J.I.Case T-90

I was looking through the tractor data website at the Case lawn/garden tractor line up. Way down at the bottom of the list was a T-90. Apparently it was built in 1966 and there were only 52 of them made. Does anyone have one in their collection?

http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/000/7/4/740-ji-case-t-90.html

The T-90 was an "accident". Although Case bought Colt, initially they continued as two separate companies operating under the same roof and building tractors on the same production line. Much of what
we know about the two companies is what I call intelligent speculation because there are no KNOWN records as to what actually took place. There is evidence that the intent in 1965 for Colt to continue on
as a viable company. The 1966 Colts were already in production in late 1965 and so were the 1966 Case models. The plant in Winneconne was already running at full capacity at this time and I think that it
was success for both lines of tractors that pushed Case into making a decision they did not see coming. My guess is that by June of 1966, there was no choice but to kill off Colt and use the plant capacity
to turn out Case GTs.

Ironically, the Colt 2 Plus Tools utility tractor was very close to going into limited production for 1966. Two prototype units had been made and were being tested. In addition, a limited number of specialty
parts had already been fabricated. Then the word came down that 1966 was the final year for Colt. A CASE executive from Racine came by the plant and spotted the prototype 2 Plus Tools tractors. Since
the decision to cease all expansion of the Colt line was cast in stone, he asked engineering to repaint one of the prototype tractors in Case Desert Sunset and Flambeau Red colours along with adding the
Case Eagle emblem and appropriate decals.

Again... this is an assumption on my part but we do know that Case always found a way to use up all of their parts inventory one way or another. So, the parts that were originally slated to become Colt 2
Plus Tool tractors, were repainted and assembled as 1966 Case T-90 models. Only a few dealers got their hands on one because only 52 were built. In my opinion, these were sent out to test the waters
to see how well they would be accepted by the public. They had all the functionality of a CASE 190 garden tractor in that you could cut grass, ,blow snow, blade dirt/gravel snow but with the pickup box on
the back, you had no ability to use a rotary tiller or other ground-engaging equipment. The fact that the T90 died in 1966, indicates that it was an idea before its time. Today, we see something similar
from Deere, known as the Gator and Kubota also puts out their version. Apparently several dealers returned their T90 to the factory and several of those were shipped to the Racine plant for use by the
staff there to run around from building to building. Today, many factories use modified golf carts for the same purpose. When those T90's were worn out, they ended up at the forging plant where they
were melted down and re-purposed.

However, there were survivors and the Collectors have managed to locate about 15 or so.... don't quote me on that number. Jim Daenzer would be the most reliable source because he keeps a Registry.
They do show up at tractor shows around the country every year and barn finds continue to turn up previously unknown examples. Ironically, the OTHER prototype 2 Plus Tools was recently located and is
undergoing a restoration. What happened to the 2 Plus Tools that was repainted and sent to the Racine Exec's home is unknown.

If you want to see what they look like, then GOOGLE "photos of a CASE T90" and you will find plenty of images to ponder. I know several people who have one. And I also know that there are some fakes
out there.

I agree, they would sell today. I bet one of them would bring a good price. That is if it was an original.

There is no "set" value because not that many of them have changed hands. Like all things, a T90 is only worth what someone will pay for one. I would not consider the T90 to be highly prized by most
Collectors. But all it takes are two people with deep pockets to chase something and the price can get stupid real quick. I won't be one of those guys. LOL

I found that to be true in the world of watch collecting. I've seen rare examples of pocket watches bring stupid money. You could buy a fleet of Case garden tractors for what some people have paid for a rare watch. To someone else it's just an old watch. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yes, I personally know of a few Fakes. In fact there are probably more fakes out there than actual real T-90's. Steve Guider is the expert on these units and has an original T-90

With all due respect to Steve, I think that my choice of expert would be Herm ------- since he restored three T-90's, including the one he sold to Steve. Although, Steve did create a T-90 clone years back which now belongs to my friend Ted Brown here in Ontario, Canada. I am reasonably certain that Steve consulted with Herm on that project.

I forgot that Herm had 3 T-90's.. Herm is a good guy as well to talk to on these things........... So the G90 is in Canada now?? I knew that Steve sold it when he got the real thing.

How to I contact Herm about T90's?