[AT] Buying a special tractor

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

Saw it come through as well. I'd be careful about a partner, unless it was a 
silent partner. Everyone does different quality levels of restoration, on a 
tractor that old, it could become an issue real fast.
Snoop around on smokestack and see what you can find out.  It seems those 
types of tractors often sell to those that don't have to worry about money, 
thus inflating their price a bit simply because they have money to burn. 
However, some of the really odd ones don't have that much value, if they are 
made by some off the wall company. A rare Oil Pull on the other hand would 
bring a King's ransom. I'm hoping you get it, it's about time somebody on 
this list was able to acquire something like that!

John Hall

-----Original Message----- 
From: jahaze at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:04 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: [AT] Buying a special tractor

I sent a rather long message to the list about two weeks ago, but I never 
saw it show up so I thought i'd try again.

I was bored the other day and started browsing the Aaumann auction web site 
and ran across the big sale scheduled for this September in New York State. 
I don't remember the name right off hand.  Anyway, after looking over all 
the really cool heavy iron, one little old rusty tractor really jumped out 
at me.  It is quite rare with only four previously know to exist (this was 
not one of them). Anyway, it's a Fitch four-power, one of the first four 
wheel drive tractors built in the mid-1920's right here in my little town of 
Big Rapids, Michigan.  There is another restored one here locally, but it is 
a different model than the one coming up for sale.  The one in the sale 
looks complete, but it is in very rough shape (and will probably look worse 
in person).

I want to buy the tractor, but I have no idea what it will sell for, and 
that's my problem.  I could come up with $10,000 for it on my own, but all 
these rusty old things seems to go for high prices then get sent overseas 
(the auction is full of big prairie tractors which will probably head that 
way).  What are the chances that this one will slip through the cracks and 
come home with me?  The other thing I am struggling with is what if I go 
there and it sells for $12,000?  Has anyone here ever bought a tractor with 
a partner?  This thing has some very significant local ties, maybe I can 
find someone who would go in with me.

What would you do?  I'm planning to take a few vacation days and head over 
there, it should be fun if nothing else.

Enjoy, Joe

Sent from my iPad
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