A classic tractor was bought for a massive £210,112 at a farm machinery auction on Saturday, July 3 - three times more than was expected.
The 1983 County 1474 ‘short nose’ made the second highest price ever paid for a vintage or classic tractor at auction to date.
This rare example had seen two owners from new, only 100 hours on the clock and had a pre-sale estimate of £60,000 - £70,000.
The County 1474 was part of The Shrubbs Farm Collection in Essex which was auctioned by Cheffins.
A rare 1966 Northrop 5004/6 reached nearly double its estimate when it was bought for £79,864 despite its £40,000 -£50,000 estimate.
Other top prices were £49,312 for a 1965 Doe-130, £45,024 for a 1989 Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee, £34,840 for a 1975 Ford 7000 and £28,944 for a Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4.
Similarly, £28,944 was paid for a 1991 Ford 8830 Power Shift, £27,872 for a 1978 Massey Ferguson 1200, £26,800 for a 1977 Roadless 120 and £23,584 for a Roadless Ploughmaster 95.
Oliver Godfrey, director at Cheffins, said: “With over 90 classic and vintage tractors going under the hammer and a host of excellent spares and implements meant the onsite auction team were in for a very busy day.
"What unfolded was nothing short of spectacular!
"The Liddell family had been collecting for over 35 years and had quietly put together one of the most genuine and original collections of Ford and Ford conversion tractors including Doe, County and Roadless in the country.
"With collectors and enthusiasts emerging from the darkness of various lockdowns and armed with fresh enthusiasm and cash, they were eager to feed their passion for all things classic and vintage.
“A huge enthusiastic crowd along with hundreds of registered bidders had assembled at 9am on sale day morning and the prices and amount of bidding was incredible and consistent throughout the day.
"A record-breaking auction and one which we at Cheffins were very proud to have been instructed to conduct.
"Collections of this calibre are becoming rarer and rarer and with the prices achieved shows the sheer enthusiasm and passion for the collecting scene has not abated even with recent events.”
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