1974 ford utility tractors serial number decoding

1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING UPDATE
1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING PRO
1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING SERIES

They are often referred to as 1976 models, but in reality they started in mid-1975.

1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING SERIES

The 'new' 66 series Blackstripe tractors were an instant hit. This tractor belongs to Josh Olson. Josh Olson tractor collection / Lee Klancher The 66 series, including this 1066, received a fresh, redder paint scheme and new black stripes for 1976. Based on the success of this design, I was later given the task of designing the TR4 concept tractor, which later became the IH 50 series (my personal favorite).' Visually, the only real difference to the prior model was the paint color and stripe design. “I didn’t realize how popular this design had become over the years, but I’ve seen comments from many collectors and enthusiasts that they feel this is one of the best looking tractors IH ever made. When the stripe reached the split line between the grille frame and the hood side and side panel, it took an abrupt turn upward and followed the split line up and over the hood to the center panel, which gave it a very dynamic and aggressive look. It quickly became apparent that one design stood out to the majority of people who wandered through the design office, and ultimately that concept became known as the “Black Stripe.” Its main characteristics were an all red body-including the cab if fitted with one-with a black beltline stripe bordered in white with a white uppercase INTERNATIONAL. “As usual, I began by creating several color sketches showing different alternatives for paint color breakup and vinyl striping which was very popular in the automotive design world at that time. At the time, IH was using metal nameplates and model number plates which offered a quality look in and of itself, but along with the white side panels it was also rather “spotty” looking, and didn’t do much for integrating the overall look of the tractor. The long awaited IH-built cab was scheduled to be coming on stream and the rumors were flying out in the field, so it looked as though ginning up sales could be quite a challenge. The main goal from a design standpoint was to give the 66 lineup a fresh look that would hopefully add some spice to the tractor’s appearance and-along with a small tweak in the horsepower and a few other minor mechanical changes-would help stretch this product for another year or so. Having worked in the automotive realm for a few years and having done several graphic themes for Ford’s pickup trucks, it was determined that this would be a good project for me to work on.

1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING UPDATE

Shortly after starting there, a design project came into the office that was to be a design and styling update for IH’s main field tractor known as the 66 Series. 'In March of 1975, I left Ford Automotive Styling and Design in Dearborn, Michigan, to take a design position at the International Harvester industrial design department in Burr Ridge, Illinois, then headed up by Bob Skyer. I asked Gregg Montgomery, the designer of this iconic decal, to recall how it came about. This new look was simple-just paint and a decal change-but it created an iconic tractor of the 1970s, the IH 66 series Blackstripe tractor. To help clear out the dealers' lots, IH determined that a new look was needed to generate interest in the 66 series.

1974 FORD UTILITY TRACTORS SERIAL NUMBER DECODING PRO

Read more of Kenneth Updike’s infinite IH wisdom in Red Tractors, Red Combines, and Red 4WD Tractors.Īs the production run of the IH 66 series was winding down, new components were added that would later be used on the forthcoming 86 series Pro Ag line of tractors.

What began as a minor cosmetic addition intended to boost sales at the end of the series’ dwindling production run would become immortalized as International Harvester’s iconic look of the 1970s. In this original article, Red Power and Heritage Iron journalist Kenneth Updike interviews Gregg Montgomery, creator of the ever-popular, ever-replicated Black Stripe 66 series design.

1974 ford utility tractors serial number decoding