War-era Ford pickup turns heads on North Coast roads

A candy red Ford pickup that you might spot on the roads of the North Coast has a fascinating history.

Manufactured shortly before the start of World War 2 when Ford halted the production of 1942 Ford pickups, this one was found in pieces by local Ford enthusiast Poobal Govender and lovingly restored to mint condition.

Poobal, who owns a farm slap-bang in the middle of Seatides and Westbrook, picked up the iconic truck for R120 000 – even then a hefty price as the truck was in pieces.

With trucking in his blood, the retired trucking transport Ford owner who dabbles in the restoration of tractors spent 3 years restoring the Ford to an almost original condition, with the exception of some chrome work and a lick of paint.

What makes this Ford stand out is the 99.9% original engine, with the only exception being a modern alternator.

It even sports its original carburettor which is in near mint condition.

Poobal added custom 76mm stainless steel exhausts to highlight the already flamboyant pickup which originally hails from Rhodesia.

According to Poobal, he originally intended to buy a Mini Minor, which he enjoyed restoring at the time, from a Durban car dealer in 2013.

By chance he spotted the pickup and it was love at first sight.

“From the moment I set my eyes on the Ford, I knew I had to get it,” he said.

“It was in pieces when I stripped it, and it took me nearly 3 years to restore,” he said.

His goal became to have the Ford ready in time for his daughter, Verona’s wedding, and on the day it stole the limelight.

Over the course of 3 years, importing parts from the United States and spending countless hours working on restoring the iconic pickup, Poobal had spent nearly R150 000 to complete its restoration.

“I get pulled over by other motorists quite often, asking if they can take pictures. One lady who did so told me her father used to own one just like it,” he said.

The flathead V8 used in Poobal’s Ford was rated one of the top 10 engines of the 20th century.

It saw extensive use in war-era passenger cars, trucks and military vehicles used in hot-rodding or ‘rat rod’ racing cars.

He has had many offers to buy, but Poobal has no intention of letting the truck go, which is valued at nearly R700 000 today.

Asked about its fuel consumption and running costs, Poobal joked: “Who cares about running costs when you drive a Ford like this?”

(NOTE: Ford (US) halted all civilian vehicle production on February 10 of 1942. The United States of America only joined the War on December 7 of 1941, following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour and the naval fleet. While the War did start in 1939 when Nazi Germany attacked Poland, it should be added that production was halted shortly before the start of WW2 for the US, when it joined its allies’ war-efforts – despite contributing significantly prior to joining in the War.)