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Antique Handmade GTs
Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 2:55 pm
by DavidBarkey
My great grandfathers garden tractors he built in the 1930s and 40s .
Re: Antique Handmade GTs
Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 6:51 pm
by propane1
Nice to have Dave.
Noel
Re: Antique Handmade GTs
Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 12:07 am
by JSinMO
Those are very cool! The steering wheels look like they might be from 1930s cars.
I hope they are on the trailer headed to your house!
Re: Antique Handmade GTs
Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 6:02 am
by DavidBarkey
Yes and yes . They are now in the storage trailer (40' insulated semitrailer with no wheels ) while I get some other stuff done and get some wheels and tires to make them easier to roll and work on .
They were built from these
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_%28automobile%29
I am told by Dad that they wernt very good all around cars . Poor engines and bodies so were plentiful in the junk yards . Each tractor has 2 transmissions inline and narrowed rear end from "Star" cars . The oldest one built in the 1930s has an Indian motorcycle trans and clutch . The newer one built in the early 1940s has something else I have to look into . Both have a Briggs and Stratton model "B" engine rated at 2-3 hp at 1200 rpm . engines would make 5 hp at 3600 but dont last long due to component failure as per an article I read . .
Re: Antique Handmade GTs
Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 8:15 am
by Harry
I love looking at old repurposed equipment. Your grandpa built these so maybe that’s where you get your ability to build frankie, Dr. Barkey.

Harry