Does anybody make a living at restoring or reselling antique tractors?Because I sure want to but really don't know where to start. Or do you just want to talk tractors?

-- Tim Gruber (herbs@computer-concepts.com), January 23, 2002

Answers

Only people I know about who do that... it's a hobby.

-- Rose on the Texas Coastal Bend (open_rose@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.

Tim, just finished a 1951 Ford 8N. Took about a year and $1500. Initial tractor cost $2200. Market value today about $3000. I did mine as a hobby. To actually "restore" a tractor like mine would run many times my cost ie all original parts. Some guys spray em and sell em but they are definetly not restored.The man who runs our local tractor store and I had this discussion just the other day. We agreed it would be difficult to make a living doing it. Here are some sites you may want to visit

www.YTMag.com Ncomplete.com

good luck tom

-- tom (wysfarm@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002.

I'll echo what Tom said. I also have an 8N, which was in pretty good shape, bought it last year for $2,500. There are a couple of places (I think Just 8N's, for example), that do that sort of thing professionally, and charge over $8,000 for a completely restored 8N, but they have a small niche market. I do think somebody could make a decent living buying a few tractors at auction or from individuals, etc., putting a little work into them, and making a profit of $300- $500 each. I would stick to old Fords if it were me, since they are popular and parts are readily available. For example, I recently bought a 1956 Ford 850 for $1,500 that looked horrible, but the engine and hydraulics were tight. I am now putting 4 tires on it, emblem, steering wheel, etc. and rattle can paint job at a total cost of about $1,000. It should be worth $3,500 to $4,000 when it's done. But I had to look really hard to find that one. You can make some money, but a part-time venture or hobby to start out would be best to start out with. You can really go overboard on a restoration and have a trailer queen (show tractor). But most people who use them just want a decent looking, tight tractor that will do a good job.

-- Steve (smdann@swbell.net), January 23, 2002.

You should subscribe to TWO-CYLINDER magazine. They have regular articles by people who make a living restoring antique tractors. They have a website too.

-- Red Neck (Secesh@CSA.com), January 23, 2002.

there's someone up a hundred miles or so that does that here in NM. Restores old chuck wagons and others. In a little bitty town --word of mouth -- gets work from all over. Was an article in our local newspaper a while back.

-- conniein nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), January 24, 2002.