By Jason Hasert

1/64 International Harvester dealership display

In August we looked at general ideas for setting up a tractor dealership on your display.   This month we look at a fully detailed 1/64 dealership lay out.   
 
We have the unique opportunity to see a large dealership display and a display headed to the 2004 National Farm Toy Show.   Kevin Biekert is a Toy Tractor Times reader and Toy Tractor Show.com member who likes International Harvester.  If you are a TTT Toy Talk reader you will see Kevin posting under the handle IH  1206.   This name comes from Kevin's favorite tractor.   He owns a real wheatland style 1206.
 
Kevin is 25 years old and lives in  Emlenton, Pennsylvania, which is located in the western part of the state.  Collecting farm toys has been a long time interest for Kevin.   He started in 1988 when he received his first issue of Toy Farmer Magazine.   After reading about toy collectors Kevin attended his first toy show.  He was hooked.   His family leans to John Deere but Kevin has gone his own way with a focus on IH red toys.   Today he has 600-700 1/64 farm toys in his mostly IH/CaseIH collection.

 Kevin Biekert's Wheatland IH 1206

Kevin had been a collector for 15 years and had attended shows with displays and wanted to build one of his own.  He was looking for something different beyond just a farm with crops.   The idea for an IH dealership struck him after reading Ken Updike's book International Harvester 1955-1985.  On page 58 of the book there was a picture of an IH dealership 1968.  The dealer was brand new had was loaded up with new 56 series tractors, an 03 series combine and implements.  Kevin decided this dealer would be his new 1/64 display.  

With only one picture of the front of the dealership Kevin set out to build his lay out.  He had to guess the entire size and appearance of the building.   Kevin sat down and designed his dream display on paper.   Not only did he draft the outside but he drew out a detailed interior.  A dealership is more than a tractor lot.  There is a sales floor, parts counter, parts shelves and shop.  

1/64 IH Dealership Display

Burlington, Wisconsin International Harvester dealership

In December 2003 Kevin moved from his draft to the building stage.   The building represents 2-3 weeks worth of work with balsa wood.  The biggest challenge was cutting out and painting the checker board front. At first the building was placed on  wood base.  The display was stored in Kevin's basement and the base warped from moisture causing the model building to warp.   After additional 2-3 weeks of rebuilding the rebuilt dealership was based cement bond.

Need IH Oil or Maybe a New Cub?  The Door Is Open at Kevin Beikert's IH Dealer

From one 1968 photo Kevin created a life like dealership.  Taking a tour from above back to front and left to right the reader can see the parts room full of shelves with parts boxes on each shelf, the shop full of equipment,  two salesmen's offices, the show room floor with Golden Demo Tractors and the parts counter with a full compliment of parts from belts on the wall to boxes on the shelves.   There is even a bathroom and hot water heater located in the model building.

Kevin's complete IH Tractor, Truck and Cub Cadet dealership

Detail is an understatement for Kevin's work.  All of the parts shelves are filled with individual boxes that were cut out by hand.  The show room floor has a toy aisle brought to 1/64 scale with 1/16 IH toys from the 70's and a 66 series pedal tractor.   The salesmen's offices have desks, chairs, pictures and a TV.  

1/64 Parts Room 

Show Room Floor Complete with 1/16 IH Toys and 66 Series Pedal Tractor

Example of Real IH Toy Aisle 

Sales Offices Complete with Daily Planners on the Desks and a Picture of Real Dealership on the Wall

The 1/64 display shows the wide range of equipment International sold through its dealer.  IH dealers could offer products beyond tractors.   Semi trucks, pick up trucks and SUV Scouts, construction equipment, and Cub Cadet lawn mowers were all available from International.  Kevin's display is a full line IH dealer offering all the Red Power products.  

Full Line IH Dealership Display

HO Cub Cadets from Walthers

Construction Equipment

IH Tractors

With a full line of products a dealership needs strong service.   Kevin built a shop with all the right tools and even added drains to the floors.  For the tractors and combines beyond repair he created a salvage yard for retired pieces.  Kevin did a nice job customizing several farm toys to look well used and junked.

Five Big Service Bays

Parts, Tools and Floor Drains All Add To The Model Dealership

IH Dealers Use International Fork Lifts in he Shop

Retired Red

Kevin's display is well though out and shows a great level of craftsman ship.  He has shown the IH Dealership at an FFA Show in Ohio.  His next show will be the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa.  It will be a big trip but with all the work Kevin has done to create his model dealer it will be well worth worth it. 

IH Dealership Display	IH 6388 2+2  IH Trucks and Construction IH Tractors and Scouts
Used Equipment Lot
IH Truck & Tractor From Yesteryear

e-mail: toyfarmer2@msn.com