Migrant truckie spends $20,000 to restore a beat-up 1970 Ford tractor – as he reveals the touching motivation behind the DIY job despite not living on a farm
- Indian migrant has restores vintage Ford tractor during Melbourne’s lockdown
- Jaskaran Brar grew up on a farm and said he has a deep connection with tractors
- The suburban DIY rebuild took about 10 months and cost upwards of $20,000
Months of hard work during Melbourne’s gruelling Covid lockdown have finally paid for one Indian migrant who spent the time in isolation restoring a vintage tractor – even though he doesn’t live on a farm.
Jaskaran Brar spent about $20,000 doing up the 1970 Ford 3000 tractor at his home Doveton, southeast Melbourne, over a painstaking period of about 10 months.
Although he loves his new home Down Under the Punjabi native who grew up on a farm in Moga district’s Bhaloor village said he misses helping his father in the paddy fields and riding on the tractor.
Jaskaran Brar spent about $20,000 doing up the 1970 Ford 3000 tractor (pictured) at his home Doveton, southeast Melbourne, over a painstaking period of about 10 months
He travelled 400km from his home to pick up the beat up tractor which was in ‘terrible shape’
His agricultural upbringing entrenched a strong connection with farming machinery that he sadly lost when he came to Australia in 2008.
‘I miss those good old days in the fields. But the thing I miss the most is our Ford tractor that my family back home has been using for many years,’ he told SBS Punjabi.
‘It is just a tractor for most, but for me, it’s an integral part of our family. Our Ford tractor has been instrumental in shaping our lives.’
Armed with basic mechanical engineering and agricultural machinery qualifications, Brar decided to rekindle his passion in the midst of the pandemic.
He travelled 400km from his home to pick up the beat up tractor which was in ‘terrible shape’.
Although Mr Brar (pictured) loves his new home Down Under the Punjabi native who grew up on a farm in Moga district’s Bhaloor village said he misses helping his father in the paddy fields and riding on the tractor
Mr Brar sourced most of the spare parts he needed from across Melbourne but to keep it as authentic as possible, he also sent away for parts from Nakodar town in Punjab.
Now that it’s finally complete he plans to exhibit the DIY beast at farmer trade shows around Australia.
He says his family back home couldn’t be more proud of what he’s achieved.
‘My family, especially my father back in Punjab, is delighted that I am continuing the family tradition of owning a blue Ford here in Australia as well,’ Mr Brar said.
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