A new tradition was born in Stanley recently. The first ever Vintage Tractor Drive took place this Saturday, June 1 at Wundrow Auto Repair. The idea started last fall after a talk between Todd Wundrow and Dean Mahr. Popular in places like Iowa after planting was in, the tractor drive was a chance to get out with the old tractor, often kept inside for age.

“I was talking with Dean Mahr last fall and we came up with the idea,” Wundrow said of the Vintage Tractor Drive.

Spreading by word of mouth, participants in the informal drive met Saturday morning at Wundrow Auto Repair on East Maple Street. The Vintage Tractor Drive left from Wundrow Auto Repair at 10:00 a.m. with a gray Chevy Silverado driven by Pete Koepl serving as lead vehicle and a Ford Mustang Grande bringing up the rear. The Drive saw the tractors pass down Franklin Street, turn on First Avenue, go up Emery Street, return to Franklin, turn south toward Pine Street, loop by Country Terrace and Martino’s, then head west on Pine Street before following Highway X out of town, spending time in the country before stopping at Conley’s Hill House for lunch and returning to Stanley.

Participants and tractors in the Vintage Tractor Drive including the following: Todd and Koebin Wundrow (John Deere A), Joseph Knez (John Deere B), Mike Knez (John Deere R), Paul Rozwadowski (Farmall Super M), Lenny Koepl (Farmall H), Louis Chura Jr.  (Farmall 1206), Kevin Rozwadowski (1971 Ford Mustang Grande), Bryce Kasper (Farmall 966), Dennis Mohr (Farmall Demonstrator 826), Dean Mahr (John Deere A), Matt Gruba (New Holland Workmaster 50), Shawn Kuehni (John Deere G), Corey Witt (656 International Harvester), and Austin Rosseter (766 International Harvester).

Vintage Tractor Drives are planned for mid-summer and fall.