Recreating Childhood Memories

Louis Aragi Sr. of Sheffield, Massachusetts, always wanted to find a 1953 Ford F-900 just like the one his father, Tom, once owned. The Ford was the first truck he can remember his father having. Tom bought it brand new when Louis was seven years old, and he can still recall the smell of the new interior and paint. “I loved riding with my father in that new truck,” he said. His dad was proud to drive it, and Louis loved riding along, especially since his father gave him a cushion to sit on so he could stick his elbow out the window. Louis eventually bought a 1953 Ford F-900 tractor in need of a lot of restoration work, along with a 1954 Ford F-750 that had been a fire truck. He decided to take the suspension plus the front and rear axles out of the F-900 and put them into the frame of the F-750. He added a 4.33 ratio rear-end and a few current luxuries, like a chrome bumper, stacks, and a few other little details. The finishing touch was the Pine Island Farm logo, representing the family farm. By combining the two vehicles, Louis was able to replicate a 1953 Ford truck that is just like the one his father had. The final phase of this project was to install a 225-hp Detroit Diesel turbo engine, which was recently completed. For added comfort during those longer trips, a CD player, air-ride seats, shock absorbers, and power steering were also installed. Over the years, this truly classic truck has traveled to national shows in Alabama, California and Indiana – and Louis just loves it!