» See also: George Rebuilt in Pictures

*UPDATE! - Poor Old George was won be Geaorge Conio, from the Dorset area, who proudly still takes Poor Old George around local shows and ploughing matches. The Challenge Committee are thrilled he went to a very good home.

Click images for full size versions

George, before the rebuild.

Lyn Collingborn on George @ Malvern.

Mr George Walker of Nufarm Environmental Services, from Norwich in Norfolk, Kindly donated this Fordson Power Major to the British Tractor Challenge 2006. George Walker supported our attempt in 2003, bringing 20 tractors to the event, and has become a valuable friend. Not only to John and I but also all those on The British Tractor Challenge 2006 team. We named the tractor 'poor old George' as most people took one look and said "poor old thing".

24 hour restoration, you say!

John Dixon from Wiltshire Agricultural College, Lackham, Wilts, agreed to restore this tractor for the challenge in June 2006, donating their time and energy to support our attempt to break the world record. Wiltshire Agricultural College students do at least one tractor restoration every year,

When we discussed the possibility of a restoration on poor old George, John Dixon explained that they are quite used to restoring old tractors, they had done several 24-hour restorations in the past and thought it would be possible to restore poor old George in 24 hours. (This was before he’d seen the tractor.)

John Dixon came to meet us and see the tractor at a show where we were promoting the Challenge. I shall always remember the look on John’s face when he saw poor old George on our lorry. After he’d regained his colour and his breath, he agreed to take on this challenge. A shopping list was made and we realised this was going to be a very expensive undertaking.
Vapormatic to the rescue.

Richard Sivil & John Dixon with George.

John C with Pete Clarke & Derek Taylor, the commentator from our 2003 Challenge, looking over poor old George.

Without the help and tremendous support from Richard Sivil and his team, from Vapormatic, we could never have raised the money needed to source the parts to complete the restoration.

Three engines later and lots of visits to Lackham College by Kevin Collingborn, who provided many of the parts that we could not beg borrow or find, John Dixon rang me to say the rebuild was going to take place on 9th-10th February.

Ben Whitmarsh from Vapormatic Talking tractors with Kevin Collingborn, a member of The British Tractor Challenge Team.

After many months of sourcing parts for the rebuild and numerous companies and individuals providing all the parts we needed, we were ready to go. This Fordson Power Major will be won by a competitor in The Guinness World Record Attempt for the most tractors of any age working in one field at one time, on Sunday 25th June 2006.

Without the determination, dedication, and true British sprit, this rebuild would not have taken place. The students, under the supervision of John Dixon and his team, worked with out stopping for 20 hours to bring poor old George back to his former glory. And for this, The British Tractor Challenge team will be forever grateful.

       

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