The plaque on Cub 501 at RPRU

[Super A]

#501 is at Red Power! It’s been restored, and there’s a plaque on the hood describing how IH presented it to IH engineer L.B. Sperry. I don’t know if it’s the original plaque or not, but the date on the plaque is May 1, 1946. What is the significance of that date? Not trying to be a “hater” just wondering!

(Photos from FB)

Thanks!
Al

[indy61]

I could understand a pre-production Cub with that date but the Louisville Works serial number records show 501 was built in May of 1947.

[SamsFarm]

I have a 501 cub in my barn.... Unrestored though

[Super A]

I could understand a pre-production Cub with that date but the Louisville Works serial number records show 501 was built in May of 1947.

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I agree. I got these photos off social media and seemed like nobody wanted to talk about it.

The spelling of IH—“International Harvestor” is interesting too.

Also I don’t know if the plaque is the original or a recreation.

Al

[indy61]

Maybe Don McCombs can give us some casting dates.

[Slim140]

This is the only thing I've ever seen on the first Cub. Notice how the muffler is closer to the hood.

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM24287

[indy61]

This is a photo from the Automotive Golden Jubilee in Detroit. The parade was on June 1 1946.

[BullDAWG]

In the book "Farmall Cub and Cub Cadet" I remember it saying they built, showed off at auto and farm/state & county fairs the cub for over a year before it officially was released to the public. Also I seem to remember they let actual farmers try out the first 5 cubs along with implements. To see what actual users say, thought of them etc. They were then returned to IH.

[Don McCombs]

The plaque is a somewhat inaccurate reproduction of the original. The current owner states that the original plaque was retained by the most previous owner. All of the visible casting codes are Q.

[radioguy41]

The original plaque would be the provenance. Without it everything becomes open to speculation. They should have been kept together.

[ricky racer]

I have a 501 cub in my barn.... Unrestored though

501 is the serial number of the first production Cub ever made.

[SamsFarm]

I have a 501 cub in my barn.... Unrestored though

501 is the serial number of the first production Cub ever made.

It might not be a first, but it is a 501........

[BullDAWG]

It might not be a first, but it is a 501........

5916BEA1-0642-4A6F-8472-51DD785C57C8.jpeg

Sorry that's NOT 501 that's 501x0 I can't read the x number. But you were only off by 49000 give or take a little.

[SamsFarm]

It might not be a first, but it is a 501........

5916BEA1-0642-4A6F-8472-51DD785C57C8.jpeg

Sorry that's NOT 501 that's 501x0 I can't read the x number. But you were only off by 49000 give or take a little.

Meh! Lol

[Super A]

It might not be a first, but it is a 501........

5916BEA1-0642-4A6F-8472-51DD785C57C8.jpeg

Meh! Lol[/quote]

Let’s not derail a legitimate discussion.

Al