Completely Original 1950 Case SO

[Wyattsackett17]

 

[gmccool]

Wow do I like that.

 

[NormanSavesTractors]

Very nice! Awesome that is still has all the fenders! What's the story on the tractor?

Been in your family? Fun collection? Do you still use it?

 

[Wyattsackett17]

Very nice! Awesome that is still has all the fenders! What's the story on the tractor?

Been in your family? Fun collection? Do you still use it?

I lucked into this tractor at an auction a few years ago! It still gets used as a parade tractor. It has driven the Mackinac bridge two times and will many more. I really love it because I'm located in the potato country of Michigan and with this being one of three tractors that i take to every show it really draws a lot of eyes when people see it not realizing what it is. Or seeing a Case orchard for the first time. It rally is a show stopper! I will post the long story of how i got my hands on it below!

 

[Wyattsackett17]

• Mar 6, 2026
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• #1

I lucked into a Case SO but not in the way you would think. There was a sale just 3/4 of a mile north of where my dad lived that had some John Deere tractors and one Case ( because every Deere guy secretly wants to own a case! haha). When the sale was posted in may I took a quick glance over it and saw the SO and read the details of the tractor. In the description it made no mention of having any sheet metal for the orchard which isn't uncommon to find a Case SO without sheet metal. We live in the middle of the state of Michigan in potato country so having an orchard tractor in the area is mainly bought in by collectors and such. I remember thinking to myself that I'm not interested in a SO with no sheet metal and even remember someone else posting and asking how much it was worth and saying its only worth 1000-1500 on the high end with no sheet metal. I really didn't think much about the auction other than here and there thinking it might be cool to have an SO but then talking myself out of buying it or even going to the auction. The day the auction rolls around I'm on my way back from a concert from the night before when I get a phone call from my dad who went the auction telling me that he is staring at the sheet metal for the orchard tractor. I told him they never mentioned the orchard metal in the sale bill. Dad sends me a picture that sure as all get out is the orchard metal! I booked it to drop off my fiancée that I went to the concert with and really didn't even stop to drop her off. Luckily she understands my tractor addiction and somewhat supports it. As I rolled up to the auction it was just starting and I didn't even really have time to grab a auction number so I used my fathers. We strolled over to the metal which was in the parts lot surrounded by a butt load of John Deere parts and everything appeared to be there. In my head im thinking if I spend 1000 on the metal and 2-3000 on the tractor ( which ran exceptionally well) I would be pretty happy with that outcome. As it got closer to the metal selling I was starting to get jittery not in my 20's 30's or even 40's did I think I would have a full dress orchard. When it came time to sell the metal the auctioneer said " We found this metal in the rafters in the barn were not sure what it goes to?" just then a short older man with a John Deere hat on shouted and pointed his cane and said " it goes to that Case over there" I wanted to bonk him on the head! I know anyone with a brain could have put two and two toegther but still it didnt need to be said out loud when its not your brand haha! so the auctioner hoolered out " well then it should be worth some money so well split the side fenders into one lot and the rest of the metal into the other lets start at 500!" Im thinking great i might not even be able to purchase on side of the metal. well they couldnt get 500 so they went to 400 then 300 then 150 then 100 then finally I started the fenders at 15. When one raised their hands to say I was shocked is a major understatement! I bought the rest of the metal for 10 and for 25 dollars I walked away with all the sheet metal for the SO. When it came time to sell the tractor I was sure no one was there to buy this tractor I was sure this was gonna be the cheapest full dress SO! The auctioneer knew I was chomping at the bit to get the tractor so yelled out and started the bid at 7000! My hand shot up fast thinking I heard 700. He stopped the auction " You sure you wanna bid 7000? I was just yanking your change wanna start the bidding at 1000?" I shook my head thinking its fair for a great running tractor that's completely original. Well all the sudden the bidding took off by 250 dollar increments. While the John Deeres went somewhat cheap this thing was taking off. When the bidding got 2500 it had slowed down slowly crept its way to 2900 and it was my turn to bid i hadn't put my hand down until the 2800 dollar bid. I looked over at my dad and buddy who happened to be there to see what they thought. My dad said " its your money" and when T looked to my buddy he said " where are you ever gonna find a orchard in this original of condition this close to home?" I already had the sheet metal why not have what match's it? I raised my hand for the 3000 dollar bid and hoped after a little bit of auctioneer mumbo jumbo it sold my way! The gentleman I was bidding against walked over and shook my hand and told me " this was my dads tractor he was proud of this and his advance Rumley that wasn't on the auction. you bought the sheet metal right?" After I told him yes he asked if I would sell it to him he had missed the metal and wanted the tractor. After thinking it over I told him I couldn't do it but i would take amazing care of the tractor and that if i ever sold it he would be the first one called. Loading the tractor up the smile on my face wouldn't go away. That night I put all the sheet metal on on it and couldn't stop smiling as it tooled around the town. This tractor has been to a lot of shows and has won just about every most original award at the shows that have that award . Its got a few layers of boiled linseed oil and I even found a set of turf tire 12-26 tires which are correct from what it would / could have had on it. This tractor has been across the mackinaw bridge twice and hauled the princess court for the local potato festival. I even got interview for the farm progress magazine because of this beautiful tractor. It for sure is my favorite tractor and goes to every show I go to. I really enjoy getting to tell anyone who will listen about the history of this tractor and the story of how i lucked into it! I will be buried with this tractor! It was originally shipped to Benton harbor to R.B. Collins CO on Feb 5 1950. The picture of me standing next to it is the day I purchased it and the fall picture is what it currently looks like

 

[NormanSavesTractors]

Thank you for your story!