Automotive: March 2019

Lotus Exige Race 380: A Dictum In Physical Form

Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, had a personal motto, a dictum, if you will: “To go fast, add lightness.” He was fanatical about the concept. And even though Colin shrugged off this mortal suspension coil back in 1982, his motto lives on, embodied in the 2017 Lotus Exige Race 380A.

If you’re a by the figures, aerospace engineer sort of person (like Colin was), you won’t have to know much beyond this: 2,200 lbs. dry weight, 375 horsepower, 302 lb-ft. of torque, 240 kg aerodynamic downforce, and 1.5 seconds quicker around the company’s Hethel test track.

Also, 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

Let me put that into perspective for you: This thing weighs about the same as a first-gen Mazda Miata and puts out three-and-a-half times more power and torque. Three-and-a-half times!

This thing would be unbeatable on an Auto-X course, but why mess around with childish toys like cones. Take this thing to a track. A real track. Like, oh, the Nürburgring. What to stack this up against the new Vette? A Cayman GTS? Bring it. Yes, there are some long straight sections where power is king (although 375 horses is nothing to sneeze at), but everywhere else on that track?

Adios muchachos.

Lather And Nothing Else

Now that I’ve worked myself into a fine lather, it’s time to calm down, and deal with the harsh, perhaps harshest of realities about the 2017 Lotus Exige Race 380. It is a track only car, and cannot be licensed for road use. My dreams of blasting down the PCH (let’s say to Half Moon Bay for a late breakfast) with all due haste in this thing are now dashed. But so be it. I was prepared for that.

The Lotus Exige Race 380 is, as one would suspect, based on the Exige Sport 380, and comes with a slew of competition-focused components standard. Gearbox, suspension, aerodynamics, and the electrical systems are among the items that have all had a going over, so as to be up to the car’s new role but, curiously, the majority of the original car’s configuration is retained, thanks to the fact the Exige Sport 380 is very high up on the performance charts already.

It’s also worth noting that, from a sales perspective (something that Colin, frankly, sucked at paying attention to), the Lotus Exige Sport 380 has proved to be one of Lotus’ most successful new models in recent years. So, if you’re a track-tard with a penchant for Lotii, and enough cash, this will probably be the car for you.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus said the Exige Race 380 is “an unparalleled race car that follows the philosophy of Colin Chapman and we can’t wait for customers to experience its capabilities.” And yeah, he’s biased. And yeah, he’s kind of paid to say stuff like that, but the numbers back the guy up.

The Exige Race 380 can lap the company’s Hethel test track 1.5 seconds quicker (phenomenal) than the previous Exige Cup R. The Hethel track is kind of like the old Top Gear test track. It’s a converted air base and not very long around. So carving 1.5 seconds off a lap record on a track that short is a notable accomplishment.

Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Race Ready

The Lotus Exige Race 380 retains the race-proven 3.5-liter supercharged V6 mill from the street car, but it’s now cranking out 375 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 302 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. The car comes with an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission, oil cooler, and cassette-type plate limited slip differential. Said sequential transmission is managed by carbon paddles located behind the steering wheel.

If you go with the full titanium exhaust system, you shave another 10 kilos from beyond the rear axle, and besides, titanium is cool. All of this means the Exige Race 380 flashes from 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds.

Lotus got more performance out of the car’s aerodynamics as well. The Race 380 produces 240 kg of downforce at 170 mph. That’s like having a fat guy sitting on each bumper, minus the drag penalty. Further aero tricks include vents incorporated into the front bodywork and rear bumper to reduce pressure around the wheels and further increase downforce. There’s a new grille mounted at the rear that aids air circulation through the engine bay. Which is good, because the higher the performance, the closer to the thermal limit cars will run.

There is also a new front splitter to reduce pressure beneath the Exige, while the rear diffuser and larger, straight-cut motorsport rear wing, mounted to the bodywork, modify airflow at the rear of the car.

Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Essential Equipment

The Exige Sport 380 rides on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard; 215/45 ZR17 at the front; 265/35 ZR18 at the rear. These wrap around the car’s ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels. Stopping comes courtesy of AP Racing forged, four-piston calipers, and grooved two-piece brake discs. Why four-piston calipers? Why not six, you zealously ask? Because this is a Lotus, and it is light, so it only needs brakes of a certain size.

