Automobilia

PREVIEW: Cheffins Vintage Sale, Machinery Saleground, Sutton, near Ely, Cambs, 14 October

Cheffins of Cambridge has another of its big Vintage Sales at the Sutton Machinery Saleground on Saturday, split into five distinct sections.

Away from all the classic cars, tractors, farm machinery, steam engines and accessories, there are numerous lots of hardware and paperwork of interest to automobilia collectors.

Some of the petrol pump globes in this sale are described as reproduction, but an appealing genuine one is the shapely and

plain-worded National Derv example, and there’s also a Regent Super circular fuel pump sign. There’s a fine selection of oil cans that include Castrol GTX, ELF, Fina and Shell, complete with some literature. One of the more unusual items is the splendidly named Pratt’s Depth-OMeter. It’s a forecourt tank contents gauge mounted on an original board, together with ancillary items. And we salute the AA patrolman brass bonnet mascot.

Another strong category catered for by Cheffins is enamel signs; and while the Fit Avon British-Made Tyres three-colour 60in x 30in example has clearly been around the block a few times it is still a nostalgic contender.

And you don’t need to be a scooter fan to appreciate the stylish wall-mounted Officially Appointed Lambretta Service Agent revolving shield sign with original cast bracket.

There’s plenty of reading material, including a quantity of 1930s Motor Trader magazines, plus boxes of fascinating books. ■ cheffins.co.uk