Rare 1960s tractor will be the star at 'enormous' £1.5m vintage machine auction |
A "massive" selection of 3,500 lots including vintage tractors, cars, motorbikes and collectors’ items will go under the hammer at Cheffins' saleground at Sutton, near Ely, on April 24 and 25.
It is the largest auction of its type in Europe, and the auction firm's first sale of 2026 is expected to gross £1.5m.
Among the 400 classic and vintage tractors on offer, the star lot will be a 1962 Matbro Mastiff tractor, purchased from the Cambridge Machinery Sale in in the early 1980s for £325.
Auctioneers said this is now one of only six remaining original examples, and it is being sold by a collector from the West Country with a pre-sale estimate of £50,000-£60,000.
A 1988 Ford 7610 tractor is among the lots at auction firm Cheffins' vintage machine sale at Sutton, near Ely (Image: Cheffins)
Other tractor highlights include a 1988 Mercedes-Benz MB-Trac and a 1988 Ford 7610 with less than 1,900 hours on the clock.
Another "unusual opportunity" is a 1946 WH Woodcock living van - the last remaining example of this "Palace on Wheels", complete with a Mollycroft roof, crystal chandeliers and a fitted kitchen. Paired with a 1967 Scammell Highwayman lorry, this award-winning set-up is expected to sell for £60,000-£65,000.
A restored 1977 Volkswagen pickup is among the lots at Cheffins' vintage machine sale at Sutton, near Ely (Image: Cheffins)
Top of the vehicle section is a restored 1977 Volkswagen pickup with a pre-sale estimate of £15,000-£20,000. This is followed by a 1983 Volkswagen Golf GTI, being sold in original condition by renowned trial driver Colin Reid for £8,000-£10,000.
Motorbike fans will be able to bid for classics including an "immaculate" 1982 Suzuki Katana, the fastest production motorcycle of the time, restored by Norfolk-based specialists and set to sell for £6,000-£7,000.
A restored 1982 Suzuki Katana is among the lots at Cheffins' vintage machine sale at Sutton, near Ely (Image: Cheffins)
Cheffins director Tom Godsmark said: "This is set to be an enormous sale. The scale and breadth of the items on offer is massive, and it really is set to kickstart the vintage calendar for 2026.
"Its scale and diversity reflect not only the strength of the market but also the passion of collectors who continue to seek out rare and characterful tractors, cars, motorbikes and more.
"Our April auctions consistently attract an international audience, and this year’s offering, particularly the vehicles and showman’s equipment, is of outstanding quality."
The sale will welcome live bidding, as well as telephone and online bids.