Posted by Dean on August 20, 2018 at 11:43:50 from (68.50.160.151):
Folks, I've thought for over ten years that the antique tractor market is over and will not come back (ignoring a few exceptions). Indeed, I (sort of) predicted that this would happen 15 or so years ago.
That said, I was an antique tractor enthusiast (mostly Ford) for 25+ years, though all of mine, restored or otherwise, earned their keep.
A few years ago my barn started turning orange. This process is now complete. I now own 5 Kubotas, which I use for all of my land related projects. I do not farm but I do a lot of mowing (only my property) in various conditions and do not like to change implements.
Over the last 2 or 3 years, I have divested myself of some of my collection of antique tractors, parts, and equipment but saved most of the best and most unusual things, thinking that I would use some of such stuff as my retirement project.
Recently, I retired for the second and final time and have been pondering what to do with my new found time. Folks, the antique tractor project is not going to happen. I have more money invested in the project tractor, parts, equipment, etc., than the project would be worth once finished even after the investment of considerably more money and countless hours. Though I would like to do this, the engineer, accountant, etc., in me is putting the foot down.
Bottom line: I will likely start divesting of my stuff within the next year or so. I have already tested the market a bit by posting a couple of ads. I have also been watching CL, etc., to see how old tractor stuff is selling. Generally, old tractors and old tractor stuff just sits there without selling (few exceptions, of course).
The antique car market waxes and wanes for various reasons, but generally, the market changes each time that it recovers. Among other things, the buyers become younger. So do the cars.
Frankly, I do not expect the antique tractor market to recover much, if at all. Primarily, the antique tractor market is MUCH smaller than is the antique car market. Moreover, unlike car buyers, tractor buyers have been a shrinking market segment for decades. I have not seen any waxing and waning.
What do you folks think? Should I just dump everything now or hold on a bit longer. Don't see much to be gained by holding.
There really are no other options. Each passing day makes it less likely that I will tackle my planned retirement project, and I have no local family. Moreover, I work alone and many tasks require another hand or (hopefully younger) back, which is not easy for me to arrange. (This is why I turned the barn orange with working machines.) Finally, even if I finished the project, if would be valuable to an exceptionally limited and diminishing number of folks.
Anyone think that the antique tractor market is going to recover?
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