Restored 1956 and 1962 Bolens Garden Tractor Package

[msclassiccars]

Restored 1956 and 1962 Bolens Garden Tractor Package


Selling on a Hemmings online auction. View the auction here.

**THIS GARDEN TRACTOR PACKAGE WILL BE SELLING WITH NO RESERVE ON AN UPCOMING HEMMINGS ONLINE AUCTION. ONCE THE AUCTION DATES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IT WILL BE UPDATED HERE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PLEASE REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH HEMMINGS AUCTION TO BID. IT'S A QUICK AND SIMPLE PROCESS. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.**

This awesome 1956 Bolens 20HD and 1962 Bolens 235 Ride-A-Matic Garden Tractor Package is a rare opportunity to purchase bookends of the first year and last year model. Bolens was started in 1850 by Harris Bolens and John Gilson in Port Washington, Wisconsin as the J.E. Gilson /H.W. Bolens Manufacturing Company originally. In 1919, Gilson introduced the first power-driven garden tractor and became the first company to attach a gasoline engine to a gardening tool. In 1928, the company changed its name to the Gilson Bolens Company. In 1939, the company changed its name again to the Bolens Manufacturing Company. By 1944, the Bolens Manufacturing Company was the world's largest manufacturer of garden tractors. In 1947, Bolens introduced the first compact tractor. Bolens built the Ride-A-Matic series of garden tractors from 1956 to 1962. Bolens was purchased by Garden Way in 1987 and merged with the Troy-Bilt brand. Garden Way was then purchased by MTD in 2001. MTD continued to use the Bolens name until about 2010 on lawn tractors. The Bolens Ride-A-Matic series Garden Tractors from the 1956 and 1962 generation are considered the best of the Bolens brand with the construction, styling and performance. These models are becoming scarce and highly collectable especially in restored condition. The two examples here were discovered and restored by Kevin McCarthy who lives in Rehoboth, MA. Kevin is a huge enthusiast of the Bolens Ride-A-Matic models and made it his mission to find original examples across the country. Matter of fact he purchased two 1956 20HD models, one 1957 220 Deluxe model and three 1962 235 models. He decided to restore the entire collection of six tractors at the same time in 2020. He completed the entire collection in 2024. MS CLASSIC CARS purchased five of the six garden tractors in October of 2024. MS CLASSIC CARS decided to offer two models as a package deal which from the information gathered hasn't been offered before. This is a great opportunity to purchase two freshly restored Bolens Ride-A-Matic Garden Tractors!

The 1956 Bolens 20HD Ride-A-Matic Garden Tractor was the first year for the Ride-A-Matic series which is highly collectible among enthusiasts. It was built in Port Washington, Wisconsin and the original price was around 400.00. This was a hefty price tag at this time. The casted front grill is aggressive and bold in appearance. The grill meets the metal top engine cover with air cleaner and 1-gallon fuel tank which is very stylish. That simple design is what truly makes this model iconic. This example was discovered in original condition including its original serial tag which is #31236. It was completely disassembled and stripped. The body was left in its factory original condition and painted in its original color of Metallic Green. The paint was intentionally applied in a lower quality finish so it would appear similar to how it left the factory. The front grill was decorated with painted yellow accents and center decal. The top engine cover was decorated with yellow Ride-A-Matic decals. The perforated seat was also stripped, prepped and painted yellow. The seat was designed to appear like its floating which is another is another stylish feature. Some miscellaneous parts including the 3-spoke steering wheel were painted silver. The body was decorated with a HI-LO drive decal and Snap-Hitch decal. The wheels were stripped, prepped and painted yellow. The front wheels were wrapped with new Oregon 4.80/4.00-8 agricultural tires and the rear wheels were wrapped with a new Nankang 6-12 agricultural farm tires. The original Kohler K90 Model T engine has its original serial tag which is #313465. The engine was removed, inspected, serviced and painted in metallic green. This engine is a 145cc single-cylinder air cooled four-stroke internal combustion gasoline engine from the K-series and produced 3.6HP. The engine is coupled to the 6-speed CVT Ride-A-Matic transmission. This garden tractor is two-wheel drive with manual steering and mechanical band brakes. It was common to see a 30” front-mount mower deck and snow blower attachments on the Bolens 20HD. The wheelbase is 40 inches and the weight is 330lbs. This garden tractor starts with a pull cord and is in excellent working order.

This 1962 Bolens 235 Ride-A-Matic Garden Tractor was the last year for the Ride-A-Matic series which is highly collectable among enthusiasts. It was built in Port Washington, Wisconsin and the original price was around 600.00. This was a hefty price tag at the time. Bolens kept the casted aggressive and bold front grill. It's equipped with a metal hood that opens to access the engine compartment and 1.5 gallon fuel tank. This example was discovered in original condition including its original FMC Corporation serial tag which is #45795. As the original decal on the chassis indicates it was sold new at Kluth Garden Supply located in Elkhart, Indiana who was a Bolens Sales and Service dealership. It was completely disassembled and stripped. The body was left in its factory original condition and painted in its original color of Gold. The paint was intentionally applied in a lower quality finish so it would appear similar to how it left the factory. The front grill was decorated with painted white accents. The hood was decorated with white Ride-A-Matic decals and red Versa-gear drive decals. The perforated seat was also stripped, prepped and painted white. Some miscellaneous parts including the 3-spoke steering wheel were painted white. The wheels were stripped, prepped and painted white. The front wheels were wrapped with new WDT 4.80/4.00-8 agricultural tires and the rear wheels were wrapped with Carlisle Farm Specialist 6-12 tires. The rear tires are slightly covered with rounded fenders. The original Kohler K161 engine has its original serial tag which is #550696. The engine was removed, inspected, serviced and painted in gold. This engine is a 277cc single-cylinder air cooled four stroke internal combustion gasoline engine from the K-series and produced 7HP. It's equipped with a Delco-Remy 12-volt alternator and Mega Power battery with 2023 date code. The engine is coupled to a 12-speed CVT Ride-A-Matic transmission. This garden tractor is two-wheel drive with manual steering. It was common to see a 38” mid-mount mower deck and snow blower attachments on the Bolens 235. The wheelbase is 41.5 inches and the weight is 525-575lbs. This garden tractor is electric start and is in excellent working order.

Two original owner's manuals and two original Bolens metal signs are included with the sale.

[L_e_e]

You sure have a knack for finding the coolest stuff!

[msclassiccars]

Thanks Lee!