Happy New Year to everyone.  I hope you all had a happy holiday.  This month I will finish up the Sound-Gard tractors with the 55 series.

These are the same castings as the 50 series toys that I talked about last month.  The differences are the new decals and a few new variations.  The 55 series includes the regular tractor, the FWA, Duals, and a loader model. 

The original regular tractor is the only model that came with rims with three slots.  The slots were later removed and three lugs nuts were added to the rims.  The latest change, found only on show models kept the three lugs, but added 3 new indented marks.  The later regular tractor, the FWA, duals, and the loader model will all be found three lugs and no slots.

The 55 series tractor was a very popular model used to promote the Austin Minnesota Farmfest.  A tractor was used each year between 1990 – 1993.  Only 500 toys were made each year.  These Farmfest models give the perfect opportunity to show the evolution in the Ertl rim.  1990 was the last year Ertl offered the slotted rims as can be found on the 1990 Farmfest model.  In 1991 Farmfest models show that the slots were removed and 3 lugs were added.  These will also be found on the 1992 Farmfest model.  

The 1993 Farmfest model has three lugs and three large indentations in the rims.  These have an indented mark that doesn't go all the way through the plastic.  The last three variations in this series are also show models.

The first is the Destined To Reach The Top Parts Expo 1990.  This model came with only three lugs.  The next is the Denver Trade Fair 1981 – 1991.  This model also came with only three lugs.  The last model was for a Canadian event.  The Royal Agricultural Pavilion.  This model has the newest style rims with three lugs and 3 indented markings.

            I hope you will find this to be helpful in your hunt.  There may be other variations out there that I am not familiar with.  If you have come across anything that I have not covered or have any questions, please send me an email so we can discuss it.   There are other Farmfest models I am missing.  Please get contact me if you know of any for sale.

1.  Regular tractor.  Slotted rims.

2.  Regular tractor.  Three lugs

3.  FWA.  Three lugs

4.  Duals.  Three lugs

5.  Loader.  Three lugs

6.  Farmfest 1990.  Slots

7.  Farmfest 1991.  Three lugs.

8.  Farmfest 1992.  Three lugs

9.  Farmfest 1993.  Three lugs.  Three indents

10.  To Reach The Top Parts Expo 1990.  Three lugs

11.  Denver Trade Fair 1981 – 1991.  Three lugs