'Part of him with me': Sask. man fixing up grandpa's classic truck after finding it for sale on social media
A 24-year-old man from Preeceville, Sask. was reunited with his grandfather’s classic, custom-made Ford truck after finding it on social media and plans to restore it to its former glory.
Sean Ebel said he discovered a familiar Ford F100 posted to a Facebook group in the summer of 2021. It was the same truck his grandfather, Leonard Ebel, bought nearly 50 years ago.
“The guy who made the post wanted to cut it up for a parts truck,” Sean said in an interview with CTV News.
“I absolutely love this thing. I could never image someone cutting it up.”
Sean remembers visiting his grandfather’s farm as a child and admiring the 1974 burnt-orange beauty.
“I would see this truck sitting there and I just thought it was the coolest thing,” he said.
The truck was inherited by a family member after his grandfather died, but Sean still enjoyed taking care of it.
“I was very proud to drive it around on my grad day and show it off. It was very special,” he said.
Sean said he was often away for work and didn’t realize the truck was sold until two years later. He said he immediately reached out, bought the truck back and set his sights on fixing it up again.
Wilfred Ebel, Leonard’s younger brother, worked at Formo Motors, the dealership where the truck is from. He remembers his brother’s excitement.
“He was ecstatic. He had never owned a brand new vehicle before and he just loved it,” Wilfred said.
Wilfred is glad the truck is being restored and staying in the family.
“Leonard would be so happy, he thought the world of that truck,” he said.
He said the truck is a sixth generation F100 pickup truck (1973-1979), and the 1974 was the last model to come out, before the infamous Ford 150 was introduced in 1975. His brother custom ordered it to have a heavy-duty rear suspension and a four-speed transmission, with a low gear for towing bales around the farm.
Nearly five decades later, Wilfred said the truck hasn’t had any major problems. Sean added it still has most of the original drive train.
Sean said his grandpa died when he was young, but he feels a connection when he works on the truck.
“It felt like I did have part of him with me,” Sean said.
Right now, he is focusing on getting the engine running again, then he’ll replace the tires, and give it a fresh paint job.
He plans to keep the original colour and restore it back to, “how my grandpa would have wanted it”.
“And maybe throw little bit of my own spin on it,” he added.
Sean said working on the truck has sparked his interest to go back to school, and pursue a career as a mechanic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.