Owners Manual

What if people came with an owner's manual? Perhaps this would be mine:

Mark 58 - (1953 model year)

As you know, this model went into production very unexpectedly and caused quite a stir at its delivery, but owners took to it immediately. It did receive a lot of press coverage at its introduction. (Additional press coverage would happen again 24 years later.)

When it was new, it attracted quite a few ooohs and aaaahs at it's blonde roof and attractive front end, but as with all new models, there were soon others to replace it as the newest on the block.

In its heyday it spun off two models of its own which are currently the workhorses of the model line.

Today you might consider the Mark 58 to be a classic, and like all classics it has its own quirks and needs a little extra attention here and there. No longer the muscle unit it once was (or wished it was), today it is enjoying its reputation while cruising along at a much slower pace than at the height of its powers.

As in all classics, the wheels and the joints need a bit of extra looking after, and what is under the hood requires a little more care and additives than it used to, but still has most of its original parts. The grillwork has lost a little of its sheen, and a few pieces, but almost all is still on display and is the original equipment. These days, not needing to haul around parts for the newer models anymore, the trunk appears much more ample than it once did.

The fuel which it now requires must have less additives than it used to be able to handle - especially those which come from sugar cane or corn - but works just fine with the currently specified additives.

The headlights are a bit dimmer overall, but still work fine with the new boosters you can put on before taking it out for the day. Do not forget these or you will find your 1953 model Mark 58 might have a tendency to bump into things.

Additionally, do not forget to plug it in to its special machine at night so it doesn't make those horrible noises any more.

You will find that since it was repaired after its mechanical failure five and a half years ago, it has been taken care of much better and should provide reliable service for quite a few years to come.

And one final thing - it does best if stored around anthropomorphic mice, ducks, dogs, etc.

(Service papers available on request.)

So ... how might your owners manual read?