1951 VAC revival

[Alexander1997]

I know she isn’t very pretty yet, but this post is a follow up to an earlier post I had written.

Here’s my 1951 VAC that belonged to my grandfather. He raked & fluffed hay with it. I was born at the end of 1997, so it was circa early 2000s the last time I remember it in the hayfield.

It had been parked in a barn for the last 20 years. Thanks to this forum, a super good friend who turned many wrenches for me and some kind folks who sold me the necessary parts, it’s running again.

I know she isn’t very pretty.. I got to get the hood back on, buy some nice side panels, put the rear wheel weights on, then I’ll be getting closer to paint and decal time.

This has been a slow process because I have an MM Z that competes for my extra money.. My dream is to someday have them both fluffed up and sitting beside each other at the shows.. in the meantime, I’m having a lot of fun!

 

[wore out]

I know she isn’t very pretty yet, but this post is a follow up to an earlier post I had written.

Here’s my 1951 VAC that belonged to my grandfather. He raked & fluffed hay with it. I was born at the end of 1997, so it was circa early 2000s the last time I remember it in the hayfield.

It had been parked in a barn for the last 20 years. Thanks to this forum, a super good friend who turned many wrenches for me and some kind folks who sold me the necessary parts, it’s running again.

I know she isn’t very pretty.. I got to get the hood back on, buy some nice side panels, put the rear wheel weights on, then I’ll be getting closer to paint and decal time.

This has been a slow process because I have an MM Z that competes for my extra money.. My dream is to someday have them both fluffed up and sitting beside each other at the shows.. in the meantime, I’m having a lot of fun!

Those photos bring back lots of memories! Growing up, I sickle mowed many acres of hay with it's twin in the same state of undress!

 

[Alexander1997]

Those photos bring back lots of memories! Growing up, I sickle mowed many acres of hay with it's twin in the same state of undress!

We've got a Ford 515 sickle mower. I'm sure it needs a belt and blades, but I might have to lay down some hay with this one for fun before it's all prettied up

 

[Richard G.]

I know she isn’t very pretty yet, but this post is a follow up to an earlier post I had written.

Here’s my 1951 VAC that belonged to my grandfather. He raked & fluffed hay with it. I was born at the end of 1997, so it was circa early 2000s the last time I remember it in the hayfield.

It had been parked in a barn for the last 20 years. Thanks to this forum, a super good friend who turned many wrenches for me and some kind folks who sold me the necessary parts, it’s running again.

I know she isn’t very pretty.. I got to get the hood back on, buy some nice side panels, put the rear wheel weights on, then I’ll be getting closer to paint and decal time.

This has been a slow process because I have an MM Z that competes for my extra money.. My dream is to someday have them both fluffed up and sitting beside each other at the shows.. in the meantime, I’m having a lot of fun!

I used my 51 VAC last week working up a couple of garden spots.
If yours had the hood on it, it would look just like mine does.

 

[Tgrasher]

First tractor I ever drove back in 1953, man did I feel big. Now I feel old. Keep seeing that baby looking like you want it, and it will happen. Thanks for keeping us up on your progress.

 

[Alexander1997]

First tractor I ever drove back in 1953, man did I feel big. Now I feel old. Keep seeing that baby looking like you want it, and it will happen. Thanks for keeping us up on your progress.

Thank you for your kind words. I know exactly what you mean!

I still remember my grandpa sitting me on his lap, on this VAC in probably 2001 or 2002. He has passed on now, but it felt really good taking this same tractor up this same driveway this last weekend. These old machines are a whole lot more than just an old tractor!

 

[Don Rudolph]

I know she isn’t very pretty yet, but this post is a follow up to an earlier post I had written.

Here’s my 1951 VAC that belonged to my grandfather. He raked & fluffed hay with it. I was born at the end of 1997, so it was circa early 2000s the last time I remember it in the hayfield.

It had been parked in a barn for the last 20 years. Thanks to this forum, a super good friend who turned many wrenches for me and some kind folks who sold me the necessary parts, it’s running again.

I know she isn’t very pretty.. I got to get the hood back on, buy some nice side panels, put the rear wheel weights on, then I’ll be getting closer to paint and decal time.

This has been a slow process because I have an MM Z that competes for my extra money.. My dream is to someday have them both fluffed up and sitting beside each other at the shows.. in the meantime, I’m having a lot of fun!

Good for you! You saved a family heirloom and can relive some childhood memories with that VAC. I learned to drive on a VAO.

 

[Alexander1997]

Good for you! You saved a family heirloom and can relive some childhood memories with that VAC. I learned to drive on a VAO.

Thank you, sir!

No matter where life takes me, this VAC will be in tow. I love prairie gold, but flambeau red is pretty contagious too!

 

[my63ih]

My grandfather and I started working on my VAC in 1996, I think. Used to mow the neighbors' pasture for a few years then parked for 20 until I started to restore it 3 years ago. However, due to life and broken things it is not finished yet. They are a very handy and surprisingly powerful tractor.

 

[Alexander1997]

Good for you! You saved a family heirlo

My grandfather and I started working on my VAC in 1996, I think. Used to mow the neighbors' pasture for a few years then parked for 20 until I started to restore it 3 years ago. However, due to life and broken things it is not finished yet. They are a very handy and surprisingly powerful tractor.

Yours appears to be similar condition to mine. Nice tractor!

I've heard the same. I have even known a handful of folks here who still use them to this day for chores

 

[afbrian13]

My 14yo and I are currently working on my Great Grandfather's VAC-14 (his great-great-grandpa) Hes never seen it run but I used to "help" grandpa rake hay when I was little. Were running into issues, but we'll get there too. We have fields to rake!