GM FYI Blog

By Carolyn Markey
Janesville Assembly

GM’s Janesville, Wisc., Assembly plant has produced more than half a million trucks capable of running on corn-based E-85 ethanol. But back in 1919, farmers counted on the Janesville plant for another reason: Samson Model M tractors.

The Model M cost $445 and used a four-cylinder Northway engine with a disc-type clutch. Moving parts were enclosed and self-oiling, making them low maintenance. The Model M was advertised to be so simple that the toolbox only contained three wrenches.

A smaller Model D tractor, called the Iron Horse, was built to drive with reins, similar to a team of horses. This allowed the farmer to seat himself on the tractor, on the seat of an attached implement, or even walk alongside the machinery. The Iron Horse was advertised as a price deal compared to horses, which needed food, housing, veterinary visits, etc.

The Samson Tractor Company ventured into the automobile industry in 1920. Remaining true to their beginnings, the early Samson trucks were adaptable to farm use and had a variety of attachments such as wheel extensions for driving over fields and rough terrain.

A Samson truck is currently on display in the Janesville Assembly plant’s Heritage Hall, and is on long-term loan from the Rock County Historical Society.

The plant currently builds the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Yukon Denali XL and Isuzu/GM Low Cab Forward medium-duty truck.