FORD FAN SPOTLIGHT – We’re not sure that after Elle Thompson emailed her Ford story and a picture of her beloved 1992 Ford F-250 XLT to ClubHub@Ford.com, she knew that we’d jump at the chance to share it with you as our Ford Fan Spotlight entry this week. But when you read her note to us below, you’ll quickly realize that it’s not just about her many travels in that truck which prompted her to write to us, but more about her own personal ownership journey that makes driving a trusty Ford so special. Enjoy:
“Dear Ford Team: My name is Elle and I’m writing to share a story – not just about a truck, but about what it means to grow into yourself behind the wheel of something built to last.
“In 2020, I bought a 1992 Ford F-250 XLT with a 460 big-block engine from a traveling comedian passing through Austin, Texas. The truck had 140,000 miles on it, and it had belonged to his grandfather – the original owner who bought it new in Oregon and took meticulous care of it. Today, that truck has 196,000 miles on it, and it still hasn’t let me down. Not once. No breakdowns. No trips to the mechanic. Just me, learning with my own hands, and a machine that teaches as much as it hauls.
“When I bought this truck, I wasn’t mechanically inclined. But the accessibility of the engine and the truck’s honest simplicity made me want to learn – and I did. I’ve taught myself maintenance and repairs. I’ve grown confident in a way I never imagined I could. Being a woman in this world comes with challenges, especially in spaces that often feel closed off or underestimated. But this truck gave me a platform, literal and figurative, to stand tall and push forward.
“Since 2020, I’ve driven it coast-to-coast multiple times:
“To New York City to sell Christmas trees.
To Richmond, Virginia, where I started a goat-scaping business.
Through Big Bend, Marfa, and Big Sur, car-camping with my dog under the stars.
Surfing in California, farming in Iowa, and winding through Montana and Idaho’s wild spaces.
And now, it’s helping me move across the country again – this time to Western Washington, where I’ll be working on sailboats and building my first home with my fiancé.
“In 2023, a distracted driver ran a red light and t-boned my truck in Oregon. I thought it was over. It was just me and my dog. When I stepped out to assess the damage, I couldn’t believe it – only a small dent in the fender. The other driver’s car was totaled. He was unharmed, thankfully, but that moment underscored something I’d already known: this truck is built like a fortress.
“This 33-year-old truck is more than a vehicle to me. It’s a symbol of independence, capability, and grit. It has inspired me, taught me, and carried me, and I think it could inspire others. I appreciate this opportunity to share my story through Ford. . . . I believe it would speak to a lot of people – especially other women looking to step into spaces where they’ve been told they don’t belong. Because with a truck like this, we belong anywhere!
“Thank you, Ford, for building something that’s stood the test of time, and helped me become who I am.”
Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For more than 20 years now, one of the most popular features on FordPerformance.com and in our weekly Fast News e-newsletter continues to be "Ford Fan Spotlight," where readers can send in their own reasons why they're fans of Ford Motor Company and its vehicles. You know who they are: Ford "superfans;" grassroots Ford racers; unique Ford vehicle owners; loyal Ford enthusiasts; notable Ford club people; special Ford families; and/or any avid supporter of Ford, Ford vehicles, Ford motorsports or Ford Performance who deserves a little bit of special recognition.
All you need to do to get you, your car or candidate considered is to send in a brief description (200-500 words or less) and a few photos (in .jpeg format, preferably around 1 mb in size) with the owner’s full name and hometown, please. Just tell us about the vehicle(s) and why you think Ford Performance should feature it (them) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News as well as for posting on FordPerformance.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com with your contact info. Your submission allows us the rights to use your words and images (along with any edits) for editorial purposes; we’ll choose one submission in random order to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford story in our Fan Spotlight soon!
