206 Prospect Street , Point Marion, Pennsylvania 15474
Everyone at one time in his life has had an experience that
leaves an exhiliarated feeling, even after a period of years. The
thought brings a rush of memories, some good, some not so good.
This is a story of that magnitude.
About four years ago, around Christmas time, a friend of mine
called me and asked if he could make me a good deal. Little did he
know how good it really was.
My son was involved with motor bikes at the time. When my friend
found out he called me to sell me one to use as parts, a real deal
he said. I told him I was not interested and as I was about to
leave I saw an old tractor just sitting in heap.
I had seen this tractor about two years before, but at that time
he was not interested in selling it. He said it was a pile of rust
and was he ever right! Even so, I still wanted that tractor. I
offered him all the cash in my pocket which was $8.00. He
didn’t think twice and I didn’t give him time to change his
mind. I loaded my treasure and headed for home quick as I possibly
could.
Once I got home and unloaded the tractor it began to change
it’s appearance, or perhaps I was just seeing it in another
light. My treasure began to look a little like fools gold and I
wondered if it could be rebuilt or was I just dreaming.
Well, I couldn’t find any information so I wrote to GEM and
asked for assistance-anything anyone knew about the tractor. I was
thrilled to get a response from fellow GEM readers and with their
information started my impossible dream.
A year later after a lot of sandblasting, cleaning and replacing
parts that had to be made, I was ready to put it together and paint
it. By show time 1985 it was ready for it’s debut at the
National Pike Engine Show in Brownsville, Pa.
My treasure is a Pep-a-Pal made by Shaw Manufacturing from
Gales-burg, Kansas. It is driven by a 3 HP Briggs & Stratton
engine. I still don’t know the year it was made. It has metal
wheels and was strictly for cultivating. The wooden handles move
the plows in and out to cultivate between the plants.
I’m very proud of my tractor, and even a little proud of
myself for not giving up. But anyone who has ‘Gas Engine
Fever’ knows what I’m talking about, I’m sure.
