In a moment of inspired weakness, I replied, "Oh, hell, for that, I'll take it." Dan, who possesses Leno-level comedic timing, waited the requisite three beats, and pinged me back with "Bless you, my friend. It's yours."
Oh, crap.
Now I'd have to get my "new" truck home. I'm sure we could've gotten it running and out of storage under its own power, but I didn't want to drive it back from scenic Victorville only to blow a hose or clog the fuel filter. Instead, I borrowed this $95,000 Cummins turbodiesel-powered Dodge Ram 5500 with a fully articulated Jerr-Dan flatbed rig--what more appropriate way to get my $300 F-100 home?
This almost-a-Kenworth proved amazing. We've all grunted and pushed old cars onto trailers, and that's no fun. I didn't have to deal with that this time--I practiced with the Jerr-Dan's hydraulic joysticks until I could make its polished aluminum bed dance. After rocking the platform down to the ground, we threw a chain around the Ford's front axle and winched it aboard with no drama. It was fun to play with the flashing amber light bar, too--it made me feel like a real AAA tow guy. The hearty Dodge drove as if the F-100 was no more than a butterfly on its shoulder.
I'm now the Ford's second owner, ever. What am I going to do with it? I have no idea. But after so many memories in this thing, I just wanted my own crack at it. As I write this, the Effie is at my mechanic's shop receiving a new fuel tank, fresh brake cylinders, and a fluids/belts/hoses treatment. From there, I've got some cleanup work to do, and tons of it. That's okay; I'm a college-educated scrubber.