Ballymena hosts landmark Cheffins Vintage Tractor Auction as renowned firm crosses Irish Sea
- Love Ballymena
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A 1970s County 1254
Ballymena is set to take centre stage in the international vintage machinery market as Europe’s leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins, brings one of its flagship Vintage and Classic Tractor sales to Northern Ireland.
The high-profile auction marks only the third time in Cheffins’ 200-year history that the firm has taken a major machinery sale across the Irish Sea, underlining both the significance of the event and the growing reputation of Northern Ireland as a hub for high-quality vintage tractors.
More than 60 vintage and classic tractors will be offered on behalf of three highly regarded private collectors, with all lots based in Ballymena and Newtownards.
The timed online auction will run from Friday 13th March to Tuesday 24th March, and is expected to attract bidders from across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
Ballymena at the heart of a major international sale
While Cheffins is best known for its renowned saleground near Cambridge, which regularly draws thousands of collectors from around the world, bringing this calibre of auction directly to Ballymena represents a significant endorsement of the area’s long-standing agricultural heritage.
The decision to host the sale in Northern Ireland reflects the region’s reputation for well-preserved, historically important machinery, much of it lovingly restored and maintained by private collectors over decades.
For local enthusiasts and farming families, the auction offers a rare opportunity to see world-class vintage machinery showcased on home soil.
Standout lots with strong international interest
The catalogue includes a wide range of historically significant tractors, with several headline lots expected to generate strong bidding:
A 1970s County 1254, estimated at £50,000–£60,000
A 1990s Ford 7610 Series II, expected to sell for £14,000–£16,000
A 1990s New Holland 8670, with an estimate of £20,000–£25,000
Collectors will also be drawn to a series of sought-after Ford vintage models, including a 1960s Ford 6000 Commander, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic British and international tractor marques.
Cheffins highlights Northern Ireland’s growing importance
Joe Page, Director at Cheffins Machinery Department, said the firm was particularly pleased to bring the sale to Northern Ireland.
“We were delighted to be instructed on this important sale. With a varied catalogue put together by three vintage tractor collectors and long-standing clients of Cheffins, we will be looking forward to seeing many of our regulars on their home turf in Northern Ireland.
“As we continued to expand our programme of machinery auctions both on-farm and at our saleground near Cambridge, we will be looking to host further sales in Ireland as it continues to be one of the leading sources of historic machinery.”
Cheffins’ vintage machinery credentials are well established. The firm’s Vintage Sales grossed £6.5 million in 2025, and it continues to hold the European record for the most expensive tractor ever sold, after a 1903 Ivel Agricultural motor fetched £310,000 in 2019.
Viewing dates and how to take part
The auction will commence online from 10.00am on Friday 13th March. Public viewing will be available on Wednesday 18th March at both Ballymena and Newtownards, giving local enthusiasts the chance to inspect the machines first-hand.
Full catalogue details are available online at:
Cheffins is a leading professional services firm, specialising in property, land, fine art and farm machinery. Founded in Cambridge in 1825, it is privately owned, proudly independent and guided by longstanding principles.
With offices in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk it has a strong presence across the East of England and also attracts buyers and sellers from around the world to its Fine Art and Farm Machinery auctions.