When Marek Eben is mentioned, practically everyone can find a movie, series, fairy tale or even a program where this artist performed. Anyone who takes a closer look knows that Eben has been driving Citroën cars for a long time. But what was he driving before he got to them?
Photo: Citroen
Marek Eben is a well-known lemon drinker. But what did he start with?
And what about other motoring incidents such as a kiss for 50 CZK or helping police officers in need? In short, these are stories written only by life, and Marek Eben willingly shared them with us.
What was the first car you drove? And the first one you owned?
The first car I drove was my dad’s Polski Fiat. It was basically a copy of the Fiat 131, quite a big car and not very reliable. But then dad bought a Renault 5, it was a bargain because that car, we were told, fell off the wagon. However, it served faithfully for many more years and drove beautifully.
Photo: Martin Palonder
The Trabant station wagon was not officially called station wagon, but Universal.
The first car I owned was a Trabant station wagon. I also liked it very much, although spare parts were constantly flowing through it, but they didn’t cost anything. It’s funny, one headlight of my current car costs the same as the whole Trabant cost back then.
Tell us what you got your first driving ticket for?
One of the first fines I got was for a kiss. We went with my then-not-yet-wife to Vary, there was such a steep hill. Traboš didn’t drive more than forty, and Markéta found that it was a good time to kiss. But a policeman was driving behind us, obviously frustrated, he saw it and immediately charged me 50 CZK for not paying attention to driving. I carried those coupons in my car for a long time.
How about a fun motoring story?
I have a bizarre one from the last time – I was returning from a performance in Olomouc at night and before I left the city, two uniformed Han people stopped me and wanted to take a breather, because it was around midnight and they were airing their booty.
Photo: Lukáš Kukla
The policemen in question probably won’t forget Mark’s help.
But they couldn’t get the measuring device to work, so I felt sorry for them. And since I carry my calibrated professional breathalyzer in my car, I offered to at least measure myself with mine, which I did, breathed zero and drove off.
Do you have a really favorite and disliked car?
You know, I’ve had a weakness for citroëns for years. I loved the old C5 Break, it was a station wagon with a not very elegant rear, but when I opened that back door it wasn’t a trunk, it was a cave. That was an unprecedented amount of storage space, and in addition, the comfort that this car offered was simply incomparable. And the unpopular car? I don’t really know, I liked everyone I drove.
Photo: Citroen
The Citroën C5 is marked as a Break in the estate version.
What do you think about motorbikes and bikers?
I understand the passion, but I wouldn’t have the guts to do it. It’s terrible there that you can drive perfectly, but those around you don’t. Or when I think of my nighttime collisions with wildlife – and I’ve had four – I’d be dead on a motorbike after every one of them. I just feel better wrapped in tin.
Have you tested any modern electric cars? What do you say about them?
I’m currently using a plug-in hybrid and it suits me very well because I have a socket at the house, so I charge at home and the petrol helps on long journeys. That is, a large amount of gasoline, because when the battery runs out, Otesánek wakes up under the hood.
But I do all the shorter trips on pure electricity, and of course it’s charming. Too bad it won’t last longer.
Photo: Citroen
Eben currently drives a C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid SUV.
I hope that in time they will develop batteries that can travel for example 800 km, which would be interesting. But the main thing is that the charging infrastructure will improve over time, because so far it’s just one big disaster. Having a pure electric car at the moment would be such an extra stress on my travels that I don’t even think about it. Yet.
Are you interested in general events in the field of motoring? Do you have an overview of the news?
I enjoy cars, like every guy, but I wouldn’t lie in motoring magazines. But if it concerns Citroën, I always read everything.
Photo: Citroen
Marek Eben was also present at the celebration of the brand’s 100th anniversary.
If you could test drive any Czech-made car, whether vintage or modern, which model would it be?
I have never ridden in a Tatraplan. The car always seemed unique to me and certainly ahead of its time. I just wouldn’t want to reverse with it, the two small windows in the back, that’s quite a problem for us who are spoiled as hell with parking cameras.
You certainly don’t know Mark Eben that way, that is, as a distinguished motorist, do you? In any case, you now know that this artist is not only a gentleman on the stage or in front of the cameras, but also in everyday life and behind the wheel. This is also evidenced by the fact that Eben has been the holder of an honorary doctorate (scientific rank) awarded by the prestigious University of Hradec Králové since last year.
2023-07-03 03:02:32
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