Foose Designed 4020

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Shawn Horner posted this today on Facebook and I couldn't help but want to show it here. This is a 4020 designed and built by Chip Foose back in 2010.

[Matt]

That's pretty interesting. I did a something search and there are a ton of articles and videos about it on machinefinder.com. Here is one of them:
http://blog.machinefinder.com/802/john-deere-chip-foose

[Matt]

[ljm]

I have always thought that was the ugliest 4020 I have seen.

Often wondered just what JD was thinking

[JRC ETD]

Henry Drefus design did all of Deere's industrial designs from 1950's forward, based in NYC. It was imparative to Mr. Hewitt the CEO that the image of the company was translated through it products. The 4020 was key as it took Deere into the 6 cylinder era, arguably the most beautiful tractor produced, (over 200,000). Its sister the 4430 took the design a step further and is the foundation for tractor design through thr 1990's. I had a great team at CaseIH and we did the New Magnum and Quadtrack in 1999 following a similialar strategy. Chip is a talented person, if he would have done sone history maybe he would have customized to Deere's legacy, like HD, I don't like it when customizers don't get the logos right for the period. Like this one on the sunshade.

[Matt]

Jon, I was assuming that Deere marketing paid for this project, and requested the new logo.

[ljm]

Matt
As I understand it. and I do (or did at the time) know a fair bit about it. John deere took a real nice 4020 to Mr. Foose and told him to do what he wanted. Deere had no input.

They did it as a promotion one year. There was lots of hype till it was built. After it was built Deere stayed pretty quite about it.

[JDT]

If Duesenburg had built a tractor it may well have looked like this one.

Customs are not ment to look good in everyone's eyes.

If I had to express an opnion I would say it is nice but I would have prefered a different theme.

[JoeRainville]

Interesting concept. I really want to like it, but it comes down to one little point. If someone had done this to my 4030 I would be pissed. I agree with JRC's take, a little more research would have gone a long way to properly apply Mr. Foose's tallent.

-Joe

[ammon]

Would I take it if given to me? Yes. But honestly the western farmer in me doesn't really care for the design. I agree that more research should have gone into Deere's history and then turn the "Foose loose" on a creation or design.

I recommend that you all visit

my6030.com

and see some perfect restoration of the classic 6030 there. There is even one with monster truck tires on the front of it and it looks beautiful and bad. Deere & Co. kept the last 6030 off the assembly line and it rests next in their Heritage museum next to their last built 4020, 4440, 4455, and other classics. Back in 1960 when the New Generation of power came off the assembly line, their designs have been a beautiful work . Two days ago I was showing my wife a 1976 John Deere 8430 and it was in near mint condition. It still is after nearly 40 years a beautiful designed tractor. I drove that series tractor a lot back in the 70's and 80's. I want one for my own collection. This picture is not the 8430 that I saw, but still a wonderful designed tractor

1976 John Deere 8430