Brillion GT 6

[HENRYG 34]

I have been looking for a Brillion ever since I first set eyes on one 5 years ago at a show in Delaware, it was a 1963 last year built. Since then my search has been far and wide when an add popped up on CL in Iowa . BRILLION PARTS 50.00 read the add, I was on that phone at warp speed and speaking with seller in the hopes for a complete tractor in a box, but no... he had everything, but no frame, hood or steering  tower, or engine how the hell do you have all the rest of the parts but no frame ? Its not as if your going find them any time this century, my hopes dashed I continued my quest when a month later I spied an add again in Iowa unrelated it seemed, Garden Tractors for sale as I looked over the machines in the picture something caught my eye, in the corner of the barn nearly covered with cardboard boxes sat a 1962 Brillion GT6 Explorer, can you imagine my excitement !  I called the seller and we chatted awhile trying to remain calm, I casually asked about the Brillion hoping no one else picked it out from its hiding spot,  250.00 he said and its yours, I immediately sent him a paypal the tractor was complete but missing its engine. I then called the other seller with the Brillion parts and bought them, also I asked him about the missing engine he said his father put it on a rototiller and they haven't used in a few years, yup I got that too. 100.00 dollars after getting everything from Fastenal I got the engine running and it ran great no smoke . Then I noticed something about the parts tractor its grille was different than the 62's along with its decal, OMG IT IS A 1959 THE FIRST YEAR BUILT  since everything else is the same it can be shown as either by simply switching out the nose piece. I may be the only owner of a 59 and a 62,  although I personally know of two other 62s in the U.S. one in Mass. one in KY. and  two in Canada . As for the 63s one in Ohio  and one  in PA. and one in Indiana. They are quite rare nonetheless.

[oliver2-44 9,897]

Cool I've never heard of a Brilliant tractor. We had a pull type Brilliann seeder at the farm in the 70's.  I wonder if there's any connection

[ebinmaine 68,681]

Interesting story, both yours and that of the tractor and Company. If you have any more history or information, I would love to hear it.

[JC 1965 1,530]

WOW !!   I never heard of those tractors before. Really neat tractor, thanks for sharing.     

[JoeM 7,874]

So cool.

Post some more pics when you get r running.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,468]

So will it get a full-on restoration or just get it mechanically sound and maintain the patina? Was it originally orange?

  I personally like the original patina.

[GlenPettit 1,717]

Here's a little info from another site:

http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/59796-brillion-or-garden-all/

 

and an article via Kate in the magazine:

 

[HENRYG 34]

Here's a little more information, at some point in 63 the tractors were built by Lantz manufacturing division in Greenville Ohio. here are a few

 brochures of the tractors, they were painted a light bronze color and white ,the ones made in Ohio were red . I think Brillion bought garden - all

and began building tractors if you look at a Garden All Pup they share the same frame, and have other similar attributes such as their use of louvers and the big belt pulley and cable steering. Brillion built farm equipment  but was also a producer of other heavy iron products. I will go out on a limb and say I think they Garden All and Brillion were in bed together before Brillion took over, why else would the first brochure exclaim New for 62 Brillion has a garden tractor I think the 59 I have was made by Garden All but badged Brillion iron works.

Edited February 8, 2018 by HENRYG
picture add

[12 hp Kohler 1,014]

Very cool tractor, never herd of Brillion before.