Re: Opinions Solicited
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Posted by big fred on July 08, 1998 at 07:50:45:
In Reply to: Opinions Solicited posted by Paul Fox on July 07, 1998 at 11:52:13:
: I'm in the home stretch of rebuilding a 1938 F14. By the time I get done, change from $5000 won't buy me lunch at Mickey-D's...A major wad of that is in the engine, what with machine work, new cylinder head, new manifold, rebuilt mag and rebuilt carb. My question is this...AM I CRAZY? I know I'll never get anything like that back out of it in the form of cash (I suspect I'd do well to sell it for half of that, if it came right down to it). Is this amount of money way out of line for rebuilding a tractor? Notice I didn't say "restoring"...the correct tires, rims, wheels and some real body work would easily add another $2000 to that. I don't regret having done it, I had (am having) a lot of fun, and I expect to enjoy putting around on the old girl for several years, but it surely is a shock to realize how much money I've put into it. I'd be curious to know if anyone else has similar thoughts. I am not a tractor "restorer", more of a tractor "runner". I don't care if my tractor has a few dings in the sheetmetal or if the paint is bad, or even the wrong color (been considering painting my Farmall B blue, 'cause, darn it, I LIKE blue). I have mixed feelings about restoring. One the one hand, I admire the dedication, skill and enthusiasm that goes into a restored tractor, and I like the look and sound of a restored tractor. On the other hand, I see the prices of used tractors going up and up, and it becomes harder to find a "runner" that fits my needs (and wants, since for me a tractor is mainly a toy). I fear that the restorers who have 10 or 20 tractors that are just sitting in a shed have driven the supply down and the demand up and soon antique tractors will be the plaything of the wealthy, and someone like Kyle, the teenager who recently bought an old Farmall, may not be able to afford the experience. Don't get me wrong, now, this is not sour grapes, and Lord knows I would never tell anyone what to do with their own property. We have elected officials to do that. The bottom line is that it is a hobby, and the cost of the hobby is a personal issue. If you are making a comfortable living, and can afford the expense, then go for it. You could be doing a lot worse. Crazy? Perhaps. But there's nothing wrong with being a little crazy, is there?
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