HistMuseum
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Greetings all,
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is in the process of preparing its Fordson tractor for display in a new US business history exhibition, American Enterprise (visit http://americanenterprise.si.edu/ for more information). We plan on using the Fordson to explore a couple of different stories, including the mechanization of American farms, mass production, and competition in the tractor market.
Thus far we have a great deal of information about the Fordson’s development, production, impact on agriculture, and its impact on the tractor industry as a whole. Where we still have questions centers on identifying the exact type of Fordson Model F tractor that we have in our possession. That’s where I’m hoping this forum can help.
Unfortunately, the serial number had been painted over repeatedly by the former owner and cannot be distinguished. What other features can aid in identifying the production year?
Can the matter of rear fenders help? Our donor file indicates that our tractor was purchased in 1918, and that its rear fenders were added later by the owner. The fenders are in the style of those introduced beginning, I believe, with the 1924 F. But is this possible? Were these fenders ever sold as separate attachments that could be applied to earlier models? If not, does this suggest our tractor dates to 1924 or later?
What do you think? Any expertise forum users can offer would be greatly appreciated by the museum.
Thanks!
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is in the process of preparing its Fordson tractor for display in a new US business history exhibition, American Enterprise (visit http://americanenterprise.si.edu/ for more information). We plan on using the Fordson to explore a couple of different stories, including the mechanization of American farms, mass production, and competition in the tractor market.
Thus far we have a great deal of information about the Fordson’s development, production, impact on agriculture, and its impact on the tractor industry as a whole. Where we still have questions centers on identifying the exact type of Fordson Model F tractor that we have in our possession. That’s where I’m hoping this forum can help.
Unfortunately, the serial number had been painted over repeatedly by the former owner and cannot be distinguished. What other features can aid in identifying the production year?
Can the matter of rear fenders help? Our donor file indicates that our tractor was purchased in 1918, and that its rear fenders were added later by the owner. The fenders are in the style of those introduced beginning, I believe, with the 1924 F. But is this possible? Were these fenders ever sold as separate attachments that could be applied to earlier models? If not, does this suggest our tractor dates to 1924 or later?
What do you think? Any expertise forum users can offer would be greatly appreciated by the museum.
Thanks!
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution