Let me introduce myself. My name is Glen Campbell. I grew up in Ledyard, Connecticut and at the age of 13 my father gave me his Model A Ford tractor which he called "The Red Flyer". My father built the tractor in 1941 with the help of my Mom who would hold the light. They were dating at the time. It was mostly built to clear the fields, pulling an old John Deere No. 1 sickle bar. My father, John Campbell, built it originally from a 1930 Model A 2 door sedan that he bought for $15.00. He cut it down, leaving the cowl and gas tank intact and leaving the frame the original length. Then, he added behind the original Model A 3-speed a late 1920's La Salle 3-speed and rear end. Making 6 forward speeds and 3 in reverse also by putting both in reverse gives you a "granny gear" forward.
As years passed the 3 large lots that my father would keep mowed with the"Red Flyer"were now being used by a farmer for hay, corn, and sometimes strawberries. So, the Model A went into storage in a old barn. It was there until it was given to me. From that time on, there was nothing but great memories, dragging it out of the barn, steering it as my father pulled it down the road with the family station wagon. Getting it running and driving it around those fields and roads in the woods of our property.
Years past, as I got older, and into 55 Chevys and Pontiac GTOs. The old "Red Flyer " went into storage, covered up (but not forgotten) pulled out once a year, and started up. One thing about a Model A, you keep them covered and out of the weather, a little spark and a little gas, they will start. Then back in it would go and covered.
Now, many years later, I'm on a mission. I want to make the old "Red Flyer " look like it did when my Dad gave it to me, but even better. I call this "A Mission of love " in my Dads Memory.
So, follow along in my quest to do so.
