Ryan Roossinck takes us on a journey through the history and fate of the Leader Model D tractor. From its humble beginnings in a repair shop in Ohio to its eventual downfall, this little tractor has a story to tell.

Uncover the Hidden History of the Leader Model D Tractor

A Leader Emerges

Lewis and Walter Brockway, a father-son farming team in Auburn, Ohio, started noodling on an idea for a garden tractor in 1937. They put it into production and sold about 20 Chevrolet-powered tractors a year under the American Garden Tractor Company name. In 1940, they changed the company name to Leader Tractor Company. Most early Leader tractors were Chevy-powered, but they also built a dozen tricycle-front Model A tractors with a Chrysler inline six. One of these tractors is said to have survived, but its location is unknown.The supply of Chevy power fizzled out in 1945 due to the war. Undeterred, the company pivoted to Hercules powerplants for the new Model B tractor. Hercules flathead fours were reliable and available, and many other little tractors of the 1940s used the same engines. In 1946, the Brockways began casting "Made in Auburn, Ohio" into the lower portion of the tractor's nose, but this led to a problem with undelivered mail as Auburn didn't have a post office.

Growing Pains

In 1947, the Leader Model D was released, which was virtually identical to the outgoing Model B with one major difference. The cast iron grille was reworked to state that the tractor was built in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, which had a post office. This simple solution solved the mail delivery problem.

A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

In 1948, the Brockways partnered with Walter Schott, a successful businessman. They started handling the marketing for the Leader Model D, and demand grew. However, they borrowed money from Schott and didn't notice a pay on demand clause in the contract. When Schott called the note due, the Brockways had to forfeit the company. Schott closed down the company within two years and liquidated everything. This story serves as a lesson to always read the fine print.

The Leader Model D You Can Bid on Right Now

Gene Hargis started collecting tractors after serving in the Korean War. This Leader Model D was one of his acquisitions. Trent Schmid, the auctioneer, knows a bit about Gene Hargis. After returning home, he farmed his family's land and collected a lot of tractors and equipment related to agriculture. He was active in several tractor clubs and served as director of the Oblong Antique Tractor & Engine Club.

What Will It Sell For?

Leader tractors are in a unique spot in the collector's market. While not super-rare, they're not very common either. The production records were destroyed when the company was shut down in 1950, so nobody knows how many were built. The Model D is the most successful model and parts are relatively easy to get. Engine parts are common as Hercules made a lot of IXB-series motors, and sheet metal can be tougher to find, but overall, these tractors are not difficult to fix up. You can pick one up for a couple thousand bucks.

Wrapping Up

The Leader Model D may not be a cornerstone in anyone's collection, but it's a great example of a smaller brand that helped build the country. It's a reminder to read the fine print and could be a great first tractor for someone's collection. Here's the link to that tractor again: 1948 Leader Model D.