STEVE - I thought the 1963 price was reasonable considering the whole tractor new cost $450 to $500 depending on the deal your dealer gives you.
Dad was never real big about keeping lights working on tractors. The '51 M didn't have a single light working when it came to Wisconsin. The fuse cap on the switch box was MIA, no wire harness from the light switch to the frt headlights, and no rear light at all. Local CIH dealer had the frt light harness and fuse cap. Ordered a new white/red rear light from OEM in Chenoa. I seem to remember it was $60-$65 for just that one light! plus shipping. I know later they had a 3-light package, two head and one tail light for $100.
Not sure what happened to the PTO lever or rod. At one time that M had a Tractor Supply lever mounted under the seat with the lever right next to your left foot when in the seat. Easier to engage the PTO with the picker on. I made a longer rod, extends up almost to the back edge of the seat, engaging the PTO requires reaching about the same distance as getting your wallet out of your back pocket. I wonder why Farmall didn't make them like that?
I had a computer function when I worked at Farmall that showed every IH location that used any part number in IH's system, truck, construction, ag, everything. Showed all the plants, actual monthly usage for the past year, plus the quantity all plants had on hand, and the standard cost of that part. We normally borrowed parts from the Broadview, Ill parts depot to keep the line running if we had a supply problem, but that system also let us check other IH plants.