Victorian Bob Plowman owned and raced a Ford Roadster Pick Up that went through a few versions in its lifetime.
The earliest picture we have of the Plowman RPU show a Model T Roadster Pick Up body with large round-tube roll bar behind the seats. It’s powered by a twin-carb flathead Ford V8 and no grille over the radiator core.
A later image shows a channelled 1932 Ford RPU body with almost no recognisable parts carried over from the Model T version, except the roll bar. It’s also powered by a flathead Ford V8 with a twin-carb set up and Model T grille, front nerf bar and bobbed rear fenders.
Frank Lee mentions he helped Bob bring the stock ’32 body home from Stud Rd, Dandenong, Victoria and build it into the car seen. [3]
Sources have indicated it was fitted with a Volkswagen front end, however the photo taken at Riverside in 1963 shows a 3″ dropped chrome Ford axle. [1]
Bob was a member of the Southern Hot Rod Club.
It is believed the car still exists today, owned by the same person who owns the Hans Klemme coupe.
“… he has not done what he originally planned and unchannelled it… it is destined to remain pretty much as it is today, unless he chooses to restore it to its original condition. Currently it’s a bolder yellow than it was back then, with steelies and whites, plus Old Fiestas on the front wheels.” [2]
The Model T version of Bob Plowman’s RPU, at Riverside in 1962. Image courtesy of Ronnie Williams
The 1932-bodied form of Bob Plowman’s RPU, seen at Riverside in 1963. Image courtesy of Ian Liddell
Refrences
[1] Frank Lee, via Facebook
[2] User ‘Carps’, via H.A.M.B.
[3] Frank Lee, via Facebook