Ernie’s Ride
By Ernie Herzog
 
Once upon a time I had two old cars, a '35 Ford three window coupe and a '48 Mercury convertible.  I sold them both when I moved to an "active" over 55 community.  I decided to take up dancing and golf instead of old Fords.  Not long after, however, I was talking to an old timer at a tire shop in Joliet.  He said, "Take a ride past the Ford dealership in Plainfield on Rt. 30. They have a really nice Ford out front."  Well, I thought, there would be no harm in taking a look.  I did, and there I was, hooked again
 
Rod Baker Ford in Plainfield had taken this really nice, mostly original ‘53 Ford Coupe in trade for a new Mustang that a friend of theirs really wanted.  So, there sat this beautiful thing; overpriced, and with a salesman who knew very little about the old car.  After several trips back and forth to look at the Ford again, I decided to buy it.  I knew it would not take too much to convince my wife that I really needed it.  She agreed right away that it was a good deal, especially with an automatic transmission.
 
So, I went back and negotiated over the price with the salesman who talked to the manager.  We finally had a deal.  It's just like buying a new car.
 
I like the cars from the 30's and 40's best, however.  I've had the '53 for three years now and have grown to like it a lot.  It's a good driver and besides, I tell people I got it new as a gift when I graduated from high school.