The restored Ford 8N tractor in Mike Simmon’s life might remind you of the lyrics written by the late John Lennon of the Beatles – “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Mike had never given much thought to restoring an old tractor. One day a friend asked if he’d like to have a tractor that had been in his family for nearly 70 years. The old tractor originally belonged to the friend’s grandfather, but it had been sitting idle in a leaky shed for a while. When asked if he’d like to have this tractor, Mike didn’t hesitate in saying “yes.”
Restoring the tractor wasn’t Mike’s first plan. In fact, he actually took several years before even taking possession of the Ford 8N. When it did arrive, he just parked it under an old walnut tree. “I figured it would make a cool antique yard ornament,” said Mike. After about six months, the notion of restoring the tractor finally crept into his mind. He had never undertaken a project like this before, so it was all new to him.
Mike started his work with the essentials such as spark plugs, battery and fuel bowl assembly. When he gave it a try, Mike was amazed at how it started easily and ran beautifully. Success fueled his passion to getting the Ford 8N back in shape. He soon found himself ordering a part here and there to keep the project moving forward. According to Mike, “It took a few months, but between me and the mailman, that old 8N got restored one package delivery at a time.”
The tractor project isn’t yet totally finished. “It’s not perfect yet, but it’s mine and I’m honored to be the caretaker of it for this generation.” If you’d like to own a beautifully restored Ford 8N, don’t bother contacting Mike. “I wouldn’t sell it for any amount of money. Someday I hope my sons enjoy it as much as I do.”
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