KEN’S 56 Ford F100

 

‘KEN’S 56’ – BUILT FOR CRUISING. FROM AN OLD FARM TRUCKTO AWARD WINNER - MR EXCITED’S CHOICE OF THE DAY AT THE 2023 YARRA GLEN CAR SHOW AND TOP 5 ELITE AND BEST PAINT JOB AT THE 2024 UTE NATIONALS IN DANDENONG. KEN SAWREY TALKS TO CLASSIC CARS WORLDWIDE ONLINE ABOUT HIS 1956 FORD F100 PICK-UP.

Ex- navy man and now retired, 65 years old Ken Sawrey has had a keen interest in cars from a very early age. “I was the youngest of five boys and I used to watch my brothers do up their cars and motorbikes.” Ken is widowed and lives in Longworry, Gippsland, Victoria. He has three children, Jason, 38 years old and twins Brad and Kate, 36 years old. He also has five grandchildren,

After leaving school in 1974 Ken joined the navy in 1976 in which he served for nine years as a cook. He considers himself very lucky and says “I did two six-month deployments to far east Asia which as a young fella at the time was a big eye opener. It was an experience I will never forget. I visited many different ports around Asia plus I travelled around the coast of Australia a few times as well as New Zealand. Also visited the Soloman Islands so I got to see a bit of the world.”

When Ken got out of the Navy in 1985 he started a career in truck driving which lasted 31 years. “I started in small trucks doing local delivery work and worked my way up to semi-trailers and then B-Doubles which I thoroughly enjoyed” He says.”I also drove interstate which I loved. I have driven a variety of trucks but my favourites are Kenworth, Western Stars and the early Model Macks. Due to an injury sustained while in the navy I had to retire in 2016.”                                                                                                   

“I got to know Mr Excited (Glen Higgenson) at the Yarra Glen car show in 2023 where my car won the award for Mr. Excited Choice of the Day. I don’t have any projects with Glen, I just enjoy going to his car shows.”

EARLY CARS

Ken’s first car was a 1963 Ford Cortina, “I drove it everywhere!” he says, His current car is a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire. In between he owned a couple of Monaro’s and three EH Holdens.

CURRENT CLASSIC CAR – 1956 FORD F100 PICK-UP.. “A GOOD ONE TO REBUILD.”  A UNIQUE AND ORIGINAL OWN DESIGN.

In 2017, just a year after retiring, Ken bought his classic car, a 1956 Ford F100 Pick-Up. He explains “I got it from Gympie in Queensland. It was an old farm truck but it was all together and I thought what a good one to rebuild. Plus being a right-hand drive was a bonus.”

The rebuild took seven years for Ken to complete. “I stripped it down to the chassis and went from there” he says.” Money wise let’s just say the kids don’t have much inheritance left! Haha, but they were on board for the rebuild.”

Ken has always loved the shape of the 56 pick-ups and says “I think they look so good. This 56 is special to me because of how it looks today. It’s all my design so I think that’s unique.”

REBUILD AND MODIFICATIONS – STAYING TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL PERIOD AND STYLE OF THAT ERA

“I built the F100 for cruising and to enjoy so there are no high-end modifications” says Ken. “I just wanted it to look clean and tidy which I think I have done. I also wanted to try and stay true to the original period and style of that era with modern technology.”

Ken highlights the main modifications made in the rebuild which include:

• -       351 Windsor Motor.
• -       600 Holley Carby.
• -       BORG Warner diff 2.92 Ratio.
• -       Mitsubishi L300 Front End Suspension.
• -       Ford EA Ute Rear End Suspension.
• -       15” x 7” Chrome Smoothies with white wall tyres. (front)
• -       15” x 8” Chrome Smoothies with white wall tyres. (back)
• -       Custom 2.5” exhaust system with custom made headers.
• -       Thermo fans and custom-made radiator.
• -       Chromed Serpentine kit.
• -       American walnut timber bed.
• -       Electric windows.
• -       Central locking.
• -       Heating and air conditioning.
• -       Disc brakes all around and a booster.

The colour of the F100 is Ruby Red which is a Mustang colour, Ken offers a special thankyou to Matthew, Tony and Dominique Gissara and the team at T & M Street Customs in Pakenham and says “they did a fantastic and amazing job on the rebuild. The car has three coats of ceramic coating (inside and outside) as well which makes the paint pop! A big thanks to Eddy Adex Detailing and also Matt Telford at Eagle Auto Spares in Dandenong for their help and advice.”       

Ken also acknowledges the great help he got from John Watson at WOT Automotive in Warragul, Steve MacGregor from Warragul Exhaust Centre and Ray and Barb Alldrick at TCR Carponents in Bayswater. He says “due to all the professional people that had a hand in the rebuild it went pretty smoothly. There were a couple of small things that got changed but nothing abnormal.”

Ken is now enjoying the fruits of his seven years rebuild and says “I get a lot of comments and thumbs up while driving down the road. The F100 is a pleasure to drive and every time I drive it you can’t wipe the smile off my face. It’s great!”

AWARDS

• Ken is very proud of a couple of awards his F100 recently won.
• 2023 Yarra Glen Car Show – Mr. Excited’s Choice of the Day
• 2024 Ute Nationals Show, Dandenong. Top 5 Elite and Best Paint Job

THE FUTURE

“I am new to the classic car scene, but I go to as many shows as I can” says Ken. “I really enjoy the shows and the people I get to meet. I especially enjoy the shows that Glen puts on, they are friendly and enjoyable. I don’t read many car magazines but do buy them from time to time. My experience so far with the classic car scene has been very positive, supportive and enjoyable, More shows and coffee meets are on the agenda and I look forward to meet more people who are as enthusiastic as I am.”

Ken concludes by saying “apart from the car shows and drives to the country I enjoy working on cars and trucks, military history, long walks and spending time with family and friends.  Once again to everyone involved in the rebuild a big THANK YOU!”  

A big shout to Andy from Olskool Photography for these amazing pictures. 

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