My sweet ride

By Carl Merriam | April 1, 2009

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I do not work for John Deere. My dad is a farmer. I like green.

These are the things I have to explain to total strangers all the time. I have told these things to a homeless man in San Francisco and to old farmers at a stoplight.

My first car was a Geo Metro. It was five different colors. I wanted it to be green. I took it to MAACO and was disappointed in their total lack of a “real green” in the automotive paint section. I kept browsing the paint chip binder until I reached the last section: Farm Equipment. There was my answer, John Deere green. I then decided spray-paint the wheels yellow and add on some yellow number stripe decals (purchased at the John Deere dealership as replacement parts).

Right after it was done I rear-ended a Ford Taurus on Shaw, near 168, on my way to class. There was some paint stuck to his bumper. My front-end was smashed.

Soon after that tragedy I was driving a brand new Toyota Matrix, a car that I had fallen in love with at the Tulare World Ag Expo. Then my cousin backed it into my dad’s pickup in our driveway. The difference between fixing the dent and matching the current color or fixing the dent and painting the whole car was about $300. I painted it green.

I love my John Deere car. It lets me drive like an idiot with a smile on my face and waive as a reward. It has brought happiness to many people and confusion to others. Both are good in my book.

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Comments

10 Responses to “My sweet ride”

    jacko:
    April 1st, 2009 11:32 am

    That looks cool and fun. And yes it does remind me of a john deere tractors.

    Kenneth Crutcher:
    April 2nd, 2009 8:48 am

    I worked at John Deere for 31 years and yes my blood runs green. I always appreciated the company to work for . I have been out 14 years now and I still wear a lot of J.D. Clothes. I really got turned on by your cars and am jealous of your vehicles. Good Job!!!!!!!! I was a wage (Union) employee.

    Lauren:
    April 2nd, 2009 11:06 pm

    Cute story!

    Samantha:
    April 3rd, 2009 5:30 am

    I have a Geo Metro, and I love it! I’m not big on John Deere stuff but my mom is so we both got a kick out of this story. I’m glad that your car brings you joy, and it warms my heart that there are people on the road are actually happy.

    Sandi Piatek:
    April 6th, 2009 2:57 pm

    I love your car. My husband is BIG on John Deere, And I definitely would drive a car like yours. It is so cool.

    Animal Mother:
    April 10th, 2009 2:59 pm

    Turned on by John Deere? Sounds a little fruity to me

    Misty Rhodes:
    April 13th, 2009 5:21 am

    I really love your ride it is totally awesome. John Deere is my favorite.

    Sharon Nevens:
    April 15th, 2009 12:23 pm

    You really should be paid something, since you help their business!!

    Dave:
    May 28th, 2009 2:11 pm

    Pretty cool car.

    Ben:
    August 19th, 2009 6:30 am

    That’s just awesome! I love JD green. Very nicely done :)