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New Owner Eagerly Awaiting Arrival of Rare Schafer Tractor
Follow-up story to; Rare 1964 Schafer 20000 PS154 tractor sold May 7th by Purple Wave Auctioneers during 3I Show.
Today I got a call from a very excited Jon Melchert from Morristown, Minnesota. Jon was the winning bidder on the Rare 1964 Schafer 20000 PS154 tractor sold May 7th by Purple Wave Auctioneers during the 3I show in Garden City, Kansas.
Jon said he is not an antique tractor collector but this tractor caught his eye. From time to time he purchases used equipment at auctions. He was shopping the Internet when he saw the Schafer and had to learn more about it. After several conversations with the seller Jon knew he wanted this tractor.
The initial bid was made via the Internet, and Jon then signed on as a phone bidder the day of the sale. The bidders dropped off one by one, then it came down to Jon and one other phone bidder, he said, “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when the auctioneer said sold and I had the bid.”
FedEx delivered the tractors documents the day before I spoke with Jon. He said it felt like Christmas when the deliveryman handed him the documents. Mr. Winkel was very thorough in keeping records and information on the tractor. I totaly agree with him because, I had the documents earlier this year when I did a story on the tractor for the Iron Memories Volume VIII. Some are also very fragile due to their age. I was reluctant to unfold some of them for that reason. Jon said he planned to photocopy them, then lock away the originals for save keeping.
Jon is eagerly awaiting the tractors arrival in a few days, as are his family and friends. When I asked Jon what his plans were for the tractor he said it would be stored in the machine shed and brought out for special occasions, local parades or tractors shows. But mostly just to look at and enjoy. He said it is sad that it wasn’t able to stay in the original owners family but will always be cared for in the future the same way the original owner did. They can be assured it will be treated well.
I am looking forward to comments from Jon and his family and friends in the future once they receive the Schafer.
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Comments
Thank you so much for the information regarding my dad, the manufacturer of the Schafer tractor, William "Bill" Schafer.
[quote=Barbara Schafer]Thank you so much for the information regarding my dad, the manufacturer of the Schafer tractor, William "Bill" Schafer.[/quote]
What a pleasant surprise to hear from you Barbara, who would ever expect to hear from the manufacturers daughter. It is like this tractor's story has come full circle. WOW!
Today the "Schafer" tractor arrived. Many of us just sat and wait for the semi to pull in. It arrived a little after 6pm today. All very excited to it see and get it off the trailer after its 850 mile trip. Tractor looks great. More friends and neighbors stopped by as the evening went on. I expect more visitors in the days and weeks ahead. The tractor is stored inside our shop out of the weather.
This had to be a very exciting time for you and your friends and family.
I think it would be fun to find out how many of these tractors are still around and in what condition. Maybe even see a few more of them get restored.
For something this rare it would be a shame for even one to meet up the the scrapman simply because someone didn't know what they had.
Maybe Barbara might have some stories to share with us.
My name is Greg. My dad is Bill Schafer's brother, the youngest of 5. Bill was the oldest. I remember setting on a Schafer at the State Fair in Hutchinson. I also have one of the original sales brochures of the tractor.
Could you possible email a larger picture of the Schafer Tractor please? greg.schafer@gmail.com