Beschreibung
The John & Sue Illingworth Collection of Vintage Tractors & Machinery – Western Australia.
Live simulcast auction Sunday 25th September at 10:30am AWST (12:30pm AEST).
Lot 48: 1904 Ivel Agricultural Motors Tractor No. 352 - A fine example of one of the rarest tractors in the world.
1904 Ivel Agricultural Motors ‘Tractor’ No. 352
A fine example of one of the rarest tractors in the world
One of only nine known survivors and considered the first commercially viable tractor ever built
Manufactured at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England
8hp
2-cylinder, 2. 9-litre
Engine No 352
Operated on petrol
Engine cranks
The Ivel Agricultural Motor was patented by Dan Albone on 15th February 1902 and is considered to be the world’s first commercially produced tractor. The first prototypes were constructed in 1902 and 1903 and production models were available from early 1904. Numbering began at Number 100, and the highest recorded number is 354, although it is thought that as many as 480 examples were built between 1904 and 1914. The company closed in 1920 following the unexpected early death of the founder, Dan Albone.
A number of Ivel Agricultural Motors were exported from the UK to Australia prior to WW1. While no records have been found detailing the identifications of these examples, press reports in Australia and England in suggest that at least twelve Ivel’s were exported to Australia between 1904 and 1910. Interestingly, the word ‘tractor’ wasn’t commercially used before 1906, prior to that they were called Agricultural Motors, which covered the multitudes of use on the farm.
According to Graeme R Quick’s book ‘Australian Tractors; Indigenous Tractors & Self-propelled Machines in Rural Australia’ “The Ivel Agricultural Motor was Britian’s first tractor designed specifically to replace the draught horse, a distinction that could not be given to the steam engine”. Australian Ivel tractors were the first internal combustion engined tractor to come to Australia.
Below, lists the mere 9 Ivel’s known to exist as outlined in “The Ivel Story” by John Moffitt, Japonica Press, East Yorkshire, UK, 2003;
Ivel Prototype, un-numbered at the Science Museum, London. This example, which was donated to the Science Museum in London in 1920, is a very early prototype example with several mechanical differences to the production models. With a provenance directly between Ivel Ltd and the Science Museum, it is unquestionably the most original and valuable example remaining.
Ivel 131 Ex-John Moffitt, UK. This example, with a known history from new, was a company demonstrator and was exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Show in London in 1903. Acquired by John Moffitt, the acknowledged specialist in Ivel machines, in 1972, it has since been demonstrated at hundreds of vintage agricultural events around England and is the most intact and original working example. Featured in John Moffitt’s book “The Ivel Story”, Number 131 was sold by Cheffins Auctions in England in October 2019 for 328, 600 pounds (A$576, 000).
Ivel 141 Mutare Museum, Zimbabwe. A partially intact example that is missing some significant components including the water tank.
Ivel 258 Aluarp Museum, Sweden, described as being substantially complete by John Moffitt.
Ivel 269 Mr. McKenzie, Cumnock, NSW Australia. This example was discovered in a field in western NSW lacking the frame and many other parts which Mr McKenzie has replicated to a high standard in the course of the restoration.
Ivel 277 Forbes Historical Museum, Forbes NSW Australia. An intact example which has been recommissioned by volunteers at the Forbes Historical Museum with assistance from Norm McKenzie. Items such as the magneto and carburettor have been replaced by more modern examples to allow the machine to be operated.
Ivel 352 John & Sue Illingworth, Western Australia. Number 352 is substantially original except for the replacement of the original magneto and a 1980s cosmetic refurbishment. It is fitted with an unusual and unique wide front roller.
Two examples with unknown numbers, one perhaps being Number 354, and believed to be incomplete or substantially reconstructed, and belonging to a Private Western Australian Collector.
This example on offer here for sale was first identified near Perth, WA and acquired by a Perth dealer for £12/ 10 before being sold to noted WA tractor specialist Bert Gibbs for £250. Bert initially intended to restore the Ivel, though never started the restoration. The tractor was subsequently purchased by the late John Illingworth in May 1981 and the restoration process was truly started. John completed the restoration by Christmas 1981 finished the restoration and the incredibly rare Ivel 352 roared back to life in running order.
Ivel tractors were often built with bespoke variations, this Ivel, number 352 is fitted with what is believed to be a unique wide roller front wheel and broad rear wheels with diagonal treads which might suggest that it’s intended use was on a road instead of in a paddock. It is possible that this example was originally ordered by a government department or a local municipality for road work use, although no records confirming such have been found.
The tractor comprises a steel girder frame supporting a 24hp twin cylinder horizontally opposed engine, with magneto ignition, a single forward and a reverse gear, a cone clutch mechanism, a fuel tank and a water tank. The frame is mounted on two large chain driven wheels at the rear, with a steerable single wheel at the front. The operator is seated on the offside rear alongside the water tank. The engine could be arranged to run on petrol, paraffin or alcohol with a special vaporiser. A continuous oil pump lubricated the engine. This arrangement allowed the tractor to tow a variety of agricultural implements such as ploughs, graders, harvesters and mowers, and, fitted with a drive wheel, the tractor could be used to power stationary equipment like chaff cutters and saw mills.
This particular Ivel No. 352 has been fitted with a later, converted Lucas four-cylinder, magneto, but appears to be complete in all other respects, with early photographs supporting this.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a seldom seen, truly iconic tractor which will be a centre piece of any collection.
NOTE: Please note that this lot is subject to the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986, and due to the high significance, the indication is that an application for an export permit to export the tractor from Australia will NOT be granted.
