The Fingal Vintage Society took a leading part in the recent Flavours of Fingal Show held at Newbridge House, Donabate, Co Dublin, with a display of vintage tractors and machinery from the 1960s. The active club staged a display to mirror the events of the RDS Spring Show, which took place from 4 to 8 May 1965.

The vintage area at the event was laid out in the same way that leading farm machinery companies laid out their stands 50 years ago to give a flavour of what life was like for those attending the 1965 RDS event. This included stands with the machinery of the day, including Ford, Massey Ferguson, David Brown, Nuffield and John Deere.

That year was a special one, as most of these tractor companies had introduced new models in the previous autumn and the RDS show was the first time that these were seen by Irish farmers. There must have been great excitement as farmers flocked from across the country to see the latest models, which were revolutionary at the time.

Adverts and listings

I’ve looked back at the RDS Spring Show catalogue of that year and our own 36-page supplement, which was published on Saturday 1 May. I found some interesting adverts and listings.

Power Farming Ltd, part of the Sherrard Group and based at Farrenlea Road, Victoria Cross, Cork, proudly announced that John Deere was back. Its advert focused on the 4020 tractor and three machines, the John Deere 214T baler, 33 manure spreader and the John Deere LF full-width fertiliser spreader. The Lundell 605 double-chop silage harvester was also on the Power Farming stand.

Ford entered its new tractor range for the RDS silver medal awards that year, starting with the Ford Dexta 2000 and rising to the 65hp Ford Super Major 5000. Ford’s ill-fated Select-o-Speed gearbox was strongly promoted to give 10 forward and two reverse speeds without clutching or stopping.

Massey Ferguson’s silver medal entry was the MF pressure control system, designed to transfer the weight of trailed implements on the rear wheels of the tractor for extra traction.

Nuffield agent Booth Poole was showing the new Nuffield 10/42 and 10/60 tractors, with the new automatic hydraulic depth control system and disc brakes. David Brown Tractors Ireland had a huge range of machinery on show, including the Hurricane single chop silage harvester, a baler and slurry tanker.

Fiat tractor importers McCairns Motors, then based in Santry, Dublin, had five new models for the show, including the Fiat 615, with what it claimed had “a full honest 65hp” and was available in four-wheel-drive format. The tractors were called the Diamond line.

Atkins of Cork had a new Bogballe bulk fertiliser spreader on show costing £286. The company remains the sole Irish agent for the Danish manufacturer some 50 years later. McGee’s of Ardee was huge at the time and had an interesting Allis Chalmers display. It introduced the new Allis Chalmers ED-40 Depthmatic tractor that boasted live hydraulic lift with automatic depth control and selective weight transfer.

The pictures bring you a flavour of the Fingal event stands that recently mimicked the RDS Spring Show of 1965 with some degree of authenticity.

Date Event Location Contact

11 July Streete Club Philip Moran Vintage Tractor Run Westmeath 086-2596656

11/12 July NW Donegal Vintage Club Carrigart Show Donegal 087-2203331

11 July Braid Valley Vintage Rally Broughshane, Antrim 0044-7802537124

11 July Sheepbridge Tractor Run Antrim 028/048-30266428

12 July Ardattin Vintage Rally Carlow 087-2385195

12 July Bohernabreena Tractor and Vintage Dublin 087-6641598

12 July IVS National Rally Streete Vintage Club Westmeath 086-2596656

12 July Knockbridge Vintage Road Run Louth 087-9763355

12 July Shamrock Vintage Carrickbyrne Field Day Wexford 051-428416

12 July Grangemockler Vintage Tractor Run Kilkenny 086-3854727

17/18 July Ulster Festival of Steam Ballymena, Antrim 0044-7739613193

17/18th July Mid-Ulster Vintage two-day tractor trek for charity

19 July All-Ireland Ferguson Challenge Castletownroche, Cork 086-8184093

19 July Crossgar & District Road Run Down 0044-7752475879

19 July Lakeland Vintage Car Run Longford 087-6649069

19 July Mogeely Vintage Tractor Run Cork 087-2508690

19 July Beara Vintage Club Road Run Cork 083-1979207

22 July Ballymoney Display & Run Armoy, Antrim 0044-7960130030

23 July Temple Vintage Cavalcade Temple Golf Club, Lisburn 028/048-90812025