bowtiebutler956 166 #1 Posted January 26, 2014 Hello all. I thought I'd share a few pics of my childhood Garden Tractor, that now belongs to my son Danny. Some of you that have spent time at the RS may have seen the thread where I restored this tractor for my son Danny, a couple years ago. http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/32609-standard-tractor/?hl=%20bantam Its a 52 Standard 3000. In 53 they took the name Bantam, but it was still the same tractor. My dad gave this to me over 30 years ago, and it was my pride and joy as a child. I managed to hang on to it all these years, and had the privileged to restore it, and pass it on to my youngest son. These are very small tractors, and although I don't have any attachments for it, you could get them with all the standard stuff. Mower deck, snow plow, dump cart, etc.. It still has its original Briggs 9FB engine with 3hp. You could get these tractors in 4 different sizes. The Bantam Jr.(2hp), 3000 (3hp), 5000 (5hp), and the 8000(8hp). I've included a couple of pictures of it from my childhood. I'm the obnoxious looking boy in the pics, and the girls are my sisters, and their friends. In on pic, my dad is on the seat, and in the other pic, my mom is on the seat. I've also included a couple pics of what it looked like before I restored it, and after. Thanks Matt 1 KATO reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amcrules00 24 #2 Posted January 26, 2014 Glorious transformation Matt. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #3 Posted January 26, 2014 Matt .great pics , is that you in the top photo with the shorts on , I remember watching that American restoration programme with, oh whats his name, Rick dale or something & he restored one of those , they are great little tractors 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amcrules00 24 #4 Posted January 26, 2014 Matt .great pics , is that you in the top photo with the shorts on , OMG...LOL! 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #5 Posted January 26, 2014 Matt .great pics , is that you in the top photo with the shorts on , OUCH!!!! No, I'm the kid with the obnoxious look on his face, behind the girl with the shorts! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wallfish 698 #6 Posted January 26, 2014 That is now one SWEET ride and love to see those old pics. Thanks for sharing it. Probably a lifetime memory for your son too. What happened to the lights? Was that something your Dad added or were they factory? I see you closed the holes when you restored it 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #7 Posted January 26, 2014 That's a fantastic restoration Matt (Welcome to MOM by the way), it should last many many more years now. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #8 Posted January 26, 2014 The briggs engine looks astonshing The little tractor just has sooooooo much character 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #9 Posted January 26, 2014 That is now one SWEET ride and love to see those old pics. Thanks for sharing it. Probably a lifetime memory for your son too. What happened to the lights? Was that something your Dad added or were they factory? I see you closed the holes when you restored it Thanks, and it did build some wonderful memories for my son, and I both. He loves his tractor as much as I did as a kid, and I hope to see it passed to his son some day. The story with the lights is this. These never had lights from the factory, or electric start, but when my dad gave this to me initially as a kid, I wasn't strong enough to pull start it myself. It had the old starter cup that you wrap a rope around. So, my dad installed an old Delco starter/generator on it for me, and with the added electricity, he decided to install headlights. I have since put headlights back on it for Danny, because when he saw the pictures of it when I was a kid, he wanted to know why I stole the headlights off of it! So, I re installed the headlights, and even added an old set of bullet taillights. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #10 Posted January 26, 2014 That's a fantastic restoration Matt (Welcome to MOM by the way), it should last many many more years now. Thanks Ian, I appreciate both the welcome, and the kind words. I hope it last for years to come, but I must say, Danny puts some serious hours on this tractor! Anytime I'm out working my tractors, mowing, tilling, etc., he's on his tractor. His motto is "if dads getting seat time, so do I".. He's a real chip off the ole block! The briggs engine looks astonshing The little tractor just has sooooooo much character Thanks Neil! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 1,016 #11 Posted January 26, 2014 Sort of post n pics you don't ever tire from looking at. Great story, terrific little Tractor, Quality workmanship and Matt has the guts to post a pic of himself when he was a 'Nipper' ....... 'Proper Job' there Matt 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #12 Posted January 26, 2014 yeah what Richard said Matt , & dont you take any nonsence off anyone , i think you look great in those shorts & white socks 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #13 Posted January 26, 2014 Sort of post n pics you don't ever tire from looking at. Great story, terrific little Tractor, Quality workmanship and Matt has the guts to post a pic of himself when he was a 'Nipper' ....... 'Proper Job' there Matt Thanks Richard. Every time I look at those old pics, it reminds me what a rotten, obnoxious kid I was! You can see me sneeking up behind my sister in the second pic, and just look at the rotten look on my face in both pics! yeah what Richard said Matt , & dont you take any nonsence off anyone , i think you look great in those shorts & white socks There's got to be a wiseguy in every group! Matt 1 Anglo Traction reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #14 Posted January 26, 2014 only jesting mate 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve d 43 #15 Posted January 26, 2014 What a great restoration and I m loving seeing these little tractors we dont see in this country keep em coming. What I would love to see now is a pond walk behind. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 19 #16 Posted January 26, 2014 Posts that tell a story are simply the best IMHO and this one is great. Re the headlights, they may not be factory but I can fully understand where your son was coming from, they add so much extra character to that little tractor! Great to see such interesting stuff from your side of the pond which is much appreciated - spread the word. Andy 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 4 #17 Posted January 26, 2014 So beautifully done! 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #18 Posted January 27, 2014 What a great restoration and I m loving seeing these little tractors we dont see in this country keep em coming. What I would love to see now is a pond walk behind. Thanks Steve, and I too am enjoying seeing tractors here that I've never seen before. Posts that tell a story are simply the best IMHO and this one is great. Re the headlights, they may not be factory but I can fully understand where your son was coming from, they add so much extra character to that little tractor! Great to see such interesting stuff from your side of the pond which is much appreciated - spread the word. Andy Thanks Andy. Yes, i'm glad I put the headlights back on it as well. Its a real joy to watch Danny on his tractor, and see him enjoying it as much as I did over 30yrs ago. He takes great care of it. He checks his oil religiously, and washes it all the time. His tractor is always cleaner than mine are. I've been enjoying looking at the stuff from your side of the pond as well, and I'll spread the word. So beautifully done! Thanks Jim, and its good to see you here! 1 JimD reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-101plowerpower 548 #19 Posted January 27, 2014 nice little tractor, i saw the build on rs, but seeing it again makes me smile. top job Koen 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #20 Posted January 27, 2014 Really nice job. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #21 Posted January 27, 2014 nice little tractor, i saw the build on rs, but seeing it again makes me smile. top job Koen Thanks Koen, I appreciate the encouraging words. Really nice job. Thanks for the thumbs up. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpthorsefan 25 #22 Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) I like it, I like it a lot...! GREAT JOB you have done.. Edited January 27, 2014 by kpthorsefan 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #23 Posted January 28, 2014 I like it, I like it a lot...! GREAT JOB you have done.. Thanks, I appreciate it. Its easy to do a good job when you love what your working on. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
