The 7810 Generation III ‘Silver Jubilee’ is sometimes described as the ‘holy grail’ for Ford collectors.
These iconic ‘special-edition’ tractors were launched in October 1989 to commemorate 25 years of tractor production at Basildon (England).
Accounting for 25% of the company’s retail sales (in the UK) at the time, the Ford 7810 was the obvious candidate for a special edition version.
Based on the Generation lll tractor, the ‘Silver Jubilee‘ version was equipped with the famous Super-Q cab (with an electronic instrument panel), 4WD (using an Italian Carraro front axle) and the ‘Synchroshift’ gearbox (with Dual Power).
Of course, the most striking feature was the special metallic silver and blue livery.
One ‘Silver Jubilee‘ tractor was allocated to each UK Ford dealer. The plan was to offer it as a high-specification machine with air-conditioning, an electronic performance monitor and four spool valves.
Complaints from dealers
However, some dealers complained that the long list of added extras would make the tractor too expensive for their customers, so each dealership was sent an order form that allowed them to tailor the specification to their own requirements.
This saw some ‘Silver Jubilee‘ tractors go out with just two spool valves and no air-conditioning.
Apparently, the only constant was the “luxury” Grammer seat (with armrests and height adjustment), which was fitted to every tractor.
Around 150 of these limited-edition models were built, but the silver paint and the expensive price tag led to some resistance from customers. Several had their specification downgraded or were repainted in the normal blue livery – to move unsold stocks.
Similar ‘silver’ models were also offered here in Ireland and in selected European markets.
Ironically, the ‘Silver Jubilee‘ tractors are now highly prized; good examples are increasingly hard to find.
This 1989 example (pictured above) is up for grabs – at an upcoming auction.
It’s shod on 18.4 R38 rear and 16.9 R24 front wheels/tyres. It was restored some years ago; 9,493 hours are now showing on the clock.
It’s part of a collection that’s owned by UK-based tractor enthusiast Paul Cable. The whole collection is due to go under the hammer (in individual lots) on Saturday, May 12 in England.
These eye-catching photographs were taken by Tim Scrivener, who routinely visits auctions and on-site sales for AgriLand.
For more information on this noteworthy auction (and to hear Paul Cable talk about his stunning tractor collection) click on this link.
