ATW 509F
1968 Doe 130.
Cheffins vintage and classic auction, Sutton -
"Serial No. D663 A unique Doe 130 tractor with enormous provenance. Not only was this one of the last 130s to be built, but it was also sold new to George Pryor of Navestock - the farmer and inventor who came up with the original concept that led to the development of the famous Doe 'Triple-D' tractor. Following the success of the 'Triple-D', Ernest Doe & Sons' new tandem tractor, based on the Ford 5000, was launched in December 1964 as the Doe 130 with a price tag of £2,850. The 130 designation reflected the combined horsepower of the two 65hp pre-Force Ford 5000 skid units. The new Doe design had immediate appeal and some 73 were sold during the following year with 14 exported. Early models had a two-ram steering system, but this was upgraded into a four-ram layout in 1966. Doe 130 production ended in May 1968. Exactly 170 were made. The demand for the machine had now dropped away dramatically, and just three more tandem tractors were built. These were based on the up-rated Ford Force 5000 skid unit, and were badged as Doe 150 models. The tractor was sympathetically restored in 1996 by the vendor, and has been in his ownership since that time. It is believed to be mechanically in excellent order. Although an older restoration, the machine is extremely presentable - and is one that you would not be afraid to put straight to work. The tractor is fitted with wheel weights, assister rams and drawbar. In 1957, one of Doe's customers, George Pryor of Navestock, Essex, began experimenting with two Fordson Diesel Major tractors joined together in tandem. Pryor's goal was to provide a powerful four-wheel drive machine that would plough or cultivate his large acreage of heavy Essex clay. After much experimentation, Pryor arrived at a workable pivot-steer design. The tractor performed beyond all expectations and became the talk of the area. Soon, Ernest Charles Doe of the local Ford distributors, Ernest Doe & Sons paid Pryor a visit. Doe could see the machine had great potential, and an agreement was reached for the company to put the tractor into production. The production tractor, based on two Fordson Power Major skid units, was launched in 1958 as the Doe Dual Power. Following a number of modifications, the tandem design was re-launched the following year as Doe's Dual Drive, usually referred to as the 'Triple-D' for short, and a legend was born. George Pryor kept his original tractor, much modified and improved by Ernest Doe & Sons, for ten years. He and his brother bought a new 'Triple-D' each in October 1961, and George then purchased the Doe 130, D663, which is being offered in the sale, in May 1968. Mr Pryor always believed that, although not the last to be built, his Doe 130 was the very last to leave the factory at Ulting after he purchased it in May 1968."
Sold for £71,000.
ATW 509F
1968 Doe 130.
Cheffins vintage and classic auction, Sutton -
"Serial No. D663 A unique Doe 130 tractor with enormous provenance. Not only was this one of the last 130s to be built, but it was also sold new to George Pryor of Navestock - the farmer and inventor who came up with the original concept that led to the development of the famous Doe 'Triple-D' tractor. Following the success of the 'Triple-D', Ernest Doe & Sons' new tandem tractor, based on the Ford 5000, was launched in December 1964 as the Doe 130 with a price tag of £2,850. The 130 designation reflected the combined horsepower of the two 65hp pre-Force Ford 5000 skid units. The new Doe design had immediate appeal and some 73 were sold during the following year with 14 exported. Early models had a two-ram steering system, but this was upgraded into a four-ram layout in 1966. Doe 130 production ended in May 1968. Exactly 170 were made. The demand for the machine had now dropped away dramatically, and just three more tandem tractors were built. These were based on the up-rated Ford Force 5000 skid unit, and were badged as Doe 150 models. The tractor was sympathetically restored in 1996 by the vendor, and has been in his ownership since that time. It is believed to be mechanically in excellent order. Although an older restoration, the machine is extremely presentable - and is one that you would not be afraid to put straight to work. The tractor is fitted with wheel weights, assister rams and drawbar. In 1957, one of Doe's customers, George Pryor of Navestock, Essex, began experimenting with two Fordson Diesel Major tractors joined together in tandem. Pryor's goal was to provide a powerful four-wheel drive machine that would plough or cultivate his large acreage of heavy Essex clay. After much experimentation, Pryor arrived at a workable pivot-steer design. The tractor performed beyond all expectations and became the talk of the area. Soon, Ernest Charles Doe of the local Ford distributors, Ernest Doe & Sons paid Pryor a visit. Doe could see the machine had great potential, and an agreement was reached for the company to put the tractor into production. The production tractor, based on two Fordson Power Major skid units, was launched in 1958 as the Doe Dual Power. Following a number of modifications, the tandem design was re-launched the following year as Doe's Dual Drive, usually referred to as the 'Triple-D' for short, and a legend was born. George Pryor kept his original tractor, much modified and improved by Ernest Doe & Sons, for ten years. He and his brother bought a new 'Triple-D' each in October 1961, and George then purchased the Doe 130, D663, which is being offered in the sale, in May 1968. Mr Pryor always believed that, although not the last to be built, his Doe 130 was the very last to leave the factory at Ulting after he purchased it in May 1968."
Sold for £71,000.