Ressurection

[Lurker Carl]

"Miss Edith" Massey lives again. New battery, fresh gas (and a Gravely pony tank), cleaned the points and squirted a bit of PB Blaster to get some parts moving - she's purring like a kitten. Well, not quite like a kitten, more like a mangy old cat. Just like old times.

She rumbled out of the woods under her own power, I'm pleasantly surprized. However, the AM kindergarten was coming outside for recess as we burst through the honeysuckle and greenbriar curtain she's been hiding behind for years. Poor little tykes, they're scarred for life.

[Lurker Carl]

Two excellent indicators that she survived long term storage.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

congratulations, even if you did terrify the little kids.

[Lurker Carl]

I wish Cub hoods were this easy to remove. The hardest part was getting the mushroom cap off the air cleaner.

[Lurker Carl]

This picture was taken about 40 years ago. Same tractor.

And I am the skinny kid flipping the windrows.

[Denny Clayton]

This picture was taken about 40 years ago. Same tractor.

And I am the skinny kid flipping the windrows.

What, no flat top

[Rudi]

Carl:

That sure enough looks like the rake I have. Is yours the IH #10 ??

[Joe Malinowski]

Very Nice Carl Hard to believe it started.

[cubguy]

What was it doing it the woods?
Kyle

[Bill Hudson]

Carl,

OK, I'm waiting. What's the story on "Miss Edith," or was I asleep at the switch and missed it?

Bill

[Lurker Carl]

That rake was a "no name" implement. The wheels and main frame is all that is left of it now, it wasn't in good condition 40 years ago.

I simply put her out of harm's way. I've been collecting the missing, damaged and worn out parts for about 10 years. eBay and numerous parts manuals are wonderful things. Parts can be cross referenced to various models and salvaged from more popular machines for much less money. It was time to get working on her again.

My father bought this fully optioned Massey Harris Colt (model 21) new in 1955 to replace a smaller tractor - electric lights, self starter, live hydraulics, PTO, 3 point hitch, wheel weights! Colts never sold well because it had the smallest 4 cylinder engine of all the 20 series tractors and was Massey's final version of an old design. This machine sat at the dealership for 2 years before he bought it. Althought less than 2000 were produced, we eventually ended up with 3 Colts. The other two didn't have PTO so they were eventually replaced with more modern tractors years ago. I ended up with her after the hydraulic cylinder for the 3 point broke. I couldn't bear to see it scrapped, too much history and too many memories.

The story behind the name. Edith Massey is a Baltimore legend. Miss Edith Massey was a very attractive young lady who came to Baltimore and became a B grade stripper on Baltimore's infamous Block back in the 1950s. As her good looks faded with her career, she opened a thrift shop and was later "discovered" by budding film producer John Waters. By this time, she was quite the unique character in both appearance and personality. Miss Edith augmented her income as a B grade movie actress in D grade movies filmed in Baltimore in the 1970s. Then she became lead singer with her band, Edith and the Eggs, which gave her something to do when not running her thrift shop or advancing her film career. Since the ex-stripper/actress/singer and the tractor already partially shared a name, I felt "Miss Edith" deserved to live on. And she does.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

A tractor named after a stripper. Only you would think of that.

[Bill Hudson]

Carl,

Thanks for "Miss Edith's" story. Maybe you need to find another one and call her "Gypsy Rose."

Bill

[Rudi]

Carl,

Thanks for "Miss Edith's" story. Maybe you need to find another one and call her "Gypsy Rose."

Bill

Bill:

Our goats were called Gypsy, Rose and Lee

[Bill Hudson]

Carl,

Thanks for "Miss Edith's" story. Maybe you need to find another one and call her "Gypsy Rose."

Bill

Bill:

Our goats were called Gypsy, Rose and Lee

OK, I give up.

Bill