1951 - 59 Just a kid that liked to make things, and fix things
1959 - 69 Family Farming, crops and cattle, 80 Acres
1966 - 67 Half Track Design/Build/Test (Deckerville Mich.)
1968 - 69 Doodle Bug Design/Build/Test (Deckerville Mich.)
1969 - 73 B.S. Agricultural Engineering (Mich. State University)
phone 309 578-2189 email durand_james_c@cat.com
Half Track Prototype X1
(a poor man's snowmobile 1966)
Base Unit: 1954 Chevy Engine : 6 cyl. Top Speed: 40 mph Features : - Vacuum driven wipers - Vacuum driven washers - Radio - Heater
The half track picture below I showed the CAT recruiter in March 1973 at MSU
I was showing it as an example of some pictures I recently learned to develop myself as a new hobby.
It happened to be on the roll of film. My Dad must have taken it.
It got me the job at CAT
I had no idea of it's real value.
The Half Track pictures above were taken 3 years later during my first year at CAT.
Decided to document it a little better before it got scrapped out.
Tex & Eleanor Durand Family Farm, Range Line Road, Deckerville, Mich.
1959 Pontiac Doodle Bug 389 V8, auto, power steering, power brakes, 110+ mph
Had to stop at 110 mph, tires out of balance, got a little scarey
It is me driving, brothers Tom (right) and Bob (in the middle) riding along.
I remember we would put tire chains on the rear wheels and pull the toboggen in the winter time in the hay field. But falling off the sled at 40 mph started to hurt too much, so we stopped doing that.
Here's a 60 year old pole vaulting. It was on his bucket list. Something he always wanted to do. So now, finally, has a son to teach him the basics so he can live out his dream. Will call this Bucket List Item #1, Aug 2011
bucket list item 1 videoHere's bucket list item #2, July 4, 2012. Barefoot water skiing after 60. Maybe bucket list item 20 will be at 70 years old.
bucket list item 2 videoindex.html
07/08/2012
jcDurand
