We report from the recent HJ Pugh Vintage Collective Sale at which another batch of County tractor record prices were achieved.
This County Super-6 was possibly the last produced, and had been owned by Andy Boyle for 25 years. It was restored in the 1990s and sold at this sale for a record £32,500.
A huge crowd turned out for HJ Pugh’s two-day vintage collective sale on February 25th-26th, which saw more than 2,000 lots come under the hammer at the superb Ledbury site.
Record prices are becoming a bit of an HJ Pugh trademark, and it was the same again this time, when the auctioneer reached the machines from the Andy Boyle County collection. The first was a very original, 1977 County 1174 (ECG 187S) with only 2,900 hours on the clock, which sold for a new record price of £31,000.
This 1977 County 1174 made record money. With only 2,900 hours on the clock, it sold for £31,000.
Then, with 7,481 hours on the clock, a 1981 County 1184TW (WYC 26W) that Andy had restored 20 years, fetched £53,000. Another highlight was the West Sussex-registered County Super-6 (No.14314), also previously restored by Andy but now in need of a slight refresh. Nevertheless, it went for a world record price of £32,500.
It was the end of an era for the owner when this 1961 Fordson Dexta 4×4 Welsh All Grip conversion – which has raised so much on charity road runs – was sold for £10,000 (including a V5c).
As for the mighty County FC1004 ex-GPO line winch tractor with hardly any recorded hours, the bidding stalled at £19,000, which wasn’t enough to see it change hands, and Andy was seen driving that one home after the event.
Among the other lots, two ex-American Fordson Super Majors caught my eye. The earlier example sold for £3,800, while the later one (based on the New Performance model with power steering and rear weights) made £4,700.
Looking fine; this 1981 1184TW could have been yours for £53,000.
A Ford 7910 Series II four-wheel-drive (E543 DAN), with 8,639 hours and in reasonable order, changed hands for £10,800, and what looked like the fine, Graham Dell Fordson Dexta All Grip four-wheel-drive tractor (a John O’ Groats road trip veteran in 2006), sold for £10,000.
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