The latest instalment takes a look at Gerhard Fouche’s incredible collection of Ford tractors.

Above the Lesotho border in the Eastern-Free State between the towns of Clocolan and Marquard is a farm called Eden. For over 30-years Gerhard Fouche has farmed maize, wheat, and soya beans on Eden. Gerhard is not your average farmer, he’s a Ford Fanatic Farmer. He fell in love with Ford tractors because they were affordable, easy to work on and reliable, and still are all these things.

Ford tractors have a long history in South Africa. The Neave Assembly plant opened in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in 1948, becoming the largest roofed factory in the country. The plant was responsible for producing an extensive range of memorable cars such as the Ford Fairlane, Zephyr, Zodiac, Anglia, Prefect, Consul, Escort, Granada, and the legendary two-door Capri. It, too, assembled Ford’s range of Thames and Louisville trucks, and Fordson Major diesel tractors. 

Gerhard once tried another brand of tractor but was back to his Ford tractor soon. When asked what his biggest disappointment was, he simply said “when Ford stopped making tractors”.