MikesRJ 558 #1 Posted July 19, 2015 (edited) This hobby of ours (read that addiction) sometimes makes us, and others, happy in ways most unexpected. I've posted pictures of my recent '73 10-8 refresh, but there is an underlying story to all of this which many don't know. When the engine blew (due to a unbeknown broken dipper) and needed to be rebuilt, my original intention was to simply rebuild the engine and put my "worker" back to task. During the rebuild stages something unexplainable kept nooging me to do a restore, so following my gut that's what I proceeded to do. While doing the work I was updating both Red-Square and Facebook with the progress. Some background is required at this point to explain the rest of the story.In 2007 I was reading through posts on another tractor forum at about 10pm on a Friday night and had just exited a thread-group when I noticed the thread-group I'd just left was highlighted again. Not knowing what thread within I might have missed, I went back in to look. The poster must have added the new thread just about the time I was exiting, and his post read that he had a '73 10-8 for sale in my zip-code. I messaged him immediately, we messaged back and forth several times, and scheduled a visit for the following morning. I went to look at the tractor, which had been sitting in a shed for almost five years untouched, and talk to the seller. The neighbor saw me arrive and came over to replaced the battery. Together he and I filled the gas tank, got everything primed, and the tractor started on the third turn of the key. I decided right then to buy the tractor with pretty much no hesitation. Later on, when I returned to retrieve the tractor, I found out the "rest of the story". It turns out the man who owned it before me, Victor "Cody" Pavolic, Sr., was a Freemason like myself (as are several of his sons), and he had purchased the tractor and all its implements brand new from a local WH Dealer in 1973. When he passed away (from a massive heart attack in 2002), it had taken his widow five years to bring herself to sell her deceased husband's "baby". He was one of those 1970's Wheel Horse owners, like the guys in the red striped shirt advertisements, who really understood the quality and value of these great machines. Knowing how expensive they were for the times, Cody took out a loan from a local bank, and then proceeded to take unbelievably good care of the tractor over the following 34 years he owned her. When I picked up the machine, I departed with the words that I would eventually restore the machine and would also let her know when I did so. That was almost eight years ago. Fast forward now to a month and a half ago ... Since our first online discussion in 2007, I have been friends on FB with the second oldest son, Victor. We would say "hey" every so often, and Victor would ask how "Dad's Tractor" was doing. I'd give him the latest news and that would be it for several months. I'd only met the wife/mother, June, in person. Victor was the only family member I had any contact with, of the 6 children in the family, and had never met him in person because he lives in an adjacent state. When I started the restoration I posted pics on FB and tagged him on a few so as to keep him abreast of my progress. Victor messaged me one night and asked that I befriend his sister Sissy on FB so she too could watch the progress. Sissy and I messaged back and forth several times throughout the following weeks, and along with Victor, I could feel and sense a level of excitement from both which I'd never quite experienced from a "Non-Wheel Horse Collector". Though I couldn't put my finger on it, I knew this machine had a very special meaning to these individuals, and for this family. Little did I know! Once the machine was nearing completion, Victor messaged me again on FB with a special request. His nephew Zach had graduated High School this year and the family was having a graduation party on Saturday, July 18th to celebrate the event. He invited my wife and I to come to the party, and if possible, could we bring the tractor along with us as a special surprise for his family. My wife and I accepted the invitation, and I proceeded to prepare the machine for the "surprise visit". Not knowing what to expect, I simply polished her as if we were going to a show, and figured my wife and I would find out how this would turn out while there. Yesterday we loaded up the machine in the morning and went over to their house a mile and a half away at the appointed time. When we got there and Victor met us in the driveway as we pulled in. Most of the family had yet to arrive, and even in the little time of our brief introductions, my wife and I could tell this was going to be something different, and something special. Victor asked that I put the machine in a spot practically in the middle of the party area, in plain view of almost every corner of the property and the street, almost like a center piece on a table. As each family member arrived they were presented with a view of a brand-new looking 1973 Wheel Horse 10hp 8-Speed which they recognized immediately as "Cody's, Dad's or Grand Pa's Wheel Horse". It seems this Wheel Horse had played a very prominent role at every family event and get-together for the 34 years it resided at their home. This tractor was there during most of this family's entire life, all the way down to the grand-children now in their late teens and early 20's, and played a central role in many of the events held there. Everyone in attendance had a favorite story to tell about their particular recollections of good times with Cody and his Wheel Horse, and nearly all had some mutual stories to tell. You know how family stories are, especially when you come from a large family. The story goes around and around, with each family member adding, arguing and laughing, over every detail. My wife and I just stood there, practically in shock, with quick