grnlark 487 #1 Posted October 6, 2012 About two years ago I bought a rough Bantam 8000 with a very rare belly mower. I've stripped it down to every last nut and bolt and have been slowly going through it. The body has been totally blasted, repaired and blocked numerous times. The fenders were all hand dollied to straighten them out too. I had the body parts professionslly painted by a friend of mine and finally got all the orange parts back from him this week. He still has to clear the hood and finish the black items (seat, rear rims and all engine tins). It's 1968 Chevy hugger orange and urethane clear. The rear fender stripes were re-stenciled, sprayed and cleared in as well. The plan is to get it back together for spring. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRE1992 135 #2 Posted October 6, 2012 I can't wait to see this finished. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,555 #4 Posted October 7, 2012 That looks fantastic! Can't wait to see it finished! :bow-blue: :bow-blue: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
312Hydro 474 #5 Posted October 7, 2012 Looks great! That's the first mower I've seen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 650 #6 Posted October 7, 2012 I'm excited for you Matt! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #7 Posted October 10, 2012 I can't wait to see this one in person. Very nice Matt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,969 #8 Posted October 11, 2012 me to Me Three :text-yeahthat: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rydogg 186 #10 Posted October 13, 2012 That is going to be a very cool little tractor I can't wait to see it done. I passed one at a swap meet and was going to come back to it later if I had cash left but it sold pretty quick I have been searching for one ever since but try searching for bantam on CL or ebay and all you get is bantam chickens :banghead: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,764 #11 Posted October 13, 2012 Matt that looks fantastic and the paint is eye poping...WOW :bow-blue: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 487 #12 Posted December 29, 2012 A little update - trans is completed, installed and all linkage hooked up. The brakes are on, adjusted and work perfect. The body has been wet sanded, buffed and all repro emblems installed. Every piece of hardware used is stainless, even the threaded rods for the brakes and all the shifter linkage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 650 #13 Posted December 29, 2012 Wow, that really looks great Matt! I thought I did a fairly good job on my sons 3000, but your 8000 really is a step above the rest! Fantastic work, with amazing attention to detail! Matt :flags-texas: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,338 #14 Posted December 29, 2012 Nice work Matt! Wheres the motor? In a state of rebuild? Mike......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris11 184 #15 Posted December 29, 2012 Very nice Matt, cant wait to see it done. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #16 Posted December 29, 2012 Can't wait to see that in person! Looks great Matt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #17 Posted December 29, 2012 Good googly oogly that is some amazing work, it looks like you can "brake" each wheel individually and turn on a "dime". Y'all amaze me with the excellent craftsmanship! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 487 #18 Posted December 29, 2012 Nice work Matt! Wheres the motor? In a state of rebuild? Mike......... I got the motor running great about a year ago and it's sat idle ever since. I've collected clean, rust-free duplicates of all the engine tins, which have since been blasted, primed, painted and cleared. Once the main bulk of the tractor is together I need to make sure the motor is fine tuned, then strip it all down and detail the heck out of it before it goes in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene_S 93 #19 Posted December 29, 2012 The restoration looks to be top notch Matt! These little tractors are so cool! Great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wp205a 43 #20 Posted January 23, 2013 Ooops, I reached my "like limit" for the day. Need to spread out my visits, Great job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Killer 2000 Chevy 83 #21 Posted January 26, 2013 :wicked: Any more pics on progress? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
