Allis Chalmers Father’s Day show
The Father’s Day show in Middle Amana, Iowa was our first tractor show of the season! Publishing my 2020 Antique Tractor Guide back in January I never thought this late in the year that I would be saying that! The guide has been adjusted. It has been changed show by show indicating shows cancelled or rescheduled. But then, the Father’s Day show took place!
We stayed at Zubers Homestead Hotel a small century old hotel with 15 rooms. The small family style hotel is one we are familiar with. We feel comfortable staying here. They offer a lovely breakfast that was plated for us in distance spaced tables.
The Show
Each year a group of Allis Chalmers collectors gather with their beautiful Persian Orange tractors. Collectors socially distanced being outside. Inside the building many vendors wore masks. Tables were also more than six feet apart. So all in all, travel to the show was comfortable!
The Friday Tractor Drive
We arrived Friday afternoon. After completing a look-see a deluge of rain started coming down. Keith and I ducked into the vendor building to check out the AC wares. We learned some of the tractors and drivers were out and about in the Amana countryside on a drive. I watched as they drove back through the rain. It didn’t let up one iota. Wet, wet, wet!
Mini Americana Barn Museum
With the rain, we were looking for things to do. We found Henry Moore’s barn museum was open. The Mini-Americana is the largest known collection of miniature replicas built by one man, woodworker Henry Moore (1911-1983). The museum is quite amazing. We have been here before decades ago. We enjoyed looking through the talented Mr. Moore’s work. His son John now runs the museum. He took time to visit with us and point us in the right direction to view his father’s work.
Saturday the Show!
We arrived early at the Allis Chalmers show. The morning broke with another round of rain. There are lots of pavilions with picnic tables. I had the chance to get to know collectors and hear their stories.
Michael Noonan of Marinette, Wisconsin brought his show stopper Mini-B to the show, He has a specially made trailer behind it. This beautiful little crafted tractor contains components from a 1983 Case 226 garden tractor, 1946 Ford flathead V8 engine 100 horse power, and 1940’s Allis-Chalmers body parts! Check out the Lawn and Garden tractor magazine (I think September issue) for a detailed story about this beauty!
Then there were several tractors restored by Dan Fuss. I enjoyed visiting with Dan and his wife Sheryl and Dan’s brother Bill. I checked out several tractors that Dan had restored. This included the family 1935 Allis Chalmers WC that had belonged to their dad!
The Drive
Dan Fuss was generous enough to allow me to drive his WC tractor! He stayed on the back to ensure that I drove it safely. We made a loop around the grounds. How fun! Thank you Dan Fuss!
The little things
There were many other highlights of the show. One of my favorites was the unusual wheels on an Allis Chalmers WC. I learned they helped get the driver out of the mud if and when they got stuck. I assume this is an aftermarket item, but didn’t learn much.
Father’s Day
Heading home Saturday night we were home for Father’s Day . Celebrating this coming week with family. My dad Bill Disque has been gone since 2015. I think about him almost everyday still. I hope you spent the day with your family and that it included doing something that you loved!
