Of the over 200 classic tractors available there was an 80 per cent sale rate with the highest price paid on the day being £53,000 for a Saunderson Model G, dating back to 1917. This was followed by £43,460 for a rare model of a Weeks-Dungey Patent ‘Simplex’ early tractor which dates back to 1915. Similarly, a 1941 Roadless Standard N crawler tractor was sold for £24,910, well above its estimate of £15,000 - £16,000. Another fantastic price on the day saw a 1976 Ford 7000 topping out at £27,336.
In addition, there were 36 classic motorbikes on offer, which achieved a healthy 75 per cent sale rate. A 1960 BSA Rocket Gold Star tribute motorbike sold for £7,672, followed by a 1972 750cc Norton Commando achieving £6,576. Similarly, a 1923 Levis Popular was keenly contested, eventually selling for £4,713. Motorbikes in need of restoration were also in demand with a 1935 Norton 16H selling for double the pre-sale estimate at £4,384 and a Weslake powered speedway bike in need of full renovation achieving £1,589.
Jeremy Curzon, Director, Cheffins said: “Most unusually, all of the motorbikes on offer were sold to UK-based buyers, and the prices achieved go to show that the market for vintage machines is alive and well. As a new format style sale, it was good to see the online bidding facilities being used so fully. The much smaller live audience consisted of fully committed buyers who had, in some cases, travelled long distances to bid on the choice lots on offer on the day and also to view the 1,000 or so lots in the concurrent timed on line auctions.”
The automobilia section was dominated by a series of lots from the personal collection of world-renowned collector, Stewart Imber of Goodwood Revival and set and prop hire company, Themed Garages. The two star lots of the section were a 1920s Bishop’s Motor and Cycle Depot Shell illuminated hanging sign which achieved £3,520 and a 1930s Saundersons Esso illuminated sign which made £1,650. Also available in the October sale were a series of enamel signs, petrol pumps, forecourt maps, promotional flags, posters and various other paraphernalia, which were sold via a timed online auction over a four-day period.
Bill King, Chairman at Cheffins says: “The October Vintage sale was a cracking day with some staggering prices achieved for the tractors on offer. Similarly, the motorbikes, classic commercials and automobilia lots saw strong prices paid both via live and timed online formats. The market for all things vintage continues to grow and we were gladdened to see such healthy prices paid across every section of the sale. We would like to thank everyone who attended for adhering to the social distancing rules put in place and look forward to welcoming faces old and new at our sales next year.”
Prices reported are inclusive of Buyers’ Premium and VAT.
The Cheffins July Vintage Sale grossed £850,000.
The next Cheffins Vintage Sale will take place on 24th April 2021