FOR many, a car is just a means to get from point A to point B.
It’s the car enthusiasts like Ernie Young, who see so much more.
They can envision the fuel, the lifeblood of a vehicle, pumping through to its mechanical heart, where it ignites and brings a once inanimate object roaring to life.
The Highway Mail recently sat down with the Kloof resident to find out where his passion for motor vehicles ignited.
How old were you when you first became interested in cars?
My old man, Raymond, was a mechanic, so from day one really. In the 50s we had soap box derbies and while the vehicles weren’t motorised, it was a type of racing.
Do you remember how you felt when you climbed behind the wheel of a car for the first time? How old were you?
I was a bit awestruck. I was five years old when I climbed behind the wheel of a three-ton Chev truck. I was sitting on my uncle’s lap and I was steering the vehicle along a straight dirt road for a few minutes.
What work did you do before you started restoring vintage cars?
I was an electric contractor, doing electrical engineering work for 31 years. It put me where I am today. It was hard work and was even harder to have to work away from home for long stretches of time.
How long does it take you to refurbish a vehicle?
While I was contracting, I worked on both the 1940 Mercury coupe (Ford) and the phaeton Ford 1934, a four-door soft top. It took me about 10 years in between contracting and on weekends.
What excites you about taking a rusted heap and transforming it into something fresh and new?
To be able to achieve such a mammoth task and then you see the interest shown by the general public in bringing back a bit of the past. A few of the comments are comical and unbelievable.
I remember hearing a youngster say to his dad when looking at a Ford vehicle, “Is this the car Harrison Ford built?”
When do you find the time to refurbish?
At the moment I try and do it as often as I can in between club activities, club functions and shows.
Once a car has been done up, what then? Do you sell it?
There has not been a single car that I’ve done up and then sold.
It’s like having a baby, you don’t and can’t just get rid of it once you have it.
How many cars have you refurbished since you started?
I helped refurbish various models in previous years but I have done up two gold medal winners.
What was the first car you ever did up?
The first car I ever did up was a 1968 Cortina. It ran a 302 Ford V8 coupled to a Sunbeam Tiger four-speed box and valiant diff.
It was quick back then but when compared to the cars of today, it is so slow.
Which vehicle has been your pride and joy to do up?
My pride and joy is the Phaeton four-door soft top.
Being a car fanatic, what car have you chosen to drive on a day-to-day basis?
I drive a Ford Ranger, which I love using when I go finishing and occasionally jump into the Chevrolet Lumina v8 UTE (2005).
When you are not in the garage, what are you busy doing?
I’m a patron of the Veteron Car Club, a member of Durban Boat Owners, the Durban Early Car Club, the Vintage Sports Car Club PMB, the Durban Racing Pigeon Club and head off on fishing trips to Henties Bay.
