Did I ever tell you the story of my dealer sign and original rj58???

[WHGuy413 2,756]

So 2 years ago while at a local show a old gentleman came over to our display. He specifically wanted to talk to me and even knew my name even tho we had never met. He had traveled a hour to talk to me. We talked tractors for a little bit and he said hey by the way I have half a dealer sign in my truck. We took a walk and I looked at it. He wanted 150 for it. Unfortunately I had already spent my limit at the show and had no free cash on me. He said he wouldn't sell it to anyone but me and I took down his number on a piece of paper. I also entered it into my phone. Well I have a problem where I smash screens on my phones quiet often. I broke my phone and lost his number. Well fast forward 10 months I was in the garage and found the piece of paper I had written his number down on. I figured there was no way he still had the sign but I gave him a call anyway. He answered and sure enough he said he still had it and that when he said he wouldnt sell to anyone else that was his word. He didnt care that 10 months later he finally heard from me. To my surprise he said he had the other half of the sign mounted to his garage and would sell both halves for 250. So we settled on a time and I drove out with my wife and kids and bought the sign. He was excited to show me his tractors while we were there. One stood out since it was a rj58. It was buried in his shed and hard to see. I knew the engine wasnt the typical Kohler but that's about all I could see. As we were getting ready to go he asked if I was interested in it. I said sure if the price is right. So he thought a few minutes and said "would 100 be to much since the transmission is stuck". My wife who had cut me off from buying anymore tractors (😂😂😂 jokes on her) gave me the look that I thought I would never see. Approval. Once I had that quick look I said I tell you what I will do 150. Which I know is still extremely low for one of these. Well he was just tickled pink. He was going to use it as lawn art in the spring. I paid him but couldnt fit the tractor without breaking the sign so I said I will come back up. Well when I went he had it sitting out side and we loaded it. It was even nicer in person than I thought originally. It's a beautiful all original tractor with the Clinton on it. I got the Clinton running after thinking it had a broken rod cause it would spin and stop. I pulled the head to see what it was doing if anything and it had so much carbon under the head that the piston couldnt come up all the way. Then once running it wouldnt drive. Turns out all the bolts on the differential were broken. I fixed those and it runs and drives like a dream. Easily one of my favorite tractors in my collection. Long story I know but hopefully you enjoy it.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,412]

Great story! I like how you kept the sign halves seperate 

[Shynon 7,461]

Don't know which is better the signs or the tractor. Wow 

[oliver2-44 9,873]

Neat story!  Great original tractor

[ebinmaine 68,440]

Thanks for sharing that Matt!

 

You got to love it when your significant other sees a tractor and has a pretty good idea of what's going on and basically tells you that if you DON'T buy it you're being silly.

 

[posifour11 723]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Thanks for sharing that Matt!

 

You got to love it when your significant other sees a tractor and has a pretty good idea of what's going on and basically tells you that if you DON'T buy it you're being silly.

 

I need to get my wife in that mindset!

[WHGuy413 2,756]

2 hours ago, Sparky said:

Great story! I like how you kept the sign halves seperate 

He didnt have the frame work so I had to get creative. I thought about making a frame then hanging it in the middle of the garage but I would hit my head on it. So I bought a sheet of 1/4" plywood and ripped it down then bought rope lighting on the plywood and covered it with the signs. 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

What a super story. Enjoyed every word. Thanks.

 

Glenn

[Retired Wrencher 5,515]

Matt it is people like that you always remember in life. Enjoy the tractors and signs.