# Ford vs. Chevy: What's the Deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2002, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631 "2002-03-11T17:54:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DRS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8e7dd6/32.png) [@DRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRS)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/1 "2002-03-11T17:54:30Z")
Why is it that [Ford / Chevy] pick-up trucks so often have window stickers depicting a cartoon character urinating on a [Chevy / Ford] logo? More broadly, why is it evidently so important to pick-up owners to claim superiority to other makes of pick-up? Now, I’m not looking here for an answer of the type “Because [Fords / Chevys] are inherently superior to [Chevys / Fords].” I’m trying to find out why people care so much. I prefer Coke to Pepsi, but it’s not exactly a major part of my self-image. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/2 "2002-03-11T18:02:04Z")
Because Rednecks are morons. Erek ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/3 "2002-03-11T18:17:21Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** I’d say that the people who adorn their trucks with those stickers are expressing their opinions about the relative merits of the two major American domestic truck manufacturers. And what the people here have to say about the validity or intelligence of so expressing one’s opinion will likely be a bunch of opinions too. Off to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/4 "2002-03-11T18:26:26Z")
(he said tongue-in-cheek). Why do men put stereos designed to fill large auditoriums in compact cars? Why do women fret so much over shoes? It is my belief that each sex believes these things increase their desirability to the other sex. We are hardwired to compete for the best breeding possibilities. We are always trying to prove our decisions are better, we can be the better provider, etcetera and so forth. If you own a Ford and knock Chevy, you are announcing that you are a better decision-maker (and by extension, a better breeding possibility) because of Ford’s alleged superiority. I believe both men and women engage in this behavior, but women are much more subtle. I don’t believe it is a conscious rationale for these things, but as I said, competition for the best breeding partners is hardwired into us. ---
**Author:** ![Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonko_The_Sane)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/5 "2002-03-11T19:37:07Z")
It’s a more socially acceptable than arguing over the size of your… um… you know… naughty bits. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/6 "2002-03-11T19:42:47Z")
Good call Wonko. Now where am I going to find a bumper-sticker depicting my penis in realistic dimensions? –==the sax man==– ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/7 "2002-03-11T19:45:30Z")
Actually, wouldn’t it be better to have a short testimonial from a past lover instead? You know, to be like a letter of recomendation. “He is truly the best you will ever have!” 🆒 –==the sax man==– ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/8 "2002-03-11T20:00:02Z")
And if you drive either a Ford or a Chevy and you refrain from putting one of those stickers in your window, you are proving that you are superior breeding possibility than either of the previous mentioned breeding possibilities. 😉 Erek ---
**Author:** ![Shera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Shera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shera)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/9 "2002-03-11T21:23:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mswas \* > \*\*And if you drive either a Ford or a Chevy and you refrain from putting one of those stickers in your window, you are proving that you are superior breeding possibility than either of the previous mentioned breeding possibilities. 😉 > > Erek \*\* Woohoo! I’m superior! As for the question, some people just need one thing to hold on to that will always be good and true, and for many people, it’s there cars. Does that make sense? ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/10 "2002-03-11T22:57:37Z")
Ford was the first manufacturer to mass produce a V-8. The flathead was made from the early 1930s (late 1920s?) until the 1950s. Chevy was the first to produce an overhead valve V-8 in the 1950s. More or less, that basic engine design is still being made and is the most common engine used as a performance engine. Ford built mass produced some high performance designs in the late 1960s (Clevelands, etc.) but dropped out of racing in 1973. None of this matters today. Bill Watterston doesn’t protect his Calvin image, so anyone can use it for whatever they want. ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/11 "2002-03-11T23:20:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cornflakes \* > \*\*Bill Watterston doesn’t protect his Calvin image, so anyone can use it for whatever they want. \*\* This is NOT true. Any images you see of Calvin are copyright infringement, if not against Watterson, then against the Universal Press Syndicate. It’s illegal folks! And I believe that the issue went to court, too. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/12 "2002-03-12T02:28:03Z")
[Earlier thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=15217&highlight=watterson+calvin) I didn’t say it was infringement; I just said Watterson didn’t protect the image. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/13 "2002-03-12T05:30:19Z")
To respond to the OP. Why do people care so much? Because that particular people just spent $15,000 on this decision. Gotta rationalize it. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/14 "2002-03-12T10:45:46Z")
It’s no different than any other rah-rah mentalilty, whether for truck, school, or country. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/15 "2002-03-12T12:44:51Z")
So…in the Ford v. Chevy case… Is it actually true that the F-cars (Camaro and (shudder) Firebird) have finally been cancelled for good? Several press releases seem to say this, but we’ve been fooled by GM before (anyone else remember the “end of the Corvette convertable”?). And…anyone else see that the 2003 Mustang Cobra will have a **SUPERCHARGED** 32-valve 4.6 putting out 390 hp/390 ft-lbf of torque, with an incredibly flat torque curve? If they do, it will be mine. ---
**Author:** ![stormy652](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@stormy652](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stormy652)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/16 "2002-03-12T19:35:02Z")
Yeah the F-bodies are toast…at least for now. Fords new Cobra had better live up to what Ford claims it can do. Remember the 99 Cobra? 320hp my ass! ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/17 "2002-03-12T19:50:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stormy652 \* > \*\*Fords new Cobra had better live up to what Ford claims it can do. Remember the 99 Cobra? 320hp my ass! \*\* True…they really did shaft all the Cobra owners. They deserved a class-action lawsuit for what they did. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/18 "2002-03-12T21:25:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cornflakes \* > \*\*[Earlier thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=15217&highlight=watterson+calvin) I didn’t say it was infringement; I just said Watterson didn’t protect the image. \*\* 😕 > [@](#): > > [Computing For Parents](http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2Farchive%2Fparentsl%2F2kd2097%2F2kd2097%2Easp) > Take, for instance, Calvin and Hobbes images. The popularity of Calvin and his comical cohort Hobbes graced the World Wide Web at every turn—much to the dismay of Calvin’s creator, Bill Watterson. Watterson felt that the sale of his books was dropping due to the illegal publishing of his comic strips on the Web, so he and his lawyers sent a message to all Web site administrators using the Calvin images and warned them that they could be sued for copyright violations if they didn’t remove the images. Seems to me that he is definately protecting the image. Perhaps you meant he didn’t license the image, thus enabling the mass production of unauthorized likenesses? ---
**Author:** ![Dilbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58f4c7/32.png) [@Dilbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilbert)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/19 "2002-03-12T21:33:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mswas \* > \*\*Because Rednecks are morons. > \*\* So you’re saying that anyone who drive a Chevy or Ford pickup truck is a redneck? ---
**Author:** ![stormy652](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@stormy652](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stormy652)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631/20 "2002-03-13T01:55:27Z")
My friend and I made an agreement on this topic. He would put a picture of Calvin pissing on a Chevy logo on his Mustang, I’d put one on my Corvette, and we’d race down the street. Loser has to live with his shame for eternity. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy-whats-the-deal/97631.md?page=2)