823 West Fourth, Canton, South Dakota 57013
Having enjoyed the letters and pictures of other subscribers
over the years, I thought I’d show you my collection.
Ever since I was a young boy I have always been interested in
anything old that turned liquid fuel into noise or ran on
steam.
My father had a lot of influence on me, giving me a toy steam
engine when I was about six. He has probably forgotten more about
these old engines, tractors, and autos than I will ever learn, as
he worked with them and on them most of his life. He still says to
me, when I bring something home, ‘What do you want with that
old junk?’ But throughout the whole process of restoration
he’s there with advice and is as happy to hear it run for the
first time as I am.
I used to restore antique autos but I have found with lack of
time these engines fit in a lot better and are just as rewarding
when completed.
My collection consists of, from left to right, a 1? F-M Dishpan,
1? F-M headless, 1? J.D., 2 HP Stover and a 2? HP Famous.
The Headless F-M is my latest to be restored. I call this my
‘street rod’ engine. I thought I’d try something
different by filling in all the cast with body filler and sanding
it smooth. The paint is the same dark green metallic as my 1969
Chevelle SS, and the truck is candy apple red.
In the background is my W-30 and 10-20.
Restoring these engines and tractors is an educating and
rewarding hobby. I would like to see more of our young people take
part in it and maybe they would ask me, ‘What are those
things?’