Show winning 1952 Porsche P111

This has to be one of the coolest things we have had through the doors in a long time – and quite possibly one of the best restored Porsche-Diesel tractors in the country. Firstly, this is a Porsche-Diesel P111, not to be confused with the earlier Allgaier A111. Porsche had been involved in tractor design for many years, but following the transition from Allgaier, the later machines carried the Porsche-Diesel name. Built in 1957, this P111 comes from that later and more developed period of Porsche tractor production. And this particular one is an absolute showpiece. Powered by an 822cc air-cooled single-cylinder diesel producing approximately 12bhp, performance is unlikely to trouble a 911 Turbo, but that’s rather missing the point. Fire it up and the wonderfully agricultural single-cylinder diesel soundtrack, huge steering wheel and beautifully simple controls make it an event at any speed. The tractor has undergone an extensive restoration, with an enormous amount of work carried out mechanically and cosmetically. The engine has been fully rebuilt, while the rear end has also been rebuilt. It has received new brakes, new tyres, new front wheels, a new battery, new lighting and extensive rewiring. Cosmetically it is superb. The Porsche red paintwork presents beautifully against the contrasting cream wheels, with new chrome bonnet trim and badging, new wing seats and a newly fabricated step completing the presentation. There are also some lovely practical touches. As this particular tractor doesn’t have rear linkage, the seat bracket has been modified accordingly, while the rear carrier has been adapted with a chequer-plate storage box – officially for tools, although we’re reliably informed its primary purpose is transporting ham sandwiches. It is difficult to convey in photographs just how good this little Porsche is. Look closely at the detailing around the engine, transmission, fasteners, wiring, wheels and controls and it becomes obvious that this wasn’t simply given a quick coat of red paint. It has been restored to be something genuinely special. The P111 is a fascinating piece of Porsche history in its own right. Today, however, we’d consider this one as much a show vehicle or piece of automotive memorabilia as an agricultural machine. Take it to a Porsche gathering and we’d wager it’ll attract more attention than most of the 911s. Beautifully restored, mechanically rebuilt, wonderfully quirky and almost impossible not to smile at. We genuinely can’t imagine finding a much better Porsche-Diesel P111 for sale in Ireland. And yes – the ham sandwich carrier is included.