2 old wheelhorses from late 50s/early 60s

[Henry 51]

I have owned 2 old wheelhorse tractors for about 20 years now, that were originally owned by my dad and uncle, and I'm finally ready to part with them.   I have questions about their value and the best approach to finding the right buyer.   I am located in St. Paul, MN

Wheelhorse 1:  Was owned by my dad, acquired around 1961-2.   I think it is a Suburban model, not sure.   Engine was replaced with more current Briggs 7hp.  steering wheel replaced, head light added, other modifications to go with an electric-start engine that was on it in the 70s.    I'm currently trying to get this one fully functional, (I have the mowing deck) but the Briggs has no spark and having trouble getting that fixed.    Am I wasting my time on the Briggs?   (Will any buyer immediately yank the engine and replace it with an original 4hp Koehler?)    I'm thinking this one might be worth around $300 if I get it fully functional and cleaned up...not sure if that is a pipe dream, considering it has so many non-original modifications to it?   In the attached pictures, it is the one with the family around it (that picture was taken in 1963) and the one with the blue seat (picture taken 9-21-15)

Wheelhorse 2:   Was owned by my uncle, I think he bought it brand new around 1959 or 1960?   I think it might be an RJ.   It is mostly original, but also not running.    I hope to get it running also.   It has a mower deck as well, and original tires, I have not seen any other wheelhorses of this vintage with those front tires.    I'm thinking with this one being more original with a Koehler engine on it, maybe it is worth more than the other one, though I'm not sure on that, and it probably depends on me getting it operational.   In the pictures below it is one the man (my uncle) riding it and looking at the camera, with the silver fish on the cabin behind it.   (I think the picture was taken in August, 1960.)  

If anyone wants to contact me about these I can be reached at farmerie@yahoo.com.    Otherwise, I'm just interested in hearing opinions on what I should do to maximize their value and make them visible to whoever would want them the most....also wondering what I can hope to get for them.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting either of them running to sell...
true collectors of these little round hoods are concerned with originality, more than anything else.
As far as selling them, I think you've come to the right place, right here on
once our members see them, they'll pretty much, sell themselves.
Have anymore of these vintage  photo's to post up here...
they contain a lot of good info, lot's to learn from them...thank you for posting them.
                                       
 

[953 nut 55,737]

     As Craig has said, a few current photos and a bit of information and they will find a new home. It is cool to have vintage photos and a lot of history on the . That won't add much economic value, but it makes them more interesting to the buyer. Presuming the photos are of both tractors, they are both RJs. If that big headlight resulted in a big hole being cut in the front of the hood it would detract from the value, a good hood to replace it would run $100 or more. If that is the case you may have trouble getting $ 300, wrong engine, wrong steering wheel and a cut hood is a lot to get beyond. 

Go ahead and post adds for both of them in the for sale section and state a price OBO and see what kind of interest you generate; too far for me to drive or I would be interested in both.

[fireman 1,021]

I think the first picture with the family around it has value, at least to me! There aren't many original pictures of the late 50's early 60's pictures around, at least not as good as yours. I would never have of thought the 58/59' RJs hoods would have such a smooth glossy finish as the picture shows when they were new. Thanks for posting it.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

     I thought them visible creases...
in the exhaust heat shield were interesting too. 

[Shynon 7,460]

From a fellow Minnesotan. Looks like you have a couple of RJ's

  

[Brian01 481]

Yes, notice the "straight" front axle, if it were a suburban , front axle would have curves or dips next to spindle

[ricksrj58 273]

yep those are both rj58/59 tractors,wish you were closer.

[Henry 51]

I do have some more "vintage" footage of the old tractor owned by my dad.    I just uploaded a video from a home movie, taken with regular 8mm film, probably in 1964.   I am the little tyke driving it in the video, my older brother Jack started it up for me.   This was taken in Emsworth, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKbB4oTky2s&feature=youtu.be

I'll take some current pictures of my uncles wheelhorse next and post them maybe tomorrow.

[clueless 3,011]

Calendar cover pic! Chris in Florida.

[wallfish 17,078]

The family looks like they are enjoying the heck out of that tractor!
THANK YOU for taking the time to share the pics and video with us!
 

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Awesome video, and picts...                                       
exactly how I always imagined growing up in a  family would be. 

[953 nut 55,737]

                                                    The expression on the face of the girl in the first wagon is priceless, loved the video,thanks for posting them.   

[TDF5G 2,069]

The pics and video are great.  I'm gonna have go through the old family photos now.  I know there are some WH pics in there!

[Shynon 7,460]

Wow, that video was cool, the shine on that hood. I didn't realize you could haul that many kids in a wagon.

[fireman 1,021]

That video is just incredible! It's the only original one I've ever seen. Thank you or posting it. 

[wrightorchid 261]

It is interesting to see these old photos, and realize that the tractors played a significant role in family life.  Much more than just a lawn mower.  Pretty cool to see, and to have a video also is great.
 

[Henry 51]

I took some pictures this evening of my uncle's wheel horse, and I also managed to get my dad's running by swapping in a Clinton engine that I'd remembered I had in my garage.    I will take more pictures of my dad's with the different engine.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Looks awesome...       
Can you Youtube us a new video?  
 

[Ken B 3,164]

Incredible photo's and awesome video, thanks much for sharing! Like Fireman said, this is the only original video footage I've seen of these little red fun machines with their owners way back in the day.. Its looks to me like everyone is having a good time! It looks like these two tractors played a part (and were a part) of your family's history and kids growing up.. You sure you want to sell them? 

[Ed Kennell 38,602]

You are one lucky man, Henry, to be part of a clearly great family.   Thank you so much for sharing these treasures.  It really brings back a lot of memories of my childhood days from the 50s in Somerset Co.
Was the cart made by your Dad ?

[Henry 51]

Yes, my dad made that trailer that we used with the wheelhorse.   I still own that too!   He was a welder and designer, and a craftsman....among many other admirable traits.

Yes, even though these are family heirlooms, I am ready to part with them because they've really just been collecting dust in my shed for over 10 years now.

[Pullstart 63,080]

wow, amazing footage and a great story!

[Brian01 481]

Great video!

[Henry 51]

I just took a bunch more pictures of the two wheelhorse tractors, plus a bunch of parts I have.    I posted the pictures to google plus at this link:
 

https://plus.google.com/116898965805166126455/posts/QsZnASuMfQr

 

 

Both of the spare engines have broken connecting rods to the piston.    I am going to post them in the For Sale section here on wheelhorseforum.com, and also on craigslist.    Thanks for all the comments!    I got my dad's running, but not my uncles.   It spins freely but has no spark.