~Tractors!~

Doug Lingenfelter's 1959 Ford 871 Select-O-Speed serial #69061.

~The Gold 801's~

I received the following email from Luther D. Thomas in Marietta, GA.  As much as I value my collection of vintage Ford literature and documentation, nothing can possibly compare to the insight, experience and recollections of one who has actually been there, done that.  Mr. Thomas writes:

"It is my understanding that each Ford tractor dealer was required to purchase a gold Select-0-Speed model in 1959 to herald the coming new transmission. At that time, there were about 2,300 Ford dealers in the U.S. Someone may think that there are only less than 100 left, which I don't doubt given the following."

"My family had a Ford tractor dealership from 1936-1984 in Kentucky. I grew up there and vividly remember our gold tractor. It's reliability was so bad (with the Select-0-Speed) that my dad refused to sell it to customers. He relegated it to our farm where we used it for 3-4 years. Every time we used it the transmission screwed up--the last I remember of it was that few of the 10 forward speeds worked and other items had ceased to function. I think it went off (at an early age) to a salvage dealer. My poor old dad died a few years later. He'd turn over in his grave today if anyone even mentioned the gold 871. I think a dealer could chose the Select-0-Speed model that they ordered--e,g, 871, 881, 971, or 981--the 71s had the single speed 540 PTO and the 81s had the dual 540/1040 PTO speed. I've heard of some that exist today that are diesel, as well. In fact, I recently spoke with a fella who has 2--I gathered he's had problems as well with the Select-0-Speed. I said something recently to my brother (who's also a tractor collector and Ford buff) about trying to find a gold 871/881--his comment: "god, Dad used to say that sometimes you were impulsive and exercised poor judgment--he'd flip today if he even thought you were interested in a gold tractor given all that you know about them."

"Sorry for waxing on but given your detailed interest in Fords, I thought you might like to know--as Paul Harvey says--the rest of the story.  Luther D. Thomas, Marietta, GA"

Thank you for allowing me to post your letter, Mr. Thomas!  Dan/NAA60512

Joe Rappa's beautiful 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee

John Kova's 8N Ford.  Look at the size of that disc!

Ken Owen and his 640 Ford.  I think I like looking at Ken's driveway as much as the tractor (I have gravel).

Bruce Dowell's 1955 Ford 850.  This beautiful tractor resembles the Franklin Mint model!

John Peter's 1938 John Deere Model L.  You really need to see what this tractor looked like when John started the restoration!  Visit John's Web page for the whole story by clicking here.