Blue Force 1000 at the Newark Showground last weekend celebrated a half century of manufacturing at New Holland’s Basildon tractor plant in Essex. Simon Henley gives a taste of what was on display.

Ford Legacy

The Ford 3000 (above) represents what was one of four all-new models introduced by Ford in 1964 as part of the 6X or 1000-series tractor range, which also included the 2000, 4000 and 5000 models.

These featured modern styling, new three-cylinder and four-cylinder diesel engines and two new transmissions including the innovative Select-O-Speed 10-speed powershift gearbox.

Fordson Super Dexta

The last tractors to brandish the Fordson name were also the last tractors produced at Ford Motor Company’s Dagenham factory. From autumn 1964, production of the all-new Ford range of tractors was transferred to Basildon, Essex.

The 1964 Fordson Super Dexta here represented the New Performance Fordson range, which also included the Dexta and more powerful Major tractors.

Ford 7000

The 1971 Ford 7000 was the first production turbocharged tractor built in the UK. Developed in the USA, where turbocharging was already popular in the commercial truck sector, the Ford 7000 offered farmers Ford’s new Load Monitor linkage sensing system and an extra 19hp. It quickly proved that turbocharging was a reliable and effective method of increasing power and performance without increasing tractor size.

The Doe-130

One of the more unusual tractors to use Ford components during the 1960s was the tandem Doe-130. A derivative of the original Fordson Major developed Doe Triple-D, the Doe-130 used two 65hp Ford 5000 skid units linked by a unique turntable system.

Sadly, the Doe-130 was the penultimate incarnation of the famous Doe tractor, which was manufactured by Ernest Doe & Sons Of Utling in Essex. Just 170 Doe-130s were built between 1965 and 1968.

Ford 6600 and 4600

The 6600 was a top-seller for Ford during the late 1970s. Launched as one of the new Q-cab models designed to meet 1976 in-cab noise regulations, the 78hp Ford 6600 featured a stylish, rubber-mounted cab built by GKN Sankey in Shropshire. Nicknamed the bubble cab, its spacious interior included a luxury seat and fresh-air ventilation.

The smaller 62hp Ford 4600 next to it is fitted with a low-profile Lambourn Q-cab. This was designed so the top of the cab could be removed, allowing access to low-buildings.

Muir Hill 121

Muir Hill 121s like this 132hp Series III example were once a favourite among agricultural contractors who liked the six-cylinder engine and transaxle with Muir Hill’s innovative four-wheel drive system.

A stepped driveline used a dropbox to transmit engine power via the gearbox to the axles. This formation not only allowed for a tighter turning circle and greater ground clearance, it also gave the operator a good view.

Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee

In the late 1980s the Ford 7810 was Ford’s bestseller in Britain. Powered by a 103hp six-cylinder 6.6-litre engine and fitted with a flat deck Super-Q cab, the 7810 could trace its lineage back to the first Ford 6X models built in 1964.