I pop in to see Bradley Lightening and Greg over at Speedway Auto from time to time to check out what projects they have on the go. Sometime in 2014, during one of those visits to their workshop, I noticed the incomplete nose of a Ford F-100 peeking out from around the corner. It was impossible to miss, especially after it had just received a flawless Skoda Red paint job courtesy of Dane and Gordon Thompson at The Paint & Panel Shop.
Douw van der Walt
Curious, I asked Brad to tell me more about it. With a knowing smile, he called me over to his PC and began showing me photos of the entire build from the very beginning up to that point. What I saw left me speechless, and from that moment on I was completely hooked on the build.
Article and Photos by Jared Govender
Watching the F-100 progress month after month, and eventually seeing the finished product on the day of our shoot, was incredibly rewarding. It was also great to finally meet the man behind the project, Douw van der Walt, along with his wife, Ins, and their young daughter Cristina — whose name proudly appears on the truck’s license plate. Seeing how they treat the F-100 as part of their family made the experience even more special.
While chatting with Douw, it became clear how this 60-year-old truck had evolved into what it is today. Having loved cars from a young age, Douw had always dreamed of owning something truly special. For many years, however, finances made that dream difficult to pursue. As he approached his 40th birthday, he realised that if he didn’t take action soon, he might always regret not chasing that dream.
Douw had always been drawn to the iconic curves and grille of the 1955 F-100. Determined to find one, he began searching the internet and eventually came across a truck in East London that seemed promising. After purchasing it and beginning work, however, it quickly became apparent that the frame was beyond saving.
Undeterred, the search began again. Not long afterwards, Douw found another F-100 in Krugersdorp. Knowing he could combine the best parts of both vehicles to create a solid foundation, he purchased it and set the project in motion. At that point, the truck was sent to Speedway Auto, who took charge of the build.
While the body was receiving its stunning paintwork at The Paint & Panel Shop, Speedway prepared the chassis using a Jaguar XJS suspension setup, complete with Jaguar two-pot rear and four-pot front disc brakes. Power rack-and-pinion steering was sourced from Summit Racing.
Under the hood sits a 351 Windsor V8 fitted with Edelbrock aluminium heads, 600 CFM carburetors, and a Performer camshaft. The engine is paired with an MSD Performance ignition system and breathes through a fully custom stainless-steel exhaust that produces a deep, spine-tingling rumble. All wiring and security systems were expertly handled by Willie van Rensburg of Ace Looms.
The truck’s deep red paintwork is perfectly complemented by the chrome accents across the exterior — from the grille and bumpers to the striking Shelby Cobra-style 18-inch American Racing wheels. The bed has also been beautifully finished with rosewood-stained marine-grade wood, which sits above a custom aluminium 97-litre fuel tank.
Inside, the attention to detail is equally impressive. The seats, door cards, roof lining, and dashboard have all been reupholstered in rich BMW brown leather by Seelan Pillay of Custom Auto & General. A modified Toyota bench seat provides exceptional comfort thanks to additional bolstering and padding, making the cabin a welcoming place to sit back and soak in the admiration the truck receives. The interior is completed by a Rockford Fosgate South Africa sound system, professionally installed by Rael Greenspan of Altra Audio in Ballito.
The project took several years, along with a significant investment of time, effort, and money. There were moments when Douw considered giving up on the truck, but fortunately he persevered. Today, he enjoys the reward of owning a truly remarkable vehicle.
The level of craftsmanship and dedication poured into this build by everyone involved is nothing short of breathtaking — something Douw and his entire family can be immensely proud of.
