After languishing for twenty years in a dusty, forgotten corner of a storage shed, a vintage tractor has roared back to life thanks to the unwavering passion of a teenage mechanic. The 1958 David Brown, once a workhorse ploughing the fields of the Scottish Borders, is now ready to shine at a major classic vehicle show.
A Lifelong Ambition Realised
For 14-year-old Alex Black, the dilapidated tractor was a constant source of fascination. While the rest of his family largely ignored the broken-down machine, the budding mechanic from the Borders dreamed of returning it to its former glory. After years of persistent pleading, his father Gary, 46, and grandfather Alec, 79, finally relented last year, allowing Alex to embark on the ambitious restoration project.
The challenging work saw the trio, often led by Alex, completely disassemble the vehicle. Gary Black admitted there were moments he feared they might never get it pieced back together again. The project also enlisted the help of Gary's brother James, 38, who runs a bodyshop and assisted Alex in repainting the entire tractor.
Months of Graft and a Triumphant Roar
Months of painstaking work followed, involving stripping brakes, degreasing, cleaning, and sanding down parts. The triumphant moment came when Alex and his 10-year-old brother Cameron, fired up the engine. "We tried to fire her up, starting to fire on one or two cylinders it was giving us some encouragement, eventually firing up on all four and filling the shed with reek," Alex recalled of the smoky, successful ignition.
"I could finally drive the tractor I’d wanted to see running my whole life," said an elated Alex after taking the restored vehicle for its first test drives. His father Gary expressed immense pride in his son's dedication, contrasting it with a childhood often spent on screens. "I enjoy seeing him have the kind of childhood I did. With something like this he’s learning all sorts of hands-on skills," he said.
From Farm Workhorse to Show Star
The tractor's history adds to its charm. It was first bought by farmers in the Borders village of New Smailholm in 1959, before being sold to a farm in Gordon in 1968. Alex's grandfather purchased it in 1999 and used it for local shows, but it broke down in 2005 and was consigned to the shed.
Now, fitted with new parts and wearing a fresh coat of paint, it looks as it did when it left the factory over six decades ago. The family is eagerly preparing to showcase their labour of love at the Truckfest Classic Trucks & Tractors show on the 28th of February and 1st of March 2026, at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. The event will feature hundreds of restored classics, trade stalls, and family entertainment.
"A lot of the time the boys are the driving influence in going to shows," said Mr Black. "I take a great deal of pride seeing their interest in this stuff." For Alex Black, a twenty-year dream stored in a shed has finally been realised, ready to roll out before the crowds.
