This is my '51 WD, making its public debut at a local show a couple of weeks ago.

My great-grandfather bought it new from Wallace Hardware & Machinery Co. in Wallace, NC.  He passed away in 1987 and the tractor went to one of his sons, my paternal grandmother's brother.  When he passed away a few years ago, the tractor went to his son.  Back in February, he offered it to me!

I've got it running, (no smoke, nice n' smooth) replaced a bad rear rim and put on new tires, and my next move is to change fluids and work on getting the electrical system back up to par.  There was a disk and a plow with the tractor from new, so if we can figure out where my great-uncle stashed them, I'm hoping to take it to a couple of plow days this spring.  If everything checks out, then it'll be time to repaint it.  The original paint is okay in some spots, terrible in others, and there's some rust pitting in places where there shouldn't be.  So to preserve it like I want it to be, the plan as of now is paint it, and then enjoy.

My first love is IH, so this has been "interesting."  One thing I've noticed, IH did a lot better job spelling stuff, especially maintenance items, out in the manual.  If you look up "oil change" in the WD manual, it pretty much says "buy yourself some oil and a filter, and best of luck!" 

Al