Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The Ford is Skipper's dream of escape, so much so that he "took a job at the power company and continued living at home so he could put all his money into the car." (12.2) It means everything to him. So, naturally, it gets thrashed around like a rented mule the first time he tries to take it out:
It looked like it had been sandblasted. The paint was pitted and dull. The hubcaps and bumpers and Laker pipes were also pitted, and beginning to rust. (13.36)
Kind of like everyone's dreams in the whole story. Even when they come true, the world is going to find some way to ruin them.
Yep. That's a teenager's point of view no doubt.