Tractor Dreaming!
Every year Aumann Auctions in Nokomis, Illinois has their Pre-30 Auction. Along with the auction they have a tractor school, and open house. As usual, we attended the open house, and put on our, “If you could have any tractor?” dreaming hat. Then we viewed the early model tractors. These beauties tell the story of agricultural history over the years!
One little foreign tractor caught my attention right off the bat! Produced in 1930 by the Motomecciana of Milan, this little Italian tractor would look mighty pretty in our shed.
The other tractor that really made me yearn was the little conversion tractor. We love the kit tractors and always are looking to add to our collection.
Best 30 Orchard Humpback story
This open house is so cool, seeing items you might never see otherwise. That was true with the Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor.
Tom Madden, an attorney from Paso Robles, California presented at Aumann Auctions Tractor School. My husband Keith and I didn’t make it to the school. However, we met Mr. Madden, and were thrilled to see his amazing Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor. We met him just hours before he loaded it up and took it home. “I collect pre-1925 California made tractors.,” Tom Madden shared about his very unique collection.
The original tractor.
Before building this from an original block, he said, “There was only one of these tractors until this.”
They used the 1914 block from the original, only still existing tractor that is at the California Agricultural Museum. The block was removed from the original tractor because it had a hole in it.
The Madden Humpback Orchard tractor
K.R. Hough, from Pendleton, Indiana used the original block, an original radiator and seat and created a Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor. Measurements were made using a 3Dscanner.
Classic Tractor Fever has a bio for the talented K.R. Hough. ” KR Hough grew up around steam engines and the steam hobby with a passion for early pre-1920s engines, tractors, and equipment…’
Tom Madden said most interesting part of this build was, “The fact that no one thought it could be done.”
The Hollywood Vehicles!
While the actors didn’t arrive in the Midwest, some vehicles used in Hollywood came to town!
Did you see the movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon”? I did, and it was amazing. The movie starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Dinero. At the auction, they had 10 early cars and trucks for sale. I made Keith take a picture of me with the beautiful speedster.
What fun having Hollywood come to Nokomis, right here in the good ole Midwest!
There were signs, literature, cool cars, motorcycles and about anything you could dream of at this auction. It is so wonderful to be able to view these unique pieces of history whether the pocketbook can afford them or not!
What item have you added to your collection, or been dreaming about lately?
