Harold and Evelyn Osland of Manito, Ill., had his amazing Ford pickup at this year’s 2010 Two-Cylinder Show. The truck was on display with an array of other pickups and tractors.

“I found it at Classic Cars of I-55,” he shared. “I bought it three years ago.”

Harold got a kick out of the fact that the Ford hailed originally from Waterloo, Ill., and was on display at this show in Waterloo, Iowa. The Ford had a flatbed when he bought it. To restore the bed, he had to replace the metal and the wood.

This whole beautiful Ford went through an extensive restoration process: “I had to do a complete engine rebuild. I had to scrape it down to the frame.”

Harold is also working on a 1949 coupe restoration. While he did much of the restoration process, he said his neighbor, Charles Martin, helped with the paint job.

“We put it back to the original color combination of black-and-cream. I tried to put everything back to the original,” he added.

While the outside of the Ford was a lot of work, the interior was even more so: “The cab and interior was the most labor-intensive.”

When looking at the amazing job, it is astounding to find out that he completed the restoration in eight months’ time. With his background it is easy to see where some of his talent comes from – “I am a retired construction ironworker,” Harold shared.

The lovely Ford wasn’t the only restored beauty. The Oslands also had a 1943 John Deere LI tractor with a mower. It fit just perfectly on the back of the 1947 Ford.

“I have had it for a couple of years. I found it almost in Nebraska, in Iowa. I have had it for at least 18 years,” Harold added. His neighbor also helped paint the LI.

The combo made for an intriguing one that caught lots of attention. “I grew up on these tractors,” Harold pointed out.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.