French Classics Are Continental
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast|March - April 2017

Mention Massey Ferguson to enthusiast Tom French and a smile immediately lights up his face. Bob Weir went to Cumnock in East Ayrshire, to see the recent additions to his superb collection

Bob Weir
French Classics Are Continental

Tom French is no slouch when it comes to acquiring all things red and grey, and he has been at it now for over 13 years. His collection is one of the best in Scotland and his colourful red transporter has become a familiar sight at tractor shows on both sides of the border.

Although the family business is primarily haulage and open cast mining, Tom comes from a farming background. His recently refurbished depot at Cronberry on the outskirts of Cumnock is located on the original site of the family small holding. He has been interested in old tractors for many years and has been a big fan of Massey Ferguson since he was a boy.

“I suppose it all started when I was a lad,” he explained. “My father had a Ford-Ferguson, which he eventually swapped for a petrol/paraffin T20. I always thought they were great tractors and very reliable.”

Although Tom has always had an eye for a Massey Ferguson, in recent years he has concentrated on acquiring Ruby Reds. He has spread his contacts net far and wide and uses a wide range of sources, including specialist magazines like Classic Massey and Ferguson Enthusiast, auctions and the internet. This has allowed him to pursue his current passion for collecting European models like the 132, 147 and the 1080.

Tom will go to great lengths to secure his prize and son Tom Jnr is also willing to lend a hand. The 1978 Spanish vifiero (vineyard) model is a case in point. The tractor was bought via the internet in October 2010 at a specialist auction in the town of Ocana, a short distance from the capital, Madrid. Tom Jnr drove all the way down to Spain with a trailer and van to bring the tractor back to Scotland, a distance of over 3,000 miles: a sure sign of Tom’s commitment to collecting unusual Massey Fergusons!

Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2017 de Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2017 de Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE CLASSIC MASSEY & FERGUSON ENTHUSIASTVer todo
The (Dodgy) Italian Job
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

The (Dodgy) Italian Job

Dan Harris guides us through buying a tractor which is rare enough to turn heads but shares something unwanted with an 1980s Alfa Romeo 

time-read
7 minutos  |
September - October 2017
Straight To The Point
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Straight To The Point

With hard ground and difficulty in getting his plough to penetrate, Andrew Hall sets about fitting some new points

time-read
3 minutos  |
September - October 2017
MF Ploughman Comes Out On Top
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

MF Ploughman Comes Out On Top

The 2017 British National Ploughing Championships returned to a previous site as good weather, good ploughing and a good crowd were enjoyed.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Diamonds Are For Ever?
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Diamonds Are For Ever?

Here’s some good news from the editor for those wanting to give their restorations that special final touch

time-read
3 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Original Is Best!
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Original Is Best!

Peter Love travelled to Shropshire to take in a very original Massey Ferguson 65 Mk2 that its owner purchased some 15 years ago. Yet it is only now that he has got it out of the shed and taken it to a couple of events. At Tractor World Autumn at Newbury Showground in October, it took 'Best Exhibit in Show' and quite rightly so, writes Peter. We find out the best way to clean up a tractor like this and get the best out of it, at the same time keeping the original look

time-read
8 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Back to Life After 30 Years
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Back to Life After 30 Years

It is thought the MF 35 was used as a shunter in Belfast International Airport.Chris McCullough finds an industrial tractor that once towed aircraft round an international airport and then ended up in a shed

time-read
2 minutos  |
March - April 2017
Putting Right Neglect
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Putting Right Neglect

The tractor as Russell bought it, with industrial tyres.Russell McNab reports on how he restored an MF 135 and kept his wife happy in the process – until she discovered his other plan

time-read
3 minutos  |
March - April 2017
French Classics Are Continental
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

French Classics Are Continental

Mention Massey Ferguson to enthusiast Tom French and a smile immediately lights up his face. Bob Weir went to Cumnock in East Ayrshire, to see the recent additions to his superb collection

time-read
6 minutos  |
March - April 2017
Excellence In Power And Performance
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Excellence In Power And Performance

A classic view of a farm at work prompted Alan Barnes to look into the story of the MF 65

time-read
5 minutos  |
September - October 2017
George Likes His Chips
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

George Likes His Chips

Massey Ferguson’s 3000 Series is an array of cult classic models and one of the first ranges to use microchip technology. George Cook from Kelso owns a superb example of a 3070 – Bob Weir went along to take a look.

time-read
5 minutos  |
September - October 2017