1962 Porsche-Diesel Junior 109 Tractor

The only thing I really know about Porsche tractors is, I want one. So this morning I took some time to do a little reading and learn more. Ferdinand Porsche had originally designed a range of tractors incorporating both diesel and gas power plants during the war. But they never made it to production as the war ended and only those who had produced tractors prior to the war were allowed to continue.

So to bring in money, Porsche licensed his tractor designs to Allgaier of Germany and Hofherr Schrantz of Austria. Between 1956 and 1963, around 125,000 examples were produced, but due to pricing, very few made it to North America when new.

One of Porsche’s design features was the modular design of the engine. Because they knew that at least four different engine sizes would need to be produced in order to do the different jobs the tractors would do, each cylinder head was individually detachable and replaceable enabling Porsche to build one, two, three, and four cylinder engines based on the crankcase. This is where we get the names like Junior for the one cylinder engines and Super for the three and so on.

This 1962 Porsche-Diesel Junior 109 Tractor is in need of a cosmetic refresh with the seller noting that all mechanical systems work properly. I’m not sure what the ‘restoration’ costs would be for a tractor, but I’d imagine they aren’t that bad.

The last Porsche-Diesel Junior to sell in the US hammered at $41,000 on Bring a Trailer. It looks to be in excellent condition and restored at some point. Our Spotlight Tractor failed to sell at a final bid of $7,000 and is now offered with a Buy Now of $15,000 in PCARMARKET’s Deal Tank. So $25k for a tractor repaint? Is that out of the question? Inquiring minds want to know.

Two things that go hand-in-hand? Porsche and watches. Every Porschephile I know is also a watch nerd. And like Porsches, watches can be enjoyed at all price points. 

On a recent visit to Pittsburgh, SML subscriber Allan S. tossed me his new Sheffield Allsport watch. Sheffield Watches is a reboot of an old dive watch brand founded in New York in the ‘50s that was synonymous with producing low-price point, quality watches. The weight of the stainless steel case felt robust, as did the feel of the screw-down crown and unidirectional bezel—definitely quality. As for price point, the Sheffield diver punches way above its weight at $108. You can’t buy more watch for the money, period. 

And that’s what Sheffield Watches’ founder Jay Turkbas set out to accomplish, reviving the brand's ethos and creating a watch synonymous with quality, technology, and affordability. Taking inspiration from his original Sheffield watch from the ’70s and his 30-plus years of experience in product development and innovation, he knocked it out of the park with a durable watch capable of exploring the depths of the ocean one day and cars & coffee the next. And all at a price point equivalent to the $13 the watch originally cost back then. Take a moment to give Sheffield Watches a look. I know you’ll be just as impressed as I am.

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