Cheffins’ Cambridge Vintage Sale at Sutton, near Ely on the 21st and 22nd April 2023 saw a number of the world’s most unusual classic and vintage tractors, alongside vintage motorbikes, classic commercial vehicles, petroliana and collector’s items go under the hammer, grossing over £2 million in total. Based in East Anglia but operating nationwide, Cheffins is Europe’s leading auctioneer of vintage machinery, and this sale was a major event for collectors and enthusiasts from across the continent.
2001 John Deere 7810
Of the over 300 vintage and classic tractors offered, the headline lot of the day was a 2001 John Deere 7810 which sold for £45,500, to a collector in the UK. This was followed by a 1980s Ford 7810 ‘Silver Jubilee’ which achieved £32,500. Among the earlier tractors, a 1964 Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4 fetched £31,000, while a 1918 Avery 8-16 made £29,000. Tractors from the 1970s were also in high demand, with a 1975 Ford 7000 achieving £29,500 and a 1971 John Deere 3120 made £16,000.
Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4
Among the vehicles, a 2005 Argo Avenger 8x8 UTV, which was bought new by journalist and TV personality, Jeremy Clarkson, far exceeded its presale estimate of £2,000, selling for £5,500, while a 1963 Thames Trader and Scammell trailer achieved £24,000. One of the most sought after lots at the sale was a Brayshaw living wagon, which had been fully restored and sold for £17,500.
Of the almost 70 motorcycles on offer, a 1977 1000cc Harley Davidson XLCR achieved £11,070 and a 1951 499cc Norton 500T Trials motorbike made £10,422. These were followed by a number of collectable items in the automobilia section, with the leading lot being a Kismet Autocol air and water tower pump which dated from the 1960s. Standing at 181cm tall, the pump achieved £4,256. In addition, a Shell bulk box type forecourt cabinet for motor cycle oil including a stick man jug made £1,064 and a Chemico ‘Stop It’ anti-freeze pyramid can made £728.
Another highlight from the sale was an 8 ft long 1/6 scale Scammell Pioneer tank transporter and Armotek Sherman Firefly tank model. The remote-control model was created over a 10-year period and achieved £20,000.
Scammell Pioneer tank transporter and Armotek Sherman Firefly tank model
Oliver Godfrey, Head of the Machinery Division, Cheffins, says: “The April Vintage auction really kicks off the start of the season for many collectors and vintage enthusiasts. The sale saw over 142,000 views online ahead of the auction, and we had hundreds of buyers in attendance from across the continent, all looking to pick up that next special piece for their collection. Over 75 per cent of the classic and vintage tractors offered sold on the day all for premium prices, illustrating the health and continued enthusiasm for this niche collecting market. With examples dating from the pre-1920s right through to the early 2000s and those which had been beautifully restored or those left to mature naturally, there was plenty of choice for both our regular buyers and a number of the new faces we welcomed to the sale ground. Classic motorbikes also saw some seriously competitive bidding as this section of the sale continues to strengthen. Undoubtedly the petroliana market is one to watch, with significant price rises being seen across all areas and some of the rarer examples of petrol pumps, enamel signs and other forecourt memorabilia achieving well into the thousands. We were pleased to welcome back familiar faces to this iconic sale ahead of the vintage rally and show season and will look forward to seeing the regular collectors and enthusiasts join us for the next vintage auction in July.”
The sale took place on the 21st and 22nd April, at Cheffins Machinery Sale Ground, Sutton, Ely, CB6 2QT. The next Vintage sale will be on the 21st and 22nd July.