Special 1973 12 Auto added to collection

[RedRider 120]

Early last year I learned that my grandparents were Wheel Horse dealers from 1966-1974.  Since then I have devoted a lot of my time to researching the brand and beginning my own collection of Wheel Horse tractors.  Since the time I learned of my grandparents connection to Wheel Horse, I thought it would be neat to find a tractor that they sold new.  Last summer I got a lead and went to look at a tractor that was supposedly sold by my grandparents.  The tractor was a nicely optioned 12 Automatic that the owner used primarily for plowing his driveway.  Despite my attempts to purchase the tractor, the owner was not yet ready to sell.  Last week he got in touch and told me that he just bought a new Toro zero turn mower and was now ready to part with the old tractor because he didn't have any more room in his garage.  The only catch was that he wanted to keep the original snow plow that came with the tractor to mount on a newer 416 he had. Wanting to keep the tractor and plow together, I offered to trade him an NOS classic series snow plow for his tractor.  Yesterday I went and picked up the tractor and today I bought a new battery and started working to clean it up a little.  The tractor was used extensively and has a few repairs here and there, but overall is in good mechanical condition.  This tractor still remains the only one I have come across so far from my grandparent's dealership.  It was kind of special to return the tractor back to my grandparents store (where I work on some of my tractors) where it was sold new over 42 years ago.  I plan on keeping the tractor as-is for now, but will eventually try to repaint it and at least give it a cosmetic restoration.

 

Here is the tractor after I started cleaning it up.

 

 

 

 

Here is an ad that ran in the local newspaper in 1973 for their store.

 

Edited April 20, 2015 by RedRider

[chex313 123]

73 was a great year... Enjoyed your story and nice tractor!

[papaglide 542]

What a great story. That tractor looks great as is, please don't repaint Her! She is so original and clean. Wash her and wax her and she will be looking fine!

[Racinbob 11,916]

I agree with Mike. That looks great as-is and they are only original once. What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

[Ken B 3,189]

Very nice. I'd also leave it original. it looks great just the way it is IMO.

[RedRider 120]

I should have mentioned that the fender pan had extensive repairs and has a significant amount of paint peeling off of the back of it (not visible in pictures) from where the tire chains must have chewed it up at one time.  I also think that the rear fender pan, dash housing and hood were all repainted at one time, as the shade of red on those parts is just a little different from the rest of the tractor and I can see evidence of the decals being taped off for paint.  I think that eventually I will try to replace the rear fender pan with an unmolested original one and freshen up the paint on the tractor at that time, but for now I'm just going to enjoy it and show it in this condition.  

[oldredrider 2,553]

I agree. Don't touch it. It's a true survivor. Happy you got it back "home".

[daveoman1966 3,839]

I, too, have a 1973 model 1-0465 Auto 12 hp that I bought from Grant's Feed Store in Meadville, PA in 1974 (maybe 75) as a demo.  The 12hp Kohler went south and I began to part it out, but still have the shell as shown here.  I had overhauled the Sundstrand 90-1136 auto trans the year before the engine went down and now have it on a shelf.  It has hyd lift which is a bonus...as you know.  The gearbox is in tact, and cover from weather. 

Need any parts? ? ?

[Tankman 3,523]

Just another Horse! A great Stallion too!

 

That '73 is an excellent addition to your collection! Congrats! 

 

[elliot ness 1,916]

Great story, and great tractor.       I feel Wheel Horse tractors were and are the best and simplest tractor ever built. I have had many kinds in my collection, and always come back to the Wheel Horses!