A fully restored 1963 Fordson Super Dexta tractor sold for an impressive £40,280 at the Cheffins Cambridge Vintage Sale on Saturday 18th October, with all proceeds donated to the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
As part of Cheffins’ 200-year anniversary celebrations, the firm pledged to match the price, bringing the total donation to £80,560. The funds will directly support the creation of a new playroom for children receiving treatment at the hospital.
The tractor was bought by Nick Hedges a 67-year-old farmer from Kent. He said: “This is the first vintage tractor that I have ever bought. I bought it for my grandson, who is coming up for two years old and who is tractor mad. We found out about the tractor in April, and we are honoured to be a part of the cause. We’ve always been real fans of Cheffins, and I used to go to the tractor sales there as a child. Addenbrookes have treated a few members of our family, and we do have some connection with the hospital. The tractor is a real one off and it’s such a great cause that we really wanted to be a part of. We wanted to support Cheffins in their fundraising for the hospital and were delighted to have been able to have helped. The tractor is an investment for my grandson and our family. We do have a few of tractor seats and other bygones, but I am thrilled to add this brilliant tractor to the collection. We also bought another vintage tractor at the sale, and I am now looking for a third one so all of my grandchildren will have one each. We plan to show the three tractors at various events through the south of England next year.”
The iconic Fordson Super Dexta was purchased by Cheffins in June 2024 from Lincolnshire and meticulously restored by Youngs Agricultural Services Ltd in Stretham, near Ely. Initially estimated at £15,000–£20,000, the tractor’s sale far exceeded expectations.
Throughout 2025, the “Cheffins Charity Tractor” toured major agricultural events across the UK — including the National Tractor Run, The Suffolk Show, Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, the Thurlow Nunn Standen Anniversary Road Run, and the Saffron Walden Carnival.
Oliver Godfrey, Director and Head of the Cheffins Machinery Division, comments:
“The Fordson Super Dexta has become something of a star in vintage tractor circles over the past year. It’s been wonderful to see the enthusiasm it’s generated at shows across the country. The October Vintage Sale is always a highlight of our calendar, and this year’s event was no exception, and we welcomed thousands to the Cheffins saleground at Sutton, near Ely, on the day. There was an electric atmosphere as bidding took off, with at least ten bidders competing both in person and over the telephone.
We are deeply grateful to Mr Hedges for his generous support. Not only has he acquired an important piece of agricultural history, but his purchase will directly benefit children across the region through the new hospital.”
The Fordson Super Dexta occupies a special place in British agricultural heritage. First launched at the Smithfield Show in 1961 and produced from April 1962, it marked the final evolution of the Fordson line.
Oliver Godfrey continued:
“Our bicentenary has been an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve, with a focus on the next generations of the region. Supporting the Cambridge Children’s Hospital aligns perfectly with that mission. Once complete, the hospital will transform children’s healthcare across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. We’re proud that our contribution will help create a dedicated playroom for young patients.”
Paul White, Director of Communications and Impact at the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust which is leading the public fundraising for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital comments: “Words can't express our gratitude to everyone who took part in the auction of this vintage tractor - the result has blown us away. The generosity of everyone who participated and helped to drive the price up, and of course to the person who ultimately put in the winning bid, means a substantial amount of money has been raised that takes us closer to building the region's first children's hospital. And a special thank you to Cheffins, who not only ran the auction but have been tirelessly fundraising throughout the year so that we can build the new children's hospital here in Cambridge. The money raised from the sale of this tractor, and from Cheffins' other fundraising efforts, will be used to create a dedicated playroom in the new Cambridge Children's Hospital - bringing joy and comfort to countless young patients and their families.”
For more information, please visit www.cheffins.co.uk, or call Cheffins auctioneers on 01353 777767.
For further media information, please contact Sophie Richardson, PR Manager at Cheffins, Sophie.richardson@cheffins.co.uk
*Prices reported are inclusive of buyers’ premium at 6 per cent.
ABOUT CHEFFINS
Cheffins is a leading professional services firm, specialising in property, land, fine art and farm machinery. Founded in Cambridge in 1825, it is privately owned, proudly independent and guided by longstanding principles. With offices in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk it has a strong presence across the East of England and also attracts buyers and sellers from around the world to its Fine Art and Farm Machinery auctions.