Stigian 1,234 #1 Posted September 9, 2009 Life has reached that wonder part if you happen to be a Wheel Horse freak, which I am. When I told my Wife last week that I was buying another Wh, she didn't even blink.. I guess she knows there is no hope for me now I have know about this poor C-121 for the past 12 years, where it has spent most of those years slowly sinking in a muddy orchard!! It belonged to my ex-landlord (as he is now) who would never sell it to me on the grounds of he will turn it into a kart for his kids to play on "when they grow up"!! Once a year for the past 9 years (when I moved to Chateau Da'stig) I have been pestering him to sell it to me, same old answer "when the kids grow up"!!! This year his answer was "the kids have grown up, but they have no interest in it".. Yippie, as they say.. A deal was quickly done.. As is the way here, a fun way of getting the C-121 back to the safety of the Workshack.. It's photo time The start of the journey, Garry is behind the camera. Loaded up and ready to go.. The spare wheels were brought along just in case we needed to put them on the C-121 as all the tires were flat. The 312-8 pulled the loaded trailer with no problems. This is the start of "the fun bit", the return home. Having a break to let our hearts slow down after the er.. most dangerous part of the journey. They say madness can strike at any age An arty/moody shot from the safety of the plush gardens of Castle da'Stig. In from the weather for the first time in many many years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whfan74 2,015 #2 Posted September 9, 2009 That is a fantastic save and one of perseverance. I am glad that it finally made it back to your place. I am sure by morning time here in the States it will be up and running around that yard where we can all see it on YouTube! Thanks for the great pictures! Many of us enjoy your adventures Ian...........definitely keep us posted! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #3 Posted September 9, 2009 For a WH that had spent so many years out in the elements it had survived quite well. A dirty and flaking engine that turns by hand with good compression. Me thinks water might of been sitting here a while The worst of the rust, or so I thought <_< , nice to have the dealers decal, a part of it's history. Hmm.. Water had chewed a hole though this front wheel, that's the inner tube sticking through!! It's not as rusty as the other front wheel!!! The amazing thing is both of these wheel have been holding their air for a week now The cutting deck has suffered a bit as well, with seized blades and a few rust holes.. But should repair.. So over all, a bit rusty in places but not too bad...... Until..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #4 Posted September 9, 2009 Until today when Garry and I thought it was about time we dug a little deeper and did some dismantling/dismembering.. I won't give away too much at this stage as I have a special update planned, but here's a few pic's of the rust we found!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodge 6 #5 Posted September 9, 2009 That is a lot of rust. But, you seem to have the mad fabricating skills necessary to revive the beast. Who would of thought that there would be so many Horses there? I think you are having better luck than some folks here. Good job on finding another horse, and working on her instead of parting it out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHC-125 4 #6 Posted September 9, 2009 Ian, good luck on your new project Another member(Bill) is working on a restoration of a 312-8 that is coming along great and it too was rusted just about as bad as yours when he started. Hopefully Bill can get some more pics up of it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheel horse 1045 2 #7 Posted September 9, 2009 ouch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suburban 550 28 #8 Posted September 9, 2009 A little rough Ian, but I know in no time at all you'll have it up and runnin'. Some people would rather have them sit and rot rather than sell them. :hide: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,678 #9 Posted September 10, 2009 Boy that does have some serious rot! To bad he didnt strike a deal with you 9 years ago when it was probably in pristine shape. Either way its in a better place now and even if it doesnt live to mow again I'm sure it'll help one of your other machines live on. Mike...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg Parnell 6 #10 Posted September 10, 2009 Hey Ian and the guys, How long was the trip to get the tractor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #11 Posted September 11, 2009 Ian, nice. I recall your mentioning this horse once before. Glad your persistence paid off! It would seem you needed a project! cheers :scratchead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,273 #12 Posted September 11, 2009 Ian...did I see bullet holes in one of the last pictures? Who would shoot a red horse when it"s down? Looks like a great project...thanks for the pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpmcleod 4 #13 Posted September 11, 2009 Sure is nice to see another one rescued from the rust pile. I have two Wheel Horses and I have been trying to buy another one but the guy wants to much for it. It makes me sad to see it just sit there rusting away. Just a quick story. When I was on the sheriff's Dept on midnight shift, I found a 32 chevy sedan sitting in a yard. I tried to but it but the owner would not sell it. I offered to buy a cover for it to keep it out of the weather in the event he changed his mind. I had a fully restored 1940 sedan and offered to trade him even. He would not. That car sat unprotected for years untill the wooden rails in the roof rotted and collapsed. The fenders fell off the brackets and the grill rusted away. The last time I saw it, the frame was on the ground. I really wanted that car but the owner just let it go to He--. I love seeing old Wheel Horses saved. I love them like I did that old 32 Chevy sedan. The more the merrier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dsol1 0 #14 Posted September 12, 2009 Nice save Ian!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 133 #15 Posted September 12, 2009 Ian all I can do is smile thinking what you have in store for this save you have made. I know that me and the others here cant wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #16 Posted September 16, 2009 Howdo Guy's, wow im blown away by the sheer amount of reply's But tank you, it means a lot to me to know you all like what I get up to with my Wheel Horse's Hodge - Yep loads of rust but luckily only a very little bit of welding was needed.. It's handy having just the right panels "in stock" Chris - Thanks for the good luck, I need to look up Bill's project and see whats happening. Wheel Horse 1045 - Ouch indeed.. Ray - Yeah, she is a little rough but not too bad. Mike - Yeah, I wish we could of struck a deal on it years ago, it would of been a lot less rusty though if I remember rightly the tires were flat all them there years ago. Greg - The trip wasn't far only a mile or so, but far enough to make it fun Rolf - Wow, good memory you have there!! Lol, I didn't need another project, but as I was chatting to my ex landlord about other things it seemed rude not to ask about it :ychain: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #17 Posted September 16, 2009 Stevasaurus - I see what you mean about the bullet holes (after having a look at the photo's again) but I don't think they are as the bullets would of had to of gone through the drive belt cover which is fine with no "extra" holes. Jpmcleod - Shame about the 32 Chevy, I just can't understand people who leave thing to rot and won't part with them even if they know it will rot beyond use.. Dsol1 - Thanks dude Bitten - I have an update here that should make you smile Right Chap's here's the update you have been waiting for.. Hope you enjoy it BRINGING THE C-121 BACK TO LIFE VIDEO LINK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,352 #18 Posted September 16, 2009 Did someone mention "rust" and "rot"? Deck Wheel Pulleys Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KB9LOR 4 #19 Posted September 16, 2009 Love the video! you guys did a super job on it! nice Horse. Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 133 #20 Posted September 17, 2009 Yup you got a smile out of me. Looks like you got her up and going good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bustedglass 1 #21 Posted September 17, 2009 Ian, you never cease to amaze me . Great job, and great vid . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
