55rj35jr 623 #1 Posted October 1, 2014 New to the herd 551 original 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,127 #2 Posted October 1, 2014 Nice. Has the exact same diamond treaded tires I passed on last weekend. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #3 Posted October 1, 2014 You and I have the same taste in our collection. I would much rather have a nice original patina machine that a show queen. A real nice machine for sure !! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #4 Posted October 1, 2014 Very nice looks like flash back to the 60's 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Molon_Labe 731 #5 Posted October 1, 2014 That is gorgeous just as she sits, great looking there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,127 #6 Posted October 1, 2014 ...excepting for the rear fenders being backwards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,929 #7 Posted October 1, 2014 That's a relly nice one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,409 #8 Posted October 1, 2014 That's one of the best original suburbans that I have ever seen, don't restore it 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firpo701 407 #9 Posted October 1, 2014 Woohoo!!! Love it! I want one!! :-P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497 #10 Posted October 1, 2014 I have to agree with Neil,,,,,, dont restore. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #11 Posted October 1, 2014 Very nice. I like it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #12 Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) That is a wicked nice original Suburban. While it is always nice to see the restored tractors at the show's nice originals are so friggin hard too find and I would certainly keep this one original! But at the end of the day you own it, so do as you wish and have some fun. Edited October 1, 2014 by Ken B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #13 Posted October 1, 2014 Nice find for sure!! Looks great just the way it is. No need for anything but enjoyment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Keys 57 #14 Posted October 1, 2014 Wow, that's a beautiful original machine. Where can I find a set of rear tires like that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ_Thanatos 516 #15 Posted October 1, 2014 That is amazing! I have to get my hands on one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danjmah 71 #16 Posted October 1, 2014 A natural beauty! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Catmanii 36 #17 Posted October 1, 2014 Have to agree with the others, it's great just like it is. Wonderful little tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55rj35jr 623 #18 Posted October 1, 2014 Its staying as is that's my new challenge finding nice originals, to add to my restored tractor collection.. Wow, that's a beautiful original machine. Where can I find a set of rear tires like that? looked a long time for those style tires there out there but not easy to find Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,036 #19 Posted October 1, 2014 That's as nice and as complete that I've seen. I agree with the others, leave it as is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsmall07 49 #20 Posted October 1, 2014 So, I've seen the term Suburban a lot around here. Is that the style with a lot of different models included? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,036 #21 Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) Per their chart just the 1960 400 and 550 but the 61 and 62 brochure calls them Suburbans as well. Edited October 1, 2014 by Racinbob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #22 Posted October 1, 2014 So, I've seen the term Suburban a lot around here. Is that the style with a lot of different models included? Well... it's commonly used to refer to the mid-engine 1960 and 1961 models, the 400/550 and 401/551. Beyond that in a much more complicated fashion though... Wheel Horse used the term/name Suburban for several years. Just the term "Suburban" refers to the fact that this was a tractor for the "Suburban households" that were gaining in popularity in that mid-50s era. Expansion of housing into Suburban developments where people wanted their small patch of land with a lawn and a garden. Many people were losing interest in living in the "urban" city. In advertising, Wheel Horse started referring to the RJ-58/59 as a Suburban tractor sometime during production. Then, in the 1960 brochure, they named the tractors the Suburban 400 and Suburban 550 as shown in the brochure and on the manual. In 1961, the manual cover removed the "Suburban" title, but the advertising literature still referred to them as Suburban tractors. This is generally where collectors quit calling tractors suburbans... although interestingly if you look at the cover of the 1962 manual, they were still called Suburban Tractors! They were still referred to as a "Suburban Tractor" in ads as well, but I think this was going back to the original reference to Suburbia itself. Even as late as the 1963 brochure they used the term, but I think clearly this was used as a general term. After that though, I don't recall seeing the term used. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,408 #23 Posted October 1, 2014 And not to ignore the OP... that is a beautiful looking 551! It never ceases to amaze me that some of these things are found in that condition after 50+ years! Congratulations on the score! My 400 also has those old diamond turf tires... I love the look. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,459 #24 Posted October 1, 2014 Sure is a nice looking 551, original paint? WOW that looks nice. My 550 has same tires also have a set of spares. Tom 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsmall07 49 #25 Posted October 1, 2014 So, what about this little guy: Looks like the same style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
