12/17/02
The 14 beautifully restored antique tractors in the 2003 Classic Farm Tractors calendar represent 10 different brands and are from six different states.
There are three John Deere tractors, two International/Farmalls, two Allis Chalmers models, and one each of Oliver, Keck-Gonnerman, Ford, Thieman, Minneapolis-Moline, Case and Massey-Harris.
Meticulously restored by their owners from Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Florida and California, the classics appear as though they just arrived from the factory. Actually, they may be better now than were they were factory-fresh. For one thing, today’s paints are much improved from those of 50 years ago, and replacement parts can be stronger.
The cover of the 14-inch edition is unusual. Most tractor calendar covers feature a single tractor, but the Classic Farm Tractors calendar spotlights both a Farmall and a John Deere in a staged, simulated tug-o-war to determine which is the better make.
The cover’s “friendly family feud” shows Richard Brand of Hopkins, Mo., driving his 1941 John Deere, while son Bill is revving up his 1947 Farmall. It’s all in fun, but there really is a long- standing argument among tractor-owners as to which make is best. (Tom Brand, newly elected president of the National Farm Broadcasters Association, is son of Richard Brand, and a brother of Bill.)
A 1929 Keck-Gonnerman, and a 1941 Thieman are the lesser known classics on the 2003 edition. The Thieman is owned by Wayne Thieman of Albert City, Iowa. He is the son of one of the original partners that built this unusual model, which in its time was advertised as the “ world’s lowest price tractor.” The no-frills model listed for $495 on steel wheels. On rubber tires it was a whopping $620.
Each of the antique tractors has a fascinating story to tell. For instance, June features a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee. That tractor celebrated Ford Motor Company’s 50th anniversary, and in 2003 the tractor celebrates its golden jubilee. Owned by Mike flood of West Des Moines, Iowa, it is pictured before the famous columns on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia.
A 1963 Allis-Chalmers is one of the youngest, and the most unusual. One of only seven built, the D-15 diesel was designed for work in orange groves. Nicknamed the “Birdcage,” it has a jet-age look with an enveloping metal device designed to protect the tires and driver. The entire metal shield lifts up like the hood on a car. Owners Jack and Barbara Gustafson split their year, half in Illinois and half in Florida - the state where the orange “Birdcage” originated.
The calendar retails for $9.50. A companion video that features the owners and their classic tractors is available for $25. It runs for 70 minutes. In addition, there’s an all-new collector’s tin large enough to hold five pounds of cookies, with photos of all 14 tractors on the lid.
For complete information, call Classic Tractor Fever at: (800) 888-8979.