I think you are on target with the 8n, but it will take some hunting to find a decent one for $1000. For $2000 you would have your pick of many thousands of servicable machines. Personally, I would take a 1951 Ford 8n over any tractor that Ford ever made (and I did). These tractors represent the most refined form of the first modern utility tractor - the Ford n-series. In my opinion, a step backward was taken when Ford tried to play catchup with other manufactures after the loss of the 3-point exclusivity, and offered an overhead valve-engined tractor in 1953 with the Jubilee. The Jubilee was heavier and bulkier than the 8n, got worse fuel economy, had weak, troublesome hydraulics, and still was only a 2-plow tractor like the flat-head, 8n it replaced. Ford did manage to get many of the bugs out of that machine by 1955 when the 600 series came out and those are not bad tractors. A 1951 or 1952 8n will give you the proofmeter and the side distributer. My prefrence for the 51 is based on the fact that I own one, and Ford was likely using up some "questionable" parts on the 52's as those were the end of the line for the series. 8n's are generally better than 9n/2n because they have position control as well as draft on the hydraulics, brakes on the same side where they should have been to begin with, floorboards, and a 4-speed rather than 3-speed transmission. The 8n's also have a higher speed reverse (same as 3rd forward), while the 9n's/2n's were geared the same as first in reverse (unless you find one with a Sherman trans). Sometimes that low reverse gear may be handy such as for loading a pond-scoop pointed backwards. I find the 3rd reverse ratio perfect for pushing snow backward with a rear blade (make sure you have stabilizer links or you will bend your lower links doing that). I have owned many other tractors but to this day, there is no other that I would prefer on a 2-row corn planter or 3-point carryall than my 1951 Ford 8n (those 2 implements cover about 90% of my usage of that tractor these days). These were great tractors as long as you recognize their limitations and dont try and use them for tasks they are not well suited for. two such tasks that come immediately to mind are: Front loader, and PTO powered equipment operation. If you want to do that stuff at all, then the 8n is closer to the worst than the best choice and certainly a 600 series would be a lot better. If I was in your shoes, my sights would be firmly pointed at an 8n (51-1st, 52-2nd, 50-3rd, 48/49-4th). I bought mine when I was just a little older than you are now. In 30 years, that tractor has never let me down. One things for sure, no one is going to suggest that any tractor by any manufacturer has better parts availability.
