The hottest show on television these days, at least in terms of ratings, is quite likely the History Channel’s mega-hit “Pawn Stars”. The show follows the exploits of the staff of Las Vegas’ Gold and Silver pawn shop, and it’s chock full of funny. You could try to write a sitcom like this, but you’d never get it right and viewers would never believe the stuff that comes in the door. What better way to highlight the differences between the 2010 and 2011 Ford Explorers than to hire the staff of Gold and Silver to treat it like an appraisal?
These guys are used to scams, since everyone is Las Vegas is working some kind of angle. The setup has the announcer trying to pass off a 2010 Explorer as the all-new 2011 version, and each of the staff get to point out key differences. Rick spots the exposed door keypad on the 2010, which is hidden on the 2011. Corey demonstrates that the 2010 Explorers didn’t get the My Ford Touch option, and The Old Man points out that the 2010’s V6 was down 80 horsepower on the 2011 V6. Cut to Cro-Magnon Man Chumlee rolling up in a 2011 Explorer, which they all agree is the real deal. Until they see the grille logo.
Props to Ford for jumping on the Pawn Stars bandwagon, and a tip of the hat to the guys at Pawn Stars. They’ve been in Vegas long enough to know that fame is fleeting, so you may as well enjoy the spotlight as long as you can.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
