has evaporated away. The problem in trying to clean those buttons is that you must be very careful on what you use to clean them with. Some (most, all?) alcohol based cleaners could mare the black plastic turning it white or grey. Even usuing canned air might be a challange because those cans have petrolum based hydrocarbons in them too, and besides that I don't think that just blowing air into the button's crevices will resolve the problem anyway. WD40 MIGHT work, but again, just be careful of how the plastic reacts to it. You could consider trying an aersol eletronic contact cleaner, but just be sure that it won't discolor the black plastic. The bottom line is that you may have to do a spot test to see how the plastic reacts to whatever cleaner you decide to use. But the buttons won't get better unless you clean them with something. You may even have to resort to having the radio pulled out and dismantled in order to get it cleaned properly. Good luck. I really don't want to suggest this...as I am not sure how it would work.... You could try this stuff: http://www.teamtrinity.com/shop/item.asp?item=4449 Its used to clean off nitro powered R/C cars. I use it on mine, and a LOT of the components on it are electric and a lot are plastic. I've never had an issue with it discoloring anything or causing something to not work. It dries almost instantly too. Does all that mean it won't discolor the type of plastic on the face plate to your Shaker? I don't know....but I do know that if you try to clean it with ANYTHING liquid based, please disconnect your battery first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRocks1 Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sorry to hear that...as someone has previously said, good thing you didn't catch the person. I am very protective of my SGT and I know that if something bad was to be done to her I would go APE $#!*........jealousy......what a MF!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montgt500ss Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 First of all, I am spitting mad and if I could find a certain person, I would put them in the hospital ….also- sad and disappointed in myself. I guess I feel like it's my fault...how could I be so stupid. I guess I am going to tell you my story, in hopes that it may help someone else avoid my mistake. I own a Black Shelby GT500 Convertible. I decided early on to customize it with Shelby and Ford Performance parts only, and to date I am very happy with all of my mods. The most notable mods are the Ford Racing suspension, the Shelby Chrome wheels, the new BF Goodrich tires and the Carol Shelby Autograph signature with vin. Of course the cobra emblems and Ford Racing exhaust chrome tips help make the car very distinctive. But I now realize that with all of this distinction comes extreme jealousy with some low lifes. For this I am mad and sad and disappointed in myself. The story: Friday, August 22, … It was a spotty rainy day, but it cleared up around 6pm. I decided to take out the car with clear skies and dry streets. My wife and I were going downtown to the new Four Seasons Hotel to check out the eighth floor outside bar and restaurant that looked over the riverfront. We were checking this out, because we wanted to find a fun and unique place for tomorrows Bruce Springsteen concert . When we pulled up, we received immediate attention by the head bellhop and manager. The manager said he would park my car upfront and keep an eye on it. Fast forward two hours, …as I was walking toward the front door, I heard security talking about a Mustang. I told them I have one parked in front. They told me we have a problem with your car. A young white male, approximately 25 years old went up to your car and sprayed a bottle of beer in your car. Yes, my top was down and the dash, vents, radio, Shelby plaque, seat, wheel, some front carpet were hit with beer. I saw Joe Buck and Joe Edwards who immediately upon my arrival… told me that they had witness the event, and could identify the man. They searched the area and we could not find the person. I am left with a cleanup to be preformed. It could have been worse…like keying, or dents etc…but I just thought I would pass on some thoughts… -Don’t trust anyone to watch your car as good as yourself -Don’t leave your top down in a public place…in seconds you can be vandalized -Some people do not know the golden rule I started the cleanup tonight as of 1:00am and will make it right again…but I have learned a lesson that my enjoyment is a torture to others. Why does a person do such a thing…what do they gain…to they laugh and feel enjoyment?? I don’t know…. As I pulled in my driveway, I noticed that I just turned 3800 miles. To all that have read this post…I am sorry about the length but It has help me to share this experience. I am not mad anymore. I will make her right again…I will not dwell and be consumed with this evil act. I'm Really Sorry to hear this... But as a rancher we have ways to fix these little problems in life. They start off as a calf at birth and end up as a steer...... We all work our AS# off to make our bills and have some fun with our toys and some white trash dose this. JUST WRONG.... TIMES ARE HARD ENOUGH....... He (the kid that did this) sounds and acts like an EX WIFE.............................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharabi Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Once she is cleaned up and the trouble behind you will enjoy her again....sorry for what you have been through...do not let it get to you. we all are exposed and vulnerable to some lowlife tries to change the way we live. The spirit is not to let them succeed and to continue with our life style no matter how hard they try to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstrong Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Guys thanks for all your support. One question...the buttons are sticking alittle on the Shaker 1000. They are alittle gumed up. Slow to bounce back after pushed. Should I give it some time to dry...I thought about some compressed air from a can. Any thoughts. Thanks, SC Make sure the power is off. Mild solution of soap/water. Use Q-Tips to carefully clean the buttons with a little soap/water solution. Just dampen the Q-Tip a little. Use a dry one after you wipe the button. Let Dry. Test with power. Repeat from power off if some buttons still stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCStangFanatic Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 I am very sorry that this has happened to you. I hope the cleanup goes well and there are no signs that this ever happened. