How do you get out of it!?

In 1988, I bought a '52 International pickup, a 1/2-ton long bed, similar to the one Dad and grand-dad used for a service truck/parts chaser throughout the '50's and '60's at their Farmall garage. After using it as a daily driver for a couple of years, I took it to dad's so he and I could begin the process of restoring it. While it was parked outside there, vandals came along and stole the radio and broke every piece of glass in it. Sreious damage, but not enough to meet dad's garage deductible. Then, in '91, dad (age 61) died unexpectedly; 15 months later, my wife (age 36) also died, from the same type of heart problems. I was devastated, and I just couldn't bring myself to deal with the truck again.

Finally, I decided that all the good memories I had of hunting and fishing and parts runs and service calls with dad in his old '52 were just too much a part of me to ignore. But I was also torn between restoration and street rodding it, as I know those old drivetrain parts can be a battle to find. Then last October I ran across a '51 pickup, nearly identical to my '52 in equipment, and I drove 8 hours (one way) in a borrowed rig to pick it up. Now I have one I'm trying to restore, and one to build a rod out of...the best of BOTH worlds.

Parts availability isn't exactly good; I robbed the gas tank off the '52 to have one for the '51, and now I'm gonna have to either find or build one for the '52 (since it's now the rod candidate, I'm considering dual tanks so fabrication won't be out of the question anyway). The grille on the '51 has been altered, bent, and only partially straightened, and NOBODY makes a replacement grille for one of these yet...but I'm still looking.

My point is, the guys with $$ signs in their eyes have made a lot of the stuff relatively unaffordable. I can't say they're wrong, because I probably would've done the same thing in their shoes. But I also realize that I won't be building EITHER of my trucks to show...because Internationals aren't "politically correct" with show judges, and neither are some of my possible engine choices for the rod truck...so rather than go to a show and come away mad because something with less quality and workmanship and USABILITY beat me, I'm just gonna build 'em for my OWN enjoyment, and maybe my kids can develop the same appreciation for 'em that I have...or, if the $$$ folks keep driving the prices up, maybe my grandkids--if/when I have any--can use 'em to pay for Harvard Law School when the time comes.

Keep your sense of humor about things, and do it because it makes YOU feel good...don't feel obligated to go to shows, etc; just display 'em when and where YOU want (parades, etc.) and don't worry about competition. Just like my trucks... I don't have any competition because nobody else knows what memories I'm building them to honor.

I think I can relate to what you are going through. Several years ago, this thing got me down also. I had to quit for about 2 years. I didn't sell anything and am real glad I didn't.

I wouldn't attend shows or even work on a tractor.

Finally my son came by and heckled me to finish an F-12 that I had in the shop for a long time. We finished it just in time for our spring show.

I took it to the show and the elderly gentleman that I got the tractor from saw it. His first response was that it wasn't the same tractor. After I convinced him it was the tractor his response was "at least I gave it to the right person". That kind of made it all worth it.

Maybe a break will work for you, I know it did for me. Just think long and hard how much trouble it will be to replace anything you sell.

Just my $0.02

Dan

This whole thing is not about wheather someone else has nicer tractors than you do or if there is someone that likes to go to each and every show.

You, I am sure are getting much more out of this hobby than those things. The successful search for a part or tractor. The nice people that you meet while pursuing this hobby. The old timers that just want to tell you about their experiences with a tractor just like the one that you have.

My very best day was when I had been out excersizing one of my B's and an ole guy (88) being driven by his granddaughter stoped. He just wanted to tell his granddaughter all about the one he had and how much he and grandma had to do with out so that they could buy it. I finally talked him into taking it for a spin with me standing on the draw bar. I am sure that he couldn't have been any happier the day that he brought his new tractor home than he was that day.

I can't even remember his name but it sure makes me feel good evertime I think about that day.

HANG IN THERE

Here are some pictures of what Mike was talking about.

I don't think this fellow goes to any shows anymore. Lines his collection up for anyone interested to stop and see. Even has a book for folks to sign in if they want to tell him where they are from.

I happen to stop by when he was home an chatted for awhile. I don't have any Green tractors but this fellow has quite a collection!

Dave Olson - East-Central Illinois

Here is another looking the other direction from the driveway.

A sign at the front drive.

Cubber, In response to your post, You Don't get out of it. Not if you want to keep alive the memories of yesteryear. In the picture above, the old man on the left with the walking cane was crying when I snapped this photo during a local show. I spoke at length with him while he was standing by this tractor and as he reflecting back to a time when he got to drive one for the first time. He shared that these old tractors were far better than humans and a lot cheaper to work on to keep running. In his 90's, to him the person who restored this beauty was a hero! I guess it is all about perspective. To me, If I can help keep alive a memory from the past for someone then all the time, money, scraped knuckles, sore muscles, etc. are well worth it! Yes it may get old at times and we all know it takes money to do it. But, without us collectors/restorers this phase of American agriculture and the family farm scene will surely be lost forever.

I realize that you can still buy a Super C with fast hitch for $700 in this area, but by the time you buy tires, rims, etc...I have so much in it that I can't/won't sell it for less than the investment.

If you check out the tractor photo section, you will see that the way I have dealt with this is that I buy an old tractor...give it what it needs and then TRADE it...I know that makes no sense, but that way I don't feel bad about someone paying and couple of thousand for a 50 year old tractor.

I get me a new toy and they get a good running tractor. I get a chance to tear into new models..I learn a little more, then I move on. To me that is better than any tractor show (of which I attend). Next week I will get #14. Fourteen tractors in one year. I am not rich...not by any means, but I get a chance to experience old Farmalls without the "expense".

To me it is about finding decent, honest people to trade with. Everyone understands these tractors for what they are. With any luck, someday I will be the ninety year old (mentioned on up in this discussion) crying over these marvels of yesteryear.

Calm down man.....this will pass.

Ya know you love this stuff. Take a breather, because you'll be back in the heat of things in no time.

And don't sell your stuff....you will one day be sorry if you do....

Just my opinion,

Allan