Carl and Shelby Pletcher of Altoona, Ala., were at this year’s Florida Flywheelers show in Fort Meade with an educational display – a 1945 2N Ford cutaway tractor. Ford 2Ns are a variation on the 9N Ford tractor and they were introduced because of World War II. According to TractorData: “By designating a new model, Ford was able bypass wartime restrictions on price. The 2N has some component changes due to wartime shortages. The battery and alternator were eliminated, and replaced with a magneto and hand-crank start. Also, steel wheels became standard equipment.” Carl had a sign showing that the 9N tractors were built from 1939-42, the 2N tractors from 1942-48 and the 8N tractors from 1948-52. He said about these tractors that were produced in Dearborn, Mich., and originally sold for a little over $1,000, “I’d seen a transmission cutaway, but never a whole tractor. I don’t think there is another one like it. “In later years, people did this (cutaways), but during the war, they had better things to do.” Carl found his 2N about seven years ago.”When I bought it, the tractor wasn’t running. It took two-and-a-half years to do this. First, I built the trailer for it.” This is the fifth year Carl and his wife, Shelby, have been taking the tractor around. It was a star at the Half Century of Progress show in Rantoul, Ill., last summer where it was on display in the Ferguson tent, and it has been at the Florida Flywheelers two years in a row. “They let us leave it here last year,” Carl noted. The tractor serves as an educational way for Ford enthusiasts to see what’s under the hood and inside their favorite brand. He is a Ford guy and has a Ford Jubilee, an 8N Ford and a New Holland at home, along with a new John Deere. The cutaway Ford gets a great deal of attention. “It gets lots of comments,” Carl said. He had lots of fun putting this together, too. On one side of his trailer at the bottom he has a sign that says: “Carl’s Half is Gone,” but on the other half is a sign that reads: “Shelby’s Half is Here.” With many people owning Ford tractors, they have a desire to know what is inside and how it works. Besides sharing this educational gem at tractor shows, Carl has also been taking it to trade schools and high schools. “Last year we took it to two high schools. “People like to look at the inside. Mostly it is enjoyed by older people – they like to show kids how it operates.” It is amazing what can be seen once the tractor is split in half. Carl has everything painted and cleaned up so it can be seen clearly. One of his favorite memories is a when a Scout troop master was at the show and brought his troop over and gave them a lesson right in front of the cutaway. “They all earned a merit badge,” Carl added. “Lots of people take pictures of it; they pose on both sides,” he explained. The cutaway is locked down for safety sake so no one can turn it or get hurt. Anyone with questions about Carl’s 2N Ford may call him at 256-293-0601. Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. Learn more of Cindy’s finds and travel in her blog, “Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl,” at http://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com |
