Today at the 2010 Commodity Classic trade show held in Anaheim, Calif., legendary automotive designer Chip Foose unveiled his latest creation: a customized 1970 John Deere 4020 Tractor. The uniquely designed machine, which the Foose team has been working on since last November, will tour much of the country as part of the Drive Green Tractor Experience Tour immediately following the trade show.

The John Deere 4020 was one of the first six-cylinder tractors available to farmers in the 1960s and helped revolutionize farming in the 1960s and ‘70s, allowing operators to cover more acres and be more productive. There were more than 170,000 of these classic John Deere tractors – called the New Generation of Power – manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa, between 1963 and 1972.

Chip Foose’s latest creation – a customized John Deere 4020 Tractor – which was unveiled at the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Steve Geick, tactical marketing manager for John Deere, says the John Deere 4020 is one of the most widely used and recognized tractor models ever produced, which made it the perfect tractor for this project. “We wanted a well-known and creative auto designer to work on a John Deere classic and then share this customized tractor with people across the country,” Geick explains. “We couldn’t be more proud to have Chip and his team take our most popular tractor and create something unique and exciting with it.”

Chip Foose adds, “I’ve looked at tractors for years and always thought they’re narrow, they look almost like a dry lakes car or even some of the old Indy cars, so that’s the direction I took; I wanted some of that racing feel to the tractor. And with the turf tires in the back and the three-ribbed tires in the front, it carries that theme all the way through from the tires to the sheet metal work to the paint job ... but it’s still a John Deere.”

The John Deere 4020 that Foose customized came from a farm in Ohio, where it was still being used. The tractor’s engine, transmission, clutch, fuel system and other major components underwent some mechanical updating, in addition to the complete cosmetic redesign that is seen on the custom tractor today.

From March through June, the Chip Foose customized John Deere 4020 will be exhibited at more than 60 Drive Green Tractor Experience events held by John Deere dealers across much of the country. The tractor will be given away to one winner as part of the John Deere Big Buck Promotion, which ends June 30, 2010. Rules for the promotion as well as a complete schedule of Drive Green events can be found at www.JohnDeere.com.

John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.

Chip Foose is an internationally recognized automotive designer and fabricator best known for his work on custom hot rods. He starred in five seasons of Overhaulin’ on TLC. Foose’s unique style has earned him numerous industry awards, including the Ridler Award and Best of Show at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), as well as recognition in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Foose owns and operates a custom shop in Huntington Beach, California.

John Deere 4020 Statistics:

Manufactured at Waterloo Works in Waterloo, Iowa. The last 4020 ever built is still owned by Deere and Co. and can be seen on the Waterloo Factory Tour.

More than 170,000 tractors were built before the 4020 was replaced by the 4030 in 1972.

It has a 6-cylindar, 404-cubic-inch engine.

The 4020 has two available transmissions- SynchroRange and Powershift. The Powershift transmission allowed operators no-clutch shifting, even under load.

Originally offered with diesel, gasoline or LP-gas (propane) engines. The LP-gas offering was discontinued in the late 1960s as demand for it waned.

The 4020 diesel was rated at 91.17 PTO hp at its first Nebraska Test. Performed by the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Test provides independent confirmation that a tractor lives up to the manufacturer’s claims.

With the adjustable front end and extended rear axles, farmers were able to easily adjust wheel spacing to meet the spacing needed for different jobs.

The John Deere 4020 was the first tractor to offer ROPS, or Roll-Over Protective Structure. Now standard equipment that has saved countless lives, the ROPS protect an operator during a roll-over accident. John Deere released the patents, so other manufacturers were also able to improve machine safety.