CUPERTINO, CA - It appears that capturing snapshots of Steve Jobs' Mercedes SL55 AMG parked in a handicapped spot at One Infinite Loop is quickly becoming one of the ultimate "must have" photos on a tour of "The Mothership". Apple cult fanatics have worked up quite an obsessive appetite for the unexplained mysteries surrounding the now infamous Jobsmobile. A car that may be reaching icon status as rapidly as the iPhone did. Is this the beginning of a new spectator sport?
Several theories and gobs of speculation have been tossed around, but the fact is, there's no concrete proof that truly explains how Jobs is able to travel on California highways without a license plate or why he allegedly parks in handicap spaces on the Apple campus. Serving only to add vigor to his "bigger than life" persona. These so called mysteries surrounding the Jobsmobile are reaching mythical proportions among Apple faithful convinced that Jobs is an immortal.
That might explain why Esquire Magazine
named Steve Jobs one of the "75 Most Influential People of the 21st
Century" in their 75th Anniversary Edition. Esquire commissioned artist
Dominic Wilcox, who created “The Immaculate Threads”
art installation featuring the iconic wardrobe and spectacles of Steve
Jobs sealed inside of clear iPod like containers. A tongue-in-cheek
reinforcement of Jobs as God, creator of the jesus phone in a work of
art imitating life. At first look I found it easy to imagine a fresh
set of iPod-like wardrobe containers being delivered to Jobs each
morning on his closet
conveyor belt. I want to believe.
Expect to see even more photos surface with people pictured in front of Jobs' Mercedes holding up iPhones and iPods while flashing the peace sign, like they were posing in front of the Batmobile. It won't be long now before Apple installs a set of velvet ropes and a daily security detail around the Jobsian surface craft denying visitors any photo opportunities at all. That's what I would do.
Though it might better serve Apple to start parking the Jobsmobile inside a custom designed hanger, charging visitors seven dollars each to gawk at the famed vehicle as long as they choose. Why not add a set of high quality, aluminum bleachers and concessions to serve the masses. Factoids and trivia about Steve Jobs, Apple, Inc. and the Jobsmobile could be sent via text to every iPhone. Of course photographs would cost extra. Step right up folks!
[Jobsmobile photos by Lode Vermeiren]
He parks in a regular spot whenever he is there early. He could have a private covered spot, I am sure, , but he is NOT a douche.
Again. It is private property, he parks there when he gets in a little late, and trust me, its a hike for a good spot after 10 AM.
If you had a Handicapped spot in your garage, and your friend parked there, would you Tow? I bet you would.
I also drove my AMG ( Thanks Steve : )) without a plate for 2 years, out of pure procrastination, though Steves secretary drove a Bentley for a while.
I should have been a Secretary!
Posted by: Top Secret | December 22, 2009 at 10:22 PM
He parks there because he interprets the sign literally.
The sign denotes parking for the chairman.
Posted by: Tim | September 25, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Upon further research, Jobs had a problem with people stealing his license plates off his car so the state gave him a special scan-able plaque that is displayed on his windshield. As for the handicap parking, Jobs has had numerous health issues over the years and it is not beyond reason to believe he has a permit. Sometimes the handicap identifier is placed on the license plates which Jobs has frequently stolen so it must be part of his car's barcode.
Honestly? The guy gives us an alternative to Microsoft and we're following him around looking for any reason to crucify him. Next time you accomplish something with your life, let Steve jobs kick you in the nuts so its even.
Posted by: Josh | October 09, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I use a "gentle reminder" when I see a car parked in a handicapped parking spot without a placard or plates - I put a copy of the application form for disabled parking under the windshield wipers. If it's someone who is disabled, but forgot to put up their placard, they've been reminded without confrontation. If it's someone who is disabled, but doesn't know how to get plates, they now know, and know the legal criteria. And if it's someone who shouldn't be parking there, they've been gently rebuked.
BTW, I am a wheelchair user.
Posted by: JD_Denver | October 06, 2008 at 07:01 PM
>IMO, If he'd stop being a douche and parked in a normal spot and walked a few extra feet each day he probably wouldn't look so unhealthy.
You think walking few extra feet will help him recover from a pancreas cancer and surgery consequences … ?
I don't stand him for his behaviour, but try not to be such an asshole …
Posted by: sonyc | October 04, 2008 at 03:10 AM
I never thought of being rich as a handicap... perhaps a form of mental illness.
Posted by: Russ | October 03, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Doesn't matter if it's private property, you can get ticketed and/or towed for parking in a handicapped spot. I doubt anyone cares enough at Apple to make a big deal about it though.
IMO, If he'd stop being a douche and parked in a normal spot and walked a few extra feet each day he probably wouldn't look so unhealthy.
Posted by: Mark | October 01, 2008 at 11:09 PM
its private property. he won't get a ticket. typically the security guards would call a tow truck but apple security guards know its Steve's car and do not call it in.
as far as the plate, i too drove for 3 years with no plate on my new mercedes and never got pulled over. Police must think its a brand new car and dont really trip
Posted by: William | October 01, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I had friends who worked at Apple back in the old days, and even back then, he was parking in the handicapped parking spaces. He considered the ticket price part of the cost of driving.
Posted by: Paula | October 01, 2008 at 11:56 AM