Well, this here page is the story of how I came across my truck. I left out quite a few details but they were frivolous and didn't really add to the story. I know you are probably thinking, "Who the hell cares?" Well, I do. It was a major impact on my life for a few reasons. So, to start with, here it is, a nice pretty picture! Well, not too pretty because I'm not so great at taking pictures yet but I'm gettin' better!

Its a 2001 SVT Ford Lightning. I had a Thunderbird before this but the local dealer couldn't seem to put an engine in that worked while under warranty. Same with the transmission. It made noises it shouldn't have, never shifter properly, and was burning ATF. Every time I took it in for service on the transmission or the engine, I was told nothing was wrong. less than 2 weeks after the warranty died, the car was in for service and all of a sudden needed a new transmission and a new engine 2 months later. They cited the same problems I was complaining about earlier. Go figure. That was in 1999-2000 time frame. Then, in 2001, the engine and transmission both started to go south again. I had the engine replaced under warranty because the head gaskets popped and the dealer, rather than fixing the damn thing just tore the whole engine out and put a new one in. The car was never the same again. You can find more info on that car and its story if you check out the main page and look for links to my Thunderbird page.

So, what led to the Lightning purchase was a rod knock. Yes, a rod knock. I pulled into my driveway with my girlfriend at the time (now my fiancee) and I heard what sounded like a marble being bounced against a brick wall. I got out and with the car running, stuck my head under the car. Sure enough, it sound like the beginnings of either a spun bearing or a connecting rod not wanting to play fair anymore. Why it was getting ready to let go, I'll never know. The car was immaculate. Aside from some stains in the back seat and torn stitching on the driver's seat, it was in literally, perfect condition. I kept all regular maintenance and babied it. It was my pride and joy and I took the best care that I could of it. I don't blame Ford. I blame the dealer. Anyhoo, I got back in the car after the inspection and shut the door again to listen some more. My girl asked what was wrong and I asked if she heard it too. She said yes and that was that. I didn't want to put another engine in the car. I did not want to let the car go. It was the most well balanced car I had ever owned. It was very comfortable, had decent power and excellent handling. It looked great and on top of all that, it had the heritage of the Thunderbird nameplate behind it. I could not afford to put another engine in it though. Two engines and one transmission inside of one year would have run me over 7 grand. I could afford it but I found it asinine to continue to dump money into the car at that rate when it would cost me less per year in payments on a new car. So I decided that it was time to buy my first new car.

I couldn't figure out what the hell I wanted. I couldn't spend more than 30K without financially jeopardizing myself. There was nothing I really wanted in the price range and I didn't want something lower on the scale. Then I found out about the X-Plan from Ford. My company has an account and I checked into it. I could get a Mustang or an Explorer for less than 30K but it wasn't what I really wanted. Then again, I didn't know what I really wanted. I decided to start pricing things anyway and see what I could come up with. I looked at everything from a Subaru WRX to a Mercury Marauder. I even considered pick-up trucks. They were very affordable but didn't have the pinache for which I was looking. Then, just for shits and giggles, I tried to price some SVT products on the X-Plan. I was astounded when I was being quoted discounts on the Focus SVT that wasn't even released yet. However, I couldn't wait that long. I needed a new vehicle before the Thunderbird blew up. Then I hit the Mustang Cobra. Its nice but wasn't really what I was looking for in my next vehicle. On top of that, I never would have heard the end of it from all of my big-headed "friends" with LS1 powered F-bodies. Now, everyone has their dream car. Even if they say they don't, I can guarantee that I can find a car from somewhere in some time that that person would like to own. Well, I have a whole fleet of dream cars. My Thunderbird was one of them. As soon as I saw it at my uncle's dealer in 1993 as a 94 model, I wanted to have a Thunderbird just like it. That's why in November of 1997, I purchased my 1994 Thunderbird LX fresh off a lease. At that same time in 1993 though, sitting in my uncle's dealership was a brand spanking new red F-150 of the likes I had never before seen! It had the coolest wheels and those bucket seats! Oh and the sound it made when the engine roared to life! I was hooked! I read the scripting on the rear quarter panel. It said Lightning and it was parked right next to a totally black F-150 that said Nite in dark neon purple. What a pair they were! Sitting there in showroom in all their glory! I wanted one from start, never even hearing of it before in my life. All I knew was it was a baaaaaad ass truck!

In 1999, John Coletti was interviewed in several magazines about a new Lightning. I had forgotten about the Lightning because it had been out of production since 1995. All I saw in these interviews was power numbers, 360 horses and 440 pound-feet of torque. I was surprised but not impressed. Trucks are supposed to have alot of power, they do work. What did it for me was seeing the acceleration numbers and road holding test results. This thing was out running and out cornering the new Mustangs! All I could say was WOW! and I felt just like I did in my uncle's dealership in 1993. I wanted one of each iteration! But alas, none for me, I was in debt from school and was just over a year into paying for my Thunderbird. Not that I wasn't happy with the Thunderbird, just that I was wanting another one of my dream cars again.

This brings me back to where I started. I checked the X-Plan pricing on a 2001 Lightning, a full 3 years after I first saw the '99 in Car and Driver. Seeing them on lots for at the cheapest, 35K I was fearing that I would not be able to afford one and dismissed my venture as mere folly. Then the X-Plan price hit the screen. $28,767! I couldn't believe it! I ran the pricing again and the same number popped up. I called a local dealer and talk to a salesman. He told me that the web site did not reflect the prices for the next fiscal year which is what I would be getting if I bought the truck after August 31st. It was even better at $27,270! Wha-wha-wha-what!?!?! I asked the salesman if he had any on his lot in black and he said "Yeah, I think I have 7!" I told him I would be down later that afternoon. I met the salesman, took a test drive (like I really needed to) and talked some numbers. Went back home, called the bank, got a cashier's check for 6 grand and went back on Monday September 10th, 2001. I traded my Thunderbird in after changing the oil with a 40W to quiet the noises down, got $2500 for my Thunderbird and signed the financing papers. That night, I drove home in my brand new Lightning!

The next day was September 11th, 2001.

I will always remember the purchase of my truck. It is etched in my memory forever. Nothing can compare to attaining a goal in your life and then wanting to share it with people and then having to stand with your co-workers as you helplessly watch your friends and family perish in a senseless act of cowardly jealousy. It felt ironic when my boss turned to me and said "I feel numb, like I have been struck by lightning."