The Scene: A Mystery Parked in Plain Sight
Anyone stopping at the Maienfeld service area is in for a surprise. Just imagine it: three 2005 Jaguar S-Types, lined up perfectly side by side on the asphalt, like they have an appointment with eternity—or, failing that, with the next layer of dust. You really can’t miss them: each carries a hefty film of dirt, silent testament to passing time, and a loop of red-and-white tape tied around the passenger-side mirror—a detail that seems to wink at some ongoing police investigation.
These Jaguars have been stuck in that spot since late May, impervious to the summer heatwaves and unfazed by all the curious looks. When new, each one was valued at around €60,000–70,000 (that’s roughly $65,000–$75,000 at today’s exchange), enough to catch anyone’s attention—even the most world-weary drivers. Needless to say: subtle they are not!
The Mystery Deepens: Where, Who, and Why?
But it’s not just their state—grubby, forsaken—or their oddly ceremonial lineup that’s got everyone speculating. It’s the sheer mystery. Where did they really come from—what’s their story? And, even more baffling, who could be so careless (or so desperate) as to abandon three luxury vehicles as if forgetting an umbrella on a train?
The key to this puzzle—if there is one—lies with a single witness: Andy, the parking lot attendant. He’s the only one who met the elusive owner: a bearded man from Zurich, who spent a few days living in a nearby camper. According to Andy, this man was once quite successful—but then suffered a financial collapse as dramatic as his facial hair. It all sounds like a screenplay in the making…
Andy also recalls another interesting detail: before taking pride of place at the Maienfeld rest stop, the three Jaguars were parked in the canton of Ticino. The owner, seemingly pressed by debts, tried to sell them off. But no dice—the offers he got were too low, and as rumor has it, sentimental value outweighed monetary gain. Hence, the cars ended up abandoned in the countryside. Attachment works in mysterious ways!
The Vanishing Act: No Owner, No Clues
Several months have passed, and the owner is still missing. Andy openly admits he’s worried about the ex-Zurich native who, as the latest reports from Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten say, has disappeared “somewhere in Europe.” Not a word, not a sign, not a trace.
Authorities in Graubünden responded quickly enough. They came to remove the license plates and secure the area. But here’s the catch: since no actual crime has been committed, they can’t move forward. The case is at a standstill—just like our three Jaguars.
No Crime, But Plenty of Administration
In reality, the real snag isn’t criminal but bureaucratic: at Maienfeld, parking is limited to four hours. Go over that, and only a civil action can be initiated. With no other option, the service station’s operator eventually decided to take legal steps.
So what’s to become of these three splendid, abandoned Jaguars? Your guess is as good as anyone’s. The owner, “probably somewhere in Europe,” remains elusive. The police have done their duty, the parking operator has too, and Andy, the watchful caretaker, is left pondering the fate of the vanished Zurich man.
Moral of the story? Next time you stop at a Swiss highway rest area, take a look around. Who knows—maybe another automotive mystery will be waiting for you, wedged between two parking spots. Meanwhile, the three Jaguars of Maienfeld wait patiently, stoic as ever, for a new chapter in their silent odyssey.
A keen analyst and strategist, Thomas is the architect of Minoritaires.com’s core insights. Passionate about financial markets, fundamental analysis and long-term strategy, he brings lucid, structured thinking to every stance he takes. Beneath his calm exterior lies a fierce discipline and insatiable curiosity, always serving the independent investor. With Thomas, logic trumps emotion—so one can better anticipate and truly understand market trends.