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherpa Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 i have a 996 vert also and i can understand what had happened to u. in this world we live in there will always be haters. even if u live in a nice neighborhood, haters will still come by and do their thing. they just dont care or have any respect. somehow i feel they do this to let people know that being rich or well off is what you get or something. maybe this could be some punk kids and while there is no excuse for it, everywhere u go will always have those punk kids. i have learned in the past to be low key as possible. sure we drive a noticeable car but i have always try to be low keyed as possible like not valet-ing, do the self park thing and park in a corner or something. always have my top up and lock everything. always never leave anything out in plain sight so people can target. and etc and etc. to be honest, i rarely take the 500 out and park it somewhere or i know i'll be away from her. i take her out to places i know or i can see her at all times and i take her out on drives only. i know we shouldn't be dictated on how or when we can drive our cars by these thugs but this is reality and i take measures like what i have said. well, so sorry to hear but i think u know what to do in the future now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DubbsFaris Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 well, so sorry to hear but i think u know what to do in the future now. Yup, start carrying a taser... After you shoot that SOB and jolt him to the ground, hopefully you hit his privates, make sure you let off the taser while you are making contact with his head off your foot....you don't want to jolt yourself...but remember to keep jolting him so he cant do anything but wimper his apologies...I guess you can let him go when the battery goes dead... If the cops show up, you were trying to detain the perp and he came after you. Even if there are witnesses, you aren't open to prosecution if YOU thought you were in danger. Make sure you call his mother a name or something to get him to face you when you fire...you dont want the darts sticking in his back. That looks offensive in posture. Im not a violent person, but im no pushover either....most of us went to extreme lengths to get these cars...and know if I saw someone do that to anyone's car, they aren't walking away unscathed... We try to bring all sorts of info to our members here! You got the backing of Team Shelby, and if things get rough, BVM has your back...fogetaboutit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfarmdog Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 I really don't want to suggest this...as I am not sure how it would work.... You could try this stuff: http://www.teamtrinity.com/shop/item.asp?item=4449 Its used to clean off nitro powered R/C cars. I use it on mine, and a LOT of the components on it are electric and a lot are plastic. I've never had an issue with it discoloring anything or causing something to not work. It dries almost instantly too. Does all that mean it won't discolor the type of plastic on the face plate to your Shaker? I don't know....but I do know that if you try to clean it with ANYTHING liquid based, please disconnect your battery first. I may have to try this stuff on a camer I dumped a whole route 44 cherry limeaide on. It has never been the same despite spending $500 on cleaning. Similar situation as yours I guess. buttons stick so it does not work right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewheelman Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Man, that just sucks! I've driven convertibles (almost) daily for the past 36 years and have only 2 acts of vandalism. One night after church, while I was making the bus run, someone tried to break into my '91 LX 5.0 5 speed and cut the top right behind the side window. They cut right on a top frame member and were unable to get into the car. A new top made everything right. The second act is similar to yours. My son was at swim practice one afternoon after school and some kids dumped a quart of chocolate milk into his 1973 Jensen Healey.....now that was a mess! Not nearly as sticky as beer, but just as stinky! We cleaned milk out of that car literally for years! Here's my advice, take your car to a good local carpet steam cleaner and let him go over the floor mats and carpet. You'd be amazed at what those guys can get out--I know, I own a carpet cleaning business! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiaCobra Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 For some of the legal types here- suppose he or any other owner witnesses the vandalism of their vehicle; who will be held responsible for shall we say an "on the spot" correction. Obviously, there is no direct threat to one's person, but getting the LEO's there before the bad guy takes off is unlikely as well. I am no advocate of violence as I have to clean up the human damage left behind, but I am sure there are some here that will gain some satisfaction through more direct means. Will those be the one coming out on the bad end? Just wondering with all the stories about these things happening to our cars. I'm not 100% sure what you're asking here. Are you saying that sometimes "street justice" would be the way to go? Perhaps but with the way things are now-a-days........ I did have the satisfaction once of catching 3 kids at 2:30am who decided to damage my daily driver. One spent the night in jail, the other two had to buy new underwear !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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