Preserving the past for the future

Is it better than your 401K? Well maybe not but then again an antique tractor can be a sound investment.

When I see a well restored antique tractor I tend to get all warm and fuzzy inside thinking its restorer did so to preserve part of his/her familys history. While that may be true in some instances, it isn't always the case. Many times it is simply for the love of making the old new again. But on the flip side of the coin it may have been to preserve the future income of its owner.

Is it worthwhile to restore an antique tractor for speculation? If the owner/restorer has a business head and handymans ability he/she can pick-up a nice bit of change in the process. There are many want to be antique tractor collectors that lack insight to see a pile of rust as a completed project. Often this person would be willing to pay the price to have a tractor restored.

Some gather enjoyment from doing the work, while others gain their satisfaction from owning the finished product. When the two come together both can walk away happy. If you are one of those people who enjoys restoring, but lack the space or money to keep all of fruits of your labor, you could be a good candidate for profit from fun.

Many antique auctions have seen five figure, even six figure restored tractors and implements leave the auction block. The private sale can be just as rewarding. If your plan is to restore and sell, first of all you must have the knowledge to know what is going to be worthwhile once it is restored.

Everyone knows the simple math that restoration cost must be less than the selling price. Getting to that point is where the real trick takes place. First of all you must be product savvy. Not any old tractor is going to yeild the big bucks. Do your home work ifentify what people want, how long can you tie up yor money and how will you market the final product. These are obsticales faced by every businessman, and a busincessman it what you become at this point. Do your homework before you buy, what sets your project apart from the others? Is your tractor rare but not too rare to sell quickly if you need a fast turn around on your dollar? Know how common your speculation tractor is, while it may look great when completed, if there are hundreds of this make and model available, you may have just polished a rock.

Even if you are a collector make sound investments, enjoy your antiques and when the time comes when you are no longer able to make use of them they can provide you with money for your future needs when sold.