GREAT CAR: Aiden Smith in his classic 1959 Ford Ranchero. He had it imported from the United States. Photo: JEFF DEATH 0704jdcar03
AMERICAN cars from the 1950s hold a certain fascination for Aiden Smith of Millthorpe.
Mr Smith’s current ‘weekend” car, a 1959 Ford Ranchero, turns heads when he brings it into Orange with car enthusiasts reaching for the mobile phones to snap a shot.
Mr Smith sourced his Orange Ford Ranchero ute from the United States and arranged for it to be brought into Australia with the transport costs upwards of $5000.
The young car enthusiast has used his skills as a mechanic and electrician to modify the V8 vehicle.
“I have done up the interior of the vehicle as well,” Mr Smith said.
“It attracts a fair bit of attention when I’m out.
“I’m not sure where my interest in American cars comes from but I have just always been in to them from a young age,” he said.
Since he aquired the vehicle 12 months ago, Mr Smith has done most of the modifications himself.
Although he said he’s received a great deal of satisfaction from importing and modifying the vehicle, he is now working on his ‘dream car’.
He has just imported a 1959 Chevrolet El Camino ute which he’s working on to bring it up to road standard with additional modifications.
“I suppose you could say this will be my dream car,” he said.
However, financing his passion for classic American vehicles can be expensive, he said.
“I am going to have to sell my Ranchero so I can finance this one,” he said.
janice.harris@ruralpress.com