No Booze
JUST BOOST

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The Prohibition Ford

This is not your Pawpaw’s 8N tractor…..

When Prohibition rolls onto the track, folks know they’re about to see something different. With the unmistakable look of a late 1940’s Ford 8N and the sound of raw diesel power, this tractor turns heads before it even hooks to the sled. It’s bold, it’s unique, and it was built from scratch to stand out in a class where most machines all start to look the same.

The man behind it is Shawn Knopp of Bloomfield, Kentucky. Tractor pulling has been a lifelong passion of his, starting with an IH Farmall H in the antique classes, moving up to a 1066 Farm Stock/Profield, and then into a Ford 8000 that dominated the Kentucky Hot Farm scene. When that class began to fade, Shawn set his sights on the Light Limited Super Stock class.

He wanted something original, something rooted in the Ford family, and something that would instantly spark recognition with fans in the stands. The 8N was the perfect fit—nearly every farm family had one at some point, and everyone knows that iconic silhouette. What began as a joke—“let’s build one and make it diesel”—quickly became a challenge, and then, a mission.

  • 1066 International - Pro Field Class

  • New Build - FORD

  • Limited Edition Ford 8000

  • 10,000 Hot Farm - Limited Edition Ford

  • Early 10,000 Hotfarm Class

  • Dual Power Pulling Team

  • Late Hot Farm Class

  • New Lengthened Chassis for Limited Edition

  • Limited Edition Ford

  • Limit This - Ford 8000 (Shelby's Hotfarm Tractor)

And this tractor truly is Shawn’s creation. From the metal work and body shaping, to the frame design, chassis layout, blueprinting, painting, motor design, and tuning—he did it all himself. No shortcuts, no kits, no outside builders. Just countless nights in the shop, determination, and a vision for something that had never been done before.

The name Prohibition tells the rest of the story. While most of the Light Limited Super Stock class runs alcohol, this tractor proudly runs on diesel—no ‘booze’ here. It’s a throwback to history, a nod to being different, and a declaration that the underdog still has something to prove in a field dominated by smokeless power.

  • First Idea Sketch of Prohibtion

  • Building the chassis

  • Designing the Rollcage

  • Second Hood Design

  • Floor Board Design

  • Metal Work

  • New Rims

  • Fenders, Seat, Wheels and Tires.

  • Rear End View

  • Rolling Chassis

  • Designing an oil pan

  • Paint on the block - 'Red Belly'

  • Testing the paint on the fenders

  • Carnage from our first Dyno run

But Prohibition isn’t just about one man—it’s a family affair. Shawn met his wife, Shelby, through tractor pulling, and today she’s his biggest supporter, standing behind him at every pull. Their kids are growing up in the sport too, learning the ropes, cheering in the stands, and loving every bit of it. Together, they’ve made Prohibition more than just a machine—it’s a family tractor, built with heart, grit, and pride.

Under Kentucky LLSS rules, Prohibition runs a 3.4 x 4 smooth bore turbo, 470 cubic inches, weighs in at 6,250 pounds, and digs into the dirt with 30.5-inch Performance Pro Puller tires. Specs may tell you what it is, but the story of how it came to life tells you why it matters.

At the end of the day, Prohibition is more than horsepower. It’s a dream turned reality, a family’s pride and joy, and proof that a hand-built diesel underdog can hold its own in the spotlight.