Ford hot rod turns heads on Hwy

Dennis Watts of Alstonville shows off his 1942 Ford roadster pick-up and 1950’s caravan at Saturday’s Show ‘n’ Shine.

Doug Eaton

CRUISING down the highways in his 1942 Ford Roadster pick-up truck, towing a homemade 1950s caravan, Alstonville man Dennis Watts is hard to miss.

“We get attention everywhere we go,” he said.

“But there’s no point in being normal.”

Mr Watts had his unusual combination on display at the Show’n’Shine at Casino’s Beef Week on Saturday.

He doesn’t show the hot rod as much as he once did, but it’s still a stunner and plenty of people took the opportunity for a look inside the vintage van.

Two years ago Mr Watts bought the caravan from the local milkman at Wollongbar.

“It was his father’s, and he was a farmer,” he said.

“He made it himself from bits and pieces, whatever he could find.

“I had to do a lot of work to it.

“But it’s been worth it.

“Because this farmer built it, it’s the only one of its kind in the world.

“I wouldn’t want one of those new, fancy caravans.

“My wife would probably like a motorhome, but I’m not ready for that yet.

“We can quite happily live in this little caravan for weeks on end.

“It’s got everything we need at the moment.

“But I will admit it’s a strange old thing.”

The couple has done about 10,000km in the Roadster with the van attached over the past 12 months.

And sometimes they’ll take the 1950s Dodge for a spin, or the 1977 Valiant.

“I built my first hot rod when I was 13 and I’m going to be 63 this year,” Mr Watts said.

“You could call me a car lover.

“I think that’s pretty fair to say.”

He wasn’t alone on Saturday – Casino’s Canterbury Street was packed with rare and expensive cars and motorbikes.

Motoring enthusiasts had their chamois on hand to wipe the raindrops off the paintwork, and some even erected shelters to protect their pride and joy.

But the sun came out before too long, and that made Mr Watts happy.

“The only thing wrong with this Roadster is that it doesn’t have any windows,” he said.