Not your usual tractor show

No one could ever have told you there were that many variations on the vernerable John Deere Model GP. They were all represented at the delightful family tractor event hosted by Ostrander GP Farms near Columbia City, Indiana September 5-6, 2003.  See photos of the show.

Michael Ostrander reports there were about 100 GPs to exhibited, and this represents the most complete gathering of models and options since production began in Waterloo in 1928. A special Friday afternoon highlight had Michael ceremoneously using a new John Deere backhoe to slowly hoist and tow into the crowd what is reported to be the most expensive antique John Deere tractor ever sold at auction, the 1929 GP experimental Wide Tread that sold at auction for $171,000 in 2001. This was the first-ever public display of the tractor, and the purchaser was on hand to tell the incredible story of running across the tractor and buying it, afraid to tell his wife the price he paid. (She found out by reading an article in one of the tractor magazines).

Brian Holst, manager of the John Deere Collectors Center gave the keynote address Saturday night. This was not a profit-making endeavor and no admission was charged. This 2003 GP Rally was a very rare opportunity to see some very rare and impeccably restored tractors. There's more information on the Model GP in the GreenCollectors Library.