Own (and drive) a piece of history

In late December of last year, a local politician was a victim of a violent crime. While sitting at the intersection of 51st Street and Shattuck, California State Senator Don Perata (D-Oak) noticed a man with a ski mask approach him. Before he knew it, a handgun was pointed at him "gangster style" and he was being asked to remove himself from his vehicle.

Now, this event likely deserved notice here on N&B because of the close proximity of the crime to campus, and to serve as a warning for Boalt drivers who use that intersection to get to the freeway (as I do).

However, I post for a different reason - a reason that equally relates to us here at Boalt, a state funded institution.

You see, that car he was driving was state-owned. And we're not talking about a decommissioned Ford Crown Victoria with the police divider still blocking off the back seat. No, Senator Perata was driving a 2006 Dodge Charger Hemi-powered muscle sedan, decked out with 22" rims. Again, state-owned.

There's so much that can be said here regarding the priorities of state funding during a budget crisis, but I think the readers of this post could fill in any commentary themselves.

Fortunately, the car was recovered in one piece (at Hilltop Mall in Richmond to be specific). Now you can own this car for the low buy-it-now price of $22,300. Check out the link for lots of pictures. Bonus points to the person who can pinpoint the location the pictures were taken.

The price isn't bad without factoring in the value of history. If you're looking for a gas-guzzling muscle car that seats 5 and attracts a lot of attention, here's a decent option. I just don't recommend you drive it through North Oakland.