my new RJ-58

[sscotsman 132]

Here is one I just picked up and even though it was repainted years ago I think I will keep it as is. I think you will find that the consenus here is it takes 50 years to get that patina look and once it is repainted it really should be show condition. It is hard to tell from the pics but you could try wiping it down with wd/or motor oil and see what you think? Some guys prefect the crusty look but for me oiled up is better. Someone once called it the "salad dressing" look....

well..there is a big difference between "nice aged patina" and "rust"!

Steve, yours has that nice patina, and I agree keeping it unrestored is a nice option for a tractor in that condition..

but CB's RJ (at the top of this thread) has crossed the line from "patina" into "rust that isnt worth keeping" IMO..

for a tractor like, the full restore would probably be better.."restore or not restore" really depends on the condition..

Scot

[Ken B 3,116]

Nice score on the RJ. it looks to be fairly complete and straight.Do as you like on the resto end, I'd re-do this one if it were mine. I think that one has a bit too much rust. I would try what Stevebo suggested first though. With some serious cleaning it could clean up some.

[VinsRJ 721]

I agree with TT, with a Serial Number of 4800+, although early in overall production, it would be out of place that all of the parts would have been changed over the course of time with later production parts. Also the rear hitch in your pic is the style after the 1st generation. Thats not to say you did not locate a GREAT RJ! You did and I would add it tom collection if I could!

IMO like RJs restored.

[JC 1965 1,528]

Great find, That tractor looks very sound for It's age.Good luck with the restoration. :WRS:

[WHRNaddict 5]

To restore or leave as is, is a question I battle w/ on some of my tractors. If you have to chase down parts to complete a tractor, it's real difficult to fined parts in the original condition to match your aged tractor. My feeling is the more you have to locate to have a complete tractor the hard I lean toward a total restoration. Some times you get lucky and run up on a complete one like this early 58 ( s# 1789 ) I found on CL. Nailed it down in two hours and the next morning drove 1000m RT to retreive it. It's an older restoration so I'll be leaving it as it it is.

Hope the pics work