Ford. Dodge. Chevrolet. These are only a few top names in the vehicle business. When we think of our dream trucks and cars how do we usually picture them? Shining with a great engine and gas mileage? I used to think that my dream car would be shiny, fast, and have a smoother ride than any other cars, but when it comes down to safety my mind went blank.
While in high school, I had a white Ford F150 pickup. It wasn’t the best paint job, the wheels were used, and since the front seat was one long seat anyone taller than me (I’m 5’3) had to sit uncomfortably close to the dash board just so I could pull the seat up and reach the gas and brake. I named my truck “Hank” and I loved it as if it were my dearest friend. One day on my way home from school, I was speeding and to avoid hitting someone that had stopped short I swerved off into a concrete ditch. My truck did a nose dive and bounced back up with such force that if I hadn’t have been wearing my seat belt, it could’ve been much worse.
I believe that Hank saved my life that day. After I got out of my truck -still shaken from what had just happened- I almost didn’t believe; Hank had very minimal damage. The door had been dented and the window cracked, but just by looking it seemed like usual wear and tear of an old truck. I was even able to drive it the next day. I didn’t get it for the looks, I got it because it looked like I could take it to hell and back and still be protected inside after the trip. Now, looking back all these years later, I wonder why people don’t look at their vehicles the same way.
Shortly after I got my Ford, my cousin asked his parents to purchase a truck for him. My cousin and I were kindred spirits. He was in a lot of ways the male version of me. I can’t remember what type of truck it was, but I knew that it wasn’t a Ford and it was a lot newer and shinier than mine. I was jealous of his new truck. It was white like mine, but the fiberglass made it shine like a new toy straight out of the package and his new tires with the shiny rims made it have a showroom quality to it. Knowing how I was with my new truck and how alike my cousin and I were still didn’t keep me from being shocked when he had his accident.
Just as I had my accident coming home from school one day, he had almost the exact same accident. He had been speeding and when another car pulled out in front of him, he swerved. His truck hit a tree on the opposite side of the exact same street I had my accident on. I was relieved to find out he hadn’t been seriously hurt, but his truck was completely totaled. His front end had folded in as if it had been made of paper mache and glass from his windshield spread across the street.
I began to noticed how much damage the newer model of cars and trucks took on during accidents and now I wonder if top companies have taken away the best part of their products to satisfy the consumer vanity. Everyone wants a car or truck that’s safe and reliable but like a kid in a toy store everyone is tempted to bypass safety for beauty. Whether it’s a fresh paint job with detailing, those oh-so-popular rims, or just the way the motor purrs; everyone gets distracted by the newer models. My old Ford, Hank, has long since retired, but I’ve never come across another newer model of truck or car that seemed so safe.
Now married with a small daughter, I still put my trust in our Dodge Laramie but I know now that things aren’t made as they used to be. Ten years ago, “Ford Tough” saved my life. Not “Ford Shiny Paint & Smooth Leather Interior”. If I ever get another chance to purchase an older model truck, my money will be on Ford.