My Caterpillar Twenty is finally done! This Gray and Red picture was taken yesterday, April 2, 2011. Restoration began over a year ago and, except for a few minor details, is complete.
My dad bought a Twenty new in 1927 but lost it during the depression. He liked them so much he bought this tractor used in 1941 and I started driving it, at age 8, 65 years ago . I painted the the tractor using specially forulated 1927 colors from Durant Performance Coatings of Revere, MA.
I have 20 Before and After photos of the tractor posted on my Facebook Profile under "Arvid Leighton", but come and see this tractor (and over 400 more) on parade and display on April 15th, 16th and 17th at the huge Antique Equipment Show in Tulare CA. Check it out at www.antiquefarmshow.org

drarv, Why did you modify the steering clutch levers? Was that so a young person could operate it better? The 20 looks great! W. SMITH

Looks good you need to send that into the magazine so they can run a now and then story.

Very nice 20. I look forward to seeing your 20 at Tulare.

The story behind your machine makes the accomplishment all the better. No doubt, from what you say, your Dad would be proud of your effort-

Thanks for sharing.

good looking 20!! nice job, see u at tulare:thumb:

The steering clutches were bent so an 8 year old (me) could reach them. I was about 12 years old and discing 20 share cropped acres so we could put in black-eyed- beans (peas for you non-Californians) when a Child Labor guy walked onto the field. I stopped and he asked who I was working for. When I replied, "My Dad.", he just smiled and walked away. By age 16, I was driving an International T-6 for a Japanese truck garden farmer. Earned all of $6 a day. In my opinion, we would have a lot less juvenile crime if we allowed young people to work at meaningful jobs.

Look for me with the Topa Topa Flywheelers group. I joined the club back when I lived in Vertura County. Although now I'm up in Tehachapi, CA, I still enjoy getting together with the fine dedicated Topa Topa group. Arv Leighton

looks nice. Good restorations take alot of time. I did a cat 25 I got from Tom Madden took 3 years on and off to complete. Did a steam tractor for the Collings foundation, that took around 600 manhours and that was a cosmetic job.