Ford Gold Demonstrator Tractors
One of the highlights of the Mecum auction was this pair of Ford gold demonstrator tractors. They caught my eye immediately when I arrived – I made a beeline to them right away!
These gold demonstrator tractors were produced to promote Ford’s new Select-O-Speed transmission. Each Ford dealer was intended to have at least one gold demonstrator tractor, however, there is some argument as to whether every single dealer actually got one. Some sources say that they were forced to order at least one, other sources say that some dealers flat-out refused to participate. At this time in history there were well over 2,000 dealers so quite a few Ford tractors were painted gold for demonstration purposes.
Research also shows that the vast majority of gold demonstrators have select-o-speed transmissions and low serial numbers. However, some of the dealers who were late to comply with the gold demonstrator program received later serial numbers. Research also suggests that some dealers also ordered different configurations, including standard gear shift tractors. I’ve never seen one of these, though – all the gold demonstrators I’ve seen have select-o-speed transmissions and early serial numbers from 1959.
Salesmen were encouraged to take these tractors around to visit local farmers. With the farmer’s permission, the salesman would work alongside the farmer – hopefully proving that the Ford tractor was superior to the farmer’s John Deere, Farmall, etc. When a farmer purchased a gold tractor they could elect to have it re-painted to red/gray or they could keep it gold. Because we don’t (at least to my knowledge) have reliable records of the serial numbers of tractors that were used as demonstrators, we rely on uncovering the original paint to determine if the tractor was a demonstrator. How fun to discover a true gold demonstrator tractor!
These tractors were expertly restored and consigned by Jeff Cormany from Columbia City, Indiana. He was kind enough to let me drive the 871 through the auction. The Ford 881 sold first for $11,000 plus 4% buyer’s premium. It had new tires, a rebuilt engine and power steering. The restoration was quality all around. The Ford 871 bidding ended at $7,500 which was shy of the reserve. This tractor, too, had new tires, a rebuilt engine and power steering.
How about you – have you ever seen one of these gold demonstrator tractors? Let me know in the comments below.
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One of those is definitely on my “someday-must-own” bucket list!
Very neat tractors. I just came to own a 901 demonstrator.
I am the3rd owner of a Golden Deminstator
Here in east Texas.9032358309 Joe Parrill 74 Yr old
We have a 981 gold and a 871 gold… both needing to be restored yet.
My father has a select-o-speed tractor and thinks it’s a demonstrator. Any place the paint is coming off it’s gold underneath it. Could this be one ? What or where do I find numbers to prove it is or not ? Thanks
I have a 871 gold I am restoring. I need a paint code for the gold.
Any help just send me an e mail
I live in Mexia TX
Thanks
Jack
I have a gold demo. 871select o speed. But it has the 5speed. From factory..
Unless I could scrape the paint myself, I would not believe a Gold unit came from the factory. The whole point of the gold color was to spark interest in the new transmission. We were dealers in Iowa and I never saw a gold demo with a five speed but saw plenty of selecto trannys replaced with five speeds in later years. Many of the failures we repaired were due to poor maintenance or operator stupidity.
Ben, Do you still have it? Is it For Sale? Ron
I have a 981 gold demonstrator and I cleaned it up and repainted it red and grey
there is plenty of gold under the paint. It is for sale.
I have a 901 sos demonstrator. Very curious on the value it may hold
I have a 901 SOS Gold Demo also, My father was a Ford Dealer at the time and he obtained it during the demonstration promotion . He used it until his death and now I have used it until just a few years ago. Still runs. It is now in storage.
Did you find out the value?
I have a gold 871 that has never been painted. I still use it on my farm. I would be willing to sell to someone that is going to restore. I do have the history and am the third owner.
Is this me?
I still have the Gold 871 if anyone is interested. Its never been restored and is the original Gold.
interested in gold demo.
Jeff,
We talked back in 2017 about your tractor, I searched you out. My grandfather had one that has vanished. I live near Winston Salem, NC. Do you still have your 871 demonstrator? If so, and you wish to sell it, I would like to talk.
Hi my name is Jeff do you still have the 871 if so where are you located ,does everything work and what are you asking
Thanks
Hi Jeff my name is jeff do you still have the 871
I have a 871 golden boy. With red belly from the factory… 5. Speed. From the ford dealer in andalusia ..Al. original owners manual .
