A 1904 Ivel Agricultural Motors tractor – one of only nine known to still exist – sold for an astonishing $375,000 at auction on September 28.
The tractor was part of Sue Illingworth’s and her late husband John’s machinery and historical vintage tractor collection, parked on their sheep and wheat farm in Arrino, near Three Springs in Western Australia.
The sale of the Ivel, one of the world’s first commercially produced tractors, soared past the previous record which saw a 1914 Marshall Colonial tractor sell for $215,000 in Queensland in 2021.
The Australian buyer chose to remain anonymous, but has scored themselves an incredible relic that dates back to a time before the word ‘tractor’ even existed. Instead, they were referred to as an agricultural motor.
Around 600 bidders registered for the sale of the collection which featured more than 150 tractors, including a WWII Stuart M3 Fort Knox Military Tank which fetched $86,000.
The Illingworth’s began what Sue describes as a ‘labour of love’ 50 years ago, unearthing old tractors from sheds and paddocks – even sourcing rare parts from overseas – to lovingly restore them.
John passed away five years ago at the age of 96 and Sue said her late husband would get much pleasure out of knowing the beloved collection went to people as passionate about vintage tractors as he was.