To go with more, simply for the sake of going with more, serves no real performance purpose and will only add weight. Four will do.

The revised suspension configuration incorporates 2-way adjustable Öhlins dampers (nice) and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars (also nice). Together with the Lotus Traction Control System, where wheel slip can be adjusted by the driver from the cockpit, owners can easily fine tune the vehicle’s handling characteristics.

There is a full, integrated roll cage, lightweight FIA Carbon driver’s seat (HANS compatible, natch), and a six-point harness. There are ultra-lightweight polycarbonate side windows, a competition specification fire extinguisher, battery isolator, and fore and aft motorsport towing eyes. Additional performance features include an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber, motorsport specific louvered tailgate panel (fitted over the engine), and carbon fiber air intake pods that sit either side of the car, just forward of the rear wheels.

There are no headlights, only matt black covers. Airbags are not included in the specification.

Special Treatments

Inside the cockpit, there is a color TFT instrument cluster that serves up numerous user friendly and programmable screen configurations. There is a track data logger and GPS unit (why?), and you can add professional data analysis software, if you’re really into that sort of thing. The front inspection cover, hard top, and diffuser surround are all hand-made carbon-fiber components and make for a nice finishing touch.

Speaking of finishing, the Exige Race 380 will also finish off a major portion of your checking account, ringing up at £99,500, around $125,000 USD.

So, yeah, not exactly cheap, but hey, speed comes at a price.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Photos & Source: Group Lotus plc.

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2017 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Inscription Review

This is not you father’s Volvo. Many remember Volvos as being boxy wagons that had the styling of a tank. But those days are long gone as the Swedish automaker has family-friendly vehicles that are stylish on the outside and the inside too.

They are both adult and kid-friendly, and if you are looking for safety, Volvo is still one of the industry leaders.

This week, we drove the 2017 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Inscription.

What’s New For 2017

The 2017 Volvo XC60 gets minor changes and simplifies its trim level and feature structure. The biggest change comes in the XC60’s drivetrain. For 2017, the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine has been replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder, and all-wheel drive is available across the lineup.

Features & Options

The 2017 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Inscription comes standard with LED running lights, heated mirrors, roof rails, dual panoramic sunroof, and automatic wipers. Inside it comes with remote ignition, low-speed frontal collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors.

Other Interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, eight-way power adjustable front sport seats with driver memory functions, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.

Other interior features include Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a 7-inch infotainment display, Volvo’s Sensus Connect system with navigation and mobile apps, an eight-speaker stereo with USB/auxiliary audio input, and HD and satellite radio.

Packages

The mid-trim Inscription trim adds 20-inch wheels, power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, front comfort seats, interior ambient lighting, and wood interior trim. An optional Climate package ($1,550) adds heated front and rear seats, heated windshield and washers, and a heated steering wheel. The Advanced package ($2,500) adds a drowsy driver alert system, adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warnings with full auto braking and pedestrian detection, and a lane departure warning system. The Preferred Option package ($1,350) adds front parking sensors, a universal garage door opener, power-folding rear headrests, and a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area.

Total MSRP including destination: $53,555.

Interior Highlights

Volvo’s Scandinavian interior design is on full display in the 2017 XC60. It’s simple, yet elegant. The first thing we noticed was the unique “waterfall” center stack that gracefully joins the dash and center console. The center stack houses all the XV60’s controls along with a small infotainment screen. All the controls are easy to locate, but the infotainment system can be a bit confusing as it’s controlled via a multifunction knob on the center stack, rather than a traditional touchscreen.

The quality of the interior materials and fit and finish is what you would expect for the class. They are attractive and there’s plenty of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The panoramic sunroof with a power shade offers plenty of light in during the darker, winter months.

Seat comfort is exceptional and the front seats are perfectly designed for long trips in mind. The 8-way power front seats with memory offer a full range of adjustments ensuring all drivers in the family a comfortable driving position. Out back, passengers will find the rear seats equally accommodating, offering up plenty of leg and head room for adults. For families with very young children, Volvo is one of the only automakers offering integrated child booster seats that fold out of the rear bench. Behind the rear seats, cargo capacity is average with 30.8 cubic feet, and 67 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs

The T6 is powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It comes with a supercharger on top of the turbocharger for a power increase over the standard mill. It produces a hefty 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, with a towing capacity of 4,400 pounds.

