Couple’s proudly Krakkas about all things retro

This 1955 Chevy 3100 Task Force pickup truck has a shape and sound unlike anything made since. We meet the third Australian owners of the beast, which grabs attention wherever it goes.

The 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Taskforce pickup truck, owned by Steve Horne and Linda Stenner. Picture: Dominika Lis

IT’S safe to say Steve Horne and Linda Stenner are more than a little obsessed with old cars and all things retro.

And while Steve’s owned 46 cars since high school, he reckons his 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Task Force pickup truck and his 1965 Ford Mustang are keepers.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not always looking for the next dream machine with an old Mercedes in his sights and nightly internet searches fuelling his passion.

He’s also a regular at car shows and has been known to attend three in a day.

“I just like everything that’s old whether it’s been modified or it’s classic,” Steve explains.

“Dad used to take me to circuit racing events and Formula 1 before we came to Australia from South Africa in 1977.”

Steve Horne and Linda Stenner's 1965 Ford Mustang. Picture: JILL SMYTH BEAN IMAGES

Linda shares Steve’s love for old cars and wants to get her hands on a Valiant Safari wagon.

“They are a work of art when you look at them and they sound good too,” Linda says.

The couple even filled in their swimming pool three years ago, so they could build a big garage out the back for their cars.

They are the third Australian owners of the Chevy pickup truck and have had it for four years.

“It’s still left-hand drive so you can’t go through a drive-thru,” Linda says laughing.

But Steve says it’s great to drive, after work on the engine and gearbox, and some creature comforts added.

“It has modern suspension, power steering and airconditioning,” he says.

“I did drive a couple of pickups that were in original condition, that were like driving a tractor.”

A 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Taskforce pickup truck, owned by Steve Horne and Linda Stenner. Picture: Dominika Lis

The Chevy is reliable and looks the part following a new paint job, which gave the body its old rusted look.

Steve and Linda have added heaps of stickers from events they’ve been to and products used to restore old cars.

“People always wave at you and give you the thumbs up,” Steve says. “It’s funny even if you don’t want the attention.”

“If you come across someone else in an old car, they wave at you,” Linda adds.

Steve Horne and Linda Stenner. Picture: Dominika Lis

To friends and customers, they are known as Krakka and Mrs Krakka — a nod to Steve’s high school nickname reflecting his short fuse and tendency to go off like a cracker.

And they have turned their passion for cars and all things retro into a business, taking on a shop at Old Petrie Town in October which sells car memorabilia. With the help of Linda’s mother Robin, they’ve added clothing, shoes and much more.

They’ve also connected with local car clubs, which visit the heritage village on a Friday night.

Linda says they host fundraising events for charity and are selling a pin-up calendar featuring the Chevy to raise money for Cancer Council Queensland’s breast cancer research and support programs.

The calendar is selling for $15, with all proceeds going to the cause.

Their shop Krakka’s Family Garage Collectables is open Friday nights and Sundays at Old Petrie Town.

Search Krakka’s Family Garage Collectables on Facebook.