I have an 881 and 871 both still original gold paint. I plan to restore 1 and leave original if I live a few more years
I also have an 871 golde demonstrator that has been painted, probably from the dealer. Mine is an SOS. I believe the transmission has been changed and from what I’ve read it’s pretty typical.
I went with my father, Lester Bolton, to the Ford dealer meeting in Des Moines, IA in 1959 to see the new tractors. My dad did not have to be forced to order one as we felt it was a great advancement. We ordered the 981 model with the wide front end. We demoed the tractor on a number of farms in Linn County where our dealership was located in Central City. We sold a number of Select-O-Speed tractors. They required a little better maintenance than the regular transmissions due to the valve body could get gummed up. This caused most of the problems. We had the tractor well over a year and the farmer that bought it wanted it painted the correct Ford colors. I have seen several Ford tractors that were Gold under flaking red paint.
In 1959, the local Ford Tractor Dealer took my dad to the Ford Tractor Expo at the Charlotte, NC coliseum. He bought a Gold Demo SOS and farmed with it until he retired. I now have it and have just had repairs done to the SOS (not perfect, but most gears are operable). I want to start replacing some of the warn parts, but don’t plan on any radical changes. What a great tractor!
How much is a 1958 981 Ford Gold Series Diesel tractor with SOS transmission worth?
We recommend one of the following sites:
https://www.mecum.com/tractors
https://www.tractorbluebook.com/tractor-Blue-Book
Hope one of those sites help!
I have a 1959 871 power master with select o speed transmission. I have found gold paint under the paint that’s on it The serial # is 68225 , I would like to know if it is a golden demonstrator.
is there a list of serial #’s I could get to see if I have a ford demonstrators ?
Hi Forrest!
I don’t believe there is a serial number listing for the Ford Demonstrators. I think the best way to find out if you have one is to strip the paint down to original and hope to see gold! Thanks for asking, and good luck with your restoration.
I have a 1959 871 sos that was my grandfathers until his passing. it is all original from tires up, was never left outside, always stored in garage with cement floor. has factory Wagner loader and low hours runs like a champ use it to mow field every summer. It resides in western pa.
Forgot to add that it is one of the true demonstrators made with the original transmission that was never removed and changed out like some had done a few years after being built.
I HAVE MY GRANDFATHERS 881 DIESEL GOLD DEMONSTRATOR. I BELIEVE THE SERIAL NUMBER IS 31259. I TOOK THAT NUMBER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRANSFER CASE . HAS A SOS TRANSMISSION. ALL ORIGINAL. COULD BE FOR SALE.
I have a gold 882 select o speed that i use weekly on my mtn property. I would like to sell it and get something with power steering.
I Bought A 871 gas all old Gold paint NO Chipping or flaking
9/11/2019 at 5:45 $1000.00
871 69674 on other side 13224 under the battery box
Red Trans S12259 cwc l298speedo 0481 on sos
east,Texas
had been park do to wheels lock when i show him who to unlock them
i know he was thinking he sold it was to cheap
i’m the forth owner he had it 2 years not moving .hope this helps in your history
I just found a gold 871 and I can’t find the serial number. Can anybody help me locate it
I have a 871 gold demonstrator diesel does any one have the production numbers ??
Also had a 881 and 981 gold demo gas tractors sold to a collector
May sell the diesel
I have just purchased a ” Gold Demonstrator Model “4 Cylinder
4 Cylinder Desil
Selocto Speed ( 7 )
1958
Runs Great / looks that much better, Has a few Blemishes but for being 62 years old, it looks great,
Serial # is 310609 from the engine Block
I am helping my dad restore his 1959 971 SoS. It has gold paint under all the worn red/grey. We are trying to determine whether or not to go with the gold demonstrator color or the typical for color. There is also a number stamped on the right side of the housing also. Any help/guidance is appreciated. He is rebuilding the motor and mechanical and I’m going to do the body and paint as my area of expertise is in auto body.
I have my father’s 801 selectospeed 1959.Red and off white paint is coming off everywhere exposing the dull gold paint underneath. Tractor works great and everything works on tractor.Wohld not sell or trade as I’m passing it down to my son when I’m too old to use it.Im retired but love to stay active.
My Gramma always said,”Better to wear out,Not rust out.
I have a gold demonstrator painted red and gray serial # 67288 also looking at another that is gold colored serial # 66151 is that also a gold demonstrator
I have one and the serial number is 1968… Would appreciate any info you can send.
Thank you
Bob Hale