The EPA estimates fuel economy for the T6 at 20/27 city/highway and 22 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics

We were concerned the XC60 would be underpowered with the new four-cylinder engine, but those doubts were erased quickly after pushing the crossover hard into the mountains west of Denver. We were able to get up to highway speed quickly, and it never felt like we needed more power at anytime during our week-long drive.

We averaged 23.6 mpg for the week, but we were giving it a good run too.

The eight-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth shifts and it never had to hunt for a gear as we pushed it hard up the mountain roads. The all-wheel drive option is a must for those who live in cold climates, making this crossover a capable handler in any weather.

In the city, the XC60 offers up a comfortable ride and absorbs the bumps to deliver you relaxed and ready for the day. The suite of safety features keeps you safe on the road; a unique sound alerts you when you drift off your path and across the white lines. Safety is definitely a strong point for the brand and the XC60.

When you shut the door, you feel a security unmatched by most SUVs.

Conclusion

The 2017 Volvo XC60 is a family-friendly hauler that will handle a small family’s needs. It comes with the latest safety features that will keep you feeling secure. The cabin is comfortable and there’s plenty of options to chose from too.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

2017 Volvo XC60 Gallery

We trust TrueCar.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Check them out for more research on this car:

Volvo VX60 Official Site

Photos: Volvo Car Corporation (Polestar parts shown).

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2018 Lexus LS Makes Waves In Detroit

The Lexus LS sedan, the declarative answer to the question of “can the Japanese really compete in the luxury market” is getting a big update for 2018, and it just bowed at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

The new company leader is longer and lower than the outgoing model and rides on an extended 2018 version of the premium rear-wheel drive platform, known as GA-L, used for the new Lexus LC 500 coupe. Lexus correctly feels that luxury sedan drivers demand greater handling agility and a performance feel without sacrificing comfort.

The engineering difficulty is that the LS is a big guy, especially by Japanese standards. The LS rides on a 123-inch wheelbase, 1.3-inches longer than the current LS long-wheelbase model.

Dynamic Control & Suspension Tech

Lexus gets its big ride to behave thanks to the latest generation of chassis control technology known as Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. VDIM controls all vehicle subsystems – braking, steering, powertrain, and suspension – to regulate basic longitudinal, lateral, and vertical motion as well as yaw, roll, and pitch. The system is boosted further by active stabilizer bars and the Lexus Dynamic Handling System with independent front and rear steering.

Lexus also went with lightweight materials including ultra-high tensile strength steel and aluminum to shed over 200 pounds versus the last LS. To reduce unsprung weight, aluminum is used extensively in the suspension. The engine compartment uses special braces and ridged aluminum suspension towers, front and rear. All of this lowers the car’s center of gravity and centralizes the mass lower in the chassis.

The multilink suspension of the 2018 Lexus LS employs double ball joints on the upper and lower control arms to help give the driver total control, despite the road conditions. This dual ball joint design helps optimize suspension geometry to increase wheel control and yield a more precise steering response. In addition, the GA-L platform is the stiffest in Lexus history, which provides a number of benefits, including exceptional ride and handling and cabin quietness. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Styling & Design

Style-wise, Lexus went for a design that offers the room, comfort, and prestige of a “three-box” sedan, but with the silhouette of a four-door coupe. In other words, they try to have it both ways, and we’ll let you decide if it works or not. The “four-door coupe” thing really appeals for younger luxury customers, it seems.

The buyer can select from five different wheel choices, two 19- and three 20-inch wheel designs.

Power & Performance

Propelling all this down the highway is an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin turbos. The new LS plant fabricates 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque, which is more than the current LS model’s V8. This motivates the LS to a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds.

Lexus’ first-ever 10-speed automatic transmission is fixed to the mill and “shifting” is done via paddles. Although in fully-auto mode, the slush-box system chooses the ideal ratio by monitoring the acceleration, braking, and lateral-g forces and does the work for you. The torque converter locks up in all ranges except from a dead stop to provide a more engaging driving experience.

