[AT] Buying a special tractor

[Joe Hazewinkel]

Thanks John,

That's my hope.  Fitch was a short line manufacturer and only made two different models.  Most of their limited production was exported.  They had quite a bit of potential, but most weren't ready for a four wheel drive tractor in the 1929's.

It has a special local lore and I'd like to bring it home.  I was told there are a few parts in old barns around town.  One guy brings a new old stock gas tank to the show every year that his dad pulled from the dump 90 years ago.  It would fit this tractor....

I'm going to start making serious plans.  I'm young enough to have some time to get it done, and old enough to have access to some capital to run with a few of the "big" boys.  Just not the six figure club...

Enjoy, Joe

Sent from my iPhone just for you

On May 22, 2013, at 10:39 PM, <jtchall at nc.rr.com> wrote:

> 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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