glances of amazement at each other, and listened in awe as the stories were replayed by each and every family member. We could see and feel the joy, and the sorrow, as the stories played out before us. Each family member truly loved their Husband, Dad and Grand Pa, and the machine that was "his baby". My wife and I are so blessed to have witnessed this outpouring of love, affection and admiration, and to receive all the compliments and thank yous for bringing the machine to the party and bringing it and them back to better days. They were all truly appreciative, and it was quite humbling for us to say the least. Sometimes things are just meant to be, and this is most definitely one of them.Below are some old and new pictures from the party. Victors family had put together a poster of images from a 1999 family party where all of the grand kids were in attendance. This gave my wife and I a feel for how this tractor played a role in this family's history. The family and kids even recreated some of those photos they had on the poster. Enjoy. I know we did! THE POSTER IMAGE 1 - FROM THE POSTERIMAGE 2 - FROM THE POSTERIMAGE 3 - FROM THE POSTER IMAGE 4 - FROM THE POSTER VICTOR TAKING A SEAT IN A FAMILIAR PLACE THE GRAND-KIDS RECREATE SOME OF THE IMAGES Edited July 19, 2015 by MikesRJ 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #2 Posted July 19, 2015 Cool story Mike... any one remember what happened to the cart? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,082 #3 Posted July 19, 2015 Love stories like this, Mike. That had to be fun yesterday! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,293 #4 Posted July 19, 2015 What a great story Mike. You had to feel good about that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesRJ 558 #5 Posted July 19, 2015 (edited) Very humbling indeed. Was very happy with the experience.The cart, an LTD-242 or 243 apparently and unfortunately, had been sold along with his other implements before I got to buy the tractor. I asked who had bought them and it "was just someone who called in response to a local paper advertisement". Whoever it was came by, handed money, loaded up and left. They said the buyer really didn't say much, just took the things and left. Me, I was thinking I could find him and trade one of my newer carts for that one. The oldest son, Carl (In the last picture), asked me if I would sell "Dad's Tractor" to him. I very gently declined, of course, but said I could find another for him. He said, "You find another '73 and restore it like that, I'll buy it off of you!" I warned him what the cost might be, and he said he didn't care, he just wanted a tractor like Dads. I guess I have a new quest and a new project coming up in the future. Edited July 19, 2015 by MikesRJ 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,277 #6 Posted July 19, 2015 Now that is a great Wheel Horse story Mike. These little red horses really do have a way about them...so do the people that own them 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,828 #7 Posted July 19, 2015 This seems like a good article for the WHCC..... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #8 Posted July 19, 2015 Great story.Glad you could make new and share old memories for this family. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #9 Posted July 20, 2015 Very cool story Mike. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,469 #10 Posted July 20, 2015 Very humbling indeed. Was very happy with the experience.The cart, an LTD-242 or 243 apparently and unfortunately, had been sold along with his other implements before I got to buy the tractor. I asked who had bought them and it "was just someone who called in response to a local paper advertisement". Whoever it was came by, handed money, loaded up and left. They said the buyer really didn't say much, just took the things and left. Me, I was thinking I could find him and trade one of my newer carts for that one. The oldest son, Carl (In the last picture), asked me if I would sell "Dad's Tractor" to him. I very gently declined, of course, but said I could find another for him. He said, "You find another '73 and restore it like that, I'll buy it off of you!" I warned him what the cost might be, and he said he didn't care, he just wanted a tractor like Dads. I guess I have a new quest and a new project coming up in the future. With the love that family has for that tractor, it belongs with them. I'd sell it back to Carl in a heartbeat and find another one for myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,739 #11 Posted July 20, 2015 Sounds like people (Read Grampa) do live forever. A cart would have been cool.Super nice job on the Tractor Mike but I am with Red on the sell back, for a fair price of course. Im sure we can find you another to work over!Anyway we can dig Mike's original thread on the restore out of the basement? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesRJ 558 #12 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) It's not too far down in the basement just yet ...http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/56523-1973-10hp-8-speed-refresh/ Edited July 20, 2015 by MikesRJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #13 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) As usual a top notch restore on the tractor, but even better is the back story. What you shared with them and they with you will give you all fond memories and new friendships for years to come. Ya done good Bunky. Edited July 20, 2015 by JimD 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #14 Posted July 20, 2015 Great memories. The history continues too! Nice, 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #15 Posted July 20, 2015 Great story Brother!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolhandblack 45 #16 Posted July 20, 2015 What a great story! Thank you for sharing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
