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jsp_333

Could this possibly be a 1947-49 Wheelhorse

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jsp_333

Everyone

 

Photos below.

Just this came across this on local classified here in Toronto.

Any chance it could be as ad claims  - a 1947-49 Wheel Horse.

And what model is it ?

I'm assuming the owner is blowing smoke about the age.

Asking price Is $950.00.

Not running.

Tires look sketchy

 

John

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JERSEYHAWG /  Glenn

John, I cant offer any help regarding your questions. More learned will reply. But thank you for those pictures. looks nice.

 

Glenn

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evanloock

1957 RJ-35

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smokin joe

Its a 1957 rj

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stevasaurus

Rear tires are on backwards...:)  Sheet metal looks good.

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WheelHorse79

Without the belt guard, how can you tell it's a '57 and not a '56?  Just curious...

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Racinbob

I don't know for sure what exact year it is but definitely not late 40's.The 56/57 is more like it  It sure it cool.

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JERSEYHAWG /  Glenn

Rear tires are on backwards...:)  Sheet metal looks good.

Agree. That metal looks darn good.

Glenn

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Hammerhead

Yes that is a rare 1957 Wheel Horse Model # RJ35 with a Kohler engine! It is an early production 1957 with black rims. This is in really good original condition and should be left like it is and not restored. So I will start the arguments about the " to restore or not to restore" a rare original condition WH.The paint can be cleaned up well with some WD40 and four OOOO steel wool. The rims appear to be painted black and they only did that in 1956. So it is probably built in late 1956 or early 1957. The engine serial numbers can help identify it, if Clay jumps on board this thread. It also has the rare brake option on it. The tires all look pretty good, just don't over inflate them or they will get ruined. Like Stevasaurus said the rear tires are on backwards, just switch them from one side to the other and that will fix that problem. Hope you get this rare machine. The price is a little high but it is worth it, just hate to pay that much for it. What a good looking old girl!

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squonk

Plus it's a French WH!  :)  :thumbs:

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AMC RULES

I'd be all over that...   :handgestures-thumbsup: 

 

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Jake Kuhn

That is quite a find. And I agree with others on it being a 57 or late 56. Hopefully whoever buys it just cleans it up and leaves the paint as-is. Very hard to find one in that good original condition.

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meadowfield

sweet!

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Racinbob

Wow! That's a great find. It's got the straightest hood I believe I've seen on an unrestored machine. I'd agree with the others and just do a good clean up and leave it as-is.

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danjmah

It is gorgeous! Nice find.

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jsp_333

Damn,

Now I have to go take a look.

The thing holding me back was that I have neither the time nor money to restore an older horse.

Oh, and did I mention ability. I've never restored anything so there was no way I was going to "learn"

on such a find.

Going to try and get out today.

 

john

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jsp_333

O.K. anybody know where I can get an owner's manual and parts list for 1957 RJ35

 

And I'm going to need some help but.......

 

Naturally the first thing I did was shoot a bunch of photos

 

I'll upload more files tomorrow after I make them smaller.

 

Quick backstory  - apparently it has been down the street from me not 5 minutes away since the late 1950's

 

It was used as a trade-in at a boat/ snowmobile dealership and has been there ever since.

 

The business closed many years ago and the guy I bought it from - antiques dealer guy - was able to get in and rescue a few things.

 

Guess it was stored indoors. 

 

The engine mounts/ bolts are missing and the carb and fuel system are in a box. 

 

I'm guessing over the years different people have tried to get it up and running only to be thwarted by a lack of resources.

 

Resources like the great people on this forum.

 

So I'm really going to need a parts list and a primer, no pun intended, on restoration.

 

And no, I'm not going to paint it even though I really want to. 

 

1.  Because I don't know how and

2.  My 1953 General Electric beer fridge is worthless because I put a coat of bright yellow paint on it.

 

For now just WD40 and steel wool.

 

But I really want to.

 

John

 

 

 

 

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neil

Omg ,.DONT EVER paint it ,

Worth much more as she is .

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brybrychrismer

very nice congrats on an awesome find,,

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Racinbob

That is just too cool. Even the decals are in great shape at 57 years old. I can't imagine that it would be too hard to find some engine tins that match the condition. That will be an attention getter at the shows.

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jsp_333

No worries all I'm never going to pain it

 

Last photos going up now

 

The first in a long line of questions...   So WD40 to remove grease and grime and very fine steel wool to???

 

What's the steel wool supposed to do? Get off the older dirt without damaging the finish?

 

I would have thought anything even mildly abrasive would start removing what little paint is on it.

 

John

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Ken B

Awesome find and CONGRATS!!. So much cooler and valuable in its original state... It even has its original shower cap muffler on it...

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Racinbob

The more pics you post the more I like!

 

What I would do is use some Simple Green on it. But dilute it. I really like that stuff and I use it all the time. It's non toxic and biodegradable. I soak small parts in it overnight (full strength) and it removes all the grease and paint. It takes soaking to remove the paint so you could use it full strength with a SOFT brush and rinse it off with water but I'd try the diluted solution first just to be safe and you see how it's working. Many times I've had folks bring me a firearm that have been so gunked up inside that they won't fire anymore. I simply (yea, bad pun) pull the guts out and toss them in a pan full strength for a couple hours. I haven't found a better cleaner that isn't considered hazmat.

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AMC RULES

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JERSEYHAWG /  Glenn

The background story on the tractor is every bit as cool as the tractor itself.

 

Glenn

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