When the name Scribante comes up, one thing instantly springs to mind – racing. The Scribante family has long been a dominant force in South African motorsport, and when Franco Scribante and his team at Scribante Racing decide to build something, you can bet it’s going to turn heads and raise eyebrows.
This time, the team took a turn off the track and straight into the world of hot rodding – with a build that redefines what a shop truck can be.
A Ford with Family Roots Franco explains, “I decided to build this truck as these particular vehicles have always been a part of my life and business. I’ve always been a huge fan of this shape and model.”
The truck in question — a 1942 Ford Jailbar — was discovered in Barkley West. What was initially intended to be a simple shop truck and parts runner quickly spiraled into a full-blown custom build. As Franco laughs, “One thing led to another, and here we are.”
From Rust to Race Metal The build kicked off with a full sandblast to strip the old Ford back to bare bones. Once back in the Scribante Racing workshop, the team decided that importing panels was off the table — every piece would be handmade and fabricated in-house. All the body gaps were lead-filled, giving the Jailbar that classic smooth, old-school finish. The metalwork alone took just over four months to complete, setting the tone for the precision that would follow.
A Custom Chassis Built for Performance With the body perfected, attention turned to the underpinnings. Out went the original chassis, replaced by a full Scribante Racing custom frame — designed by Racing Manager Cobus Jonker. The setup features a double-wishbone front suspension with adjustable coilovers, a three-link rear, a 9-inch diff, and a panhard rod — all tuned for balance, handling, and sheer performance. A full brake upgrade ensures that this old-school truck stops as hard as it goes.
Power with Pedigree For power, Franco didn’t have to look far. Sitting in the workshop was a 347ci Ford V8 that once powered the team’s 350 Shelby track Mustang. The engine was stripped, rebuilt, and treated to aluminum heads, a race crank and pistons, a street cam, and a Holley 650 carb. The result? A 500-horsepower street machine with attitude. Power is sent through a C4 automatic gearbox imported from the USA, and the hand-built Scribante Racing exhaust gives it the kind of soundtrack that demands attention.
Paint and Personality Once the mechanicals were dialed in, it was time to give the Jailbar some show-stopping style. The chosen color — Geso Grey — is a PPG 3-stage pearl paint that Franco first spotted on a Porsche parked in a basement. “I knew right then I had to have that colour,” he says. The depth and glow of the finish are simply breathtaking.
Interior: 1970s Race Spirit Inside, Jan van Zyl Upholstery brought the vision to life, working off a Scribante Racing design. Custom-made seats and panels bring a 1970s Ford racing vibe, while the steering wheel from a Mustang 3T350 and a full set of Classic Instruments gauges imported from the U.S. complete the look. It’s the perfect blend of race heritage and refined craftsmanship.
Details that Make the Difference Every part of the Jailbar speaks of intention. The American Racing wheels — wrapped in Dunlop Historic semi-slicks (15x9 front, 15x12 rear) — give it an unmistakable stance. The custom wooden grille adds an artisan touch, while all chrome components were restored by African Electroplating. Even the headlights and taillights got special treatment — the latter sourced from a Model A Ford to keep things authentically vintage.
A Nine-Month Masterpiece What started as a quick shop project evolved into one of the most impressive hot rod builds in recent years. To think the entire transformation took just nine months is remarkable — but then again, this is Scribante Racing. As the dust settles around the Jailbar, Franco and his crew already have their eyes on the next project: a 1965 Ford Galaxie. If this truck is anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Acknowledgements Franco extends his thanks to:
Location: Kyalami Owner: Franco Scribante Builder: Scribante Racing Workshop Vehicle: 1942 Ford Jailbar
