Great Dorset Steam Fair 50th Anniversary

[pmackellow 2,738]

Down in Dorset for a few days, yesterday we went to the GDSF.

 

Lots of moaning this year about queues to get in, awful loos, etc etc, we had a great day, the only queue was to get out

 

Here's some photos...

 

[Triumph66 1,256]

Very rare to see a Speedex garden tractor let alone the very early Bolens RAM circa late '50s. I must get there one day.....

[the showman 4,074]

Nice to see the Speedex, made by Mr H pond brother to Mr C Pond who made Wheelhorse, 

[pmackellow 2,738]

7 minutes ago, the showman said:

Nice to see the Speedex, made by Mr H pond brother to Mr C Pond who made Wheelhorse, 

 

So there were 3 Wheelhorses there then... sort of...

 

[HeadExam 1,783]

For a look of some early and rare garden tractors made in America this page is a great resource.

http://raregardentractors.com/gardentractors-for-sale.html

BTW, the Pond brothers started with Shaw manufacturing company that made the Shaw Du-All tractor in Galesburg Kansas just about 100 miles north of me.

From Gas Engine Magazine "

The Speedex Tractor Corporation was founded in 1935 by Harold Pond, who is considered the developer of the first four wheel riding garden tractor in America. Harold Pond was associated in the late 1920s with Stanley W. Shaw of the Shaw Mfg. Company in Galesburg, Kansas, who fabricated walk behind garden tractors and outdoor power equipment from reclaimed motorcycle and automobile parts. Harold Pond, Elmer Pond and Glen Heilman ( Harold Ponds Brother-in-Law) all worked for Shaw MFG at one time. These three dispersed to Ohio and Indiana to form their own companies and develop their own tractors. Harold Pond developed the Speedex line of tractors in Ravenna, Ohio. Harold's brother Elmer and his son Cecil developed the Pond line of tractors which later became named Wheel Horse in the South Bend, Indiana area. Harold's brother-in-law Glen Heilman developed the Garden-All line of tractors in Mishawaka, Indiana. Glen was married to Harold's wife's sister. These three, who grew up in Galesburg, Kansas, were responsible for many innovations in the lawn and garden tractor industry.

While Harold was working for Shaw he was assigned the territories of Ohio and Pennsylvania. During that time he developed the Speedex walk-behind tractor. In 1935 he founded Speedex Tractor Company and began making a riding tractor called the Model B Speedex. It had tiller steering, Briggs & Stratton Model ZZ air cooled engine, and the tractor utilized a Ford Model A transmission and a Ford model T rear axle which was narrowed to suit the tractor.

The Speedex Model B was the first riding four wheel garden tractor with an air cooled engine and pneumatic tires.

According to a letter from Mrs. Harold Pond: 'When Harold brought out his first riding tractor, the Speedex Model B, it outsold his walking model by far. He started a national advertising campaign on his new riding tractor and they sold like Carter sold liver pills. We were married in March 1939 and did not take our honeymoon until the slack season commenced."

 

[pmackellow 2,738]

A few more photos from other sections at the show...

 

Glad we were not at the GDSF today as the weather has been awful !

 

 

[slf-uk 914]

Great pictures Paul and some good looking tractors

[pmackellow 2,738]

Just now, slf-uk said:

Great pictures Paul and some good looking tractors

 

Hello Iain yes there were some nice machines there

 

[Stormin 4,458]

  I like the early Ford Capri. I had a metallic blue one. Also three of the white Cortinas. All 2.0 ltr. One again metallic blue, One orange GT and a metallic brown estate. Weak point was the camshafts. The lobs wore pretty quickly. Easy to change though.

[HeadExam 1,783]

Great photos, I also like the early Ford Capris

[pmackellow 2,738]

14 hours ago, Stormin said:

  I like the early Ford Capri. I had a metallic blue one. Also three of the white Cortinas. All 2.0 ltr. One again metallic blue, One orange GT and a metallic brown estate. Weak point was the camshafts. The lobs wore pretty quickly. Easy to change though.

 

4 hours ago, HeadExam said:

Great photos, I also like the early Ford Capris

 

This one is a 3 litre as well, twin tailpipes, V6,proper job !

 

 

[HeadExam 1,783]

The Gold Triumph is another fav.

[Stormin 4,458]

5 hours ago, HeadExam said:

The Gold Triumph is another fav.

 

Looks like a pre-unit Bonneville.