Helget said the Moehring family are the only people he would sell the vehicle to, because technically their name was on it–literally.

Long before Helget found and restored the vehicle, it belonged to George Moehring, Sr. and he used it as part of a delivery business, which is still stenciled on the vehicle doors.

Helget found the vehicle 12 years ago while doing restoration work with friend Tom Anderson outside of St. James. He was working to refurbish antique gas pumps on Anderson’s property when he spotted the vehicle, a 1935 Ford pickup, in a grove. Anderson had acquired the vehicle a few years ago in Northern Iowa.

“I saw it and I wanted it,” Helget said. At the time, he was working for a welding business and believed he could make something new out of the truck.

In a past life, the 1935 Ford was used in a transportation business out of Easton, MN. The lettering on the vehicle’s still bare’s the name of former owner “Geo. Moehring.” Joshua Helget used this clue to track down George Moehring III, the grandson of the original owner.

Anderson offered Helget the truck in trade for work. Helget helped refurbish an antique gas pump for free in exchange for the truck. It was a deal he could not refuse.

The rebuild of the truck took a year and a half. It required numerous modifications and creative mechanical work, but Helget was able to make the hot rod.

Helget describes the vehicle as a “Frankenstein.” It uses the cab and flat bed for the 1935 Ford, with parts from several other types of vehicles. A stoplight from an old school bus was placed in the back to replace the rear taillight.

Helget said the vehicle from the cab to the flatbed is original, but it had been chopped down 6 inches. Red elm wood was used to reline the flatbed. Helget said the wood was cut and milled with the help of a friend.

The dashboard is mostly the same, with some repair work on the gauges. The seating was completely redone, with the vehicle carriage lowered. The driver and passenger will feel like they’re sitting on the ground.

Paul Honken (left) and Jason Moehring (right) get a quick tutorial on the new drive train Joshua Helget (center) installed in the 1935 Ford Pickup. George Moehring III sits in the driver seat of the vehicle. His grandfather was the original owner of the truck.

Helget said the drive train was completely modified with modern parts, adding power to the vehicle, but it still resembles a 1930s era Ford.

Helget said working on the truck was the perfect project. He had a chance to get away from everything and work on the vehicle. He gained a lot of solace from working on it.

However, despite the many changes he made to the vehicle, Helget was careful to keep the exterior paint the same. He chose not to repaint the vehicle because he wanted to keep all the original decals and preserve the vehicle’s natural patina.

One of the more striking features of the vehicle was the stenciling on the driver and passenger side doors. Though the paint is at least 80 years old, the name “Geo. Moehring” was printed across the doors. Below the name, the word “Draying” and below that, the name of the small town “Easton, Minn.”

Helget decided to keep the old logo on the vehicle. It was evidence of its previous life as a work truck. “Draying” is an old-fashioned term for moving goods a short distance. Usually, this could mean moving goods from a port or rail yard to its final destination.

The Moehring family came out as a group to purchase a modified 1935 Ford that once belonged to the family and still has their name on the door. In photo L to R: Ankia Honken, Susan Honken, Karen Moehring, Paul Honken, George Moehring III, and Sally Moehring

Helget said in 2016 he became curious about the vehicle’s origins and began researching George Moehring, whose name was on the side of the truck, and managed to find the original owners grandson, who also happened to be named George Moehring.

George Moehring, III said when Helget contacted him, he knew what vehicle he speaking of, but was surprised it was still around. The family had assumed the truck was scrapped decades ago.

It was a little shocking to learn the vehicle had not been destroyed, but had in fact been resurrected as a hot rod.

It was something the Moehring family had to see to believe. Helget sent the family photos of the vehicle, but Jason Moehring, the son of George Moehring, III, said he thought it would be a great treat to bring his dad to see the vehicle in person. Earlier this year, they were able to arrange a meeting with Helget. George Moehring, III was able to sit in his grandfather’s old truck again and it brought back many memories.

“We hauled a lot of stuff in this,” George Moehring III said. “Gravel, cement, wood and people.”

Seeing how much the vehicle meant to him, Jason Moehring told Helget that if he ever wanted to sell it, to call them.

Helget said he had no intention of selling the vehicle, as it meant a lot to him. He spent years restoring it. His 6-year-old son’s name, ‘Easton’ was inspired by the town name on the doors.

However, even after realizing how much it meant to him, Helget realized it also would mean a lot to the Moehring family.

He called up Jason Moehring and arranged for the family to buy back the truck.

“I would never let it go for anyone else,” Helget said.

Earlier this month, the Moehring family came to New Ulm to pick up the old family truck. Helget gave the family a tutorial on how the truck worked with its new modification and George was able to share some of his memories of riding in the old truck.

His daughter-in-law, Karen Moehring said ever since they learned Helget would sell them the vehicle, they kept hearing new stories from George about his family.

Helget did have one final request before he handed the vehicle over to Moehring family. He requested to give George Moehring, III, a quick ride around the block.

Helget said it was difficult to give up the vehicle, but he took comfort in knowing it was going to the right people.

“My baby is going home, to its home,” he said.