I could understand it if the car was already on it's last leg, but that was a perfectly fine (actually, quite a strong version) motor that was whipped for no aparent reason....
OH WAIT!!!!
There was a reason....
The driver was French. Hell, if they couldn't beat someone in a war, might as well beat a car into submission. Of course, it still took them a while to do it.
I'm sorry... I should say I'm at a loss for words but I can't... maybe I'll post later when I figure out some decent non-sarcastic or swear word-included remark...