MORE than £1.5m changed hands at Cheffins’ Cambridge vintage sale at Sutton, near Ely, when a number of the world’s most unusual classic and vintage tractors, alongside vintage motorbikes, classic commercial vehicles, petroliana and collector’s items went under the hammer.

Of the 250 vintage and classic tractors offered, the headline lot was a highly-rare 1968 Doe 130 that sold for £74,550 to a collector based in Scotland. One of the last examples of this iconic machine ever to have been built, it has exceptional provenance and history, having been bought new by George Pryor in Essex – the farmer and inventor who was behind the original concept of the famous Doe ‘Triple-D.’

Only 170 of these machines were ever built making them incredibly rare to the market and a favourite with tractor collectors and enthusiasts.

Following this was a 1963 Doe Triple-D which sold for £42,400 to a collector from Ireland.

Other highlights from the tractor section included a 1968 Ford 4610 with only 973 hours on the clock which made £16,960 and a very original 1964 Fordson Super Major New Performance, that was knocked down for £12,500.

The automobilia section was dominated almost 200 lots from the world-renowned collection belonging to Stewart Imber of Goodwood Revival and set and prop hire company, Themed Garages. The famous collection has previously been seen on Channel 4, Quest TV and has been dressing sets at The Goodwood Revival since 2005.

On offer were more than 40 classic Mercedes-Benz items dating from the 1920s to the 1990s, as well as petrol pumps, enamel and illuminated signs, forecourt maps, promotional flags, posters all of which saw huge levels of interest from throughout Europe with a number of overseas buyers both in the room and bidding online. Highlights included a late 1920's Ruston and Hornsby petrol pump which sold for £8300 – over the £5000-£6000 estimate.

In addition, an original Jack Barclay Rolls Royce showroom sign sold for £2600, whilst a telephone box from the set of Heartbeat made £1700 against its £700-£900 estimate.

In the car and bike section, a highly-desirable 1950 Land Rover Series 1 made £20,000 to a private collector.

A collection of eight pre-war motorbikes from the 1930s all from the same owner, also sold for high prices, with two pre-war Norton International examples eventually selling at £25,200 and £21,200 respectively with a round of applause at the fall of the hammer on both.

A 1912 Brayshaw Showman’s living van which was recorded to have been owned by renowned showmen, Tommy Gavin and Henry Crooks presented in beautifully restored order made £23,500 to a steam enthusiast. Similarly, a Fowler five-berth living van with an interesting history, having been used to house Italian prisoners of war on a local farm was sold for £16,500.

A number of unusual lots also sold well with a quarter-scale Caterpillar tractor making £13,750 – six times the amount being achieved for the full-size examples which were sold for around £2000 apiece the same day. Similarly, a 1946 Chevrolet pick-up which was originally used as an emergency vehicle in Alabama was sold for £12,600 – well in excess of its pre-sale estimate of £9000-£10,000.

Dinky toys were also a massive hit, selling to £780 for Dinky gift set, consisting of five racing cars in original boxes. And, an iconic 1970s Raleigh Chopper Mk1 bicycle made £900.