RARE steam engines, tractors, classic cars, commercial vehicles and collectors items went under the hammer last Friday (October 20) and Saturday (October 21). 

Sales made more than £1.5million in total at the final Cheffins Vintage sale of 2023. The sale took place at the Cheffins Machinery Saleground in Sutton, near Ely, but collectors and ethusiasts also joined online. 

Leading the sale was a 1918 Sentinel Standard steam wagon, which was built in Shrewsbury and was used as a tipper for manufacturers of railway axles and forgings. Having spent some years at the National Railway Museum in York, the wagon was then purchased by a collector based in Norfolk in 1970. It underwent significant restoration over the following years and attended events and rallies in Norfolk, Suffolk and further afield. Now fully restored, the wagon sold for £113,632 to a collector from Devon.

This was closely followed by a rare and beautifully presented 1910 Stanley 20 HP Model 72 steam car. Having been restored by highly respected specialists, Goold Brothers of Camerton, Bath, it was sold for £64,302, and has gone to a new home in Yorkshire.

The 230 tractors offered also saw a series of high prices achieved, including £60,032 paid for a 1981 Mercedes MB-Trac 1500, a 1990 Ford Silver Jubilee which made £48,230 and a 1981 Mercedes MB-Trac which achieved £43,460.

Among the 40 classic motorcycles, a rare 1956 998cc JMC Norvin which was converted into a modern-day café racer in 2019 by motorbike specialist, John Mossey, was the highlight, selling for £38,360.

“The October Vintage Sale at Cheffins is always one of the most popular events in the vintage calendar, with hundreds of collectors and enthusiasts joining us both in person at the Sutton sale ground and also online, from across the UK, Europe and further afield," said Bill King, chairman at Cheffins.

"This year’s sale offered a comprehensive catalogue, with plenty to choose from in all sections and the enthusiasm from buyers on the day was infectious, with heady prices achieved particularly for the newer classic tractors despite the heavy downpours. The market for vintage items has held strong throughout 2023, with multiple record prices achieved throughout the past 12 months.

"This year saw our highest grossing Harrogate sale to date, and each of the collective vintage sales at Cheffins achieve over £1 million, as buyers continue to add to their collections, undeterred by the fluctuations and instability in other areas of the economy.

"We expect 2024 to continue in a similar vein, as vintage items continually beat inflation and offer stronger returns than other more typical investments.

"We look forward to welcoming buyers old and new to Sutton in the New Year, and already have an exciting catalogue of items to go under the hammer in April.”