Well I dont look all that ragged
for all the time its been
but im weakened underneath me
where my frame has rusted thin
and this years state inspection i just barely passed
won't you drive me cross the country boy
this year could be my last

i'm that tailfin road locomotive
from the days of cheap gasoline
and im for sale by the side of the road, goin nowhere
a rusty old a american dream

I rolled off the line in Detroit back in 1958
Spent three days in the showroom, that's all I had to wait
I've been good to all who owned me, so have no fear.
Come on boy, put your money down, and get me outta here.

Chorus.

Now this car needs a young man to own him.
One who will polish the chrome.
I will give you the rest of my lifetime.
Just don't let me die here alone.

You just jump me some juice to my batt'ry.
Give that old starter a spin.
Hear me whirr, sputter, backfire through the carburetor
And roar into life once again.

I am a tail finned road locomotive
You can polish my chrome so clean
We can fly off into the sunset together
A rusty old american dream (Still runnin')
A rusty old american dream