This was the first year for the John Deere show, the Classic Green Reunion, at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb. – the same place where they hold the Nebraska State Fair – from June 13-15. Fonner Park offers more than 100,000 square feet of air-conditioned space, and Deere collectors came from far and wide to this event. Green Magazine, a publication focusing on Deere tractors, was one of the show hosts and owner and editor Richard Hain brought his own custom-made JD creation to the show, a roadster. “I started this in 2003, then shoved it aside until really a year ago, to get ready for the show,” Richard said. “Just ask Carol (his wife) – I worked just enough not to get fired.” The lovely green machine was not completely finished, but was still a show-stopper. Richard based his hot rod on the cars of the 1920s and ‘30s, similar to how builders would remove the bodies of the Model T Fords and create speedsters. Richard wrote on the placard that accompanied his vehicle: “What you see here is an attempt at building a speedster using as many John Deere parts as possible.” The body is a Model T Ford, although the front and rear axles are comprised of a Model A. The transmission is also from a Model A, and Richard quipped, “But since John Deere used them in their model Y tractor, I’m claiming it as a Deere part.” The engine for the speedster is from a JD combine – an LUC combine engine, to be exact. The radiator is eye-catching and was culled from a Deere GP, which stands for “General Purpose” tractor. Richard’s JD car is built for two. His two seats are both from a Deere A, so he and another passenger can ride side by side. Carol said at the show that she had not yet had the pleasure, but Richard noted it had not been driven much yet. Perhaps there was good reason. After unloading it, he said, “We just drove it from there to here. The brakes and clutch need work; the low speed is 8-9 miles per hour.” She’s a speedy girl! The brake pedals are from a Deere A and the accelerator pedal is from a Power Lift pedal of an early A. The dash is from a Deere 60 and the trunk lid is cut from a panel on a JD grain binder. The steering is from an L. The lights are 7-inch reproductions for an early-styled A or B. The taillights are also A and B reproductions. “No rare parts were harmed in making of this vehicle,” Richard pointed out. The beautiful wood used in the car is ash and the hood is made from a Model T. Richard had a bit of help on this section of the car. Over the dash he used a reproduction monocle glass that is common on this type of vehicle. When asked what he enjoyed most about doing this, he said, “Hiring others.” He credits others with assisting him in his effort: Lyle Hamling, Bryan Keskela, Nick Kruse, Rich Godtel, Gale’s Welding, Jerry Zelanzny, and Carol, with skilled labor work. Richard said what he seriously really liked was figuring out how to put this amazing machine together: “Planning it out from John Deere parts, figuring out what I could do. An editor and farmer by trade, he said, “I have no training in engine or body work, so I just figured out what to use; that was the most fun.” Finding the parts took a lot of eBay time and vendor shopping, but that was part of the fun. With the 1929 Model A wheels and horse reins to hold down the hood, Richard is ready to saddle up and ride. Before Carol signs on, though, he may need to adjust the speed a bit! Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. Learn more of Cindy’s finds and travel in her blog, “Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl,” at http://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com |