The 2018 Lexus LS features a ladder frame structure in the cylinder block, redesigned engine mounts, and electric wastegates to increase engine smoothness. Powertrain responses can changed, based on a driver’s preferences, between the Normal, Sport, and Sport+ modes. The first-ever 10-speed automatic transmission for a premium passenger car, having already debuted in the Lexus LC 500, is also used in the new LS. The close ratios of the low gears and the shortened shift times are meant to enhance the feel of acceleration. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Interior Treatments

As one would expect, the interior is drowning in techno goodies and luxo features. 28-way power front seats with heating, cooling, and massage. Optional heating, cooling, massage, and a raised ottoman for the rear seat plebes. Shimamoku wood patterned trim decorates the cabin while Active Noise Control quiets it. An available 3D surround Mark Levinson audio package with in-ceiling array speakers blends nicely with the 12.3-inch wide navigation display.

There is also an optional 24-inch color heads-up display, the largest in any car today. Shoot there’s probably a ninja in the trunk too, at this rate.

Expect the 2018 Lexus LS at dealerships in the United States near the end of the year.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: The Tilted Halo Car

Dodge calls the Challenger SRT Demon its “halo car.” The car that shines its beneficent light upon all the lower offerings on the company roster. But, since this is a Dodge, and a Challenger, and an SRT on top of that, let’s just say this is not the most angelic of cars.

A little while back, Dodge went a little bit funny in the head and started building this thing called a Hellcat engine. Slugging out more than 700 horsepower, it’s a brute of a plant. Dodge put it in a version of their Challenger. Then they put it in a version of their Charger.

They kept threatening to put it into a Jeep, but then the nice men in the white coats got them with the net. But then they got lose again, because in 2018, a Hellcat Jeep is in fact coming.

Alas, the inmates have run amok again, and they’re going to show the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon at the New York International Auto Show. They announced it by saying “Challenger SRT Demon begins the next chapter of the high-performance muscle car-muwah-ha-ha-ha! Nothing can stop us now!”

Okay, they didn’t say that exactly, but they might as well have.

Subculture Hero

“Most cars attempt to be everything to everybody. Then there are the rare few that revel in a single objective, rendering them totally irresistible to a subculture,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler, and Fiat – FCA North America, before snatching a canary out of the air, unhinging his jaw, and consuming it whole.

Before being shown in NYC, Dodge is launching a pre-debut video teaser campaign and website. These things are all the rage for automakers these days, and can be quite fun. Dodge aims all of this at supplicants and acolytes (sorry normal fans and followers), so they can get weekly updates, download sharable content, and gain insight into the SRT Demon’s engineering prowess.

The first video, showily titled “Cage,” features a ferociously animated Hellcat refusing to be caged. The beast transforms, hence beginning a new chapter in the Dodge brand’s performance legacy. With any luck, the soundtrack will be courtesy of a Finish heavy metal band, but the choice of Metallica was okay too. Dodge incites viewers to watch the video for clues to divine and to fathom what’s next from SRT.

Differing Viewpoints

The funny thing in all this, from a gearhead’s perspective, is that Dodge makes note of the fact that the Demon name was first introduced into the lineup in 1971. It’s kind of funny because the Demon was an okay car, but not nearly as demonic as its name implied. The mad cars were things like Super Stock Darts and W23 Satellites and stuff like that.

The Demon? It was okay. Lots of aftermarket potential. Cute logo. Comfy. But the kind of thing you’d take to the grudge drags on a Friday night? No. Not stock anyway. But you know, cars can change. They can corrupt and mutate, sorry, blossom and grow, and turn into quite beautiful and fast things. Like Hellcats.

“The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is conceived, designed, and engineered for a subculture of enthusiasts who know that a tenth is a car and a half second is your reputation,” Kuniskis said.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz is yet another bus concept for Detroit

2017 NAIAS - Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept

Volkswagen reveals its latest I.D. Buzz Concept, another electrified bus designed to be hip and friendly to the environment. Summon the millenial hippies!

What’s going on?

Are you a tree hugger? Do you listen to Willie Nelson and enjoy putting flowers in your hair? Say no more! Volkswagen is back to provide you with another VW Bus-inspired concept. And of course, it comes solely with a new electric powertrain.

