steve-reeves-2.jpg Hercules had a car?

Well, sorta.

Legendary bodybuilder Steve Reeves became a world famous movie star with the 1958 Italian film Fatiche di Ercole, Le, known in the U.S. as Hercules.

Reeves inspired thousands, from Sly Stallone to Arnold S. to, well, me.

Stallone saw Reeves in a movie, came out of the theatre pumped up, and decided right then and there to become fit.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote, “Steve Reeves is a great man and has contributed much to the sport of bodybuilding. Steve was a great inspiration to me.”

Lou Ferrigno said, “After seeing Goliath and the Barbarians, I decided to start bodybuilding and look like Steve.”

When I wanted to get fit, I imagined what I might look like as Steve Reeves. So I had Nerissa photoshop my face on steve-reeves-joe.JPG Steve’s body. (See above pic. Left click on it to enlarge.)

I’ll never look exactly like Steve Reeves (nobody will), but the “vision tool” helped inspire me to take action, enter seven fitness contests, and lose eighty pounds.

Steve was 6’1, 215 pounds and won several contests, including Mr. America. His natural approach to fitness and the classic physique remain valid, though most people seeking muscle today are seeking mutant size gains at the expense of health.

hercules.jpg

Not Reeves.  He was anti-steroid, all natural, and very humble, honorable and hard-working. 

I never met Reeves. It’s a major regret. I have books by and about him, including some very scare and expensive biographies, such as the rare Steve Reeves: Worlds to Conquer.

When I wanted to train with a legend, I went to Frank Zane, as Reeves was long gone.

But recently I heard Steve Reeves’ car was for sale. Since I’ve become pretty good at attracting cars, I decided to go for it.

It’s a 1977 Jaguar XJS, V-12, silver, with only 56K miles on it.

steve-reeves-1977-jag-xjs.jpg

Story is Reeves went into a showroom in Beverly Hills in 1977, saw the car and asked to buy it.

He was told no, (How do you tell Hercules no???) that the car was on hold for actor Rock Hudson.

Reeves said he knew Hudson was out of the country shooting a movie, and said to sell the car to him and get another for Hudson.

The salesman agreed. (Again, how do you tell Hercules no???)

Reeves bought the car and kept it until his death in 2000.

It’s been sitting in a garage ever since.

The man who has the car is in charge of Reeves estate. He wanted to show the car at the upcoming Steve Reeves Film Festival, but needed to make room in his home for another car he bought for himself. He was finally thinking of selling it.

I sensed a win-win-win opportunity brewing in the air…

I asked him to let me buy the car, but said he could keep it for the festival and I’d pick it up after it.

Furthermore, I added, fix the car up, repaint it, and make it something Reeves would be proud of and his fans would love to see. I said I would gladly pay to have the car restored to showroom condition.

jag.jpg

Why did I offer so much?

1. Steve’s car deserves to be perfect for the spirit of Steve. It’s a classic car museum piece.

2. Steve’s fans deserve to see the car looking pristine (which would also make the man putting on the event look good).

3. Steve’s car would be ready for me to drive off after the event and head to Texas with it. 🙂

This win-win-win appealed to the owner and he agreed to sell me Steve’s car on the spot.

steve-reeves-by-car.jpg

There are several lessons here, of course. Here’s one:

reeves-bio.jpg  I think many people try to buy items without considering the possible win-win negotiations that can be made.

I learned this lesson when I researched marketing genius P.T. Barnum and saw the creative way he bought The American Museum — with no money — and turned it into his first big success and his greatest love. (Story is in my book, There’s a Customer Born Every Minute.)

It’s not win-lose but win-win when you think of what the other person wants and also keep in mind what you want.

I’ve never thought of myself as a master of negotiation, but I do know that if I get what I want, and the other person gets what they want, and anyone else involved is happy, then I contribute peace to the world.

Steve Reeves, I believe, would approve.

Ao Akua,

joe
www.mrfire.com

PS – Confession time: After I bought Reeves’ car, I had second thoughts. Buyer’s remorse began to creep in. Who was I to buy yet another car? I already have Steven Tyler’s Panoz Roadster and of course Francine and two BMWs. And I work at home and rarely drive anywhere. (!) But then my personal fitness trainer, Scott York, called. He congratulated me on the triumphant purchase and sharp deal, and said “Considering how much you idolize Steve Reeves, this is a historic moment.” He’s right. The car will become a touchstone of legend to me. It’s actually priceless.

