9N Ford Restored To ‘Perfection’
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Illinois Ford tractor enthusiast Don Henley restored his rare 1939 model 9N Ford tractor to what he can honestly call “perfection.” That distinction has been verified three times because the tractor received 1,000 out of 1,000 possible points each time it was displayed at the Early Ford V-8 Club national show in Dearborn, Mich.
Henley’s masterpiece is a rare aluminum hood model, serial number 9N 577. Henry Ford built about 600 of the aluminum hood models because he didn’t have time to stamp out steel hoods and have them ready for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The aluminum hood models were bought for farm use and are now a rare find for collectors. Only about 40 are registered with the Ford Tractor Collector’s Club.
The original selling price of a 9N was $585. Enthusiasts now pay thousands more to buy one if they can find one. Henley pursued this specific 9N tractor for nearly 20 years before finally acquiring it. Then, he spent hundreds of hours doing a frame-off restoration. Every possible part was removed, cleaned, restored and put back in place. He says that cosmetically and mechanically, the tractor is indeed perfect.
Perhaps more astounding is that this is the second aluminum hood model he’s worked on. Though he values every tractor in his collection, after many hours of personal deliberation, he decided to sell 577. It was a showpiece item at the fall 2024 Aumann Rest-O-Original Auction.
Henley says it was bittersweet, for sure, but since he had another one, it was time to let someone else appreciate 577. The selling price was $59,400, which didn’t surprise Henley. It’s tough to put a price on perfection, but that’s what it was in the case of this great tractor.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Don Henley, Springfield, Ill.
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9N Ford Restored To ‘Perfection’ TRACTORS Antiques Illinois Ford tractor enthusiast Don Henley restored his rare 1939 model 9N Ford tractor to what he can honestly call “perfection ” That distinction has been verified three times because the tractor received 1 000 out of 1 000 possible points each time it was displayed at the Early Ford V-8 Club national show in Dearborn Mich Henley’s masterpiece is a rare aluminum hood model serial number 9N 577 Henry Ford built about 600 of the aluminum hood models because he didn’t have time to stamp out steel hoods and have them ready for the 1939 New York World’s Fair The aluminum hood models were bought for farm use and are now a rare find for collectors Only about 40 are registered with the Ford Tractor Collector’s Club The original selling price of a 9N was $585 Enthusiasts now pay thousands more to buy one if they can find one Henley pursued this specific 9N tractor for nearly 20 years before finally acquiring it Then he spent hundreds of hours doing a frame-off restoration Every possible part was removed cleaned restored and put back in place He says that cosmetically and mechanically the tractor is indeed perfect Perhaps more astounding is that this is the second aluminum hood model he’s worked on Though he values every tractor in his collection after many hours of personal deliberation he decided to sell 577 It was a showpiece item at the fall 2024 Aumann Rest-O-Original Auction Henley says it was bittersweet for sure but since he had another one it was time to let someone else appreciate 577 The selling price was $59 400 which didn’t surprise Henley It’s tough to put a price on perfection but that’s what it was in the case of this great tractor Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Don Henley Springfield Ill
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