LITTLE RED GIANT!
Massey Ferguson’s introduction of the 100 Series tractors – christened The Red Giants by the marketing men – represented a very important development for the company. Building on the sales and performance successes of the MF35X and MF65 MkII models, the 100 Series was intended to create a whole new, modern image for the domestic tractor market around the world.
Here in the UK, those two models got transformed into the MF135 and MF165 respectively, and were launched – together with the brand new MF175 model – at the 1964 Smithfield Show, in London.
Entry-level model
Although there was a smaller, MF130 model created for the French market, the 135 was the entry-level machine in the UK, and was an instant success. Outwardly, it looked very different from the MF35X it replaced, with more contemporary and sharply-styled new bodywork, although traditional, shell-type mud guards were retained on the earliest models.
These were updated to a more angular, flat-topped design in 1965, which was more in keeping with the rest of the 135’s tinwork, and featured integral, cast aluminium hand grips and front side lights. Then, a couple of years later, the factory switched to an all pressed-steel mud guard design which, presumably, was a cost-saving measure.
Aluminium had also been used for the headlamp casings on the first 135s, but these were replaced by plastic alternatives in 1969. Another money-saver saw the originally two-tone wheels (red centres, silver rims) changed for a simpler, all-silver finish after only six months of production.
Under the skin, though, there were plenty of similarities to the previous model. Power still came from the 45.5hp, Perkins AD3-152, 2.5-litre, three-cylinder, direct injection diesel engine, but there was also a petrol-powered version. This utilised a
