Centre records for a 1981 Ford County 1474 Long Nose classic tractor were smashed at a Cheffins' East Anglian-based sale, when an entry from collector, Paul Cable sold at £94,500 to an Irish collector.

The sale, staged on behalf of Mr Cable who was retiring from farming, saw his collection of 38 sought-after Ford classic tractors complete with implements and spares, sold at a site near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

Amassed over 14 years, the collection was earmarked as one of the most important single vendor sales of classic tractors for many years and included the uncommon Fordson County derivatives such as the Super-4, Super-6 and a 1957 Four Drive.

Next best at £56,700 was a County 1184 dating back to 1981 purchased by a Lincolnshire collector; swiftly followed by the 1961 Doe Triple-D which sold for £44,100 to Scotland. Similarly, a low-houred 1979 County 1174 which operated at Stansted Airport made £43,050, over double its lower estimate of £20,000 and is set for Ireland.

Mainly dating back to the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, most of the tractors on offer had been beautifully restored and preserved.

Other leading prices included £37,275 for a 1989 Ford 7810 ‘Silver Jubilee’; £35,700 for a 1979 County 1174; £30,975 for a 1986 Ford FW-60; £27,825 for a 1975 Ford 7000; £26,250 for a 1982 Ford TW-30; £23,100 for a 2013 Land Rover Discovery and £23,100 for a 1977 County 7600-Four.