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Name My (Sweet) Ride for a Chance to Win a HP Veer phone
One of my colleagues once nicknamed his father's 2000 Miata "The Penis Extension". In hindsight, "Extension" could have been changed to "Reduction," but I give him credit for trying. And the guy had a point, anyone with an emotional engagement with their vehicle needs to name it -- it's a way of connecting and making the journey personal, or, if you're lucky a way to win a phone (details below.)
As Americans, we tend to grow attached to our cars, which isn't surprising considering its easy to put a couple hundred thousand miles behind the wheel of one auto. Emotional bonds are bound to be made, identities defined, and nicknames assigned.
Which is all to say I need to name my ride.
The problem? I have no experience in naming cars. Not the Volkswagen Fox, not the Ford Contour, not the 1969 Dodge Swinger (Heyo!) not the many rentals I've used to escape the surly bonds of Manhattan, where I live.
So I've enlisted the help of colleagues to provide a little inspiration for this exercise.
Gadling's fearless leader Grant Martin once had a 1989 Honda Hatchback he affectionately named Jeco Speeder. So very...Grant.
A colleague to remain unnamed calls her Mazda 3 Crackerjack for reasons only known to her. AOL Travel Assistant Editor Rebecca Dolan named her 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid Knight Rider. When asked why she called it Knight Rider she replied, "I don't know."
Knight Rider (Minus David Hasselhoff)
Rebecca's father called their 1970 "brown" (that's all she can remember about the name) pickup The Sled.
The Bee is what Senior Editor Chris Anderson not-so-affectionately nicknamed his first car, a yellow 1977 Toyota Celica that sounded like a bee with a hyperextended wing.
Finally, an editor-not-to-be-named-ever was once the proud owner of a 1994 Ford Taurus which he named Boris. Yes, Boris the Ford Taurus.
Boris?
There's too much awesome contained in the name for Boris the Ford Taurus. I need some of that awesome applied to naming my Ford.
Inspired yet?
When you've got a suggestion, drop it in the comments here or message me on Twitter. The best name will live in glory, at least for the summer, and to help you come up with good submissions we're giving the winner ONE FREE HP VEER PHONE (valued at $99.99) . Just go easy on the phallic references.
[flickr image via Kim Scarborough]
This giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, comment below and name the Traveling the American Road car. You must comment before 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 21st and may enter only once. 1 winner will be chosen at random to receive one HP Veer phone valued at $99.99. Click here for the official rules.
So I've enlisted the help of colleagues to provide a little inspiration for this exercise.
Gadling's fearless leader Grant Martin once had a 1989 Honda Hatchback he affectionately named Jeco Speeder. So very...Grant.
A colleague to remain unnamed calls her Mazda 3 Crackerjack for reasons only known to her. AOL Travel Assistant Editor Rebecca Dolan named her 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid Knight Rider. When asked why she called it Knight Rider she replied, "I don't know."
Knight Rider (Minus David Hasselhoff)
Rebecca's father called their 1970 "brown" (that's all she can remember about the name) pickup The Sled.
The Bee is what Senior Editor Chris Anderson not-so-affectionately nicknamed his first car, a yellow 1977 Toyota Celica that sounded like a bee with a hyperextended wing.
Finally, an editor-not-to-be-named-ever was once the proud owner of a 1994 Ford Taurus which he named Boris. Yes, Boris the Ford Taurus.
Boris?
There's too much awesome contained in the name for Boris the Ford Taurus. I need some of that awesome applied to naming my Ford.
Inspired yet?
When you've got a suggestion, drop it in the comments here or message me on Twitter. The best name will live in glory, at least for the summer, and to help you come up with good submissions we're giving the winner ONE FREE HP VEER PHONE (valued at $99.99) . Just go easy on the phallic references.
[flickr image via Kim Scarborough]
This giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, comment below and name the Traveling the American Road car. You must comment before 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 21st and may enter only once. 1 winner will be chosen at random to receive one HP Veer phone valued at $99.99. Click here for the official rules.
