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Grandpa, in the fall of 1968, on the O-4, cultivating his cherry orchard north of Sturgeon Bay, WI. Notice the W-4-style fenders, solid front wheels, W-4-like-positioned headlights, and the general patina of use and age. This was a hard working tractor that was already 20 years old at this time. I have many memories as a small child riding with Grandpa on the tractor--both in this orchard, as well as on the road to the depot where the harvested cherries were sold. The road gear on the tractor (5th gear) was particularly memorable, topping out at just under 15 mph. Although, in my life, I have piloted a dozen different aircraft, owned quite a fair number of motorcycles and high performance cars, this is the first motor vehicle I ever operated, and is still my favorite. And here is Dad on the very same McCormick Deering O-4 in September of 2005 on the day the restoration was completed: |