Allan Dippie, a well-known Wānaka developer and vintage tractor enthusiast, is preparing to part with more than 100 tractors from his astonishing collection this weekend.
According to a report by RNZ, Dippie, who began collecting in 2017 with just a single machine, now owns close to 300 tractors, ranging from rare international finds to century-old models. But with two sheds the size of rugby fields filled to the brim, storage has become a challenge.
“It’s just chocka, chocka, chocka and it’s counterproductive, because then you can’t get the one you want to drive out easily,” he told Midday Report.
Among his prized pieces are a Ferguson Brown prototype, a Saunderson once used by the British royal family, and models dating back to 1916. Many were rescued from under trees and painstakingly restored, while others remain “project tractors” awaiting repairs.
The collection has not only drained his wallet—enough for his accountant to ban new purchases, but also drawn massive crowds. At the popular Wheels at Wānaka event in 2019, Dippie’s machines helped attract 65,000 visitors, creating traffic jams and what he called “tractor chaos.”
Now, he says it is time to let some go. “The problem with tractors is you can’t take them to a retirement village very easy. People have to eventually sell their tractor collections,” RNZ reported.
The auction, which went live online two weeks ago, will culminate on October 11 with a public viewing and live bidding at Dippie’s sheds. While he expects he may still be in deficit after the sales, he says the main goal is to free up space.
“I’ve loved it and I’m going to keep collecting tractors. But it takes a pretty special tractor to join the collection now. I’ve got to slow down and be more discerning,” as quoted by RNZ.
Dippie’s passion for vintage machines shows no signs of disappearing. For him, restoring tractors remains a uniquely satisfying, if sometimes dangerous, hobby.