Photos from the Cohort by robadr.
Dear Marianne, do you remember that one night back at our college campus in California?
Yes, that one night in ’93, when you were going to take us to the nearest Denny’s as we usually did after classes. I do recall it quite clearly, as we walked in the parking lot towards your car; the oatmeal-colored Tempo you had owned through your college years.
And then it happened. I can see you popping your key into the Tempo’s door, turning it over, opening the door, and then… you shrieked!
- Wait! This… ISN’T my car!
You slammed the door and turned around, your face all blushing, putting as much distance as you could from the Tempo we had almost broken into. “What do you mean is not your car?” I said, confused, as I followed after you. And then, a couple of rows over, there it was: Your Tempo!
How? What?
Had the other oatmeal-color Tempo not been properly locked? Or did both Tempos share the same keys? (Unlikely, but not impossible.)
So, Marianne, if you were a CC reader (I doubt you are), you would know I’ve occasionally complained about your oatmeal-colored Tempo. I’ll admit, here, that in all truth, I should stop such complaints. I did ride in your car as a passenger for many hours, and the vehicle did provide us with dependable service on all those trips.
But gosh, there was just something about the Tempo that just made me wish I was in someone else’s car. Not only was the vehicle the color of oatmeal, but it also seemed just as interesting. And on top, just about any other LA Tempo appeared to be the same color.
But well, you’re an artist, and so am I. And I believe we both can agree, wouldn’t a Modrian-like color treatment have done wonders for your old Tempo? Just look at this sample found by robadr at the CC Cohort page! Yes, I admit, there are the merits of artistry here. But beyond that, no way to confuse this Tempo with any other oatmeal-colored one. Or any other normally colored one.
Why didn’t we think of that back in school?
So, in the odd case you still own the Tempo, I leave the idea here, in written form to you. And by the way, I’m sure such a color treatment would have endeared your Tempo to me in a great way. I’m not sure if to a degree to get me on its camp, but I certainly would have found it a much more memorable ride.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: Ford Tempo – A Car I Love To Hate
Curbside Classic: 1988-94 Ford Tempo & Mercury Topaz – Sabotaging Yourself Is Easy
Remember the 1985 Tempo diesel Mazda engine.
Yes, it was slow, but one of the most reliable and durable on the market. And it had air conditioning, which was already a lot for a mid-range car. I miss the Tempo, you don’t see cars like that anymore, simple and effective.
A diesel tempo is one of my secret desires – I’d buy one on the spot if it was reasonably priced (like, $1500 dollars in roadworthy condition). I’ve never driven one though, so I can’t say if it’s one of those simple-but-rewarding basic cars, or bare-minimum transportation that one would leave on the side of the road without a second thought as soon as something better comes along.
Its been many years since Ive owned and regularly driven something you’ll see two of in a week, no I’m not kidding, I notice other C5 Citroens and Ive seen hardly any except at the agents I go to, and the other car well thats worse there are only a handful still registered in the country, mistaking another on for mine isnt even a remote chance
Wait!… Is this (awesome) fiction, or did this actually happen?? I so hope it did. An excellent find and great story.
It’s true. And I can’t look at a Tempo and not think of that night. Interesting to read in the comments others with similar stories.
Looks like the old ‘dazzle’ camoflage paint jobs used on WW1 warships (and more limited in WW2) with the idea it made it more difficult for the enemy to gauge range, speed, and heading of a ship. In actual practice, it’s dubious as to whether the result was worth the effort. I guess, theoretically, the same thing might have been applicable to cars prior to the advent of electronic speed-detecting devices by law enforcement.
And then, too, the reverse would be applicable in that it makes the boat/car more visible.
Well there are only so many usuable key combinations. I once had a Pinto and Mustang that had the same door key. I went to get into the Pinto and the key unlocked the door just fine but when I put the ignition key in it wouldn’t turn. It took me a bit to notice I had grabbed the Mustang keys instead of the Pinto keys. The Pinto was a 74 while the Mustang was an 80.
Then you have fleet vehicles and the keyed alike option that gives you the choice of one of 8 keys that will fit all of your fleet if you so desire. King Co Police did that option with their Crown Victorias so I have one key that worked on the 3 different ones we had in the family over the years.
As far as “art cars” go this one is pretty good.
I guess someone wanted to out-do Volkswagen’s Harlequin models.
I’d like to see in the interior of this car too – it is customized, or just the standard mouse-gray Tempo interior. Would be amusing if it’s the latter.
In the mid-90s I got into what I thought was my car at the grocery store lot. Sitting in it, I realized my mistake, got out, found my car a few spots further down. No problem.
Today that could get you shot or killed.
I love the paint job. And identical keys used to be more common, my Mum once opened accidentally an identical yellow mk3 Cortina to hers…
My mum unlocked a red Austin 1100 and got us all seated when we realised it wasn’t her car, which was a few spaces away.
Our new build house also shared the back door key with 3 doors down.
Nobody seemed to worry about this in the 60s.
My parents had a 1960 Rambler for a while. When my brother was in college he would occasionally use the car on weekend visits. After about 2 years we discovered he had been using the house key to start it the entire time.
The owner was there when I took the pics – he’s a designer in various media (IG otto_zoohaus).
The colours are actually scrap pieces of exterior grade vinyl, which apparently hold up well over time. Compared to Marianne’s beige version, this one is definitely upTempo. 🙂
Impressive. Sort of like an old-school, much more artistic wrap. Did he mention how long it took to accomplish covering the entire Tempo with all those different, small pieces of vinyl, not to mention the process of getting them to adhere to the sheetmetal in a permanent manner?
A nice little Harlequin .
I like these as long as _I_ don’t have to drive them .
In my VW Mechanic days there were loads of art cars and not a few were Harlequin .
-Nate
I can well believe that about Tempo locks. A friend had an Escort when I had the Cortina, and his key would open my car. He said that was common among seventies Ford products. He was a panelbeater, and I forget how many different keys he said they had. Maybe part of Ford’s security system was to make a car not worth stealing? 🙂