UAW Local 662 2025 Hillcrest Drive Anderson,Indiana 46012
While some collectors were busy celebrating the beginning of a
new millennium during the wintertime, many were busy sanding away
the rust, oiling parts, repainting those dulled parts, and
polishing, so once more they could show their tractors and gas
engines in near-mint condition.
Passionately, 203 exhibitors registered to display their
treasures at the United Auto Workers Region Three Antique Tractor
and Trade Show, June 1-3, 2000.
The year 2000 finally presented the show with a weather-perfect
Indiana weekend, and crowds from all over the United States.
The Marion County fairgrounds, located southeast of
Indianapolis, was the site for this year’s show. The UAW Gas
Engine and Tractor Show originated at UAW Local 662 in Anderson,
Indiana, but has been combined with the UAW Corporate/Employer
Trade Fair, and is made possible by Region Three UAW, Terry
Thurman, Director.
While preparing this article it has come to me how the workers
in industry and the farmers are really ‘partners in
history.’ Many of the workers in our plants have come from the
farm, where good work ethics are formed. They have taken pride in
producing implements and tools to go back onto the farm, then the
farmers purchase those tractors and implements and the cycle
repeats itself. Now, many of those ‘farm boys’ working in
industry are collecting and restoring those tractors and gas
engines that were once used by them or their dad and
grandfather.
So many stories were heard while we were at the UAW Region Three
Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show. With the National Antique Ford
Tractor Association having their 2000 National Show, and the Shaw
Du-All Garden Tractors Club having their National Meet, we got to
hear many new stories and share in the pride they had in carrying
on their heritage. With that, it gave us more pride in our own
heritage. Let me share a few of those stories with you.
One of the Fordson tractors, AF American on hard rubber
displayed by Glenn Birk of Mankato, Minnesota, had its wheels
painted so the airplanes could see it on the landing field as they
came into the air base in Duluth, Minnesota, during World War
II.
Donald and Janet Kendig, Fairborn, Ohio, exhibited a 1964 4000
Ford that had been purchased new by the owner’s father.
Roger Farst, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, exhibited a 1952 Ford
8N that his father had bought in 1952, which he has now
restored.
Gene and Marjorie Speelman, Houston, Ohio, bought their first
Shaw Du-All about eight years ago. They started going to shows in
1996 when the National Show was at Galesburg, Kansas. They have the
largest and smallest riding Shaw Du-All tractors, and several
in-between sizes. Several prizes have been received for their
best-unrestored walk-behind models. Mrs. Speelman said the Bush Hog
Company had bought out the Shaw Company.
Another Shaw Du-All exhibitor was Lester Crouch, Burlington,
Iowa. He will host the National Shaw Du-All Show in 2001.
Clifford Bridgford, Litchfield, New Hampshire, founder and
president of the National Shaw Du-All Club, said his father bought
a Shaw Du-All when he was about 13 years old to help plow snow and
work the family garden. He found it a good working machine to help
make the load light. About 10 years ago he put an ad in GEM to try
to find more information about the machine, and the collection just
sort of happened after that.
Bernard Hatchett, Nashville, Indiana, brought his 54 pedal
tractors. He said he started collecting them just because he likes
them. They sure do catch the eye of the children.
A total of 235 gas engines were displayed. I like the gas
engines because they bring back memories of when I went to the
pasture with my grandpa to pump water for the cattle.
This year we recorded exhibitors from 26 states, Canada and 39
Local Unions. We had 152 Ford tractors, 166 miscellaneous classic
tractors, 81 Shaw Du-All, 235 gas engines, and 20 miscellaneous
displays. The miscellaneous displays, i.e., hog oiliers, tools, and
an eggbeater, add a lot of interest to the show.
On Saturday afternoon 300 people shared in a hot dog and bean
supper. Jim Wilhoit from Markleville, Indiana, had cooked the beans
in a big cast iron pot. Also on Saturday afternoon, the Central
Indiana Antique Tractor and Engine Association from Noblesville,
Indiana, conducted a tractor pull with 85 hooks competing.
Winner of the fully restored 1952 8N Ford tractor was Susan
Harrington from Marion, Indiana; winner of the 2000 Saturn
automobile was James Fannin from Morehead, Kentucky; and winner of
the Ford wall clock was Dave Arthur from Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Next year we will feature Co-Op tractors and Maytag gas engines,
so get your Co-Ops and Maytags ready to bring to Indianapolis,
Indiana.
Remember, this show is where old friends and new friends meet.
Have a good year!