PPS — Scott will accompany me to pick up the car at the Steve Reeves Film Festival August 21-22 in San Diego. For details on the Festival see www.stevereeves.com/inc-sris-news.htm 

Note: You can see the excitement in my face as Nerissa films me talking about buying the Hercules car on my video blog at http://drjoevitale.blogspot.com/

11 Comments

  1. Bart Vyvey-Reply
    April 15, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Hello sir,

    I have a question concerning the offer on “There’s a Customer Born Every Minute”.
    Do you validate receipt numbers for books that are bought through amazon.co.uk?
    Doing so will save me on postage and custom taxes since hose books are actually sent from the U.K. (contrary to amazon.com)…

    Thanks in advance for your time.

    Sincerely,
    Bart Vyvey
    Belgium

  2. April 15, 2008 at 8:55 am

    Great post, Joe! I can’t wait to see the car. I’ve always loved that model of Jag and with only 56k miles? Wow. Love the win-win aspect and the idea of picking it up at the festival. You and Scott will have a blast.

    Bill

  3. April 16, 2008 at 5:30 am

    Hello Mr Fire,

    That photo of your face/head would really look like you if Steve Reeves was shorter. I’m going to have to try that for myself.

    Mark
    http://www.4u2earn.com

  4. April 16, 2008 at 5:59 am

    Joe, how awesome that is brother!! I will be sending you some very cool stuff in the mail, and it has to do with the days of…..well, I can’t reveal the secret yet my friend! You’ll just have to check your mail in a week or so!

    On the same note, it is only fitting that a legend such as yourself goes ahead and takes care of Steve’s Jaguar. From one legend to another, Steve Reeves is certainly looking down with a smile and feeling good about what has happened 🙂

    In Strength,

    –Zach–

  5. April 16, 2008 at 6:36 am

    This is great Joe. It is very inspiring to see you doing what you teach. I especially like your body building photo. Looking good Joe 😉

    I actually read several of your books and have put together a vision board for myself. I got my wife to start doing the same. At first, she thought it was a little hokey, but after seeing some results, she’s all into it. I actually think she;s better at the attractor factor than me. 😀

    Thanks Joe,

    Peter K.

  6. April 20, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Dear Joe,
    I was reading this post because I just sent an email to Suzanne and you yesterday and I’d like to attract you to do some work with me. So I thought I might find a tip or more. I found that what you did to get the car is what I teach people to do with children. It has the same results: everyone gets their needs met, everyone is happy and we contribute to the peace in the world. I call my work the Power of Respect.

    I am also a fan of Steve Reeves. We hunted down his version of The Thief of Bagdad and are considering the name Blue Rose Productions as a label. We created a blue rose that we keep in the back window of our car. The Steve Reeves Film Festival sounds exciting. Have Fun!

    Respectfully,

    Karen Ryce

  7. April 21, 2008 at 9:31 am

    Hi Joe,
    good story. And a lesson.
    Thanks.
    I am sorry, please forgive-me, thank you, I love you.
    Marcio.

  8. April 27, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Great story! Great car! I used to be in the Jaguar Club and they are some beauties!That’s aewsome that you are making your vision come true. Lets see the connection…Steven Tylers car-you play guitar. Steve Reeve’s Car-you body build. What’s next? Bransons Rocket Ship! Joe, thanks for inspiring.

  9. January 23, 2012 at 12:13 am

    I WAS LUCKY.. STEVE HAD A GYM JUST OFF THE CAUSEWAY IN MIAMI BEACH.. AND I JOINED IT AND HE WAS MY TRAINER FOR ABOUT A YEAR.. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND A INSPIRATION FOR ME.. DID YOU KNOW THERES ZODIAC SIGN PIECE OF ART WORK AS HIM BEING TWINS..MERMEN A..MARCH.. SAM LEVINE CAME INTO TOWN AND ASKED STEVE TO STAR IN HERCULES..PAID HIM NEXT TO NOTHING..BUT I TOLD STEVE TO GO FOR IT. HE DID AND THE REST IS HISTORY.. WAS SAD HE DIED SO YOUNG.. HE ALWAYS PUSHED ME TO PAINT MORE.. I DID AND NOW YEARS LATER IM REAPING THE REWARDS… FOR HIS ADVICE..

  10. Mr Richard Levula-Reply
    June 4, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Hello,
    I am a Reeves fan and am looking for the Reeves photo shot the one you have on your website. ( Reeves with short sleeve shirt, beard and sun glasses ). It is a great shot and I would like to know where can I get hold of a copy of this photo shot.? I am prepared to pay you if you can help me. Reply to me by email.

    Thank you.
    R. Levula. 4.6.2016.

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