reputable restoration shops

[23CUBGUY55]

hello, i am new to this forum and am avidly trying to locate someone to restore my great-grandfathers 1955 farmall cub tractor, i cannot restore it myself as i have no shop/garage or tools or know anyone that does. does anyone know of a reputable person or shop in the state of Louisiana (preferably the southern part of the state) that could perform a parade/show type original restoration?

thank you very much for your time ladies & gentleman,

Jude Fontenot

 

[Eugene]

Welcome to the forum.

Couple of suggestions - places to consider - based on my local area - if I wanted the entire job done reasonably fast

1) There are several shops that completely build, manufacturer, or rebuild old cars.
2) The automobile dealerships have in house body and paint shops.
3) Most if not all of the tractor dealerships could easily handle the job.
4) Any of the local mechanic shops could handle the necessary mechanical repairs. Most could also paint the tractor.

Some more suggestions: Perhaps the mechanical work completed, then another person or group to do the painting.

1) Local antique tractor club(s). A place to ask for recommendations.
2) Local 4H Club, FFA or technical college. Students looking for a project.

 

[Bill Hudson]

...2) Local 4H Club, FFA or technical college. Students looking for a project.

Jude,

You stated that you wanted a show/parade quality restoration.

With that in mind, just a little insight, from a former 1) Vocational Agriculture (FFA) teacher and 2) faculty member of a Junior College agriculture department.

You are paying for parts/supplies and occasionally a small labor donation for students to learn. The instructor is monitoring/teaching between 10 to possibly 20 students. The instructor can not be with every student all the time. Therefore,"stuff" often happens and sometimes it is not pretty. If you are wanting a nice working restoration, where your expectations are for an acceptable tractor in "workin' clothes," then consider going with a learning institution.

Please understand that I am proud to have taught these young students a lot about mechanics and agriculture. But they are learning and a "show/parade qualty" restoration may be an unreasonable expectation.

I also own a Cub restored by a vocational school Ag Mechanics class (taught by a relative). My mother had the Cub restored prior to her death and I have since inherited the Cub. As an example of what I'm talking about, the pins were broken off the stainless emblems, so sheet metal screws were used to attach the emblems. Not something for a show quality restoration.

Students in these programs want and need projects to learn on but it will be the EXCEPTIONAL program that produces a "show quality" restoration. I remember my first year of teaching, not an example of excellence, but certainly a work-in-progress. I got better each year as I learned. Student mechanics are the same way.

Bottomline: Am I disappointed with my tractor? No, it is meant to honor my father and mother as a working tractor. That is what they had and that is what it will remain.

Bill

 

[Anonymous]

I would be very careful taking my "antique tractor" into a dealership for a restoration.....

Speaking from personal experience and seeing it first hand....

..financially the parts are list price. The labor is shop rate. ($80Hr).
....asthetically they will not spend the time to research out exactly how the piece should look. It will be a job based on jamming together a product that looks restored under whatever time/materials budget you provided thus = PROFIT!
.......Personally what satisfaction is to be gained from not taking a shot at it yourself? I love old tractors..and to be honest I could not tell you what is used for what but I still turn wrenches on them and manage to have fun doing it.

 

[Lurker Carl]

This really made me sit down and think.

Before hiring anyone to work on your Cub, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the machine. Play with the Cub for a while to determine the mechanical items needing repairs. Learn how the tractor operates, you'll know what actually requires fixing or maintenance so you and your mechanics can discuss the extent of repairs to undertake.

Realize upfront this can be an expensive undertaking depending on the items requiring service. Decide how much money you're willing to spend on the project, this will help you determine if you are willing to rebuild components or replace them with good used parts to keep cost within your budget.

Restoration is a word used to describe everything from a detailed rebuilding of the entire machine into a perfect representation of a factory-fresh original or simply spray-bombing a junker to make it look pretty. So I borrowed terminology from the remanufactured power tool trade to help explain three basic levels of rejuvination that you can explore as your budget permits.

Restored (return every item on the entire tractor to factory new specifications), this is unbelievably expensive and rarely done. Think museum quality.
Reconditioned (all broken, worn and missing components returned to good condition with orginal or quality reproduction parts), can be expensive depending on wear and usage and maintenance, etc. Many tractors are reconditioned or are works-in-progress.
Refurbished (repair obvious defects or replace various items with functional alternatives), most equipment advertised for sale as "restored" actually falls into this category.

Also consider where you'll store the Cub when the work is completed. You don't want your investment depreciating in the cruel elements. Think about attaching an implement to the tractor. Even if you're only planning to parade or show it, it makes for a more interesting display.

Best of luck with your heirloom! Post some pictures and keep us informed.

 

[Super A]

When I was working on the Super A, I knew there was a BUNCH of stuff I couldn't do myself. I ended up having work done with 4 different shops to get it all done. First, I had one guy do the engine--his specialty is older tractors and cars. I ran the tractor around, gardened, broke it in, and so forth for a year or so to make sure everything was sound. Then I had another guy do the rear end. I went with him because he's good, and his turnaround is faster. This time it took about three trips to get it all right. Finally I took it in for paint. We are fortuate as we have a man locally with his own shop that does paint, bodywork, welding, and old car and motorcycle restorations. This was the longest, most expensive part, but in many ways the most rewarding. The fellow is very particular about customer satisfaction, and would call me at the drop of a hat to come look at what he had done or was going to do, to make sure I was happy.

So, you may want to look and see if you can find a good shop for the mechanicals, and then maybe find someone that does old cars that would be willing to do your paint work. I have found though that a lot of people that work with cars hate to work with tractors, because there's more "nooks and crannies" to paint. Ask around.

Al

 

[Joe Malinowski]

I do not know if you are in a farming area, but if you are check with some of the bigger farms for a recomendation. A couple of the farms near me have done some restoration work in the off season.