Another one? Uhm, ok. What’s different about it?

The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept is another pitch at “electric mobility.” But not only is the I.D. Buzz showcasing VW’s latest progress with electric drive systems. It’s also features some automous driving technology so that the occupants within the I.D. Buzz can also enjoy its spacious interior.

What powers it?

The electric drive system in the I.D. Buzz consists of two electric motors (one at each axle) to implement all-wheel drive. Together, they produce 369 horsepower with juice supplied by one 111 kWh battery. The result is a 0-60 time of just five seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. Thanks to the latest quick-charge technology, the battery can be charged up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

Volkswagen also developed the drive system with a modular design, or MEB (Modular Electric Drive). That means the system in the I.D. Buzz can easily be manufactured as a rear-wheel-drive model.

What else is cool about it?

The I.D. Buzz also comes with a list of autonomous driving tech. Should the drivers utilize the I.D. Buzz’s self-driving capabilities, the I.D. Buzz’s “Pilot” system also repositions the driver’s seat to face the rear.

Will it go on sale? And for how much?

Volkswagen didn’t say if the I.D. Buzz will on sale. Though chances are, the I.D. Buzz is more of an idea and a concept than one with true production potential.

Would you buy the I.D. Buzz if they make it?

– By: Chris Chin

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Mempry Lane: The Moment of Impact

I’m switching gears, as it were, and devote this column to an accident I suffered right after New Year’s Day. Although most of us have been involved in accidents, if only minor ones, we are reluctant to use the word “accident.”

The collision lasted mere seconds. I was driving home after doing some errands in town. I live up north. The night had fallen and the weather was rapidly deteriorating. The snow started falling heavily and affecting the visibility, but not to the point of not being able to see.

Steady As She Goes

Minding my own business, I was secure in the knowledge that my trusted F-150 7700 would take me home. Before leaving town, I took the time to clean my front and rear lights and engaged the front-wheel differential.

The 4X4 was holding steady. All was going well. I was climbing uphill on a straight stretch of road inside a small town where the speed limit was 30mph. Doing just under that because of the road conditions, I noticed, without paying too much attention, a car, pulling a snowmobile on a trailer, coming downhill. He had his signal on and was waiting for me to pass in order to cut across my lane to reach a place of business on my side of the road.

As our paths were about to cross, my truck was hit head on by a van that was following the car. Anyone who has been in or near a car accident knows the distinctive sound the crash makes when two vehicles collide.

I never even had time to react.

Instinctively, I knew my truck would not be salvageable because of the force of the impact. Everything in the cab flew toward the front. I had my groceries on the passenger seat and the eggs resting on top ended up on the windshield, on the floor, and even inside the open storage compartment of the door.

WTF was my first thought!

Triton Power

Wondering why that guy had been in such a rush to cut across, I figured he was going to the same place as the first guy. He wasn’t. I stumbled out of the truck, suffering pain at the back of my neck; the effect of the whiplash. My left shin also hurt. My airbags never deployed for some reason, perhaps because my truck was 16 years old? But I was wearing my seatbelt and it saved me from a world of hurt.

That and the 5.4L Triton engine that served as buffer. Buckle up, boys and girls, or get an old Ford with a 5.4!

The occupants of the other vehicle, the driver and his passenger, two young guys, walked out with no apparent injury. They were a bit banged up, but not seriously. The airbags had done their job. I asked the driver what he was doing and he replied that he was going too fast and lost control of his van as he tried to stop before hitting the car and trailer in front of him.

It was a totally preventable accident and anger started swelling up. I wanted to punch the offending driver, but it would have made matters worse. So, I moved away from him and went to look at the damages my truck had suffered. The man driving the small car drove across to his intended destination and called the police. Meanwhile, the passenger in the van was moaning and complaining to his friend, “I told you to slow down, you were going too fast.”

Tow Trucks & Ambulance Drivers

All three of us moved around like zombies walking off the pain and waiting for the cops to arrive. The ambulance showed up first. They checked the other guys and then it was my turn. I was on the phone calling my automobile club to book a tow truck, not knowing the police would call one and the insurance company would pay for it. All the while, the ambulance driver is trying to talk to me and assess my condition.

