Not so long ago, tractors over 100 years old were almost unheard of, but as time ticks along, we are gradually beginning to see more tractors that have been around for over a century on the rally circuit. However, it is still a treat to see one of these genuine antiques in the flesh, and even more special to see one up and running and not just parked up like a museum piece.
Loud livery
When painted up in the livery they would have appeared in when new, Emerson-Brantingham tractors were brightly coloured and must have seemed thoroughly modern. These tractors came with red tinwork, a green body and wheels, silver around the grille area, and great Big E B letters on the side panels and across the radiator. Ben Hughes’ example, however, has aged gloriously under the Canadian sun (where it spent most of its life) and has lost all of its once garish colour scheme, as the paintwork has faded to a bare patina. Ben has oiled the worn tinwork with Owatrol Oil to preserve the tractor and this treatment has darkened the tinwork and given it a lovely warm glow.
Ben was not planning on buying an
