HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-07-23, Page 431
•
y "Junk" turns into
collector items
Since 1972, Bob LeBeau, his brother Rick
and father, Mac, have been collecting and
restoringancient tractors.
"I bought the first one for junk, because
junk was worth a lot in those days," Bob
LeBeau said, "I paid $50 for the tractor, and
it was worth $200 in junk."
When he brought it home, however, and
put gas in it, it ran. Once he realized the
tractor ran he decided to restore it. "Then
we just started collecting," he said.
"After I restored the first one, someone
carne and bought it, so I took that Money
and bought another one," Mr. LeBeau ex-
plained. "Then Dad started in, then Rick."
To date the LeBeaus have approximately
30 tractors, down from the,45 they had at one
time, as they sell some of the tractors that
are restored.
According to Mr. LeBeau thougli, "We
won't sell collectors tractors."
They currently own about nine Case col-
lectors tractors. "We are collecting mostly
Case because we use Case on the farm, and
we've always had Case," Mr. LeBeau said.
One such collector tractor is a 1926 Case,
which is Mr. Blebeau's favorite. "It had
been worked around the Stratford area, and
was donated to the Thompson's Museum in
Stratford," Mr. LeBeau said.
Approximately five years ago the
museum had a sale to sell off what they con-
sidered junk, and at the sale Mr. LeBeau
bought the 1926 Case for $400.
"People laughed at me for paying $400 for
it at the sale," Mr. LeBeau said. After spen-
ding six months restoring the tractor, he
now values it at $5,000.
"We can usually fix one up in two months,
but the 1926 was in bad shape, with no
fenders and the manifold was gone," he
explained.
Their oldest tractor to date is a 1916 Case
cross motor, which they again acquired
from the Thompson's Museum when the city
was taking it over, and selling everything.
The price for this model was $1,600.
Every year approximately 12 . of the
LeBeaus' restored tractors are taken to the
annual Pioneer Thresher and Hobby
Association Reunion in Blyth to be.
displayed.
Aside from doing restoration work for
their own pleasure, the LeBeaus also do
custom restoring for customers.
"If a person brings in their tractor and
wants it looking like new, we'll do that too,"
Mr. LeBeau said. '
All of their tractors are in working condi-
tion when they are sold, Mr. LeBeau ex-
plained. "Last year we sold a 1929 Rumley,"
he said.
According to Mr. LeBeau, though, the
buyers never use them on their farms.
9� o» pe �r
1 iof il®es
"They take them to shows, and show them
to others," he said.
On top of all this restoration itork, the
LeBeaus also take Alilis Chalmers Model
'B' tractors from 1942 to 1955, restore them,
and put new mowers underneath them.
"Last year we did 13 of them, and sold
them all," said Mr. LeBeau. "They are
cheaper than a riding lawn mower."
Although the restoration business may
seem like a sound business scheme on the
part of the LeBeaus, Mr. LeBeau is quick to
point out, "We don't do it for the money; we
enjoy doing it."
LeBeaus
restored 13
tractors last year
HURON
CONCRETE,
SUPPLY
HWY.
NO. 8 GODERICH
• —J
Best Wishes
to
Stanley
Township
on your
150th
BIRTHDAY
Goderich
524-7361
1-800-265-4148
Seoforth
521-0.811
Oa, 6400
Page 25A
1926 Case.tractor
Happy 150th Stanley Township!
4.411110116....
WiLLEfl\S
REAL ESTATE INC.
3 North Street, Goderich 524-2667
"Friendly Service, Professionalism and Integrity"
Les Willems Gordon Hill Bruce Ryan Noma Farrish Murray Rourke
524-8451 482-3307 524-7762 529-7152 524-2569
fir
I • r
�Ianging
Oimes...
As Stanley Township has grown and changed
since 1836, so have we. From its conception in
1902 (Ball Funeral Home) until the present day
Ball and Falconer, our firm has endeavoured to
provide a high standard of service
-"*"..4, and to maintain a personal touch.
�i .d r11Our best wishes to our many
w`+►'",'•�rt' ' lk! ...) 1 friends in the Township of Stanley
• • on your Sesquicentennial Year. En -
2',190 "•1,! •
w joy your celebrations.
�: S.
y:
Tia1t & 3Ilatcunu
FUNERAL FIOME LTD.
Director: C.D. Denomme
BOX FUNERAL CHAPEL
47 HIGH STREET,
SEAFORTH, '
527-1142
Director: Michael S. Falconer
P.O. Box 47
153 HIGH STREET,
CLINTON,
482-9441
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