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Made-in-S'pore 1941 Ford car returns home

Sunday, August 7, 2011


AsiaOne

MEMBERS of the public will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a 'war survivor' at Singapore's Memories at Old Ford Factory from today till Tuesday.

A Ford Mercury Convertible, which was assembled here in 1941 and fell into Japanese hands during the World War II occupation, will be showcased as part of this year's Motoring Heritage Day.

The event, a second-time collaboration between the National Heritage Board (NHB) and the Malaysia and Singapore Vintage Car Register (MSVCR), will see 40 vintage and classic automobiles roll into the historic site on Sunday for public viewing.

The 1941 Ford bears an endearing past, it was never delivered to its owner and shortly after being built in Nov 1941, it was confiscated by the Japanese following the Allied Forces surrender of Singapore.

The car was brought to Indonesia by the Dutch after the war ended, and subsequently passed through the hands of a few private owners before being acquired by Australian Kevin White in 1998.

The car's journey comes full circle on Sunday, when it will be put on display at the site of the former Ford Motor Factory, the place it was built.

Among the 40 automobiles showcased, highlights include a 1979 Ford Cortina 1600 GL, one of the last Ford cars to be assembled here before the factory shut in 1980, and a 1969 Ford Capri 1600GT, believed to be the only one of its kind left in Singapore.

"We want to share Singapore's motoring history with the public, this year, on the window of our National Day. The Mercury in particular survived the war and is part of our independence story," said Mr David Christie, Assistant Honorary Secretary of the MSVCR.

adrianl@sph.com.sg

Motoring Heritage Day will be held on August 7 from 12pm to 5pm, at the Memories at Old Ford Factory, 351 Upper Bukit Timah Road. The 1941 Ford Mercury Convertible and the 1979 Ford Cortina will continue to be on display till August 9, 2011. Entry is free during this three-day period.

Photos: AsiaOne, ST (Joyce Fang)
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