I encountered the tractor that is the focus of this article 14 years ago, but it’s fascinating past still manages to interest me all these years later. As Ford 7600s in off-farm condition go, this 1980 machine was still in pretty good all-round order, with signs of wear and tear in the usual places, but a closer inspection revealed something that marks this tractor apart from others of its type.
Ford launched the 7600 in 1975, although it would take until the following year before it appeared in its more familiar form, complete with the then brand-new quiet cab, known to most as the ‘bubble cab’, thanks to its curved design.
Originally, the 7600 was launched with the old safety cab that had graced the Ford tractor range since 1970, although it was the deluxe version of the Fieco cabin with enclosed rear and extra padding.
With the addition of the new quiet cab in 1976, the range was re-launched and the 600 Series was now complete, with the whole range