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Reader Comments (Page 49 of 49)
Launa Jun 16th 2011 8:11PM
My Ranger was "Scarlett" because she was red and I love "Gone With the Wind". My first Explorer was "Xena" because she was powerful AND beautiful. The next one was "Faith" because I was hopin' I would have enough money to make the payment each month! (I did! :-)) My F-150 is "Leonard" because that is the name on the camper shell and I liked it.
Maria Ong Jun 16th 2011 8:07PM
How about your "MOXIE"?
Brian K Jun 16th 2011 8:59PM
The Merrimack
Heidi Jun 16th 2011 9:13PM
My 2011 Silver Explorer was named by the kids - Ivan. For reason's unknown to me, they decided it needed a Russian name. I usually just call it the "Bus" - as in "The bus is leaving - are you coming with me?"
Steve Jun 17th 2011 9:41PM
Name it Tech or Dexter (Dexters Lab) for all it's tech features.
my traveling machine Jun 16th 2011 9:16PM
THAT'S A NICE NAME FOR A CAR WHILE SEEING THE USA.
Wayne Hickey Jun 16th 2011 9:41PM
Hi, seeing as the US sees alot of tornados and such I was thinking a good name would be the 'Silver Vort-EX" or maybe just Vort-EX.
BJM Jun 16th 2011 10:28PM
We had a rectangular older Chevy I called "Clarabelle!" Even the grandchildren knew what her name was!!!
Colby Jun 16th 2011 11:11PM
We have had our 2011 silver explorer for about 2 months. My wife calls it the "deathstar" because of how big it is inside but I prefer the "silver surfer"
Chris Jun 17th 2011 10:57AM
Our 2011 Ford Explorer is named SPACESHIP.
It just came to me when I first sat in it, its all white, like a spaceship, the cabin is very roomy and feels like a spaceship (or a simulator) and all the LCD readout screens, star-trek-like voice computer access. I swear the windshield is also polarized like a nice pair of sunglasses and makes it seem like a screen.
So I'll tell my wife "I'm taking the Spaceship to the recycling center."
Susan Jun 17th 2011 12:43PM
The name should be "Not Derek Jeter's Ford", or "Paul Brady's Got an Edge".
Monica Jun 17th 2011 3:08PM
Harrison. . . Like Harrison Ford, is what I pick to name your car.
Mike Martin Jun 20th 2011 10:04AM
The 1978 Ford Granada we inherited from my grandmother was "The Grenade". What a bomb.
Rick Hellein Jun 20th 2011 9:41AM
My mom and step-father were looking to trade their car in and spotted a newer Ford probe they liked. They were sitting at the McDonalds across the street from the dealer and talked about the price and since they had two other cars what they would name the Probe. Since they were eating egg McMuffins, they decided to name the Probe Muffin, after what they were eating when they decided to buy it.
John Jun 24th 2011 4:59PM
I find it hard to name a new car before it's had time to develop its own unique history and quirks, so I don't have a suggestion for Paul's Ford.
The only car of mine that ever had a name was my first. Also a Ford. Ford Pinto, to be precise. When I lost the gas cap and temporarily stuffed a rag into the opening to keep water out, a friend -- with a nod to the Pinto's exploding-gas-tank reputation -- christened it:
Molotov
... which became "The 'Tov", for short.
Christy Stanford Jun 20th 2011 12:06PM
Call your new whip: Kirby. Because driving, especially in traffic SUCKS!!!
kevin Jun 21st 2011 3:35AM
i christen ur ride ''Sweet Ride''
scott Jun 21st 2011 5:24AM
I would name Your vehicle Columbus, because Christofer Columbus was a great "EXPLORER" and He even has His own Holiday!
Gloria Jun 21st 2011 11:23PM
I think you should name your vehicle Skeeter. Since you are traveling alot and it is a kinda fast car, Skeeter would be an appropriate name.
Lilliamjessy smith Jun 23rd 2011 11:00PM
It took me roughly 30 second to find this great post, thanks a ton.
http://mangopure.org