A century on tracks at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show

A century on tracks at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show

Crawler enthusiasts have a long history of exhibits to take in at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show where a century of Caterpillar machines will be marked.

It is 100 years since Holt Manufacturing Company and the C.L. Best Tractor Co. merged to form what is now Caterpillar Inc. Its first track‑type tractors pulled harvesters, while today, the company spans electric machines, autonomy, and sustainable power.

On 8 and 9 November at Newark Showground, the vintage tractor community will be part of the special anniversary showcasing both rare machines and restoration projects. 

Simon Eccleston, CEO of the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (NNAS), the charity which organises the event, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to mark the centenary of Caterpillar at our show.

“The machines are symbols of innovation, persistence, engineering, and community.

“It’s a privilege to bring together owners, restorers, and admirers under one roof, and to celebrate 100 years of Caterpillar together.”

Attendees will be to witness the largest-ever gathering of Caterpillar seen in the UK. No fewer than 107 exhibits are booked in, spanning a century of development from the pioneering crawlers of the 1910s through to giants of more recent decades.

Among the headline exhibits will be the mighty Caterpillar D10, brought along by Ascroft on behalf of Catplant. Although not a vintage machine (registered in 2010) the D10 is designed for quarrying and coal mining, fitted with a ripper at the rear, providing a dramatic centrepiece on the showground.

While the D10 will catch the eye, the real fascination for many visitors will be the rare and historic machines that chart Caterpillar’s story over the past 100 years.

One such exhibit is the Holt 75, built in the 1910s and described as the oldest example in the country. Holt tractors were originally designed for heavy agricultural work, but their ability to cross difficult terrain also saw them drafted into wartime service, where they hauled artillery across the mud of the First World War. Most surviving examples have returned to the USA, making this appearance especially notable.

Another key exhibit is the Caterpillar 60, first introduced in 1925, the same year Caterpillar Tractor Co. was formed from the merger of Holt and Best. Still regarded as one of the company’s most successful early machines, the 60 helped establish Caterpillar’s reputation worldwide.

A 1929 example, owned by Tom Balls, will be at the show. One of only nine known to survive in the UK, it has been fully restored and remains a capable runner. “We’ve had ours out at a lot of shows this year as part of the centenary celebrations,” Tom explained. “It’s not one we usually take out very often, but it’s been special to mark the 100 years of Caterpillar.”

Also booked for the event is the Caterpillar RD8, a diesel-powered crawler introduced in the 1930s. Rugged and powerful, RD8s were used on major construction projects as well as in military service during the Second World War.

Their sheer pulling power made them indispensable at a time when mechanisation was rapidly changing the face of industry.

Tom admitted this is one machine he is especially keen to see: “I can’t wait to see the RD8 again. I tried to buy it once myself years ago, so it’s a machine that means a lot to me.”

The line-up will also include Caterpillar 10s, 20s, 30s, D2s, D6s, D7s, graders, scrapers and much more, offering a complete cross-section of Caterpillar’s first century of production.

Tom’s family business, J C Balls & Sons, is sponsoring the Caterpillar class.

“It’s been a huge effort,” Tom said. “We’ve got collectors from all over lending their machines, and to have more than a hundred Caterpillars in one place is something that’s never been done before in this country. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime sight.”

Elsewhere around the show, two British icons will mark their 80th year: the Fordson Major E27N and the Field Marshall Series One, both tractors that transformed life on post-war farms and remain beloved by collectors.

Chantry Agricultural Engineers is sponsoring the 60 years of Zetor imports into England

class, while six decades of Cummins engines will also be marked. There will be a major

tribute to Gardner Engines, in a class sponsored by Stamford Shepherd Huts.

Heritage potato implements and handling equipment will be on display, and the organisers have arranged for a celebration of the Ford D Series lorry, which was launched 60 years ago.

There will be a celebration of Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries, which has an engineering legacy spanning two centuries, mostly based at its Orwell plant in Ipswich.

Ashley Kidd and his father, Peter, will bring their E27N for the first time after a painstaking, do-it-yourself restoration.

Peter first drove the tractor as an 11-year-old in the 1980s before later purchasing, restoring, and selling the machine.

It changed hands several times and disappeared until Ashley found it 35 years later online. Its familiar Norfolk registration matched an old photo hanging in his mum’s hallway.

“It was the same tractor,” he said. “After 35 years, we turned up, looked at the back plate

and just knew. You don’t often get a second chance like that.”

Ashley handled almost everything himself over the winter of 2024/25.

“If I can’t do it, I learn how,” he said. “I don’t farm work out. I painted it, rebuilt the engine and gearbox, repaired the original tinwork, whatever it needed.”

The results have already turned heads, with strong showings and silverware on the rally

circuit this year. “I’d like to think people can see the pride in it,” he added.

His work with be on show in Newark in November where there is a vibrant social atmosphere around more than 1,000 exhibits plus show stands.

Discounted tickets are available for a limited time only at www.newarkvintagetractorshow.com, where camping passes are also available. Children under 16 can enter for free.

Stationary Engines at Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show

The stationary engine section at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show offers a detailed look at one of the most practical forms of agricultural and industrial machinery.

These engines, designed to provide reliable power for tasks such as water pumping, milling, sawing and electricity generation, played a key role in the development of rural infrastructure throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

This year’s show will feature a wide range of engines, from well-known models produced in large numbers to more obscure examples with specific industrial applications.

Exhibits are in full working condition and will be demonstrated over the weekend.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 show on 8 and 9 November, which will also showcase an extensive range of vintage tractors, classic machinery, commercial vehicles, and a variety of trade stands offering parts, tools, books, and collectables.

To book, visit www.newarkvintagetractorshow.com where camping passes are also available.