Vintage tractor collection to go under the hammer

The machines belonged to farrier Ian Allerton, who passed away last year following a battle with cancer.

Mr Allerton was a well-known vintage tractor enthusiast, with a particular interest in Marshall Sons and Co, which was based at the Britannia Iron Works, Gainsborough.

The company, founded in 1848, made the iconic Marshall and Field Marshall tractors and after the Second World War merged with John Fowler and Co., (Leeds) Ltd.

Mr Allerton’s collection features a total of 40 tractors, with the pick of the bunch being a 1956 Marshall MP6, which is expected to fetch in excess of £30,000.

His favourite tractor, a circa 1940 Marshall Model M, is also expected to be popular, with a pre-sale estimate of £14,000 to £16,000.

There are eight Marshall and Field Marshall tractors in total, including series one, two, three and three A which are expected to make from between £5,000 and £12,000, along with two crawlers, a Fowler VF Marshall and a Track Marshall 55.

As well as historic tractors from other manufacturers such as Fordson, David Brown, Nuffield, Farmall, Massey Ferguson, Roadless and International, the auction also features a large selection of spares and workshop equipment.

Highlights include a recently restored Fordson E27N P6 dating from the late 1950s with a pre-sale estimate of £6,000 to £8,000, an unusual 1960’s Fordson Major four wheel drive at £4,000 to £6,000, a 1966 David Brown 880 at £2,000 to £3,000 and a 1970’s Massey Ferguson 165 with pre-sale estimate of £2,500 to £3,500.

Mr Allerton, who had a smallholding at Octon, near Driffield, East Yorkshire, passed away last year following a battle with cancer.

The sale of his collection is being conducted by Cambridgeshire auctioneers and vintage machinery specialists Cheffins.

Director, Bill King, said: “Mr Allerton was a farrier by trade and he would travel the countryside visiting farm after farm, acquiring tractors that he would add to his collection.

“He was a passionate and ‘hands on’ restorer and his collection was very much a labour of love.

“We feel very privileged to have been asked by his widow to sell the collection on behalf of the family and we’re sure that it will fire the enthusiasm of collectors and restorers alike.”

The Ian Allerton Collection will be sold at Octon, near Driffield, East Yorkshire, from 10am on Saturday, June 25.

For more details visit www.cheffns.co.uk.