I caught this nice-looking Ford 8N tractor at a red light, at a used car lot, of all places. Could Ed Stembridge be in town?
CC Outtake: Not Your Usual Used Car Fare
– Posted on November 28, 2012
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Curbside Classics Archives
I caught this nice-looking Ford 8N tractor at a red light, at a used car lot, of all places. Could Ed Stembridge be in town?
That wouldn’t be too unusual here in central TX at all. Nice tractor. My grandfather had a similar Ford (who in the mid/south-west among the “greatest generation” didn’t at some point?). Nice Blazer, too. I got rid of mine a short while ago. They were under-appreciated little trucks.
That’s a nice looking little machine. Not quite enough of a project and not Red enough for my tastes though. ;D
Hmm, not the normal color for an 8N. (red engine, grey tank) Might be a 9N (1939 to 1941) or the 2N (1942 to 1947). Both of those were all grey, with the 2N being offered only with steel wheels (due to shortages). After the war, the wheels were converted back to rubber in most cases. Not many differences among the three, with the 8N released after Henry Ford broke the deal with Ferguson.
We see a fair number of 8Ns around here, though Deeres and the occasional New Holland dominate for the big jobs. FWIW, an outfit (N-complete) offers remanufacturing of the old beasties. (Looks like they offer parts, too.)
A friend has several Fergys this age but all are TEA 20 not the rare(here) Ford variety
The smooth center rear hubs make this a 1939 or 1940 9N, in the correct all-grey color. Very early 9Ns had cast aluminum grills and hoods, and finding them in unbroken condition is mighty hard to do these days.
My 8N is a 1950 model, and gets regular hard use here on the farm.
Nice find!
That’s interesting. I just assumed it was an 8N, sounds like I caught a much rarer version–especially if it has the aluminum bits. I may have to go back and get pics for a full Farmside Classic!
A write up of the N Series is on my “to do” list, but it probably won’t happen until after Christmas – my schedule is “consumed” right now!
The tractor in the photo is unlikely to be an aluminum dash model – very few exist and most are part of collections…