Saying goodbye to chassis 1083

1083 started it all. 

Back in April 2021 when Covid was still the talk of the town and we had to fake covid passports to travel (and proud of it), a dire moment in history to be honest, a Silver Arrow pierced a few hearts. 

Buying an exotic car is an extreme commitment. Buying an exotic car in your 20s is an absolute insanity. Imagine this is not only your first exotic car, it’s your first supercar altogether. And this car is non other than the McMerc. Insanity x3. 

Where were our minds? How did we get here? Looking back I have so many questions. Every normie car enthusiast would line up for a Porsche for the money, new, with warranty … Maybe they got it right, I wonder sometimes. The freedom of owning a brand new car - must be nice. But imagine you’re lucky enough to be in a position to buy your dream car … are you going to play it safe? Or are you going to live your dreams. Yes, exactly. Heart > brain type of a situation. 

I remember having an SLR poster in my room as a kid, next to Fall Out Boy. I grew up with the fantasy that one day I might meet my heroes. I did meet Fall Out Boy and I absolutely got to know the SLR - up close, intimately, you name it. And I didn’t manifest it, like some tiktok-tards. I’m lucky. 

I shed a few tears when I saw you on the delivery truck from the window. “It’s real, I can’t believe it. Just look at it, it’s so beautiful” were my exact words and I remember this moment like it’s just happened. Fell in love on the spot. The SLR is truly a beautiful thing with such a special aura that I’m yet to experience with another car. I had no idea that this car will become such a mainstay in my lifestyle. I had no idea how big of an impact a car can make. Some of you know me from Paris’ SLR, I was here with 1083 way before that. 

The first drive was monumental. The first time I heard the “whine”, omg, one must experience it to understand the feeling. We did Sofia-Plovdiv-Sofia to feel the car and to get to know it better on the highway. There’s such fud that exotics and supercars can’t be driven on BG roads. Bullshit. They were never a problem for the SLR, the Murci, or any modern McLaren. Skill issue, feel free to hate me for saying this. The first stop at the gas station, everyone taking their phones out to take photos and videos. This was also my very first experience with an attention-grabbing car. Literally everyone felt its presence and felt the need to memorise it somehow. The SLR does this to people. Some people came to us and congratulated us for our choice and many came to say the SLR was a dream car and to even see it in person, made their day. To many, it inflicts memories of when TV shows were authentic and unapologetic - the Top Gear challenges and reviews. It certainly comes with a level of nostalgia, which adds layers to the appreciation it receives every time. It’s a show-stopper that unites car communities. We had AMGs and Ms (the final bosses of BG highways) moving out of the way just to let us through and they always give a gesture of appreciation - some even clap. One of the very few instances where their inability to keep up puts a smile on their faces. This car is a hero! No matter your brand preferences, there is no denying in that. 

It’s been a breeze to live with 1083, unlike Paris, she’s a bit problematic from time to time. Getting Paris within a few months after getting 1083 switched the focus entirely on Paris. Like, duh. On one hand you have the perfect example with low milage, on the other - well, The SLR. It’s tough taking out each of them - one is in perfect condition, the other is a pop icon with historical influence and god forbid something bad happens. Really, really tough decision every time an SLR was taken out for a drive. It’s been stressful for a while and that’s something you won’t hear from the car gurus on YouTube. The solution was to part ways with one of them. Why we chose to sell 1083 in its perfect condition? Because believe it or not driving Paris is more chill. You don’t have to worry about milage, it has like 50k km on it, you’re basically free to enjoy the car as it was meant to be enjoyed. There is no pressure to make every km count. Yes, she’s problematic as I said, but not being perfect is what makes her a keeper. Very few of you would understand this, but those who do, you know what I mean by that. Obviously Paris being The SLR also contributed to the final decision, but it really came down to which car made us enjoy driving it more. It was Paris. After theSLRtour : Monaco we just clicked, we forgot it has any significance and we just let Paris do what she does best and it felt like a Top Gear episode.

I hope 1083 will do to its next owner what it did to us. It started a fire. There wouldn’t be Paris in the garage, the Murci, the McLarens … if it weren’t for the 1083. It elevated a passion into a lifestyle. Living with cars, having fun with cars. Buying exotics, owning exotics, maintaining exotics, selling exotics, it’s responsible for where we are today. Selling is part of the ownership and as much as I’ll miss 1083, it’s the right choice and an experience we had to go through. 

Goes without saying we’re very happy with the collection as is and The SLR and the Murci have a solid permanence for the time being. There might be new cars coming in, who knows. Maybe exploring Ferrari, just maybe… 

Thank you, 1083. You were the spark that started a fire.

P.s. I can always look back and watch this video every time I miss you: