I will admit to watching some television, but I generally detest “reality shows” that involve competition and avoid them at all costs. The granddaddy of the genre is Survivor, a show that seems to have been on the air for some number of seasons that is more than I can remember but refuse to take the time to look up. Let’s just go with “a lot”.
The automotive version of Survivor is played a little differently. I think this is a show worth watching.
First we take cars and put them in a hostile climate. High summer heat, frigid winters and plenty of rain, ice and snow. And salt thrown with great abandon in order to melt the ice and snow.
Next we add a series of relationships – the first is often the best but then one partner (and isn’t it always the other one) has a wandering eye and moves on to another automotive relationship. The poor car is left to weather a series of deteriorating domestic situations with a steady downward spiral into poor health.
When cars are left to more-or-less fend for themselves with nothing more given them beyond a daily quaff of their favorite amber beverage, this is where the tough ones really separate themselves from the others.
There are the high-maintenance drama queens or the beautiful but high-strung types, but not out on these mean streets. The ones who lounge frequently on a flat bed will not make it to old age in this environment.
So some cars weather these storms better than others and prove themselves to be true survivors – cars that continue to start each morning and ambulate under their own power. So here we are with this season’s contestants – cars that have survived the brutal tryouts and are ready for the big time.
This one comes from good stock and has a genetic predisposition to longevity. But there is also some attitude, courtesy of tats and piercings. Although raised to be unobtrusive and a hard worker, this contestant has seen no reason that one cannot be both a hard worker and a little in your face about it. This one will not back down from confrontation and has led a rough enough life that it just doesn’t really care what anyone else thinks. What’s one more scar, more or less?
Next come a pair of twins. These were frumpy and not terribly popular in their youth, but had some tricks to get by. They are highly intelligent, figuring out early that an accommodating demeanor could come in really handy as a way to be versatile. And where good looks may fade, versatility does not. Power is not their forte but they have good DNA which they count on using to outlast everyone else in the field.
They don’t drink a lot but have no problem with the occasional big party. Their strategy is to work together for most of the contest but to then break away. One thinks a light attitude will win the day, the other is counting on a darker outlook for an edge. Either way, it looks to be significant odyssey for each.
Next up is this guy. He may look like a big dumb ol’ midwestern boy but he knows a thing or two about making things happen. There are no tricks about this guy, he just counts on a sturdy constitution and a blue-collar work ethic he was born with. And he has the strength to tote a lot of stuff, a skill that can come in handy when the competition gets tight.
And he is not as dumb as he might look, but has earned some credentials that have helped him get fairly far in life – an EEC IV and an AOD, both of which were earned with a stellar 5.0 GPA. Or is that EPA – I need to refer back to the press kit. He is not one to boast, but he cryptically says that he has 150 reasons that he will come out of this competition without a hitch.
Finally, we have the bad boy, the lightning rod that viewers will either love or hate with no middle ground. This Swede has lived fast and hard. It figures to power past the competition, hoping that its sometimes uncontrollable urges of self-destruction don’t get the upper hand.
This one hopes for some time in cold conditions, as it has trained extensively for this contingency. “Ice and snow? Ja, bring it” said this guy when interviewed.
It hopes that its middle-weight frame gives it a combination of power and maneuverability the others lack. It believes that it will be capable of sustaining a 9000% effort from start to finish (but acknowledges that such effort brings the risk of a physical breakdown that could cost it a place in the winner’s circle, as well as an emotional crisis that might leave it a sobbing mess along the berm of the final stretch. Stockholm syndrome can be an ugly thing.
Each of these contestants has made the grade up to now, handling all that life and other contestants have been able to throw at them. Which do you think has the stuff to win it all as the Ultimate Indiana Survivor 2019?
All photos taken between August 12 and October 22 in the same parking lot in Fishers, Indiana.
I’m somewhat amazed at the condition of that Corolla, I can’t imagine how it survived our midwestern winters for nearly 30 years without far more body rot. At least a few hours north of you, all of this generation has returned to the Earth. OTOH, I can’t imagine driving one of those things for nearly 30 years, either. They were dreadful enough when new.
I’ll cut to the chase; the F150 will be the ultimate Indiana survivor. Trucks retain their value and can be revived from near death to be made useful repeatedly. Plus a huge fan base in our part of the country almost ensures that this midwestern boy will be on the road far longer than any of the other prospects.
1) F150
2) Corolla
3) 1st Gen Odyssey
My money is on the corolla. Someone has put a lot of their heart and soul (and some dollars!) into that little one and that will carry it to the finish line.
It’s no contest, I’d wager on the blue-collared midwestern boy every time.
The Swede is showing serious battle fatigue, the twins have had holes poked into their armor, and the little unobtrusive worker has assumed the facade for a reason.
I actually see more LH body Mopars than Saabs. I just saw a 1st gen. Intrepid ES…a Saab – it’s been quite a while.
The fact that the Saab is still going 23 plus years after leaving the factory warms my heart and I wonder if the owner loves their car or just needs wheels.
Sure it is nice to see first generation Odysseys still on the road and older Ford Trucks, but the fact that Corolla is still alive (and looking good) in the rust belt amazes me. I wonder how the new Camry in front of it will look in a few decades? Also, I assume the owner throws some weight into that Ford’s bed since it appears to be a 4X2.
I was recently given a 97 Odyssey. I work for a Honda dealer but had never given these things a 2nd glance before this one came into my life. The car started right up with a jump start after sitting idle behind out shop for 18 months. After driving it a while I quickly grew to love it. Starts right up every time. Everything works. The perfect size. Rear seat folds into the floor. Very comfortable, bright and airy inside. It is amazing how good a 22 year old car can still be.
I know exactly what you mean. I bought one that was old, high mile and cheap. I fell in love with it quite unexpectedly. It got wrecked, and I still miss it.
A coworker had an Odyssey. I rode in it only once, but yes it was a great car, a mini minivan so to speak. It took three guys and a huge tv box with no trouble.
If these first gen Odyssey hit someone’s personal “sweet spot” on the size spectrum, they are embraced and loved for many years. Very few cars out there have as rabid a fan base.
However, most minivan owners prefer a bigger footprint and a bit more power, so the second generation model greatly outsold this version, once available.
In real life, THIS version of Survivor is literally played every day, every week, all year long. ANY domestic pickup from the 90s or earlier would be the most likely winner, but as a matter of fact MANY older vehicles are still on the road no matter what type they are, and in varying states of condition nonetheless. Some still look *almost* new while others are about ready to go into retirement. The F-150 pictured here is a prime example of the typical beater truck in my neck of the woods; C/K Chevys & GMCs are still abundant too.
HERE’S a true shocker within 20 miles of where I live: a 1931 Ford Model A that’s been kept under the same shed for 88 YEARS now. And driven to my home by some of my dad’s relatives earlier this month retaining many of its original parts! Granted, it probably isn’t driven every day b/c of being geared to only do 50 mph (would hinder modern traffic, but then higher speeds would’ve been too much for the road conditions when the car was new), but still impressive for a car that’s been around for nearly 9 decades.
Here’s a day by day blog of a gentleman who drive his 1930 Model A everyday for a year in 2010.
https://www.365daysofa.com/tagged/day/page/16
I’ll vote for the underdog here… the Saab. The fact that it still exists proves that it’s already beaten the odds, so it has the capacity to go on doing so. Poorly-fitted body panels? No license plate? Ah, who cares. My guess would be that this car is driven by one of Indiana’s maybe 3 Saab mechanics; under such circumstances it won’t perish.
I see a license plate in the rear window and I assume this Saab was in a collision since there are panel gaps with large spacing.
Always root for the underdog.
It was a grievous sin and crime what GM did to Saab. They were great cars. Under Ford’s ownership, Volvo and Jaguar thrived, and when cut loose to be autonomous again, became successful niche market vehicles.
But Saab? GM got their big, stupid Mickey Mouse hands on what was once a storied auto maker, and proceeded to bastardize it to death with their bean-counter, cheapskate ways and underachieving ideals. Under GM’s tutelage, Saab died the death of a 1000 rag dolls and perished forever!
A sad, sorry end to what was once a great car. RIP, Saab. Hope this survivor beats the odds and surprises everyone.
Old Toyotas just keep on going a cambely change every now and then and they and their bretheren Corona Caldina and Camrys will be around for ever worse here local assembly 90s Coronas are galvanised so only the used imports rust away,
Boy racers love Hondas its difficult to see why but it has made then an endangered species the minivan variety seem to die of natural baked in causes,
American pickups are mostly weekend cruisers here not workers, for that youd need to look at the ranks of Japanese built utes and vans, pick a brand you like there will be one past soon enough,
European and British classics in regular use are very common all brands all models and its amazing what I get to see, like the gentleman taking his MK 8 Jaguar out for some exercise yesterday, hed just washed it the car was wet on a hot sunny day resplendant in black he was just coming out of his rural Taranaki town driveway as I drove past, one of many they arent noteworthy enough to remember excepy maybe Saabs rare new very rare now, I’m in traffic a lot if there were some I’d be seeing them.
My vote is for the Corolla. My ’91 Corolla went to 280K miles and was still running strong when I sold it – not because of any problems, but just because I wanted a wagon. The Ford is #2. The others will only survive until the first mishap.
I’ll place my wager on the F150, purely based on the location of the shots. If it was California instead, I’d go for the Corolla, if Minnesota then the Saab, and the Hondas would need to be in Arizona for me to pick them over the others.
JP, I expect you to hang out in the parking lot and see who gets voted off the island one by one until only one of them comes back on a weekly basis. Better get a large coffee.
For me it’s a toss-up between the Corolla and the F-150. Both are tough and famous for years of yeoman service when many lesser vehicles have long been scrapped. They’re still a regular sight here in Ontario, and I expect them to be around for a while yet. I’ll take either one – preferably with a manual and in the case of the F-150, the 300 cid Six. Indestructible.
Semi-CC effect: I happened to see one of the 1st-generation Honda Odysseys on my way to a Black Friday sale at Wal-Mart today. And, of course, old F-Series & C/K trucks too.
I saw a white ’97 Aerostar (no amber in the tail lights) at the local Wendy’s drive-thru this past Wednesday & was behind a black ’94-’96 model (3rd brake light; amber turn signals) when leaving Wal-Mart. In case no one knew, ALL ’97 Aerostars that aren’t cargo vans are XLTs. My ’96 is gone but some are still around if you look for them! 🙂
I wouldn’t bet against the Corolla, but I suspect the Ford truck will be the winner.
Now I’m wondering how many of us could contribute to a “Cars of Meijer” post?
The Ford truck looks like it is in the best shape of this group, but AE91 Corollas last forever, particularly the JDM ones we got here as foreign used cars in the mid-1990s. The Odyssey minivans will probably do well once the mechanicals are in order, but the Saab – that might be the first to go.