Mecum’s Gone Farmin’ Vintage Tractor Auction Yields A Healthy Harvest
Mecum’s third annual Spring Gone Farmin’ vintage tractor auction held April 5-6 at the Mississippi Valley Fair Center in Davenport, Iowa, proved to be one for the books with more than 470 lots of tractors and vintage farm signs and relics crossing the block – some dating back to the early 1900s. The auction brought something for everyone and in-turn achieved an astonishing 94 percent sell-through rate and total sales reached $1.2 million.
The relaxed atmosphere of the event coupled with the excitement of the auction drew a crowd of bidders and onlookers that included everyone from dedicated collectors to families enjoying an afternoon infused with America’s rich agricultural history.
The top sale of the two-day auction was a 1959 John Deere 430s All Fuel (Lot S48) bringing in a generous $51,000. Discovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, the fully-restored tractor is one of only 18 built, most of which were exported out of the country. The second highest sale at $36,000 went to a one-of-a-kind 1920 Samson Cane M tractor (Lot S55) that has been the feature of magazines and television shows as what is thought to be the first high crop tractor ever manufactured.
The complete top 10 sales list includes (all sales reflect hammer prices):
1. 1959 John Deere 430s All Fuel (Lot S48) at $51,000
2. 1920 Samson Cane M (Lot S55) at $36,000
3. 2008 Trailer (Lot S61) at $28,000
4. 1948 Ford 8N Road Maintainer (Lot S41) at $24,500
5. 1966 John Deere 4020 High Crop (Lot S73) at $24,000
6. 1957 John Deere 320V (Lot S36) at $18,000
7. 1951 John Deere M (Lot S66) at $18,000
8. John Deere 1920s SSP 36x108 (Lot M90) at $16,500
9. 1951 Oliver 66 Orchard (Lot S38) at $16,000
10. 1947 Farmall MV High Crop (Lot S88) at $15,500
For access to complete auction results and other member benefits, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at www.Mecum.com.
Mecum also hosted its second annual Houston collector car auction this past weekend, April 4-6, which saw 1,000 cars cross the block and brought in more than $25 million in sales. Complete results for Houston’s auction are also available via the Mecum InfoNet.
Mecum’s next vintage tractor auction will be held this August 8-10 at office headquarters in Walworth, Wis., followed by Gone Farmin’ Iowa on Nov. 2 at the Mississippi Valley Fair Center in Davenport. For more information visit www.Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050 to speak directly with a Mecum representative.
About Mecum Auctions
As the world leader of collector car and road art sales, the Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year. In 2010, Dan Mecum launched the Gone Farmin’ tractor division within the company and has since grown it into a thriving venture offering three auctions each year. For further information, visit www.Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
