The Cheffins Vintage Sale hosted on 16th and 17th October at the firm’s saleground at Sutton near Ely saw over 2,500 lots of vintage tractors, cars, motorbikes and collectors’ items go under the hammer. The sale grossed over £2 million and saw over a 90 per cent sale rate at what was one of Cheffins’ most successful vintage auctions to date.
Leading the sale was a 1914 Tasker steam tractor which was sold for £111,000 to a collector based in Essex. Estimated at £80,000 - £90,000, the steam engine was sold directly from a deceased estate in Wales and had been kept in storage since 1973.
Another highlight was a 1978 County 1174 tractor which had been fully restored and was sold for £81,000. Other high prices among the tractor section include saw a 1976 Ford 7600 direct from the Ernest Doe collection for £29,000.
Among the 80 classic cars and vehicles which were offered, 95 per cent were sold, with highlights including a rare 1917 Stanley mountain wagon steam car was sold for £32,5000 and a 1969 Jaguar E-type coupe achieved £26,500.
An enormous barn-find collection of 150 classic cars, boats and tractors dating from the 1920s to the 1980s discovered in Bedfordshire saw some extremely competitive bidding from buyers worldwide, ranging as far as Australia, Ireland and the USA. Having been unseen by the public for decades, the collection saw a series of rare and unusual examples, with highlight prices achieved including £13,600 which was paid for the 1953 Austin A40 Pick-Up, nearly three times its pre-sale estimate.
Tom Godsmark, Director, Cheffins says: “We were delighted with the results of this sale, which demonstrated the continued demand for vintage tractors, cars and collectibles. Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, rising inflation and economic uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget, buyers showed real enthusiasm for the right lots, with several outstanding prices achieved across both the tractor and classic vehicle sections.”
“The £111,000 achieved for the 1914 Tasker steam tractor was a particular highlight, while the results for the County 1174 and the classic cars demonstrated the breadth of demand across the market. The barn-find collection also generated considerable interest, showing that unusual and well-presented opportunities continue to attract buyers.”
“Our sale rate of over 90% per cent sale rate is an encouraging result and suggests that, while some collectors’ markets are experiencing a softening in prices, there remains a healthy appetite for quality vintage machinery and vehicles. For owners with classic cars, tractors or other vintage machinery that are no longer required, the current market could present a great opportunity to sell and release capital.”
The next Cheffins Vintage Sale will take place on Friday 23rd/24th April 2027, at Cheffins Machinery Sale Ground, Sutton, Ely, CB6 2QT. For more information, please visit www.cheffins.co.uk call Cheffins auctioneers on 01353 777767 or email [email protected]