Car Features

A 25-Year Love Story: A 1956 Ford F100 Built to Be Driven

Power with Character

Under the bonnet sits a 351 Cleveland V8, an engine renowned for its strong breathing, unmistakable sound, and raw muscle. It delivers a perfect balance of classic V8 grunt and reliability, making every drive feel like an event. Whether cruising or stretching its legs, the engine runs smoothly and confidently — proof of careful ownership and respect for the machinery.

A 12-Year Home-Built Legend: The Story of a 1976 Ford Cortina 3.0L V6 XLE “Big Six”

From Family Hands to a Long-Term Vision

The journey began in 2009 when the Cortina was purchased from a brother-in-law. At the time, it wore a modest light blue paint job and carried decades of history. Rather than rushing into a quick restoration, the decision was made to do things properly—slowly, carefully, and entirely at home.

Springbok Rat - The Culprit

That line, from the launch edition of a hot rod magazine, could not describe this build more accurately.

The idea took shape casually, as most dangerous ideas do. Paging through a magazine in Wynand Nell’s workshop on 29 July, the inaugural SA SpeedWeek was mentioned — scheduled for the end of September. Attending as spectators felt like a missed opportunity. If they were going, they were going to race.

There was no plan. Just enthusiasm, experience, and a willingness to work long hours.

1956 Chevrolet 3100 Stepside Mud and Rust

When this Chevy first came into its current owner’s life, it wasn’t a showpiece or a neatly preserved classic. It was a working relic. The chassis had been cut, the back end repurposed into a trailer, and years of hard farm use had left their mark everywhere you looked. Bearings failed, grease replaced maintenance, and the truck kept going long after most would have been written off. By the time it was finally parked, it had no doors, no lights, no glass — just a body, a history, and a stubborn refusal to disappear.

1974 Chevrolet El Camino - Holden Tight

The car is a 1974 Chevrolet El Camino, HQ Holden-based, owned by Scott Bucknell, better known as “The Olbugga,” and built by Ricardo Johnson of Midlife Crisis Garage. What started as a simple plan to freshen up the paint and “tickle the engine a bit” quickly escalated, as these things always do. The more Scott looked at the car, the more potential he saw. He wanted something strong, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Having owned several El Caminos before, he knew this one was special.

Pages