Something Diffrent: 1946 Ford Custom Pickup
Chawahl and Jan have been friends and work colleagues for years when they decided to start a side business building cars from a shop in Centurion. They started off with a classic Morris Minor 1956. However, this project was put on the coming soon list when they went on a trip to Bloemfontein and found the 1946 Ford cab laying in a field.
When you see a vision in your head, you have to go for it. You just have to build the car says Chawahl.
Owners: Chawahl Lombaard and Jan Kuik
Shop name: C & J Customs
Location: Centurion.
The cab looked like any other project that is pulled from a field. Rusted and not looked after. The guys found a chassis from an abandoned project (an F100} that had Jag front and rear suspension already installed. It was perfect for their project. Another great find was a Massey Ferguson Grille that the guys knew would fit their build perfectly.
They acquired a 5.0L 302 Windsor V8 and C6 auto 3-speed gearbox from Rocket 88. The motor was then brought in and stripped and then sent to Basil’s engineering. Once all the work was done the motor was put back together by the C&J Customs team. They estimated that the motor pushes out about 395 horsepower.
Once all the bodywork was done, it was painted black with red pearl. When it came to wheels, they went to the guys at Autostyle. They hooked them up with a set of 18-inch Torque Thrust ll American Racing Wheels wrapped in 265/35/18 tyres.
Street Rod Factory supplied the headlights and taillights and the Belly tank is from Piper Arrow Aluminum. The seat came out of a 2017 Mazda MX5. However, the upholstery was done internally. They made a custom wood armrest that can open. All the normal gauges like water temp, oil pressure, volts meter, rev counter and speedometer are digital.
We asked them what to expect next and they said they are building a Ford F100. It is going to be a monster on the road with a Cummins straight 6 twin turbo diesel, air suspension and 22-inch wheels. It is going to look mean from the outside with an immaculate interior.
C&J Customs would like to thank Jan van der Walt, the photographer, for an awesome day, for their staff and George Riley.
Companies involved in the build:
Street Rod Factory
Rocket 88
The V8 Shoppe
Basils Engineering
