1949 ALLIS-CHALMERS MODEL C

In 1901, the Allis, Fraser & Chalmers and Gate companies merged to form the Allis-Chalmers Company. In 1914, they introduced their first farm tractor, the 10-18. They later produced the 6-12 and 15-30, marketed until 1919. In 1928, the Monarch Tractor Company in Illinois and the LaCrosse Plow Works were acquired to begin the manufacture of crawler tractors and to develop farm equipments.

Formerly produced in several different colors, in 1929 Allis-Chalmers adopted their distinctive bright orange, the color of the Californian poppy flower, to make their products noticeable from a distance.

First produced in 1940, the Model C was designed by industrial designer and graphic designer Brook Stevens. It replaced the RC model, marketed from 1938 to 1941, which had sold poorly. The Model C was manufactured in the United States only. In its popular Narrow Front and in our Museum’s Wide Front models, the Model C uses a four-cylinder, 8-valve, 125.2 cu.in. CE, SN 64501 engine, manufactured by Allis-Chalmers, powered by regular gasoline or 30-octane top-distilled petrol, with no variation of engine’s general specification. This engine developed 39 bhp at 1500 rpm. Sold without a cab over the operator’s seat, the Model C used a non-synchronized, 3-speed transmission and mechanical drum brakes. Though it was the first tractor to use rubber wheels, it had no suspension. From 1940 to 1949 84,020 numbers were produced. The Model C’s price in its final year was 1,200 Dollars: in this year it sold 12,206 with the serial numbers 68281-80517.

This Model C was purchased by the Museum from a farm in Turkey when it was a total ruin; it was restored to its current state using parts removed from other purchased tractors and repainted in its original color.