This paint-chipped, dirty-windowed car may not be a dream for some, but it’s a sight for sore eyes for one senior. The gray, four-door, 1984 Mercury Marquis Ford belongs to none other than Senior Sam Donk.
“Last May I received my license right before I turned 17,” said Donk. “My mom drove me by the car and asked if I liked it. A few hours later, the car was mine,” said Donk. “It was a total surprise,” he added. “I was really happy because I had a car to drive and it was free. I still have to pay for gas though.”
Donk just has to make sure he has enough money to fuel his car. “One time, I was with two friends, and I was driving uphill when my car ran out of gas. I put it in neutral and we had to push it halfway up the hill into a gas station so I could get gas. I didn’t have a lot of money so I could only put a small amount in. It was also really late at night. The worker at the gas station looked a little weird and he was missing three teeth,” said Donk. What a night.
“Even though my car is a pile of junk, it gets me around, so I’m happy,” said Donk. Any car is better than no car, right? Donk drives his Mercury Marquis to and from school, to the beach, and to parties.
He also stashes food in secret compartments of his car for when he gets hungry. “I like stashing Fritos, Western Bacon Cheeseburgers, and Bacon Breakfast Burritos from Nico’s in my car,” he explained.
“The speakers in my car are really bad and I blast the music really high, so it messes them up even more. I also can’t roll my windows down all the way, otherwise they won’t roll back up,” Donk said, laughing. Even though Donk’s car isn’t perfect, he still loves it. “The car has only 43,000 miles on it. For being 26 years old, that’s pretty good,” Donk said.
“The Metal Death Trap” is one of many names for Donk’s car. It isn’t in the best of shape, but is comfortable enough for Donk. “The car doesn’t usually go over 55 miles per hour, but one time I actually got it up to 85,” Donk said with a laugh. The seat belts are also a little bit loose, making for an even bumpier ride.
“I’ve never been in a real accident, but one time I was looking down at my iPod while driving, and veered off the road. I swerved back on as soon as I could,” said Donk. Thankfully, neither Donk nor the Metal Death Trap was seriously harmed. “I’ve also never gotten a ticket with this car,” Donk said, smiling.
For Donk, glamour isn’t important. He has fun riding around town in his banged-up Ford, and, most importantly, it gets him where he needs to be.