They do Fireworks across the pond around the 4th of July too.
Specifically in England, just north of London yesterday, July 3, 2021, on the Shrubbs Farm Collector auction by Cheffins Machinery & Vintage Auction (Cheffins Machinery & Vintage Auctions | Onsite Auctions | Online Auctions). One Tractor in particular sold like a Firecracker…a Big Blue Firecracker.
1983 County 1474, sold: $196,000 British Pounds = $270,920 U.S.
Here was the incredible description of this unique Tractor on Cheffin Machinery’s web site: “1983 COUNTY 1474 ‘short nose’ 6cylinder diesel TRACTOR Reg. No. JPU 714Y Serial No. 48724 The ‘Short Nose’ version of the 1474 was developed by the original firm of County Commercial Cars Ltd, based at Fleet in Hampshire. Launched at the 1978 Smithfield Show, it used the Ford 9700 skid unit with a 153hp turbocharged version of the 401S engine. Within a year, the 1474 was up-rated to TW-20 specification with a larger flywheel, an oil-cooler and a new twin-entry turbocharger. It was fitted with the ‘F-type’ flat-deck version of Ford’s straddle Q-cab. The 1474 cost £20,597 in 1982, which was a massive outlay at the time. Few were sold on the home market, and it is believed that the original company, which went into receivership in February 1983, built less than 40. After the company was reformed under David Gittins’s ownership as County Tractors Ltd, the 1474 was revamped to take advantage of the new Ford TW-25 skid unit, launched in March 1983, which upped the power to 163hp. At the same time, the model was re-styled to match its more powerful 1884 sibling with the same ‘Long Nose’ bonnet hiding the oil cooler and a larger fuel tank. This 1474 was purchased by the Liddell family second hand in 1993 from a farm in North Ockendon, Upminster and joined another 1474 at Shrubbs Farm, the latter was sold some years ago. Martin was the main operator of JPU 714Y and completed many acres ploughing with a 5furrow Dowdeswell in the 90s. When a Ford 8830 Power Shift (lot 305) joined the team and took on some of the cultivation duties, this 1474 entered early retirement and has subsequently only completed around 100 hours in the past 25 years. Fitted with 16no. County front weights, rear wheels weights, drawbar, top link, assistor rams and Dual Power on 18.4R38 wheels and tyres. Showing just 4,802 hours and supplied by Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, Rochford, Essex, this tractor has some very original tinwork and bright paint an excellent cab interior and it is unlikely there is a more genuine original example to come to the market. V5C available”
Wow…$270K+ in US dollars.
Here is video of the 1983 County 1474 selling yesterday from Cheffin Machinery’s Facebook page: Redirecting...
Here’s info we have on “Tractor Specs” on County models: County Tractor Specs | Machinery Pete
Pete
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