He has seen the front of my truck and it ain’t pretty.

Annoyed at first, I tell him that I’m okay and I don’t want to go to the hospital. Then I soften my stance and understand that he is only trying to do his job. He says that I may be in shock and the adrenaline is keeping me going.

The police arrive and interview the driver of the van and his passenger.

The driver of the small car with the trailer had remained on the scene and he is a witness. It is now his turn to talk to the police. He saw that the guy behind him was going too fast and tried to pull to his right, hoping the van would pass between us. Of course, with the snow bank on one side and me coming from the other direction, there was not enough room on the road for three cars.

I’m still on the phone, waiting for confirmation on the tow truck. As the policewoman comes over to get my version of events, the ambulance driver tells her I don’t want to be checked or go to the hospital. The tone of his voice clearly lets her know that he disapproves of my decision, and he is probably right. But they cannot force me. Besides, I don’t have any medical insurance, although the other driver’s insurance might have covered the cost.

As the policewoman approaches, I hear that it will take 70 minutes for the tow truck to arrive; busy day. I pull the cell phone away from my head and start bemoaning the fate of my truck. She changes the conversation to help me calm down by saying that’s why we have car insurance and asks if I was calling someone to pick me up. I replied that I was calling a tow truck and that’s when she informed me she had already called a tow truck and it would be covered by the insurance company.

She wants to have my driver’s license, my insurance info, and my registration certificate for her report. She tells me the other driver is 100% responsible. It didn’t make me feel better. We enter the snowmobile shop in front of which it all happened and I hand her my documents. The owner was set to close up shop for the day, but offered to stay open until everything was said and done.

Lonely & Cold

Once in a while, the ambulance driver would come over to see if there was any change. I put my hand on his shoulder to let him know that I was okay. He was genuinely concerned. I had to sign a form to the effect that I had refused to be examined. The guys in the van waited in the ambulance until the tow truck had removed the vehicles. I didn’t want to be anywhere near them, so I stayed out in the cold. The police would give them a ride to town where they were originally going.

I was headed in the opposite direction and managed to call a cab before my cell phone battery died.

The accident lasted seconds but I stood outside in the snowstorm for the better part of two hours. The witness had gone. He would have to come back another day to drop off his snowmobile. The business owner closed up shop. The ambulance driver checked on me one last time. I told him I was still pissed off and he laughed before leaving. The vehicles were moved and the police departed. I stood alone waiting for the cab to arrive.

Whatever groceries had survived would be put in the taxi. A $50 dollar fare to my place.

People told me I was lucky. The guy could have hit the trailer and who knows? The Ski-Doo could have been propelled into my windshield. Despite a sore neck and a shin that was bleeding and swelling up, I still didn’t feel lucky.

I’m a car enthusiast. I always take care of my vehicles and they return the favor. Before this truck, I had owned an F-100 and two F-250s. My 7700, an F-250 in F-150 clothing, was working flawlessly, except for the air conditioning.

Does the A/C ever work in older pickups?

Road Trip Reflections

I felt bad, not because I knew that I would never get from the insurance company what the truck was worth to me, but simply because I loved my truck. Although I maintained it, I put it through some difficult situations without intending to. One time, I was off-roading and backed into a rock which dented the rear differential cover. The gear oil leaked a bit. I took the truck to my trusted mechanic who hammered out the cover, put a new gasket in, and the truck was happy again. I remembered the time when I drove cross country with the 8’ bed full and pulling an overloaded trailer.

The F150 didn’t complain. 3,000 mile trip, nary a fly on the windshield. A 30 mile ride home, the truck is toast.

Walking away from the truck after the head-on collision gave new meaning to the slogan “Built Ford Tough.”

So, I’ve taken the Mark VIII out of mothballs and I will mourn your passage, trusted truck, until I am ready to purchase another F-150. You deserved a much better fate than having your front end all smashed up, the hood bent, the passenger side fender pushed over the door, and having raw eggs splattered all over your cab.

You saved my ass. My neck and leg will heal, and my confidence behind the wheel will return. My memory of you will live on. Thank you!!!

Michael Bellamy is the author of our Memory Lane series. He enjoys driving his 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC and his 2001 Ford F-150 7700.

Cover Photo: Pexels.

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