Cheffins latest classic commercial sale

Posted by Chris Graham on 7th October 2022

Cheffins Auctioneers held its latest classic commercial sale at the sale ground in Cambridgeshire on July 23rd, as Joseph Lewis reports.

Latest classic commercial sale: The top-priced heritage commercial was this well documented 1965 Scammell Highwayman, which sold for £18,500.

This sale included five specialist sale areas for literature, models, tractors and commercial vehicles. The top price for a commercial vehicle went to a 1965 Scammell Highwayman Ballast Box Tractor Lorry (Reg No. CYK 601C, Chassis No. 17073). The six-cylinder Leyland 680 Power Plus diesel-powered Highwayman had been the subject of a full restoration into the ballast box guise presented at the sale. This was an ex-Hall’s Funfair vehicle, and was described by the vendor as being in ‘A1 condition, inside and out’. A regular at rallies and the subject of a magazine article covering the restoration, this very fine looking example was sold for £18,500.

1979 Scania 141 6×2. This was an imported rear-lift chassis cab unit, purchased as a restoration project. Offered for sale as a non-running project machine with NOVA documentation the hammer price was £5,000.

The classic star and unique opportunity was a 1978 ERF B Series Silsoe Test diesel lorry, Chassis No. 37862, Engine No. 211850. Built from new for the National Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) based at Silsoe and designed for research into tractor development, this significant ERF was sold for £4,500. Other notable entries ranged from a ‘non-runner’ 1968 Austin FG700 at £500 to 1979 Scania 141 offered as an imported non-running project at £5,000.

1968 Austin FG700 four-cylinder diesel tipper Reg. No. XAN 394G Serial No. B33R14320. Purchased by the current owners in the late 1970s from Epping and Ongar District Council Engineer and Surveyors Department, with the sign-writing still visible. Stated to be a non-runner, but that the engine turned over about 10 years ago, the FG700 hammer price was £500.

1967 Commer Maxi Load Tipper lorry Reg. No. GDO 638E Chassis No. CCGV1676002307. This Commer tipper is fitted with a double dropside body and is powered by a Commer/Rootes straight six two-stroke diesel. The vendor stated that the engine has been recently fitted with reconditioned injectors and has been serviced; the body has also been rebuilt. A regular at shows and rallies the Commer was now a bit too much to handle for the vendor. MoT and tax exempt, the hammer price was £5,500.

1978 ERF B Series Silsoe Test diesel lorry Reg. No. N/A Chassis No. 37862 Engine No. 211850. Built from new for the National Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) based at Silsoe, and designed for research into tractor development. Housed in the Reeve Burgess coach built box body is a 31.5kVa generator, driven by a four-cylinder diesel engine and a Heenan Magnapower Dynamometer used for testing the horsepower of tractors. The vehicle was based on the Silsoe site for its entire life and consequently, the recorded 1,568 km is believed to be correct. Fitted with a Force steered tow bar, this is a unique vehicle and part of British agricultural heritage. Never intended for road use, no documents exist for the ERF. There is a wealth of literature supplied with various blue print drawings and test procedures and data. A unique opportunity to acquire both tractor and lorry heritage, this significant ERF was sold for £4,500.

This news item comes from the latest issue of Heritage Commercials, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE