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MVP Malcolm Smith Awarded Flame-Happy Chevy Silverado
Last night’s Big Game came with a few big surprises, but perhaps none were as surprising as the MVP choice. For the last ten years the MVP award has been given to quarterbacks and wide receivers, but last night it went to Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith who was the first linebacker to win Super Bowl MVP honors since Ray Lewis back in 2001.
Smith was named for his contributions to the Seahawk’s 43 – 8 domination over the Broncos. In the second quarter, Smith picked off a pass from Manning and took it back 69 yards for a touchdown, and he later recovered a fumble by Demaryius Thomas. According to ESPN, it’s the first time in Super Bowl history that a player has had an interception return touchdown and a fumble recovery in the same game.
For his efforts, Smith was awarded a 2014 Chevy Silverado High Country, which could actually come in handy for the linebacker seeing as he’s not a millionaire like MVP winners typically are. I’m sure that the last couple of players to earn the typically mediocre MVP car just used it to shut up an old friend or family member that harassed them for money all the time.
If Smith does choose to keep the truck for himself, he better be sure that he carries a fire extinguisher in the back, as there’s a chance his brand-new truck could go up in flames. Much like the fire-prone Tesla Model S, the 2014 Chevy Silverado has been having some issues with fires in the engine compartment.
General Motors recently issued a recall of more than 300,000 trucks after finding that a software glitch can cause the exhaust system components to overheat and start a fire. The automaker warns that a continuous yellow “check engine light” and an “engine power reduced” message are good indicators that your car may spontaneously combust. Smoke and flames billowing from the hood are also sure signs that you should get the fuck out of the truck and run.
There is no arguing that Malcolm Smith was on fire last night—let’s just hope that he’s able to keep that from ever becoming a literal statement.
Featured
Ford Continues to Please Minivan-Skeptic Soccer Moms
If the words Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar mean anything to you, you know that Ford is responsible for some of the best minivans ever made. Beginning with the first model Aerostar in 1986, Ford’s snub-nosed minivan set the standard of what would be created by automotive manufacturers in this class for decades.
The Aerostar was also the first minivan in the United States to feature upgraded, luxury packages. With an XLT package, and Eddie Bauer trim levels, the Ford Aerostar allowed drivers to bring passengers, cargo and more in style. For the first time, drivers could take advantage of the versatile and reliable minivan platform, without sacrificing comfort and convenience.
Does Ford Still Make a Minivan?
The Aerostar continued in the mid-90s as the Ford Windstar. The Windstar was a complete reinvention, shifting the drivetrain from RWD to FWD, and bringing the flagship minivan more in line with current minivan design. The Windstar became the Freestar in the early 2000s, lasting until the 2007 model year, with the final Ford “Star line” minivan rolling off the assembly line in December of 2006.
While we don’t know for sure what was behind Ford’s decision to discontinue their family-marketed minivan, we can take a guess. For starters, Ford has extended their reputation for reliable cars and trucks into the crossover market. With options covering a wide range of size and seating configurations (everything from the subcompact Ford Ecosport to the boxy family hauler Ford Flex), crossovers have become the new favorite for family vehicles.
Ford’s versatile crossover line has a vehicle that can meet almost any need. Do you have a small family? Go with the popular 2018 Ford Escape. Big family with lots of stuff to haul? The 2018 Ford Expedition has your back.
Although crossovers and SUVs provide some distinct advantages (presence of AWD, higher ground clearance, and uni-body construction), the market for minivans hasn’t completely died, and neither has Ford’s commitment to providing drivers with a competent and compelling option.
Good News: Ford Still Makes a Passenger Minivan
Although Ford’s marketing has shifted toward promoting their incredible range of crossovers and SUVs as family choices, they still offer a more traditional minivan in the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon. Utilizing the same body construction as the Ford Transit cargo van, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon features up to 7 seats, and plenty of standard safety and comfort technology.
Lower ride height (easier in and out), sliding doors and greater visibility are among the reasons people still prefer vans for transporting their families. Additionally, the more contoured shape of most crossovers (not looking at you, Ford Flex) means that vans provide better cargo room! Family of four traveling cross-state with three suitcases? A Ford Explorer should be a great option.
Family of six, with a dog and 10 bags going cross-country, however, and the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon starts to look a lot more up to the job.
Ford has a sterling reputation across the spectrum of vehicles they manufacture. Although the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon isn’t among their more well-known, it’s among the most competent and best value options in the minivan class.
Featured
I Wasn’t Always a Dale Jr Fan – But Now I Get It
It was the crowning moment of the career of Nascar’s most popular driver. The 2004 Daytona 500. The chosen son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, had won the race that his father tragically died competing in only three years earlier.
Reports of the day say that everyone in the crowd was on their feet, cheering. Grown men were in tears. It was quite the moment, they say.
Well, I can tell you that there was at least one person that wasn’t cheering. That’s because I was that lone defector. (more…)
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The Essence Of 90’s Chevy Truck Commercials
If you ever watched television for more than an hour at any time during the 90’s, you probably remember Chevy’s “Like a Rock” commercials. They aired on just about every channel, so they were pretty hard to miss—and pretty hard to forget as well. Even two decades later the sound of Bob Seger belting out those now-famous words is still shockingly memorable. (more…)
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Dick
Feb 3, 2014 at 1:38 pm
The score of the game was 43-8.
Dick
Feb 3, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Thank you.
John Meise
Feb 3, 2014 at 3:06 pm
No. Thank you, Dick.