Full-size tractors are challenging when hauling them to an antique tractor show. Louie Frick resolved that dilemma by building scale-model versions.
Louie said, “I wanted to display our antique Oliver tractors at local shows, but our trailer could only haul one at a time. I resolved that problem by duplicating them as working scale models.”
Louie’s interests are rooted in the family’s Oliver tractors that were used in their farming operation. “My family purchased a new Oliver Hart-Parr Model 70 in 1936. An Oliver Model 77 found its way to the farm in 1949. And then a 1964 Oliver Model 1600 was added,” Louie said.
To emulate these original tractors, Louie built his models with precision detail. Information about each of the hand-crafted tractors follows.
Scale Replica Oliver Model 77
The Oliver Model 77 was introduced in 1948 as a replacement for the Model 70. Through its production into 1954, 27,903 tractors were built. The Waukesha-Oliver six-cylinder, gas-powered engine was rated at 33hp on the drawbar.
“Dad purchased an Oliver Model 77 as a new tractor in 1949. The first tractor I built was a 3/4-scale version of the Model 77. I used the framework from an Oliver Model 60 and cut it down. As with the family tractor, I installed a live power-take-off. The grill was made from scratch and the Ride-Master seat was cut down from an original,” Louie said.
“The scaled-down tractor is powered by a 18hp Kohler engine with a Cub Cadet hydrostatic transmission. To modernize the tractor, it operates with a 12 volt system. The paint scheme and decals finished the tractor just like the original. It took about two years to build since I worked on it part-time.”
Scale Replica Oliver Model 70
The Oliver Hart-Parr Model 70 was built from 1935 into 1948. Powered by a six-cylinder gasoline Oliver engine, it was rated at 28hp at the drawbar. And there were nearly 63,000 units built from Oliver’s Charles City, Iowa, production facility.
“I was 6 years old when I first drove the Model 70 tractor. At that age, I showed my mother how to operate the tractor with a disc and cultipacker. At noon, she’d drive alone while I went for lunch. When I returned from lunch, I took over from mom,” Louie shared.
The original tractor provided patterns and measurements for use when building the 3/4-scale version. After constructing the frame work, Louie made the fenders and battery box.
Louie went onto say, “I salvaged a Model 70 gas tank and cut it down. In addition, the cast-iron grill was scaled down from an original Model 70. The scale model is powered by a Kohler engine with a Cub Cadet hydrostatic transmission.
“The original seat was like a gunny sack. For the scale model, I used heavy hammock-type material. I finished the tractor by painting it like the original, along with decals.”
Scale Replica Oliver Model 1600
The Oliver Model 1600 tractor was a significant upgrade from Oliver’s previous models. The tractor could be ordered with a choice of three Waukesha-Oliver six-cylinder engines: gasoline, diesel, or LP. The tested drawbar rating was 47hp. These tractors were built from 1962 into 1964, although there are conflicting reports about the production run. However, Oliver’s Charles City records show 6,898 Model 1600 tractors manufactured.
“The 1964 Oliver Model 1600 was the first tractor I purchased for the farm. I built the Model 1600 in 1/2-scale. For the power source, I installed a Kohler engine along with a Cub Cadet hydrostatic transmission. Starting in November, it was completed by the following spring,” Louie said.
“I completed the task entirely alone. This included building a cast-iron grill from scratch. I also installed a working 3-point hitch. Like the other models, I finished it off with the complementary paint scheme and decals.”
Farm Roots
Louie Frick grew up on the family’s farm in Bremen, Indiana. “My parents purchased a 160-acre farm in 1932 from which they made their living. Their livestock consisted of dairy cows, hogs, and chickens. The early farming was done with horses to raise feed for the livestock. As noted above, the first tractor purchase was the 1936 Oliver Hart-Parr 70. That enabled Dad to phase out the horses,” Louie said.
Like most farm kids, Louie would tag along with his dad whenever possible. “I remember helping Dad with small jobs. In fact, I had a knack of getting nuts started on bolts when Dad had trouble doing it,” he shared.
Growing up on the farm you become independent. That meant fixing nearly everything yourself. At a young age, Louie soon developed mechanical skills. After high school, he worked off the farm as a mechanic for the Hummers Oliver dealer in Lakeville, Indiana.
Frick Sales & Service
During his employment at Hummers, Louie was moved to sales and service in its lawn and garden department. This created an interest in starting his own business.
In 1972, Louie launched a home business in lawn and garden repair, known as Frick Sales & Service. “I was fortunate that this little business took off and grew. In 1979, I moved the business operation into our hometown of Bremen. The business included selling and servicing Simplicity Lawn and Garden Equipment. It provided a nice income for 10 years,” Louie said.
Collection Scope and Display
The Frick collection has grown through the years. It currently includes six full-size farm tractors and five scale-model tractors. In addition, Louie has assembled 30 lawn and garden tractors.
When the material was gathered for this story, Louie was restoring an early Sears Economy tractor. This tractor was a low-cost one sold through the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog in the late 1930s. It was often shipped as a kit that required assembly. The kit included a rebuilt Ford Model A engine and transmission.
“I’m pleased to report that the Economy tractor has been restored. And the original Ford Model A engine is still working great. As for my next scale model, I hope to build a half-scale Oliver Cletrac. My restoration and scale modeling has slowed now that I’m in my 90s,” he shared.
While the collection is stored in the shop and barns, Louie still enjoys displaying them at local shows. The shows include Nappanee Power From The Past, held the third weekend in September at Nappanee, Indiana. The tractors have also been displayed at Rentown Old Fashion Days, held the first weekend in September at Bremen, Indiana. This event is sponsored by two Amish church districts as a school fundraiser.
Closure for Louie
Louie reflected on his tractor-related hobby. “Tractor mechanics, both restoration and building scale models, has been an enjoyable hobby. It keeps my mind occupied and even challenged at times. The satisfaction of building and seeing a project completed is rewarding. In addition, I’ve made a lot of friends over the years through the hobby.”
Special note: Louie is humble about his building accomplishments. His precision detail deserves high praise. Those who’ve seen his work would join the chorus of admiration.
If you would like to visit with Louie Frick about his unique collection, he welcomes your call at phone: 574-286-0495. FC
Freelance writer Fred Hendricks of Mansfield, Ohio, covers a vast array of interesting subjects. Contact him at fwhendricks@gmail.com
