1971 San Francisco Bay area, cruising El Camino Real in my 61 Lancer wagon with straight axle, 426 wedge, fender well headers, etc. (the car was Isky car of the month in 69 Rod and Custom) Anyway the car was anything but subtle.

2 kids in a 69 Chevelle 396 kept harassing me, trying to get me to race. This went on for several lights until they pulled in front of me and jumped on the brakes at the next light. I'd had enough by then and when the light changed I unloaded the Lancer, went left and around them and passed them as I went into third gear, right past a parked squad car...

Lights came on the squad and I quickly pulled over and stopped, while the Chevelle decided to make a run for it. The squad actually drove past me, realized I'd stopped, locked up the brakes, burned rubber in reverse till he was next to me, pointed and said "stay there" and burned rubber going after the Chevelle. Now I'm sitting there thinking I should just drive away, but sure as heck no one could miss my car, so I figured I better just sit and wait. A few minutes later, two squads come back escorting the Chevelle and they all park behind me.

The police have both us drivers out on the curb going over licenses, inspecting the cars, etc. All the while this is going on, the other idiot keeps mouthing off to the police. The police are getting more and more militant and writing feverishly. I finally walk over to the other driver and tell him to shut his mouth, we're in enough trouble as it is.

They were apparently getting ready to have the cars towed, but when they overheard me talking to the idiot, I guess they decided to cut me some slack. I left with an exhibition of speed ticket (75 in a 35) and a court date. They did tow his car.

I decide to play it smart and wear my dress whites to traffic court. The judge says, you're in service? "yes sir". How do you plead. "Guilty your honor". $125 fine. The courtroom gasped, as till that time the highest fine anyone had gotten was under $60. I was broke for months after paying that darn fine.