The Pioneer Man usually has a project in progress. He stays busy. He also has fun endeavors and some of them involve vehicles, both old and new.
He is the proud owner of a 1931 Model A-400 sedan convertible. The A-400 was manufactured during the Great Depression. It targeted the middle to high income customer. The total production was 5058 cars. Less than 100 survive today. It was so named because at the time there was a social register called the “Four Hundred.” The register stood as a symbol of wealth and power. The A-400 sold for about $640.00. We have driven it in parades, shown it at car shows and participated in several Model A tours. It has accumulated an array of trophies. We belong to the Fort Worth Model A Club.
The car that provided more fun for the grandchildren was the 1928 Model A Ford coupe with a rumble seat.
The 1936 Ford Flathead V8 four door deluxe trunk back touring sedan that we have was restored in 1972. The color was originally Washington Blue, but it was restored Cordova Tan. The mileage at the time it was restored was just under 49,000 miles. We bought the car in 2011. It has the same V8 engine that was preferred by bootleggers during prohibition. It will move on out.
The Pioneer Man also has a Massey Harris Pony tractor. It is a cute little tractor.
The grandchildren love the Kubota RTV although Ken insists it is not for fun. They do not believe him. He uses it to work around the place.
In 2008 he brought my brother’s 1947 John Deere tractor to Stephenville.
He took it apart, bought new parts and began restoration. He enlisted the help of his cousin, J.D. Skaggs, a retired John Deere mechanic. They began serious restoration at the end of 2011 and finished in 2012.
Several years ago he bought a 1946 Willys jeep which had been mechanically restored. It is currently in the barn waiting for his attention.
He stays busy.