This 1957 Allis-Chalmers D-14 is the first year of the all-new D-Series line and features a 149ci four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 37 horsepower mated to a 4-speed manual transmission with transfer case giving it eight forward gears and two reverse gears. It weighs approximately 4,000lbs and has a 14-gallon fuel capacity with a power draw bar and PTO.
This D-14 was purchased by Dale Davis of Climax, MI in the spring of 1998 in Sturgis, MI while looking for a second Allis-Chalmers tractor to assist in keeping up his property. Instead of being put to work, Dale decided to restore this D-14 and did so with a handful of modifications from stock. A white steering wheel was chosen, over the standard black, that was sourced from a Gleaner combine. The lights were moved to the rear fenders. And the electrical system was converted from 6 volt to 12 volt.
It is finished in Persian Orange #11 with the paint and body being completed at Southern Michigan Auto Body in Climax, MI. It is a base coat / clear coat application that was wet sanded and buffed to a mirror finish. Dale mentions he chose to paint the wheels white with the rears having Argent Silver (a Pontiac color) barrels instead of the factory orange to “give it a classier look and break up the orange” which looks fantastic.
Dale also chose to use stainless steel bolts and hardware which are polished to a mirror finish. It also has stainless steel pluming lines as well as a stainless steel exhaust stack. Dale also incorporated power steering to make it easier to drive in parades and at shows. With the restoration completed in 2000, Dale and his wife Rita kept and maintained this D-14 in show ready condition and it still presents as fresh today 25 years later as the day it was completed.
Dale sadly passed recently in which we acquired the tractor from his family and are stewarding it to a new home. Dale’s affection for Allis-Chalmers tractors began in 1955 when his father purchased a WD-45 that the family still retains along with several other Allis-Chalmers tractors at the time of his passing.
This D-14 was features on the cover of the May / June 2003 issue of Antique Power tractor collector magazine along with a 3-page spread and write-up on its history and restoration process.
This is a show tractor restored to jewelry condition. Do not miss this opportunity to acquire what is very likely the best D-14 on the planet!