One farmer owner! Collector set to rake in up to £2m after putting his collection of 230 vintage tractors up for auction 

  • Paul Rackham has spent 25 years assembling the collection of tractors
  • 79-year-old farmer's haul spans from 1916 through to the 1970s
  • It includes the only surviving example of a Holt 75 dating back to WWI
  • Sale being held at pensioner's farm in Norfolk later this month 

By Sam Matthew for MailOnline

Published: 23:23 EST, 14 September 2015 | Updated: 03:22 EST, 15 September 2015

A vast collection of 230 vintage tractors, dating back almost 100 years, is expected to fetch £2million when it goes under the hammer.

Paul Rackman has spent 25 years traveling the world to assemble the haul of rare agricultural machines.

The collection, thought to be one of the finest in the world, is kept in museum-like conditions in a giant grain store on Mr Rackman's Norfolk farm. 

Paul Rackman's incredible collection of 230 vintage tractors is expected to fetch £2 million when it goes under the hammer

Paul Rackman's incredible collection of 230 vintage tractors is expected to fetch £2 million when it goes under the hammer

Mr Rackman's collection includes the only surviving example of a Holt 75 - a military tractor bought by the British army from the Americans in World War One. Pictured: Mr Rackman driving the Holt 75

Mr Rackman's collection includes the only surviving example of a Holt 75 - a military tractor bought by the British army from the Americans in World War One. Pictured: Mr Rackman driving the Holt 75

The Holt 75, pictured in service, was bought to replace horses for pulling Howitzer guns to the frontline

The Holt 75, pictured in service, was bought to replace horses for pulling Howitzer guns to the frontline

The oldest tractor in Mr Rackman's impressive collection is the Sanderson Model G. This rare survivor is tipped to sell for £65,000

The oldest tractor in Mr Rackman's impressive collection is the Sanderson Model G. This rare survivor is tipped to sell for £65,000

One of the rarest machine in the sale is this 1925 British Wallis. It is valued at £45,000 by auctioneers

One of the rarest machine in the sale is this 1925 British Wallis. It is valued at £45,000 by auctioneers

The 79-year-old has splashed out thousands of pounds on the tractors, which are all in tip-top condition and in full working order. 

It includes the only surviving example of a Holt 75 - a military tractor bought by the British army from the Americans in World War One to replace horses for pulling hulking Howitzer guns to the frontline.

The four-cylinder tractor survived because it arrived in England after the Armistice had been signed. It was used on farms after the war but spent most of its life languishing in storage.

After Mr Rackham bought it in 2007 he spent £60,000 to return it to its former glory. It is now expected to sell for £250,000 at auction.

There is also a 1941 David Brown tractor that was built for the RAF and used to haul heavy bombers and fuel bowsers into position on airfields.

The oldest tractor in the fleet is a 1916 Saunderson Model G that was built to meet the wartime ploughing campaign. This rare survivor is tripped to sell for £65,000.

Sticking to the military theme, there is also a 1917 Fordson Model F that was made at the request of the British government to help meet increased food production needs during the First World War.

One of the rarest machine in the sale is a 1925 British Wallis that was made with a flat bonnet just a year before production ceases. It is valued at £45,000.

One of the most eye-catching tractors is a 1931 Caterpillar Fifteen which ran on tracks like a tank.

The collection also consists of many well known manufacturers names, such as John Deere, Ford and Field Marshall.

Because of the sheer volume of tractors, the sale is being held on Mr Rackham's farm over two auctions by auctioneers Clarke and Simpson in conjunction with Cheffins.

James Durrant, of Clarke and Simpson, said: 'Mr Rackham is a farmer and a businessman who has had an interest in vintage machinery which he has collected for over 25 years.

'There are many rare examples in his collection which he keeps in one building that is 55,000 square feet.

This Fordson Model F tractor was built in 1917 to help increase food production during the First World War

This Fordson Model F tractor was built in 1917 to help increase food production during the First World War

Mr Rackman has spent 25 years building his haul of agricultural machinery. Pictured: A Weeks-Dungey

Mr Rackman has spent 25 years building his haul of agricultural machinery. Pictured: A Weeks-Dungey

The machines are all fully operational and have been kept in museum-like conditions on the Norfolk farm

The machines are all fully operational and have been kept in museum-like conditions on the Norfolk farm

Building the collection has been an interest and a hobby rather than a business for the farmer. Pictured: A 1940 Fordson Roadless Half-track

Building the collection has been an interest and a hobby rather than a business for the farmer. Pictured: A 1940 Fordson Roadless Half-track

This International Titan is 96 years old and is one of the oldest machines in the collection

This International Titan is 96 years old and is one of the oldest machines in the collection

Auctioneers believe Mr Rackman has spent in excess of their overall estimate on the tractors. Pictured: A 1920 Waterloo Boy

Auctioneers believe Mr Rackman has spent in excess of their overall estimate on the tractors. Pictured: A 1920 Waterloo Boy

'When he bought his first tractor he had it restored and that really set the wheels in motion, so to speak.

'His collection spans from 1916 through to the 1970s and what's nice about it is that you can see the progression through the ages.

'They are very much a static collection but they all do run.

'I would say Mr Rackham has spent in excess of the overall estimate of the sale. It has been an interest and a hobby rather than a business for him.

'He has a family but they do not share his passion in tractors and he now feels it is time to move them on.

'There are a lot of collectors out there who vie for the rarer items. We have had global interest in the sale already.

'The largest collection to ever come to auction.'

Mr Rackham said: 'My family do not share the same passion as I do in collecting tractors and the time has come in life when decisions have to be made.

'It is time to take on another challenge.'

The sale is being held at Mr Rackham's farm in Roundham, near Thetford, Norfolk, on September 26. 

Auctioneer James Durrant described it as 'the largest collection to ever come to auction'

Auctioneer James Durrant described it as 'the largest collection to ever come to auction'

Many of the machines have been lovingly restored back to their former glory. Pictured: A 1932 Massey-Harris

Many of the machines have been lovingly restored back to their former glory. Pictured: A 1932 Massey-Harris

The collector has traveled the world to find the machines. Pictured: A 1941 David Brown

The collector has traveled the world to find the machines. Pictured: A 1941 David Brown

The collection spans from 1916 through to the 1970s. Pictured: A 1937 International T-35

The collection spans from 1916 through to the 1970s. Pictured: A 1937 International T-35

The collection also includes more recognisable brands such as this eye-catching 1931 Caterpillar machine, which runs on tracks

The collection also includes more recognisable brands such as this eye-catching 1931 Caterpillar machine, which runs on tracks

Paul Rackman behind the controls of his 1942 Caterpillar machine at his Norfolk farm

Paul Rackman behind the controls of his 1942 Caterpillar machine at his Norfolk farm

 

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