The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Mia had owned only a compact electric car before her 1972 Ford. Four years into ownership, when she shared the story, the truck had a rebuilt engine, a front disc-brake conversion and a new interior. She had been driving it daily for two years.
A previous owner’s daughter found her on Instagram. As a child, the woman had used the truck as a hiding spot and dreamed of restoring it. Seeing its interior cared for by another woman made her happy, and her message meant a great deal to Mia.
The work and the years behind it
Mia worked professionally in electrification and battery technology and hoped to connect cleaner transportation with protection for automotive heritage. Her own connection was personal: her Japanese-American grandfather served in the 442nd during World War II while his future wife, a natural-born citizen, was interned by the US government. After the war, he worked at Ford until retirement. Mia shared that history as part of carrying his legacy forward and believing in a country while acknowledging its shortcomings.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
Shared by @Electrucking
Truck year:
1972
Ownership when this account was shared:
4 years
How the truck came home
I wasn’t! The only car I had ever owned before was a compact electric car.
The memories behind the truck
The daughter of the previous owner found me on Instagram and shared something special. As a little girl, she used to hide out in this truck — it was her secret spot. She dreamed of restoring it one day and making it beautiful.
When her dad sold it, that dream slipped away. Years later, she saw what I had done with it — restoring the interior and bringing that old seat she once sat on back to its full glory. She told me how happy she was that another woman had bought it and taken care of it. That message meant the world to me.
Build details, in the owner’s words
All new interior
Full engine rebuild
Front disc brake conversion
Plans at the time of the story
I’ve been daily driving her for two years now, and my plan is to keep her on the road. I work professionally in electrification and battery technology, so I live in both worlds. My hope is to build a bridge — to make sure policies protect automotive heritage while also pushing for cleaner transportation.
More from the owner
Driving a classic Ford means more to me than just owning a truck. My Japanese-American grandpa fought for the US in the 442nd during WWII, even while his future wife — a natural-born citizen — was interned by the US government. When he came home, he worked in a Ford factory his entire career until retirement.
Carrying on his legacy is deeply personal. To me, it’s about what it means to be American — acknowledging that this country isn’t perfect, but believing in it enough to fight for it, and to work toward making it better.
Keep the old Ford story going
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2 comments
‘Aquamarine’ is a joy to everyone that crosses her path. The truck and her owner Mia are brilliant jubilees w a high vibration!!!
That’s a great write up. Had the good fo getting to know Mia over the past couple of years. She’s a very intelligent and very enthusiastic young lady and it’s a lot of fun to watch her learn and do the things that she does to her truck on her own, she’s a testament to willpower and determination and my a pleasure to call her a friend.