20601 Old State Road Haubstadt, Indiana 47639
In every business, and hobby as well, there are trends. The gas
engine hobby is no different. When the first old time machinery
shows began many years ago, engines were often displayed as they
were found. Over the past 25 years or so many people have cleaned
up, repaired and refinished the engines so that very few originals
are shown. There now seems to be a trend toward showing engines as
originals so that the various colors decorations and imperfections
can be seen. At the recent Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show at
Portland, Indiana several Hercules and Economy engines were on
display in their original attire.
Following are four examples. The first picture is that of a very
nice original 11/2 HP Sparta Economy number
37417 belonging to Bill Pricer.
The second picture is that of a 1 HP Sparta Economy number
28089. This one came to Portland in pieces and with the help of
parts acquired there, it was assembled and running by day two. This
engine originally had the cam gear governor, but it had been
replaced with the flyball type. It belongs to Rick Kibler.
The third picture is that of a very nice original
11/2 HP model N Hercules number 315335
belonging to John Raney.
The fourth picture is that of a somewhat unique engine. It is a
3 HP model FW number 305582. It has a Hercules decal on each side
of the hopper, but on the off side it is covered with a decal that
reads ‘Donahue Steel Products Co.’ The engine appears to
have been blue like the Jaegers are. It has the typical Economy
shape hopper and is equipped with a crank guard. This is a unique
combination typical of some engines sold by Hercules to jobbers and
industry. It belongs to Bob Wampler.
Several years ago I reacquired my grandfather’s
13/4 HP Hercules engine. It was still in
pretty good shape. Now, much to my regret, it was repainted and the
original historic look that I remember from my childhood days is
gone forever.
