ericforster 69 #1 Posted March 9, 2023 Does anyone know of a factory white wheel horse? A guy in my area has one and he claims that his family bought it new with the white paint. His brother removed the engine to rebuild it, ordered parts, and got no further. The owner wants to sell but I have no idea what Im looking at. I did a little researc and I believe that they produced a white D80 in 62. Could that be what this is? I cant find anyone who knows about this because a wheelhorse is always red. So what is it? Whats it worth? How much would be a fair offer? 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #2 Posted March 9, 2023 Very interesting piece. The hood that's on it places at 1965 or later. Being a hydro and with those decals it's much more likely it's a 67 to 69. I've heard tell and read stories about DEALERSHIPS painting Wheel Horses specifically to customer order. Not sure if anyone knows if it was done at the factory. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #3 Posted March 9, 2023 This wheelhorse has me baffled. I've only known of red and that seems to be the same knowledge among local collectors. It looks as if everything there is white with the exception of the starter generator. Which could have been a replaced part. The engine itself may be white for all I know. I dont know because the engine is a a diferent location. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #4 Posted March 9, 2023 Not a 62 - I agree with Eric that is a 1965, or maybe a little bit newer. Looks a LOT like the 1965 875 I bought recently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,233 #5 Posted March 9, 2023 Definitely a puzzle. The paint and decals, especially. Data off the engine or chassis tag (might still be readable on the left side above and behind the big lift lever (obscured by wire coil?) would help. Better shots of the dashboard and center console, too. Selling with the engine or without? Welcome to the Forum, by the way! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #6 Posted March 9, 2023 He is selling it with the engine but the engine is at his brothers house along with new parts for a rebuild that he never got to do. The machine is at his place and I want to get back over there and get a closer look. What should I look for besides an ID tag? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #7 Posted March 9, 2023 6 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Welcome to the Forum, by the way! Where are my manners... @ericforster From another Eric. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,594 #8 Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) 51 minutes ago, ericforster said: Does anyone know of a factory white wheel horse? Hood is 65-69 Decal was not available until 1970 Looks to be a hydro but no park brake lever on the center counsel. = "65-"66 Looks like a short frame = small block engine. 8hp Kohler on the hydro's Never seen a white from the factory. I say 875 if i's a '65 or 876 if it's a '66 Edited March 9, 2023 by Achto 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #9 Posted March 9, 2023 2 minutes ago, ericforster said: He is selling it with the engine but the engine is at his brothers house along with new parts for a rebuild that he never got to do. The machine is at his place and I want to get back over there and get a closer look. What should I look for besides an ID tag? If there's any numbers on the engine that would narrow down what year THAT is. Issue there is, you don't know the engine hasn't been changed out over the years so it certainly isn't a guarantee. The only way to say for sure what year the tractor is is to find the ID tag as stated above. My thoughts on the value... Unless you can come up with some sort of written provenance the documents the color change by a dealer or the factory, we have to assume it was done by a previous owner even if it was very very early on. Does that make it rare and valuable? Well not just because of the color. One of the caveats to purchasing a hydro that does not run as you have no way of testing the hydro. Unfortunately nowadays you almost have to assume something does NOT work until you can prove to yourself that it does later. I guess the proper selling price really is what makes both the buyer and seller happy. If I was after something like that I probably would feel okay tossing $300 max at it... and i think i'm being pretty generous. I'd shoot for half that though. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,594 #10 Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) 58 minutes ago, ericforster said: How much would be a fair offer? I'm with @ebinmaine, I would only pay around $150 for it in my area. If the new engine parts are all genuine Kohler I might go as high as $300. Knowing that I had to rebuild the engine and not knowing anything else about it, I would figure 300 to $400 to get it running and driving. $1500+ to restore it to my liking. Edited March 9, 2023 by Achto 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #11 Posted March 9, 2023 It looks like it is a 875. It has no apparent signs of repaint to my untrained eye. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #12 Posted March 9, 2023 Found the id tag 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #17 Posted March 9, 2023 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: Where are my manners... @ericforster From another Eric. Thank you Eric 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #18 Posted March 9, 2023 3 minutes ago, ericforster said: 875. So to break that down. 8 HP Kohler engine. 7 = Hydro transmission 5 = 1965 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #19 Posted March 9, 2023 Certainly is a very interesting tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #20 Posted March 9, 2023 1 hour ago, Achto said: I'm with @ebinmaine, I would only pay around $150 for it in my area. If the new engine parts are all genuine Kohler I might go as high as $300. Knowing that I had to rebuild the engine and not knowing anything else about it, I would figure 300 to $400 to get it running and driving. $1500+ to restore it to my liking. They already purchased what was needed for rebuild and I am a small engine mechanic. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,553 #21 Posted March 9, 2023 2 minutes ago, ericforster said: They already purchased what was needed for rebuild and I am a small engine mechanic. That's a huge help. I'd be extremely curious to know the actual reason long ago it was painted white. Looks like there may be ((??)) some red peaking out from some edges where the white is rusting?? Tough to say...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,376 #22 Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) Seeing you haven't seen the engine yet you probably don't know if the bore and the crank are good or if it needs machining. That would also affect the price. Edited March 9, 2023 by rjg854 Correction 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,066 #23 Posted March 9, 2023 Odd how the headlight area has been cut. Still could be made into a solid tractor. So long as the hydro is good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #24 Posted March 9, 2023 6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Certainly is a very interesting tractor. I agree. Most of all if it is original white paint instead of the standard red. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericforster 69 #25 Posted March 9, 2023 5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: That's a huge help. I'd be extremely curious to know the actual reason long ago it was painted white. Looks like there may be ((??)) some red peaking out from some edges where the white is rusting?? Tough to say...... In person I see no trace of red under the white, but in the picture with the lift handle it looks as if there may be a speck of red on the lower handle. I looked over the machine pretty thorough when I was there and all I saw was white and patina. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
