NEAT club member combines love of tractors and trucks

Frank Gollinger shows off his customized 1966 Mercury 350 flatbed truck while attending breakfast with fellow antique-tractor enthusiasts at Quehl's Restaurant in Tavistock. Inspired by his love of John Deere tractors, Gollinger transformed the Canadian-built truck into a one-of-a-kind vehicle finished in the company's familiar green-and-yellow colours. Ron Neeb photo

By Gary West

Members of the North Easthope Antique Tractor (NEAT) Club are known for their appreciation of vintage farm machinery, but for Frank Gollinger, that passion extends beyond tractors.

Gollinger, who lives on the 16th Line east of Tavistock, is a longtime supporter of the NEAT Club and a dedicated John Deere enthusiast. His love for the iconic green-and-yellow brand inspired him to create something a little different – a truck that looks like a John Deere tractor.

In 2012, Gollinger purchased a 1966 Mercury 350 one-ton flatbed truck and set about transforming it into a unique tribute to his favourite brand.

The truck is powered by a 352-cubic-inch Cleveland engine and is equipped with a four-speed transmission, as well as a dump box and hoist. Despite being nearly 60 years old, the vehicle has just 57,000 original miles on the odometer.

Gollinger said he chose a Mercury because it was a Canadian-built vehicle.

After bringing the truck home, he and several friends began the restoration project. The truck received four coats of paint in the familiar John Deere colours, creating a vehicle that turns heads wherever it goes.

The finished product may not be a tractor, but its appearance leaves little doubt about the inspiration behind it.

Today, the customized truck is a popular conversation piece at antique-tractor events and local gatherings, where it reflects both Gollinger's appreciation for vintage machinery and the creativity often found among members of the antique-tractor community.