1961 round hood question

[cruisnblue48 835]

I am interested in a local 1961 551 wh. The grill has slots like the 1962 502, 552, etc instead of having a solid face. But the back end of the hood appears to definitely be a 551/401 type. I have not seen a 551 with open grill slots other than one posted on the 401 gallery page I believe by Jake Kuhn. So, my question is did WH actually make some later 551's and 401's like that?

Edited September 22, 2013 by cruisnblue48

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

  :wwp:  All 61 models did not come with slotted grilles when new. The reason my hood has the slots is because that is a NOS replacement hood. I found mine brand new in the box. There is a possibility that the one you found could have a replacement hood. Best way to tell is by pictures. 

[AMC RULES 37,127]

  Hey, we're interested in it too.    

Edited September 22, 2013 by AMC RULES

[cruisnblue48 835]

Thanks for the reply, Jake. So then, you are saying that WH did make a NOS replacement hood with a slotted grill for the 551's? Does that make such a tractor with the replacement hood unique and rare or is it just not technically a true 551?

 

Not sure if this picture is going to be of any help...

 

 

... but looks to be a decent tractor to work with.

[AMC RULES 37,127]

Yeah...I spy lots of   potential sitting there.  

[wallfish 16,980]

I believe the replacement hood does make the tractor more unique and rare but not necessarily worth any more than a normal hood. But, there could be a collector out there that wants it more than someone else does.

$0.02

That's a great find so go get it!

[cruisnblue48 835]

Well, I did pick this one up yesterday for $275. All the tins are nice and straight mostly in primer... even had a perfectly good heat shield laying in the tool box. Basically only needs a recoil mechanism, carburetor rebuild, and lots of red paint. Actually sold my '88 Craftsman 11hp tractor yesterday also for $250. So, pretty much broke even to get this my 7th pony now in my stable. All in all, t'was a good day.