The one of one

[Wild Bill in VA 1,452]

Back when the Wheel Horse factory closed up in South Bend and moved to Minnesota the tractors that were in the Wheel Horse factory museum kind of disappeared. I have heard of some Wheel Horses showing up from time to time and my story is no different. There was a Wheel Horse jacket on ebay which was quite nice and good quality, and I made the purchase. Some communication between the seller and me went on and she told me that her dad had a job in Quality Control and that he worked in South Bend when the factory closed and then she told me about the tractor her dad took home from the museum when the doors closed. Yes, I started to pester her about the tractor. Well, she called one day and told me their family was going to make a road trip and passing close to Gettysburg during the time of the Annual Wheel Horse Show. So, arrangements were made and met the family at a hotel in Chambersburg, PA on Thursday night. And this was the only time I had ever left the show grounds during show. The Wheel Horse is a 1960 Suburban Model 400 but not concourse quality restored. You can note by the pictures many newer model parts were installed and the paint was questionable, but this Suburban was made to look nice for the museum for people to look and not for guys like me who will pick on every incorrect part installed. When this tractor gets restored, it will look like it did when it sat in the museum.

Wild Bill in Richmond VA

[c-series don 8,707]

Why Bill, have you been hiding this from us that whole time? 😂😂

[Handy Don 12,232]

Excellent pursuit, Bill, and a great outcome.

[wh500special 2,184]

Anytime you can get a suburban it’s a win. 
 

I was under the impression that the bulk of the tractors that were on display in the factory building were moved to the Studebaker museum when Toro relocated all the functional assets to Minnesota.  I got to see them in 2000 when I asked for a behind the scenes tour.  They are gone now. 
 

there were several tractors that had been labeled as belonging to owners other than Toro.  Perhaps your tractor was one of them. 
 

here’s an old post:

 

I believe Jason @CasualObserversubsequently visited the collection in Minneapolis. 
 

wouldn’t mind having another RJ/suburban to mow with some day…

 

steve 

[Racinbob 11,081]

The last time I was at the Studebaker museum they were in the old Sears building downtown. As I mentioned in the old thread, at that time the tractors were stored on a floor above where the public could go. I was walking through looking at some potential work when I spied them partially covered up. Naturally that sparked a conversation about them. Their plans were to put them on public display but I never saw that happen. Next monday I'm taking the grandsons to the museum at their current location where they moved in 2005. I hoped they would have them displayed but based on what I'm reading here they won't be. 

[Retired Wrencher 5,458]

Nice post Bill. Enjoy the restoration.

[Wheelhorse#1 1,662]

Nice machine ,looks to be in great shape too