I’m one of the many folks that lurk on the forum. I don’t own a T but some of you may remember the bed I built for my grandson with its genuine 1925 Model T steering wheel. I’m a motorhead at heart and make a daily stop here to see what you guys are doing with your beautiful obsession.
During the week I have the good fortune to drive this 42’ mobile mammography unit for Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown NY. We cover 5800 square miles and nine counties bringing cancer screening services to rural communities. Last week we were in the village of Morris NY parked at the volunteer fire department and, as the picture shows, this small garage.
Now let me show you what’s in the garage:
That is a 1917 Linn Tractor – Number 1 – manufactured right there in Morris NY. The Linn Tractor is a fascinating vehicle. I’ve found myself spending my lunch standing at the big window just looking at her. If you follow this link you can read all about the history of the Linn Tractor. http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/l/linn_mfg/linn_mfg.htm
Here’s the connection. The Linn was built in 1917. Over the years, the original company was acquired by the company that acquired the company that acquired that last one but still firmly rooted in their history as Linn Manufacturing Company.
“Originally founded in 1949, Medical Coaches Inc. was a New York City marketer of portable medical vehicles to domestic and international public health agencies. The firm sub-contracted the actual manufacture of the vehicles to the Linn Coach & Truck division of Great American Industries, which was located in Oneonta, New York. Business increased to the point where Linn Coach created a separate mobile health division to oversee the vehicle’s manufacture. When a strike forced the closure of Linn Coach in late 1953, manufacture of the firm’s Medicoaches was taken over by Linn Coaches successor, the similarly named Lyncoach & Truck Co. Inc. Medical Coaches relocated to Oneonta in 1955 in order to more closely oversee the manufacture of their products and by 1958 business was sufficient to justify the creation of their own plant.” http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/medicoach/medicoach.htm
91 years after the company built the half-track tractor in the garage they built the coach you see in the foreground. We set up in that same parking lot every six weeks and see dozens of people while we’re there. I’m sure the folks that come appreciate the services we provide. I do too but I certainly appreciate the sense of history that spans the 100 feet or so between the coach and Linn Tractor Number 1
You rely need to visit Joey Barnes at kingofobsolete.ca and see his collection.
Dwayne,
Thank you for sharing the story and also for helping to provide the medical care/screening.
As you are supporting those different counties -- let us know if you run across any other good stories or early Fords....
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Thank you for an interesting read!
Drive carefully (even if it isn't a model T Ford). And enjoy the trip! W2