I don't look all that ragged for all the time it's been,
But I'm weakened underneath me where my frame is rusted thin.
And this year's state inspection just barely passed
Won't you drive me 'cross the country, boy,
This year could be my last.

I'm a tailfin road locomotive from the days of cheap gasoline,
And I'm for sale by the side of the road going nowhere,
A rusty old 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;
C'mon, boy, put your money down and get me out of here!

I'm a tailfin road locomotive from the days of cheap gasoline,
And I'm for sale by the side of the road going nowhere,
A rusty old American dream.

This car needs a young man to own him
One who will polish the chrome,
I will give you the rest of my lifetime,
But don't let me die here alone.
Just jump me some juice to my battery,
Give that old starter a spin,
Hear me whir, sputter, backfire through the carberator,
And roar into life once again.

I'm a tailfin road locomotive,
You can polish my chrome so clean
We can fly off into the sunset together,
A rusty old American dream.