It was the first week of Spring when the snow had seen its final days and the air was cool and crisp which gave you a little chill when the wind blew. Leaves on trees and bushes have yet to bud, but the birds fluttered among the branches singing a joyful tune. My mother offered to take me for a ride to show me something she thought I would be interested in. It was something my mother passed every day on the way to work and eagerly wanted to show me. I was intrigued and took my mother up on her offer.

We drove in the family car which was a dark green 1974 Pontiac LeMans that was the size of a battleship. The car was six years old at the time and still looking like it just came out of the dealer showroom. It only took us about fifteen minutes or so before we arrived. As we got to the location, I had to step out of the car for a closer look and take a few photographs. What my mother so fervently wanted to show me was a very old tractor that was sitting just off the road. The tractor was all metal with metal wheels. I'm thinking, this tractor is very old but with no idea on year or make.

I was about to take a few photographs with my fully manual Pentex K-1000 when at that moment the realization hit me that there was only one photo left on the roll of 35mm black and white film. With this camera I would never advance the film until I was ready to take a photograph. This would prevent the accidental snap of the shudder button if I banged it or mistakenly pressed to hard when handling. A little perturbed that I didn't notice this before leaving the house, my only option was to take one photograph and make it count. The determination of the photograph being sharp or a little out of focus wouldn't be known until I developed the film.

 

Fordson Model F Tractor ~ circa 1981

 

Many years later when rummaging through a box of old photographs with my daughter, I found the one and only photograph taken of the tractor. Now finding information on the internet being readily available, I had to find out what type of tractor it was. It looks to be a mid 1920's Fordson Model F tractor. I'm guessing mid 1920's because in the 1930's rubber tires were introduced. Referred to the tractor as the "Automobile Plow," by the creator; Henry Ford, the Fordson was a unique design. Though tractors were around for some time and quite large and heavy before Henry Ford started to create a smaller and less expensive model with the same capabilities with less labor than the larger tractors.

The Fordson Model F originally ran on kerosene and later adapted to run on gasoline. It's unique design made the tractor a revolutionary machine that consisted an innovative frame that was unconventional to the larger models. With a new design having the engine, transmission and axle housings bolted together to form the uniform structure of the tractor.

 

Rendering of an early Fordson Model F Tractor with slight variations

The photographed tractor looks as if the hood has been removed or rotted away. The whereabouts of this tractor is completely unknown today being the photograph was taken about forty years ago. New development in the area has been long time constructed, so I'm guessing it was removed and sent to the scrap yard.

It's nice to find an old photograph taken many years ago and reminisce when it was taken. Just like Forsakenly Departed, I can look photographs taken or videos shot and remember the good times had when shooting!