Custer Implement, Tama Iowa

[nepoweshiekfarmalls]

10 hours ago, INTERNATIONAL 1466 said:

I remember all the dealers had those match books with their name on them. Somewhere I have the Hauser Implement, Hubbard Imp, Turner Farm Store and Sage International ones. Those were all the dealers Dad used when I was a kid. Remember going to Turners sale, Sage lost out to the Case store, Hubbard was eventually bought out while Hauser's stayed the longest. Did most all our business there, they were a great dealer. Have seen more of those tool boxes over the years with other dealers names on them. I never saw a new one at the dealers though. Must have been before my time. That one sure is nice yet!

My 856 was sold new out of Turner Farm Store.  Traded in down at Grinnell Implement when I worked there.  I bought it before it hit the used lot.

Thanks everyone for the neat stories regarding Custer's.   A part of my childhood.   I remember riding in a new 2+2 with my Uncle Norman in the July 4th parade.   I have the blue and the red full line posters for the 66 series tractors that hung in Custer's Showroom.  Dad found them when he cleaned out my childhood home 5 or 6 years ago. I can still close my eyes and remember that showroom as a child.

 

[Moodnacreek]

There was a lot of respect for the IH dealer when I was a boy. Looking back I can see the owner bouncing back and forth between the shop and parts. He knew who you where and what model tractor you had and who your old man was and maybe your grandfather or uncle. And to think I took it all for granted.

[INTERNATIONAL 1466]

Yeah, those guys cared when you came in the door too. I can remember the salesman from all four dealers coming out to the farm to see how we were getting along with our purchases and if they could do anything for us. Man I miss those days. Now we are only a number it seems.

[Dads966International]

Does anyone on here recall  a Iowa International Dealers statewide contest for an International 966 tractor?? Would have been in the spring of 1972. 

[FarmallTom]

Aaron,

I don't think I have any Custer Imp items but, when I was probably 8-9, Dad traded in his Super M for a "BIG" 706 Diesel there.

(I obviously wish I knew what ever happened to the SM but that's a different story)

 

 

-FT

 

[234-IA]

great pics, FarmallTom.  back in the  days when the salesman wore a necktie to the farm.  A bit before my time

[Gastrap]

I'll revive this old thread to add a picture. I recently acquired this side panel from their flatbed. I was told a pair of these were used mostly for parades. I think the refrigeration reference dates it to '49-'55, I have a '51 refrigerator sitting next to this that was purchased there new. I'd love to find a picture of this mounted on the truck.

 

 

[nepoweshiekfarmalls]

1 hour ago, Gastrap said:

I'll revive this old thread to add a picture. I recently acquired this side panel from their flatbed. I was told a pair of these were used mostly for parades. I think the refrigeration reference dates it to '49-'55, I have a '51 refrigerator sitting next to this that was purchased there new. I'd love to find a picture of this mounted on the truck.

 

 

Very cool!  Thank you so much for sharing.  So little Custer memorabilia seems to exist.

[nepoweshiekfarmalls]

On 12/20/2019 at 6:56 PM, Cliff Neubauer said:

Kenneth Kuster is still the service manager at the JJ Nitching dealership in Mt Pleasant, I like hearing his stories about growing up in the dealership.

Is Kenneth still there?  With JJ Nichting's purchase of Grinnell Implement,  this has almost gone full circle for me.

[Dan Robinson]

On 2/18/2022 at 1:00 PM, nepoweshiekfarmalls said:

Is Kenneth still there?  With JJ Nichting's purchase of Grinnell Implement,  this has almost gone full circle for me.

Hadnt heard of the Grinnell acquisition. Conglomerate just keeps getting bigger. They just build a brand new Taj Mahal here.

[tractorholic]

On 2/18/2022 at 1:00 PM, nepoweshiekfarmalls said:

Is Kenneth still there?  With JJ Nichting's purchase of Grinnell Implement,  this has almost gone full circle for me.

I hadnt heard this. How long ago did Nichtngs take over Grinnell Implement?

[nepoweshiekfarmalls]

15 hours ago, tractorholic said:

I hadnt heard this. How long ago did Nichtngs take over Grinnell Implement?

Official first day is March 1.  But, I saw evidence of possible new construction already on Saturday. 

[IH Forever]

I was looking at my Dad’s collection last weekend and thought I’d share a few pieces he has from Custer Implement in Tama. Notice the battery carrier and match book.

[iowaboy1965]

[Gastrap]

On 2/23/2022 at 6:33 PM, IH Forever said:

I was looking at my Dad’s collection last weekend and thought I’d share a few pieces he has from Custer Implement in Tama. Notice the battery carrier and match book.

Cool. Those old advertising levels were neat, I have an identical one from Bingham feeds in Knoxville, IA.

[IH1256]

On 6/25/2021 at 9:33 AM, Dads966International said:

Does anyone on here recall  a Iowa International Dealers statewide contest for an International 966 tractor?? Would have been in the spring of 1972. 

Just stumbled on this thread. Yes, there was a contest which i believe was related to the State High School Basketball Tournament. It was won by a farmer between Tama and Clutier and was delivered from Custer's.  It was a Great place with Great people!