Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm
Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
Registration No: Un-Registered
Chassis No: 885/ 1/ 639995
MOT: Exempt
Purchased by the vendor from a Devonshire family
Subsequently entrusted to agricultural dealer C. R. Willocks for a professional restoration which was completed in 2022
Expenditure during the restoration exceeded £18, 000
Supplied with a dating letter from the David Brown Tractor Club
Depending on whom you ask, David Brown is best-known either as the ‘DB’ in various classic Aston Martins, or as one of Britain’s leading tractor makers. Originally a manufacturer of gears and transmission components, Brown diversified into tractors when, in 1936, he joined forces with Harry Ferguson, formed the Ferguson-Brown Company, and started to produce the Ferguson Model A. The great men disagreed about their next steps, however, so in 1939 Brown acquired a factory in Meltham, near Huddersfield, and started to manufacture his own design the David Brown VAK1, which earned him a fortune both as an agricultural tractor and an airfield tug (the VIG). Later financial difficulties led to both Aston Martin and David Brown Tractors being sold in 1972, the latter to the American firm of Tenneco, which made Case tractors.
The David Brown 885 had just been introduced in 1971 and would remain in production under Tenneco until 1980, with models sold under the Case name in North America from 1976. It was produced with a choice of a 2. 7-litre three-cylinder diesel or a 2. 4-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, each producing around 47bhp, and a 12-speed transmission.
The early history of this superb David Brown 885 is not known, but it was purchased by our vendor from a Devonshire farmer and then subject to an exacting restoration by the agricultural machinery specialist C. R. Willocks of Bovey Tracey between 2018 and 2022. As the condition testifies, the 885 has been brought up to an exemplary show standard, with restoration expenses having exceeded £18, 000. It is supplied with a dating certificate from the David Brown Tractor Club, and would make a wonderful exhibition piece in a museum, private collection, or at tractor rallies.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
