Big Red is back in the driveway, at least for now.
Big Red was the monster (to me) truck I purchased on Black Monday when my entire world appeared to be falling apart. On a single day, the transmission died in my year-old Honda Accord, my favorite aunt died and I got “downsized” by my very favorite newspaper.
Have a nice day. It was a few weeks before 9/11.
The grievously wounded Honda was taken to the Augusta Honda dealer. They assured me that I would get a new trannie, free of charge. They also offered a free “loaner” until the repair was complete. That loaner ended up to be a Ford, four-wheel-drive, V8, extended cab monster. After 50 years of VWs and Hondas (eight in a row) this was a radical change.
By the time I drove back to Rockland, I was hooked. I loved the damned thing. Nevermind the 14 miles a gallon. It had speed, power and the ability to carry canoes, kayaks, bicycles and camping equipment, all at the same time! I insisted on the “tow package,” even though the heaviest thing I ever carried was David Grima. I was now retired and had oodles of leisure time.
I liked the Ford loaner all right, but when I test drove the Big Red Toyota Tundra, that was that. It was love at first sight and the affair continued from the Allagash to New York City, Canada to Key West, with numerous campgrounds and river sites along the way. I loved that beast. But everything good comes to an end, along about the 120,000 mile mark. Gas stops at Fowlie’s Overpriced Emporium routinely topped $100. Fowlie loved it. I did not.
Last year, my head was turned by a “champagne” Accord EX sitting on sale in the parking lot at Eastern Tire in Rockland. This was a six-cylinder Accord after getting used to the four-cylinder slowpokes. It went like hell. It got 33 miles a gallon. Goodbye Big Red.
Big Red was vital for those dump runs and camping trips but, alas, I could not afford it. Vermont Jon, a former sommelier and high-speed waiter, had slid into the antique business and needed a suitable vehicle. His business model was “I buy junk. I sell antiques.” He bought Big Red and I bought the EX. Always a wise businessman, Jon insisted on a complete detail job on the red beast. That was a good idea. The guy at Hot Wax finished the detail job and exclaimed, “you sure do like French fries.” I hate to think how many meals were consumed in that moving vehicle, leaving crushed potatoes under the seats.
In case you have not noticed, time passes. Last month, Vermont Jon called to say that Big Red had reached 200,000 miles and he was buying a brand new truck. Did I want to reacquire the beast? Can you go home again?
I have the truck on loan once again. I looked at the beast. It is as damaged as I am. Like me, it has at least a few miles left. The frame was already repaired. Not a good thing. It had some beginning rust around the rear wheel wells. Expected after 200,000 miles. But it also had an engine light beaming, and had developed leaks in the steering fluid and brake departments. You might term those “vital areas.” Big Red is headed for a major MRI checkup at the area Toyota dealer. That estimate on fixing the obvious flaws will determine if the big red beast comes back to Cobb Manor and back into my life.
Can you go home again after 200,000 miles? Can you actually love a truck?
She looks awful good sitting in the Cobb Manor driveway.
Emmet Meara lives in Camden in blissful retirement after working as a reporter for the BDN in Rockland for 30 years.