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How to date a Panzer (without upsetting your wife!)
I have recently updated this sheet based on information gathered through
the last year. We're still working on a complete history, so this is a guide
to help you out. If you have conflicting information that you can back up with
proof - ie sales receipt, serial number, original manuals, etc. - PLEASE let
me know. This document should be used in conjunction with the databases
available at the Panzer Tractor Owner's Club site (http://www.oocities.org/panzerclub).
Since those documents are updated frequently, I'll just link to them when
appropriate.
Serial numbers and model designation for these tractors were included on
labels adhered to the sheet metal, cast into the jack shaft housing (early
T100 series) or engraved into the frame rail. This proves to have been a bad
decision, since most of these tractors outlived their original coats of paint
meaning the information is either destroyed or covered up. There are some tips
below to get you within a year or two. Since some models were produced during
transitions of ownership, some tractors have newer parts on them with older
model designation and vice versa. We've found through experience that even
tractors with sequential serial numbers were sold at different times, even by
the same dealer.
All this confusion only adds to the reasons these tractors collect people
like you and I.
There were two main types of Panzers, with different related products
coming along in the mid 1960's. Here's a run down on the sequence of events as
best as I can gather. This isn't in the best format, and is not
complete. I'm learning new info daily as I go through some old service
bulletins. Please bear with me...
Year and model information is summarized below based on available
information. Panzers and related tractors were produced between 1954 and 1972,
inclusive. They all shared the Mopar rear ends.
 | 1954-1960 Copar Panzer - Copar Inc. College Park, Md. (Later plant in
Laurel, Md.)
'Small' models: T50, T55, T60, T65,
'Large' models: T102, T110, T205, T210, T115, T120, T215, T220
| 1954 - T102 produced in College Park, Md. Please reference 'The
Unusual Tractor' reprinted from an April 1956 issue of Garden Supply
Merchandiser and available on Ron Barbee's site at http://www.oocities.org/MotorCity/4722/panzer.html.
| January 17, 1955 - 1959 Production began in Laurel, Md.
| January, 1960 - Virginia Metalcrafters purchases Copar, Inc. but keeps
Copar name on large tractors and T65.
| 1961-1963 Panzer Products
'Small' models: T70, T70ES, T70BT70B-ES, T707ES
| 1964-1969 Pennsylvania Panzer
'Small' models: T70 (some transition models) T75, T758, T758ES
These models had different sheet metal: 1107, 1110
| 1966-1971 Pennsylvania Meteor
models: 1008, 1010, 1010a, 1012, 1012a (last two #s were engine
horsepower)
| 1970-1972 Pennsylvania |
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If your 'Small' Panzer has a vibration plate under the engine, take it off
and look at the rubber isolation mounts. They are made by Lord, Corp in Erie,
Pa., part number 150PDN-30. There is a cast-in date code such as 6 59, meaning
June, 1959. This is a good indication of the year that the tractor was
produced. Also, if the plate is aluminum, it's probably a Copar Panzer and was
made between 1955 and 1959.
Lots of information is available and being gathered by the Panzer Tractor
Owners Club. Some members of the club worked for the company and/or sold
Panzer tractors. The history of the company is in the first club newsletter.
Visit the PTOC web site at http://www.oocities.org/panzerclub.
Panzers were built like the tanks they were named after in College Park
Md., Laurel Md., Waynesboro, Va. and Martinsburg, WV.
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