Mecum Auctions’ Gone Farmin’ division generated nearly $3.7 million in sales with a 93 percent sell-through rate at its first auction of the season, the Spring Classic at the Mississippi Valley Fair Center in Davenport, Iowa.
The top sale among the more than 400 tractors crossing the block was a 1938 Minneapolis-Moline UDLX that hammered sold for $140,000 (Mecum reports hammer prices that do not include buyer’s fees). The UDLX was a “comfortractor” designed to be used in the fields during the day but driven to town after chores were done.
Other top sales included a 1916 Case 20-40 at $102,500 and a 1970 Allis-Chalmers 220 FWA at $83,500.
In addition to vintage tractors, nearly 300 signs and farm relics were on the docket. Among them, a possibly unique, single-sided, wooden smalt-paint John Deer sign sold for $20,000.
For the first time, the auction offered a preview party on the eve of the sale with about 500 guests turning out to preview the docket, enjoy a customer-appreciation dinner and listen to live music from Back Country Roads.
Top 10 sales, Mecum Gone Farmin’ Davenport 2017
- 1938 Minneapolis-Moline UDLX, $140,000
- 1916 Case 20-40, $102,500
- 1970 Allis-Chalmers 220 FWA, $83,500
- 1938 John Deere BWH-40, $56,000
- 1913 Avery 25-50, $43,000
- 1968 International 1256, $36,500
- 1915 Case 10-20, $36,000
- 1966 International 1206 Diesel, $32,000
- 1926 Renault P26, $31,000
- Minneapolis-Moline R Cab, $30,000
(Prices are hammer figures and do not include buyer’s fee.)
The next Gone Farmin’ auction is schedued for June 2-3 at Muscatine, Iowa, where the Ron Drosselmeyer collection of 175 John Deere tractors will be offered for sale.
