There was a huge turnout for Cheffins April classic and vintage machinery auction in Cambridge, England, at the weekend where more than 2,858 machinery and parts lots went under the hammer. Out of that large entry, there were 224 tractors, some with very interesting histories.

Over half of the tractors offered were sold on the day and tractor prices were higher than previous auctions, indicating a revival of interest in vintage machinery, especially tractors. The rest of the lots included machinery parts, brochures and even models of farm machines.

The most interesting tractor on the day, and the one that was expected to achieve the highest price, was a rare 1966 Doe 130 dual or tandem tractor. When it was unveiled at the Smithfield Show in London in December 1964, the Doe-130 was priced at £2,850. The tractor on offer at Cheffins had a £75,000 reserve and was withdrawn at £72,000 having not reached that figure.

The 130, built on a Ford 5000 6X skid unit, was a direct replacement for the Super Major New Performance Triple D. Records show that in 1965, 73 Doe 130s were sold. The Doe 130 production was limited to just 170 units. While this tractor stayed on English farms, many were broken up in the mid 1980s and their Ford 5000 skid units sent for export.

The rear tractor had only 3,132 hours while there were 3,031 hours on the front tractor. This indicates that it had had a relatively easy working life, with little signs of heavy use. It also boasts some good original features. A folder containing the original V5, copy invoice and Doe-130 brochure were all available as part of the sale deal.

There were other interesting tractors that achieved relatively good prices, indicating an upturn in vintage interest after four or five years of poorer prices.

There were large numbers of Irish visitors to the auction and a number of machines and tractors will be crossing the Irish Sea this week, despite the relatively high auction prices and the strength of sterling against the euro.

The DeCourcey Vintage Club is holding a talk by Tim Crowley of the Michael Collins centre, Timoleague, Co Cork, on the history of Henry Ford from his family’s origins in Ballinscarthy to his industrial success in America.

The talk will take place on Monday 4 May at 8pm in the Kilmacsimon Community Centre, Bandon, Co Cork.

The talk will also outline story of Henry Ford’s great industrial success with the famous Ford model T motor car. Kevin O’Neill at Ballinadee Engineering (021-4778176) has more information about this interesting event.

The Tipperary world tractor challenge takes place on Sunday May 3 on the Cantwell farm at the Turnpike in Thurles, and the organising team are confident that they will get enough support to create a new Irish and world tractor record of more than 2,500 tractors in one field area.

Michael Fahey (087-271 2967) from Rahinch, Littleton, Thurles, is heading the team behind the world record attempt this weekend.

There is no age restriction on the tractors to qualify. However, they must be able to run their engine on the day. And clubs, groups and individual from around the country are welcome to join in.

2 May Bann Valley Vintage Gathering, Clady Hall Antrim 0044-7809357472

2 May Ballygowan Vintage Club Charity Road Run Antrim 028/048-97510606

2 May Orchard County Vintage Rally, Portadown Rd. Armagh 028/048-38871006

2 May Kilrea & Tamlaght O’Crilly Tractor Run Down 0044-7809487042

2 May Newmills Vintage Rally, Newmills Donegal 0044-7922276445

2 May Rock Inn Vintage Road Run, Portlaoise Laois 085-7204034

3 May Rock Inn Vintage Rally, Portlaoise Laois 085-7204034

3 May Lakeland Vintage Club Rally & Autojumble Westmeath 087-6649069

3 May South Roscommon Vintage Run Roscommon 087-7565147

3 May All-Ireland Tractor Challenge, Thurles Tipperary 083-4156785

3-4 May Shanes Castle May Day Steam Rally Antrim 0044-7712769072

4 May DeCourcey Vintage Henry Ford talk, Bandon Cork 021-4778176

4 May Glens Vintage Club Ltd, May Day Road Run Antrim 0044-7703211766

4 May Mid-Ulster Vintage May Day Car Run Moneymore 0044-7887948543

4 May Baltimore Tractor run, Rath Church, Baltimore Cork 086-2618379

8 May Claragh Bridge Road Run, Drumaroad Down 0044-7977542430

9 May Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club Rally Antrim 0044-7960 130030

10 May New Inn Vintage Club road run, New Inn Tipperary 087-6685670

11 May Meath Vintage Road Run, Harristown Meath 087-2516771