The original paint and 6 volt are good signs. If the rubber is good then that is a good price. If tires are questionable, then price is a little steep in this sputtering economy which has seen old 2wd tractors off in price a minimum of 25% from what they went for about 3 years ago. There is no sign that those old tractors are going to gain value anytime soon. The 8n is probably the most dependable older tractor made and the least likely to require lots of work. Heck, I havent hardly touched my 1951 in more than 20 years other than oil and filter changes. To be fair, I did put a new 6-volt battery in it this spring but the old one had been in there 10 years. I dont typically get that kind of life from 12 volt batteries. In those 20 years, my (5) other tractors, all newer and most accumulating less hours, have needed as much or more work than that old 8n. I actually wore out a Ford 2000 diesel in that time, as the old gas-powered 8n kept pulling strong. One things for sure, no tractor is going to be easier to find parts for when and if it does break down. If it is a 1951 or 52, it will have a proofmeter, and these are worth a good bit more than the others, especially the older 9n's and 2n's. In my opinion the 1951 and 52 8n's were the high-water mark for the Ford tractor co, and there is no other that I would consider owning unless it was given to me. That 2000 I owned, and a 3000, Jubilee, and 600 that I ran, all soured me a bit on Ford's later models, as I have had a lot better luck with OHV engine tractors from other manufacturers. Ford just couldnt get it right after the Patriarch passed I guess. When it comes to flatheads however, you cant beat them old Ford n's.
