On a Saturday morning in April of 1969 at the Dawson County Equipment Auction in Lexington, Nebraska, a 22-year-old farmer named Dale Perkins made what everyone agreed was the stupidest purchase of the day. He paid $75 for a 1948 Farm AllM that hadn’t run in 17 years. The tractor sat at the far end of the auction lot, separated from the respectable equipment like a leopard at a church social. Its red paint had faded to a rusty brown. The tires were flat and cracked.
Birds had nested in the air cleaner. Someone had scratched junk into the hood with a nail, and no one had bothered to disagree. The auctioneer almost didn’t bother calling it. All right, folks. Last item of the day. 1948 Farm All M. Sold as is. Where is This one’s from the Hollister estate. Been sitting in a barn since 52. Probably good for parts, maybe. Do I hear $50 for silence? A few chuckles from the crowd. Come on, folks.
