A 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee NAA is the favorite tractor for one Algoma, Wis., farm family. It was purchased new off the showroom floor by Le Roy Feld from his local dealer, Robson Motor Sales, for $1,560.

This machine was one of 128,965 units built in Highland Park, Mich., until 1959. It was released as part of the 50th anniversary of Ford and features a special nose (hood) badge noting that occasion.

“This was the primary tractor Dad used on his 110-acre farm, where he had beef, milk cows and crops, including sweet peas, sweet corn, green beans, wheat and corn,” says Le Roy’s son Joe Feld. “He used it for plowing, cultivating, harvesting, pulling wagons, operating a pull-type Case combine, moving snow, and raking and baling hay.”

The tractor has a wide front end, hydraulics, PTO, four forward and one reverse gears, two headlights, two lights inside the fenders, and a toolbox below the clutch pedal. There are also differential mechanical drum brakes; a dry disk clutch; an open operator station cab; three 110-pound weights inside each wheel; a 6-volt push-button starter; 800 pounds on the rear lift; gauges for amp, temperature, oil pressure, rpm and speed; 31.14 hp on the belt; a road speed of 15 to 18 mph; and a Ford 2.2-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. The serial number is NAA 102484.

Between 1960 and 1985, the Felds’ Jubilee primarily operated a 1948 Milwaukee Equipment tiller to turn over 70 area gardens each year. There are 19,900 hours on the engine, which was rebuilt once.

“I replaced the tires and rims in 2017, but it still has the original seat,” Joe says. “Today, the Jubilee pulls a spring-tooth harrow drag and a 6-foot-wide back weight to level gravel and dirt around the yard, and I often take that machine to antique tractor show.

“While growing up, my favorite chores were doing tillage and plowing, while picking up rocks was never fun. Many years of heritage have stacked up on that Ford Jubilee, and it will always remain in the family.”

Persinger lives in Milwaukee, Wis. To have your favorite tractor featured, email or send a photo of yourself with the tractor, along with a 300- to 400-word write-up about the tractor, to: [email protected] or Wisconsin Agriculturist, P.O. Box 236, Brandon, WI 53919.