One of the country’s largest annual gatherings of classic and vintage tractors is this year marking the 175th anniversary of the founding of the roots of Case IH, with restored, refurbished and original tractors from the marque and its predecessors planned for display at the Royal Norfolk Showground, Norwich, on Saturday and Sunday April 22-23.
Organised by a group of East Anglian enthusiasts led by Suffolk collector Roger Desborough, the Eastern Counties Vintage Show, now in its sixth year, traditionally adopts a manufacturer theme for the main element of its tractor display. This year’s Case IH theme encompasses the products of International Harvester, McCormick, David Brown, Case and Case IH, with representative machines from the veteran, vintage, classic and modern eras.
Classic tractors planned for display at the event include rare machines such as one of International Harvester’s innovative 2+2 articulated models of the early 1980s, better known in the UK by their ‘Snoopy’ nickname, earned because of the machine’s long bonnet. Cambridgeshire used machinery dealer SR Haylock plans to display the last McCormick CX tractor to be built at the former IH/Case IH/McCormick Wheatley Hall Road factory in Doncaster, and one of the last of the legendary and long-serving Case IH 1455XL tractors from the Neuss factory in Germany. Vintage models should include one of the earliest International Harvester tractors, a 1912 Mogul, and one of the first from Case, a 1913 20-40.
“We are always searching for a different topic for this event, and we felt Case and International are two marques that have a large following in the UK, and would provide some fascinating displays encompassing machines from the 1920s to the current day,” said Roger. “The theme also ties in nicely with the fact that Case IH is this year celebrating the 175th anniversary of the foundation of Case itself.”
In addition to the tractor displays, trade stands selling farm machinery models, manuals, books and brochures will be present in the showground buildings, while further displays will include vintage and classic tractors and farm equipment from other makes, a heavy horse display and Big Pete’s international monster truck show team, with its Peterbilt and Chevrolet-based trucks.
Adult tickets are £10, while entrance for children is free. Onsite camping is available on the showground for those travelling long distances or planning to attend more than one day, and the organisers are also hosting a dinner with entertainment on the first evening.
