If you thought flipping cars = $$$

[wdfifteen]

One of my writers came across an old notebook and a collection of letters at the estate sale of one of his friends. He sent me this little tidbit of information he gleaned from the letters collection.

"In those days, there were no emails. Writing letters was a near nightly thing people did. From the letters: In the 1960s the going price for a gas traction engine was a penny per pound unless they were exceptional. That is why H. gave the farmer an extra $50 ($250 total) when he bought his 30-60 Case. Some years later, he sold the 30-60 to J. T. and B. K. for $30,000, which they cried about, even though the things had become much more collectible by then. When they dissolved their partnership in the early 1990s they sold it to S. J. for $170,000. This is the tractor George bought at Sig's sale. I don’t know what he paid, but I know he sold it to the current owner for an even $400,000 in 2008."

This is the tractor he is talking about. Value went from $250.00 to $400k in 50 years.

[herr_oberst]

Great story, Patrick.

Did the letters give any mention to how many times the tractor has been restored in those years?

[berettafan]

very, very cool stuff.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Did the letters give any mention to how many times the tractor has been restored in those years?

I don't know about the letters, but I know all the people involved. It was fully restored by George sometime in during his ownership (early '90s to 2008). The other owners were of the school of getting it in perfect running condition but leave the patina.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by berettafan

very, very cool stuff.

Indeed! Patrick, have you ever been to (or familiar with) the "Old Time Threshers Reunion" near Denton, NC. It's an annual event (that I see on the local news), but I've never attended....might just have to go check it out though. Doubt they've got the type equipment I've seen you post over the years however....ancient beauties they are!!!

[asphaltgambler]

In Berryville, Va @1 hour from where I live they host the "Pageant of Steam" show once a year in the fall. You can see examples of tractors like these running and 'cruising' the fairgrounds all day. It is an amazing celebration of early mechanization of farm life in the USA.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by KC911

Patrick, have you ever been to (or familiar with) the "Old Time Threshers Reunion" near Denton, NC.

I was there about 10 years ago and scheduled to go back this year but couldn't make it. It is one of the really good but unsung shows. They let me drive the train!

[cashflyer]

So... I can hold on to this tractor for another 50 years and retire comfortably!

[URY914]

My old Toro is looking better all the time.

[Charles Freeborn]

That Case is one good lookin' piece of machinery!
-C

[MBAtarga]

I wonder if the buyer got a PPI?

[VincentVega]

So... I can hold on to this tractor for another 50 years and retire comfortably!

I've been on the sidelines looking at old used Kubotas and am amazed at how much they trade for. Sure, new ones are much more, but ~5k+ for a 25=30 yr old tractor? Great investment at the time.

I find it pretty interesting looking at collectible markets. I dont know tractors but it seems like the same forces apply to most things. Muscle cars took over the car market, then Ferrari, Porsche... what happened to the big cars from the 30's? Who would have thought a 2.7 911 would be worth anything?!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

So... I can hold on to this tractor for another 50 years and retire comfortably!

Yeah, I'd start keeping that bad boy in the bedroom if I were you.

[intakexhaust]

This is just a stock photo I grabbed but its nearly identical to one my pops had nearly acquired from the original (from new) owner. The son of the original owner was still using it in the 1980's!


So now the thread has mentioned Kubota's. So the above deal almost resulted in acquiring by partial trade for a Kubota. That didn't pan out but what did was acquiring an original (yep, you guessed it, from the same family!) one of these.... fully operational and in use!

Brother now has it including both steel wheelset and a rubber tire wheelset.