My Old Car
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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.
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About 4-5 years ago my wife and I were on a Caribbean cruise. One evening at dinner on a table for 6 with 2 other couples who had all first met on the cruise, where dinner places are set at random, were discussing hobbies. When the conversation got round to me I said that I used to restore vintage cars. In reply to a query 'what cars' I said that the first car I restored was an old French car and I doubted that they would have heard of the name - 'It was a Delage'. One of the ladies on the table (Rita) said 'I've heard of a Delage - I've had a ride in one! I knew the owner'. I said 'What was his name, John Perrot?'. Rita replied 'Yes I used to work for John, I was his personal assistant!'
John Perrot was the guy to whom I sold the car over 30 years prior to this event. I suspect there are about 20-30 Delage cars left in the UK and of the model I sold there are probably less than 6! They were built from about 1910 to about 1950 when the company ceased trading. John lived in Wimbledon at the time I lived in Hertfordshire. What are the chances?
Date submitted:Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:08:20 +0000Coincidence ID:4514
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