[AT] Tractor collecting question - wishing

[charliehill]

Ok, I found this over on Smokstak.  Now I know.

Charlie

The Super A-1 is a cross-over between the Letter Series and 100 Series 
tractors. It is made of parts from three different tractors. The 
undercarriage and drive train are the same as a 100, with all having the "Z" 
casting date and an FCM (123 ci) engine. The radiator, with water pump --  
which the Super A does not have, is from a Super C. The sheet metal is from 
a Super A. The noticeable difference between the Super A and A-1 is the 
distance between the fuel tank and the hydrualic reservoir... the Super A 
has about a 3/4" space between the two, while the A-1 has about a 2" space. 
This is due to the taller radiator and grill, and the need to raise the fuel 
tank to keep the 'body lines' on the same level. From what I have been able 
to gather, the Super A-1 is a rare find. Some folks I have talked to, who 
have been involved with the IH letter series for a number (more than 40 
years) have never seen one. Supposedly, the McCormick Farmall folks were 
trying to rush the 100 series to the farmers to compete with some other 
tractor manufacturers and didn't quite have the 100 series tractor complete 
in 1954, so they 'fashioned' the A-1 to get it out faster. As well, there 
may have been less a desire on the part of farmers to accept the 'new' 100 
series tractor, since it still sported the Super A decals, and were very 
reluctant to buy the A-1. From what I know, the completed 100 was first sold 
in the latter part of 1954 (about 1200 tractors) thru 1956. As a result of 
slow sales of the A-1 in 1954, it has been suggested by some folks in IH 
circles, that the vast majority of the approximately 1957 A-1s produced were 
shipped / sold overseas (Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe). 
With all that said, there may have been less than 200 A-1s that saw action 
in the USA. Again, I don't have factual / first-hand proof of what all I am 
saying, but I have spoken with IH collectors and enthusiasts, and that is 
what they say. I do have an A-1 and am near completion of restoring the 
tractor. I have done a lot of research and talked to a lot of folks and I 
know of only 7 A-1s that exist, for sure. I believe there are plenty others, 
but folks don't know what they have, because they don't know -- what they 
don't know. If anyone is looking for an A-1, I believe the best bets are 
wherever tobacco wass raised during that period (KY, TN, NC, VA, SC). Please 
let me know if you have any questions about the A-1 that I can help with. 
Terry
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "charliehill" <charliehill at embarqmail.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:56 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Tractor collecting question - wishing


> Don and Al,  you guys have got me now.  What is a Farmall A-1?
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Don Bowen" <don.bowen at earthlink.net>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" 
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Tractor collecting question - wishing
>
>
>> More than than for collecting I want a work tractor.  I have a Ford 3000
>> that is used on a brush hog and a box blade.  I am looking for a Farmall
>> A, A-1, 140, etc with a good belly mounted finish mower.  Both will be
>> used to maintain some property in Missouri.
>>
>> Now if a really good Ferguson 30 showed up I would be hard pressed to
>> turn it down.
>>
>> -- 
>> Don Bowen           KI6DIU
>> http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> AT mailing list
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at