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Picking an Iconic A/C Dealership


MarksA-C

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In early September of this year I bought a B-10 off of craigslist, rough and not running but decent enough machine. 

Fast forward a couple weeks later, I'm up north at the cottage for a week and I get a phone call.  The guy I bought the B10 from referred me to his friend who had a closed dealership and he was looking to sell stuff off and empty out.  I ended up meeting up with him a few days after I got back from up north.  Sure as heck is was Bestels, one of the earliest A/C lawn and garden dealerships in SE WI.  Allis Chalmers was a big part of the dealership and used them for many photo shoots over the years.  Not a ton of A/C stuff was left since they stayed in business until 2008 carrying Simplicity.  They came to an end when the Simplicity sales rep had a beef with Bestels and ended up giving an entire lineup to a new competitor dealership 1000' down the road.  After that it was like a time capsule.  Lots of parts, all the paperwork, and some very nice old machines they held onto for decades.  Ended up with everything.

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Edited by MarksA-C
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Ended up with a lot, including a B-1 forklift, 700 Wonderboy, 700, 725, tons of attachments, NOS parts and engines, NIB Sprinkler, Clock/sign, DIY Center and most of the binders seen in the picture.

Too much for one post, I'll have more to share later on.

 

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Would be cool if a guy could buy an old dealership building like that and "restore" it - kinda like a museum, but could be the owner's shop.  Not a practical thing, but what a way to preserve some history!

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2 hours ago, Snojetter said:

Would be cool if a guy could buy an old dealership building like that and "restore" it - kinda like a museum, but could be the owner's shop.  Not a practical thing, but what a way to preserve some history!

 I thought the same thing. I think there is talk of trying to get a group of folks to visit the old dealership with their tractors during the portage Simplicity and Allis feature show this next summer. It would be cool to line up some B series tractors and implements along with the walk behind snowblower‘s and perhaps a terratiger to mimic an old dealer photo 👍

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Oh Man!!!! I'm kind of Jealous!!!!!!!  Been picking for years and never find stuff in that kind of condition, let alone from an iconic location. Happy it has found a good home. I'm amazed the building is still there and looks unchanged since the days of the B-110 brochures. You need to buy the building!!

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15 hours ago, Snojetter said:

Would be cool if a guy could buy an old dealership building like that and "restore" it - kinda like a museum, but could be the owner's shop.  Not a practical thing, but what a way to preserve some history!

You ever been to Patterson's in St Johns Michigan , old ac dealership with restored tractor in showroom.

If you haven't well worth the time, Mr Patterson is a worth of knowledge and a real pleasure to talk with.

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  • 3 months later...

I has sold the B-10 last fall to help the funding of the purchase, but it finally came back home!

Needs a BGB still, tune up and headlights and it'll be ready to work again.

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I can't believe all that you picked up at that dealer! Those 700's looked like they were in mint condition! I hope that someday I will be able to find a score like that. 

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That pick was definitely a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.  So glad you were able to get it!  Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

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