Doodle Bug

xoxoxoBruce · 08-24-2003, 12:54 AM

In another thread I mentioned Doodle Bugs, which are homemade tractors. Cobbled together from whatever could be found, they are an example of Yankee ingenuity at it's best. This one was made from a 1930 Chevy. Body off, frame shortened, front axel flipped over for height and the worm gear rear from a TT Ford truck. This picture was taken in 1939 but my Uncle still has this 'Bug.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-24-2003, 01:06 AM

Dad was a city kid but when he came to visit, Gramps would put him to work. Trying to start the Bug on a hill with a full load of wood, he flipped the sucker back onto the load. You can just make out the seat to the left of the rear tire and the steering wheel pointing almost straight down between the safety chain and the load. Never did figure out why he wasn't killed but I'm glad since this was 5 years before I was born.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-24-2003, 01:28 AM

Heres Pop, tongue out, thumbing his nose at the bug. Thats a cigar not his middle finger.
Other things I notice are Dads late '30s Hudson behind him.
A drum pulley on the front of the Bug for driving a wide leather PTO (power take off) belt.
The road is real dirt/sand (rather than groomed gravel that SUV drivers conquer) even though is was one of the two main roads to CT and used frequently.
The Chevy wheels on the front axel were disc (pressed steel) rather than wire wheels.
All the wood was cut with an axe. No chain saws.
Thank you for your attention. Your diplomas will be mailed to you.

LUVBUGZ · 08-24-2003, 05:12 AM

Neat pics Bruce. Damn, ingenuity is right. Did you say you were Polish?:p I can say that cuz I resemble that remark

I bet the horses where relieved to see these gems. Who the hell thought these up? Grandpa?

xoxoxoBruce · 08-24-2003, 09:45 AM

Naw, Pops folks came from Scotland around 1912. Mom's from England around 1628. Of course over the years there was probably a mongrel or two. Around 1850 there's a Willie Freeman Dickinson thats pops up. LOL
Doodle Bugs were developed all over the country simultaneously.
Henry Ford made cheap parts available to the masses but they all freaked the horses to no end as mufflers weren't a priority.

08-24-2003, 12:54 AM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Doodle Bug In another thread I mentioned Doodle Bugs, which are homemade tractors. Cobbled together from whatever could be found, they are an example of Yankee ingenuity at it's best. This one was made from a 1930 Chevy. Body off, frame shortened, front axel flipped over for height and the worm gear rear from a TT Ford truck. This picture was taken in 1939 but my Uncle still has this 'Bug. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 06:07 PM.

08-24-2003, 01:06 AM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Dad was a city kid but when he came to visit, Gramps would put him to work. Trying to start the Bug on a hill with a full load of wood, he flipped the sucker back onto the load. You can just make out the seat to the left of the rear tire and the steering wheel pointing almost straight down between the safety chain and the load. Never did figure out why he wasn't killed but I'm glad since this was 5 years before I was born. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 06:07 PM.

08-24-2003, 01:28 AM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Heres Pop, tongue out, thumbing his nose at the bug. Thats a cigar not his middle finger. Other things I notice are Dads late '30s Hudson behind him. A drum pulley on the front of the Bug for driving a wide leather PTO (power take off) belt. The road is real dirt/sand (rather than groomed gravel that SUV drivers conquer) even though is was one of the two main roads to CT and used frequently. The Chevy wheels on the front axel were disc (pressed steel) rather than wire wheels. All the wood was cut with an axe. No chain saws. Thank you for your attention. Your diplomas will be mailed to you. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 06:07 PM.

08-24-2003, 05:12 AM	#4
LUVBUGZ Not aging gracefully. Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 530	Neat pics Bruce. Damn, ingenuity is right. Did you say you were Polish?:p I can say that cuz I resemble that remark I bet the horses where relieved to see these gems. Who the hell thought these up? Grandpa? __________________ You can't catch me...don't even try...go do something else...see ya next year. Mama Loves You Baby Girl ~ May You Rest In Peace

08-24-2003, 09:45 AM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Naw, Pops folks came from Scotland around 1912. Mom's from England around 1628. Of course over the years there was probably a mongrel or two. Around 1850 there's a Willie Freeman Dickinson thats pops up. LOL Doodle Bugs were developed all over the country simultaneously. Henry Ford made cheap parts available to the masses but they all freaked the horses to no end as mufflers weren't a priority. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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