One owner 1077

[1mor Project 78]

Back in the summer of 1967 I must have doing a lot of fast talking.

My Dad was a delivery driver for Armours Meats delivering to restaurants and resorts all over Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. He worked long hours and took all the overtime he could get. Consequently, all yard work and snow shoveling was my responsibility. Our driveway was about 150 feet long and we got a lot of blowing and drifting snow. Plus sidewalks. My uncle built National Mowers, so we had one of them. We(I) needed a snowblower.

Usually in August I attended the Minnesota State Fair with my Mom and Aunt. This year I went with my Dad. We were on a mission to shop for a garden tractor with a snowblower. I don't know how serious he was, but I was already sold on a Cub Cadet with John Deere coming in second. Once Dad saw the price on these the whole idea was over. No way!

As long as we were there, we looked at all the other brands on the grounds. Everything of the era was represented and we looked at all of them. Eventually we ran across a display of little red tractors. As luck would have it the area dealers rotated through the display and the dealer in St. Paul Park was on duty. He informed us that they had a State Fair special where you got a free mower with each tractor. Now my Dad was at least back to considering the possibility. We went home with a promise to visit Zilmers Fix-it Shop soon where could test drive and get a closer look. Soon after the Fair we went down to his dealership. My Dad told him we needed a snow blower and not a mower. Eventually a deal was struck and we returned home with a brand new 1077 and a single stage blower.

Now I couldn't wait for it to snow.

I recently found these pictures of me and the brand new 1077. Since I was bringing home a Christmas tree, I though this was a good time to share them.

I was 15 when the picture was taken. I still have both the tractor and trailer. I made the trailer from a Model T frame and pallet wood. I have since upgaded it to a bigger deck and tires. The 1077 would still run with a new battery, but is in need of complete restoration. Both are stored inside.

 

It's been fun to remember this time and the origin of this special tractor.

Merry Christmas to all! 

Kent

[Ed Kennell 38,143]

Great story and vintage pictures.  Thanks for sharing.

[TractorEd 633]

@1mor Project Awesome story & great photos!  Merry Christmas!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,535]

Excellent!!! 

[Retired Wrencher 5,451]

Kent Thanks for sharing this time line of your dad and you and of corse the 1077. I hope you will enjoy it for many years to come. Enjoy the ride.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

  Great story! It was awesome to hear the tractor is still there, maybe time for a mechanical restoration? 
  New paint and decals are great but they take away the originality. Every battle scar on it is yours, would be a shame to lose those. 

[Pullstart 62,837]

Very cool story, thank you for the write up!  @PeacemakerJack you need to see this!

[PWL216 889]

Great story. Thx for sharing! I agree with Sparky, tractors should keep the battle scars they’ve earned!

[WHX?? 48,815]

4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

MOST Excellent!!! 

1077 What can I say ... a go to around here! Put away for the winter but hoping to fit a front blade  someday. 

 

2 hours ago, Sparky said:

New paint and decals are great but they take away the originality.

I'll second that Mikey... 

The boys have seen these pics 1Mor but will share again. 

I could never erase this stuff altho the leaf catcher has gone to a better home @CasualObservers. 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Great story, great pics, and an awesome Square hood—what’s not to like? Thank you for sharing! 😎🙌🏻