A 1981 Ford County 1474 Long Nose has broken all previous auction records. It was auctioned recently by East Anglian-based auctioneer Cheffins.

The tractor, owned by well-known enthusiast Paul Cable, fell to the gavel at £94,500. It is believed to have been purchased by an Irish collector.

The auction, which took place near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, compromised 38 sought-after Ford classic tractors and piles of implements and spares. The tractor collection had been assembled over 14 years. Many were some of the rarest examples of their type to have hit the market, including the uncommon Fordson County derivatives such as the Super-4, Super-6 and a 1957 Four Drive.

Cheffins chair Bill King said: “The prices achieved at this astonishing auction far exceeded our expectations. With a huge crowd of enthusiasts from throughout the UK and particularly Ireland, there was strong bidding throughout, with several record prices being achieved.”