1957 Cub vs. earlier models

[polaraligned]

Hi, I am new here, and new to these tractors.
Tomorrow I am picking up a 1957 Farmall Cub. I was told by the owner that it was a 1948 model year. After looking at many pictures online, I concluded that something was wrong. It has an early grill, but emblems, exhaust, etc matched later models. I looked up the serial number this morning to discover that it is a 1957. I am kinda disappointed. There seems to be a certain lure to the earliest model Cubs.
The owner said that he went through the whole machine 5 years back, (did not say he replaced much), and he repainted it. The paint is fairly faded as it spent a lot of days out in the weather after the "restoration". It has new tires on it.
He said he ran it last about a year ago. I paid $1800 for it, which is what the seller said he had into it.
So what is the general consensus? Are the older ones more desirable?
I will post some pictures if I get a chance over the weekend.

Thanks,
Scott

[Bigdog]

Welcome aboard! Unless you are looking for a specific tractor or year one cub is pretty much just like the others. Aside from perhaps an early 47 (first year) circle cub or a 50 demonstrator or one of the very last 79 cubs the value of a cub is pretty much in it's mechanical condition and appearance. I have collected cubs from each decade of production. Some guys like early ones and some like later models. But value is not determined by age. In fact, if you locate the correct grille for your 57 you will find it is a very popular year and (in my opinion) the nicest looking style produced.

[deputy jailer]

WELCOME

[Eugene]

Welcome. No comment or opinion on one Cub year being better than another.

One thing you will find is that the parts readily interchange. It's not uncommon to find mismatched parts - year or style wise.

[SONNY]

Welcome to THE cub world (this site) !!!---I love all cubs,---the year is not important !!! thanks; sonny

[Hengy]

My opinion, the most valuable year of tractor to me is the year tractor that "I HAVE"... In my case, I have a 1949 Cub...one of the most plentiful years ever built, but I wouldn't sell him for 6,000.00 He has become a friend to me....

Welcome to the best site on the whole http://WWW... Lots of knowledge shared here!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

[redfin]

Welcome to the forum!!

My opinion, the most valuable year of tractor to me is the year tractor that "I HAVE"... In my case, I have a 1949 Cub...one of the most plentiful years ever built, but I wouldn't sell him for 6,000.00 He has become a friend to me....

Welcome to the best site on the whole http://WWW... Lots of knowledge shared here!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

Mike i am worried about you Not even $6000

[Bus Driver]

I do have an opinion. The Cubs after 1953 have most of the improvements that were made to Cubs during the production years. Brakes, engine main bearing caps alignment, addition of a voltage regulator, to name just a few. And production volume fell steadily after 1953 (from memory, correction accepted). So yours is more rare than some of the earlier models. But 1947 was produced for only part of the year and sales were slow at first.
Enjoy that later model Cub.

[48 BARNEY CUB]

HI WELCOME ABOARD

48 BARNEY

[awander]

Hey Scott:

Welcome to the forum, and to Cub Ownership!

Are you the same "polaraligned" I know from the Mach1 forums?

EIther way, have fun with your Cub-you are gonna' love it.

[ih-cubcadet-man]

welcome

[Yogie]

Welcome Scott, mine doesn't have a tag so I guess it's just, as the kids say "whatever" I want it to be

[Pony Master]

Welcome. You are going to find this site both helpful and fun. It is full of people eager to help and give advice. Sometimes the advice goes a lot farther that just about Cubs.

[Steve.43]

Welcome, Scott. You'll like this forum. These guys know as much about Cubs as the guys who designed 'em, and they're always ready to help when you have a question. I grew up with IH, especially Cubs (Dad was a dealer), and I don't think they made a bad--or less desirable--one. I think Bigdog has it right, as usual. As a matter of fact, I just bought a '57 myself. I like the looks, too, and also this one has fast hitch, one of the aforementioned improvements that came along later on. Now if I can just get it home...

Steve.43
Indiana

[Lt.Mike]

Scott, I picked up a '58 cub loboy this past winter. My first cub too.
The seller had a sign on it calling it a '51. I did my homework on the web (finding this site) and made a proper ID on the tractors year. I was looking for and would have liked an older tractor, but 50 years old is plenty the clasic. While the decaled earlier models look really sharp, the stainless emblems have more of the tractor image I remember from my youth. That goes too for the nine bar grill that our years have. One big drawback for the restorer though is that while the early mesh grill can be had for $50, expect the Nine bar grill to go for about $250.
Watch Ebay for a deal.
A farmall cub decal set goes for $25. Our stainless emblems costs a liitle more to replace. $95 each for "farmall cub" and $37 each for "McCormick". Ouch! Add $45 each for my cubs "Lo-Boy" emblems.
Wanna play, gotta pay.
Once you've shelled out the cash though I think the finished result is worth it though.
My tractor had been repainted... over wires, gauges (yes gauges), and in some parts 1/2" thick grime! Its all par for the course. These points I beat him up over while haggling. I ignored the Woods 59 mower as a plus (and it was a plus) and managed to get him down from the asking price of $1900 to $1400. It all depends on where you live and the comunities demand.
We've got alot of yuppies that would pay big for a restored tractor but would have nothing to do with one that needed work.
That was good for me.
Anyway...
I think you've fallen into a good year, '57 was good for chevy's wasn't it?
Good for cubs too! Enjoy!
Mike.