September’s Car of the Month is awarded to senior Mitchell Boyd, with his 1993 Ford F-150. Featuring a ruby-red stripe, this truck is a classic icon of the ‘90s.
Boyd first got his truck from Facebook Marketplace in the summer of 2024. He explains, “My dad and I always talked about buying an older truck and fixing it up,” and that’s exactly what they did.
His favorite thing he has done with his F-150 is take the engine out, primarily because it was so fun to put it back in place. An interesting fact about the truck is that the old timing gear is made out of a synthetic fiber, which is something that usually breaks in these types of trucks. He replaced it with a metal one, which is more durable.
The truck, nicknamed Dorothy, has some unique features, such as a bench seat, vent windows, and mud tires. The bench seat is particularly appealing because “it’s good to relax in.”
What stands out most about the F-150 is the rust. “It adds character,” Boyd adds. At 32 years old, the truck is bound to have some rust, but that’s what makes it unique from newer cars; it has proven that it can stand the test of time.
The paint also adds to the character, especially since it’s original to the truck, even though other parts like the hood and the tailgate have been replaced.
With so much time devoted to his truck, Boyd decided it was fitting to name her Dorothy because of the ruby-red stripe. He shares a secret: “If you tap it three times, she’ll go home.”
Boyd says that he has considered entering it into a car show, but only “when she’s ready.” It takes a lot of work to fix up a truck like Dorothy, and even more before she’s ready to be shown off. In particular, the engine has to be cleaned up first.
When asked why Dorothy is so cool, he says, “I put in the effort to fix her.” She isn’t without her flaws, but she has a lot of character thanks to Boyd’s time and devotion.
