Here's a guy who really enjoyed those old Fords, there was an old timer not too far from our shop who used to restore hundred series and older fords, I would always stop and look at them when done and admire his work, we gave him all the remaining parts from our dealership that were not returned when it closed, this was the largest dealer in this area for 35 years, parts inventory took up 2 floors. Article/Interview with him:
Palmer has a number of other rare Ford tractors, including one that people travel thousands of miles from Canada and distant U.S. states to see: a 1949 Model 8N flathead V8 with a Funk Aviation Co. V8 conversion kit. Only 200 were made and only 14 remain, Palmer says.
Palmer looked in vain for one of those 8N tractors for 12 years. "When you think about how they are scattered across the U.S., the chances of finding one are pretty thin." Yet, chance was clearly Palmer's friend, because he found one mentioned in a small farm auction listing near Minneapolis. Eager to bring home his prize, he stuffed $2,200 in his pocket and told his wife, Harriet, he was bringing home a tractor.
At the auction, he discovered another Ford-collecting friend also wanted the rare machine. The other collector bid, but dropped out at $1,200. Once he was out of the running, he made Palmer promise to bring the tractor to the Worthington, Minn., tractor show the following summer. Naturally, Palmer promised he would. Finally, at $1,450, Palmer got his wish and hauled the tractor home.
"I was determined to get it, even though it was in pretty rough shape," he recalls. "The guy who owned it was an older fella who chewed tobacco and spit it all over the hood, so there was gobs of rust on it."
Two months later after some restoration work, another collector offered $7,500 for the rare tractor. "Wherever we take it, bids come rolling in," Palmer says. The last bid was $20,000. Remarkably, Palmer and his son Loren together now own a second of these rare machines. The tractors are good for belt work, Palmer says, but these powerful engines each create 100 hp, which often ruins rear ends designed for mere 25-hp engines.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Show Coverage: Central Illinois Strawberry Festival - by Cindy Ladage and Janna Seiz. Every year the coming of summer is highlighted by different events for different people. For some, it is heralded with the end of school, tilling the garden, or completion of the planting season. To us, connoisseurs of find food, antique tractors, farm toys, crafts, and downright fun, the annual Strawberry Festival means summer is here. Every year, in Carlinville, Illinois, the Macoupin County Historical Society and the Macoupin Agricultural Antique Association team up to fill th
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
