For the Riders...

[Chopper]

c'mon Joe... gas burnin' Cats are at the baseline of almost all twentieth century infrastructure. Gassers built the Lincoln highway, Pa. turnpike, and most of those original big roads. How many military bases...? I still have a big ol' Brockway gas burner, sitting at the farm beside an ancient B model Mack triplex. The B is derelict, but Brock would probably start (with some effort). It's my grandad's last truck. A long, long time ago. Save that gasser! Wayne

[Chopper]

Boy...that scooter would look good, in a nice "Black Magick" (heavy multiple pearl; "04-05 VW R32)

[Joe_Black]

I like the look of a B model, but they sure are small in the cab. I prefer my '70 Transtar and its 8V71 "driptroit". Nothing like stepping on the go-pedal of a supercharged two-stroke V8 diesel with over a thousand pounds of torque and the power response of a sports car!

As for the gas Cats, they actually didn't build a whole lot as they were all predominantly ag use. The early diesels that appeared in the 30's began Caterpillar's shift from ag machinery to construction design. Most of the early attachments such as blades were never made at all by Cat until the late 40's, and were from such innovative outfits such as LeTourneau, Laplant-Choate, Balderson and many others.

If you ever want to get "yellow fever" come check out my two vintage Cat sites: www.antiquecaterpillar.org and www.acmoc.org

Both center around the forums, like here, and we have a strong international community of Caterpillar collectors and enthusiasts.

[Jonnie]

Nice ride, Joe!

Still need to put my '43 James back together.

Jonnie