A mechanics son with a passion for vintage vehicles has snapped up at auction a tractor his father maintained 40 years ago.

The adventures of the David Brown tractor began in 1959 when it was a trusty workhorse at Stackpole Home Farm.

It was maintained in top working order by John Bennions fitter, Richard Williams.

The farm changed hands and the tractor was part of the deal, but in 1964 it took a journey north to St Davids when it was bought by Mr J. H. Thompson, of Heol Dewi, St Davids.

Its log book reveals a change of ownership two years later and there it remained, at New Park Farm, Landshipping, until Richard Williams son, Cyril, bid £2,700 for it at a clearance sale this autumn.

Cyril, who grew up at 1 Pen-y-Wen Cottages, Stackpole Home Farm, plans to restore the David Brown.

He paid more than he intended for the tractor but its value is deeply sentimental. Cyrils son, Andrew, never met his grandfather.

My father died before Andrew had an opportunity to meet him, he wanted the tractor as much as I did, he said.

The vehicle was used to cover potato crops at Stackpole Home Farm and plough and disc harrow the land. Over the decades, it has gradually been rebuilt.

It has been hacked about a bit," admitted retired Ministry of Defence worker, Cyril, of 75 Park Street, Pembroke Dock.

I cant get any parts from David Brown, but I have come across one in the process of being broken up for spares."

This model of tractor is in great demand in France where it has a valuable use in vineyards. But this particular David Brown is going nowhere. It is the prize machine in Cyrils vintage collection and nostalgia will keep it on this side of the Channel.

Tommy Canton, a former tractor driver at Stackpole Home Farm, reaquaints himself with the David Brown while Cyril Williams looks on. Picture: Western Telegraph.