VALPARAISO, Ind. — Kraft Auction Service drew attention November 13–15 during its huge three-day, third annual fall antique truck and tractor auction. Held at its Valparaiso facility, each day brought a fresh lineup - spanning vintage farm machine literature and memorabilia, antique tractors, vehicles, and even quality farm toys.

Things opened Thursday, with an online-only session featuring antique/vintage machinery literature and memorabilia. More than 500 lots were offered, including dealer catalogs, instruction manuals, ag-themed postcards, advertising, and a small selection of parts.

Bidding on the literature was noteworthy. An early-1900s Huber “Light 4” pamphlet, “The Foundation of Tractor Dependability,” brought $200, while a 1971 John Deere dealer service binder scored $110. A set of nine IH parts catalogs covering Farmall, International, and McCormick machines also grabbed $110, showing these historic reference materials still hold plenty of appeal.

Much of the literature sold for double digits, including an Allis-Chalmers MD5 dozer operator’s and repair manual that hit $50. Later, a John Deere 4320 tractor technical manual hit $45. Bids in the teens won a trio of Aultman-Taylor postcards profiling 30-60 gas tractors ($17.50) and an instruction book for Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Twin City 12-20 and 20-35 tractors ($15). Single-digits grabbed items like a six-piece set of JD operator’s manuals ($8) and a double-sided Allis-Chalmers No. 7 side-delivery rake & tedder advertisement ($5).

On Friday, it was farm toys and memorabilia, with both live and online bidding available. Over 1,000 lots crossed the block, including a rare new-in-box Toy Tractor Times 25th Anniversary Edition 1/16-scale AgcoStar 8360 4WD tractor with floater/fat tires, which hit $2,400. Four additional diecasts sold for four figures, including a boxed 1/8-scale Deere 4020 diesel wide-front ($1,500) and two limited-edition 1/16-scale Die-Cast Promotions Big Bud 16V-747 4WD tractors ($1,500 each).

Three-figure offers scored standouts like a used Lincoln Toys Oliver 77 wide-front that reached $450, and a new-in-box 1/16-scale Ertl International 7488 dealer edition at $300. A unique scratch-built metal and wood Advance Rumely steam engine tractor captured $275.

Even with winning bids below $100, buyers snagged quality pieces. A good-condition brass 1/16th Scale Models steel-wheeled Farmall M, part of the Joseph Ertl Collector Series, went for $80. A 1/16-scale SpecCast Allis-Chalmers Model K crawler in its original box pulled $50, while a good-condition 1/16-scale SpecCast Oliver 880 narrow-front went for just $15. 

Saturday marked another shift, with a “drive-thru” live auction alongside online bidding on a wide array of antique and vintage tractors, collector trucks, antique cars, pedal vehicles, signs, and other advertising. 

A total of 455 lots were offered, led by a $100,000 offer for a 1910 Hart-Parr Model 22-45. This rare, running survivor - a standout of early tractor history - featured a two-cylinder hit-and-miss engine, single forward and reverse speeds, belt pulley, drawbar, buzz-coil battery ignition, canopy, and reinforced heavy-duty wheels and gears. 

Coming in second at $47,000 was a 1972 International Harvester 1468, powered by a rebuilt V8 diesel and new torque amplifier. The machine featured a 4-speed transmission with high/low ranges, 540/1000 PTO, dual hydraulic remotes, 3-point hitch with top link, drawbar, chrome stacks, front/rear weights, easy on/off steps, and many new components.

Less meteoric bids won machinery like a 1934 Oliver Hart-Parr 18-28 Orchard, which sold for $10,500. Fully restored in 2006, it featured a rebuilt 4-cylinder gas engine, 3-speed transmission, orchard fenders with front-wheel covers, model-correct magneto and carburetor, rubber on steel wheels, and a custom canvas cover. A 1959 Oliver 770 diesel Wheatland with only 33 post-restoration hours got $6,500. Powered by a 6-cylinder engine and 6-speed transmission with power booster for 12 speeds, it included a 540 PTO, hydraulic remotes, drawbar, and new tires.

Ag machines weren’t the day’s only draw, as classic vehicles were also on the block. Leading the group was a 1971 Chevrolet Blazer “restomod,” which drove off for $44,500. Powered by an LS 5.3L V8 with a 700R4 4-speed automatic, the highly customized restoration featured a converted 1968 front clip, limited-slip rear end, 3.08:1 final drive, 4-wheel disc brakes, and modern touches such as Omega Kustom digital gauges and Riddler wheels.

An original collector-grade 1996 Ford Bronco XLT with just 37,500 miles went for $39,000. Powered by a 5.8L EFI V8, 4-speed automatic, and factory 4WD with automatic locking hubs, it featured original green two-tone paint and matching removable hardtop - one of only 44 with that combination. Well-maintained, it included complete service records and a deluxe Marti Report.

Other classics attracted offers under $10,000, including a running-condition 1934 Chevrolet 1.5-ton stake bed truck with 31,142 miles, an inline six and manual transmission, that hammered at $6,500. A 1983 Ford F150 XL 4x4 with 76,000 miles left for $4,500. That was powered by a 400HP 351 V8 installed in 2017, with a Jasper remanufactured automatic transmission added in 2025. Well equipped, it sported factory 4WD with automatic locking hubs, dual gas tanks, and amenities like power steering, power brakes, and cruise control.

Saturday also presented an opportunity to snag a special holiday gift, with more than 80 quality pedal vehicles available. Those included a Hoover International T-340 Crawler by Hoover Promotions netting $3,500, and a custom John Deere pedal crawler with blade (one of only 5 built) finished at $2,500. Others sold from $100 for a vintage AMF “Big 4” chain drive wide-front to $2,000 for a Caterpillar pedal dozer with a custom flame paint job. 

Taken together, the three days - spanning literature to machinery - reflected current market interest and where values continue to stay strong.