By William Flood Ohio Correspondent
WOOSTER, Ohio – On May 9, RES Auction Services hosted its annual “Spring Classic” auction, drawing bidders in-person and online bidders for a lineup of antique and vintage farm equipment, special interest vehicles, die-cast models and agricultural memorabilia. The 57-lot sale appealed to a variety of collectors, with a catalog split fairly evenly between the working machinery and vehicles, scale models and a variety of related collectibles. From restored tractors and pickup trucks to detailed die-cast replicas and farm advertising pieces, the auction reflected the strong interest many families continue to have in preserving pieces of agricultural history. Among the items were four vintage tractors that drew steady bidding, including two that brought $14,000. The first was a 1974 Oliver 1655 diesel tractor with just 258 hours. The open-station, 2WD tractor featured a 6-speed manual transmission, 3-point hitch, 540 PTO, one remote, 11L-15 front tires and 16.9-34 rears. Auction details noted the unverified hours and recent service performed, with the tractor exhibiting no engine blow-by or leaks and “sounded and looked great.” The second was a rare 1972 John Deere 4000 diesel with undisclosed hours. The three-owner tractor had been completely restored and featured an 8-range transmission, 3-point hitch, hydraulic coupler, Harvest King 9.5/15-2M front tires and Armstrong 18.4/34 Hi Traction rear tires. Bidding reached $6,500 on a fully restored 1956 Oliver Super 55. Maibach Tractor of Creston, Ohio, fully rebuilt the machine in 2002, with over $11,000 invested in the restoration. The gas-powered tractor included a 6-speed transmission, 540 PTO, 3-point hitch, Goodyear 5.50-16 front tires, and 13.6-26 rears. Both current and previous owners verified that fewer than five hours had been put on the tractor since the restoration. Two lots later, a 1967 John Deere 2510 – offered absolute – fetched $5,900. The 2WD narrow-front gas tractor featured a synchro-range transmission, dual PTO setup, 3-point hitch, hydraulic remote, foot throttle, fender-mounted radio and original manuals. The auctioneer cited unverifiable hours, a coolant leak and an overheating issue. While the tractors proved popular, collector vehicles ultimately brought the day’s highest bids. The auction’s leader was a 2017 Ford Mustang Roush that sold for $65,000. The high-performance car featured a 727-horsepower Stage-3 5.0 Coyote engine with the Phase 2 package, a 6-speed manual transmission and Roush upgrades throughout. It was identified as number 32 of just 51 manufactured. Classic trucks also attracted attention, led by a fully restored 1984 GMC 3500 K30 pickup with 34,518 miles that brought $29,000 – the auction’s second-highest sum. The 4WD truck featured a rebuilt and bored 454 big-block V8 engine, 4-speed manual transmission, rebuilt transfer case, 3:73 gear ratio, Positraction rear end and extensive restoration work throughout the drivetrain, suspension and various systems. Restored in its original GM blue paint scheme, the truck also included a refreshed interior and numerous new body and trim components. A 1964 Rambler American 330 wagon with 36,221 miles came in at $11,000. Equipped with an automatic transmission, the car was described as “car show ready.” Meanwhile, a 1939 GMC pickup with an odometer discrepancy crossed the block at $8,500. It featured a 400 small-block Chevrolet engine, straight-pipe exhaust and a 4-speed transmission. Collectors of two-wheeled machines found five classic motorcycles in the lineup. Leading them was a 2006 Harley-Davidson 35th Anniversary Edition Super Glide motorcycle that scored $8,000. It featured an 88-cubic-inch twin cam engine, 6-speed transmission, aftermarket mufflers, a Screamin’ Eagle kit and custom flamed chrome work. It was identified as 2,645 of 3,500 produced. Close behind at $7,500 was a 2011 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe showing just 1,388 miles. The motorcycle was equipped with Vance & Hines mufflers and drew strong interest from bidders looking for a low-mileage touring bike. Those with eyes for scale models had plenty of opportunities, with 16 die-cast classic cars and trucks offered. Topping the category at $75 each were a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup by Danbury Mint and a 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible by Franklin Mint. Other examples included a 1951 Ford F-1 pickup die-cast model by Danbury Mint that went for $55, a 1937 Studebaker pickup, also by Danbury Mint, at $35. Yet another Danbury – a 1953 Chevrolet pickup – went home for $25. Rounding out the sale were 19 lots of commercial collectibles, including an assortment of agricultural memorabilia that drew interest from niche collectors. At the top was a group of 25 vintage oil cans from brands like Esso, Gulfpride and Sohio that hit $385. A pair of Funk’s Hybrid Seed signs topped the agricultural advertising at $275, while a 15-by-11-inch Case Model L metal sign brought $45 later in the auction. Several lots of burlap feed sacks added another element. Prices ranged from $5 for a group of six sacks featuring names such as Larro and Jockey Oats, to $20 for a collection of seven from brands including General Mills and Red Rose. For information on RES Auction Service’s upcoming sales, visit: www.res.bid.
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