what does it mean? is it a simile?
Outside Parkland, Theron Ward added his tan Buick coupe to the tangled junkyard. He might as well have arrived in a tumbrel. He was on his way to an execution of sorts. A justice of the peace cou make no peace between the militants in Major Medicine; he could only mangle his own reputation.】

what does "arrived in a tumbrel"mean?

Question

what does it mean? is it a simile?
Outside Parkland, Theron Ward added his tan Buick coupe to the tangled junkyard. He might as well have arrived in a tumbrel. He was on his way to an execution of sorts. A justice of the peace cou make no peace between the militants in Major Medicine; he could only mangle his own reputation.】

what does "arrived in a tumbrel"mean?

Answer

The sentence is referring to his car (the tan Buick) being in such bad shape that it wasn't any better than a tumbrel. A tumbrel is an old cart that usually gets pulled along by a horse. Here is a picture of one: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7488326600_00ff7ab3d8_z.jpg This is another "sarcastic" type sentence.

Answer

A tumbrel is the name given to the carts that were used during the French revolution to carry/transport a condemned person to the guillotine.

Trumbrel = farmer's cart