February Featured Photo

2021 February Featured Photo

Story and photo submitted by Martin Thompson of Gore, Southland, New Zealand.

Pictured is Trevor Thompson’s 1947 Case DEX (export) built in Racine, Wisconsin and exported to the South Island of New Zealand.

The Case DEX is similar to one of the Case D models my grandfather farmed with but sadly all three Case tractors he had were sold long ago and most likely were scrapped.

My mother and I bought this tractor as a project for my father and I to do and only told him after we bought it and had to pick it up. It was a bit over 5 hours from where my parents live.

When we bought it, it was suspected to have a blown head gasket but as things go it was far worse than that with bent and stuck valves. Sadly someone had been at it before and their work was far from good.

We had some problems with the new head stud so this tractor now has head studs from a BTD6 International fitted. The radiator needed several leaks repaired but was otherwise in useable condition.

The hood and fenders were sent to a panel repair shop to be straightened and have rust removed, while we continued with doing the mechanical rebuild. The Case is painted with two pack automotive paint supplied by the panelbeater (auto body mechanic) so should stay looking good for a long time.”

Story and photo submitted by Martin Thompson of Gore, Southland, New Zealand.