A STEAM engine lovingly restored by the late Fred Dibnah is set to be auctioned at a vintage engine sale in Sutton this weekend.
A STEAM engine lovingly restored by the late Fred Dibnah is set to be auctioned at a vintage engine sale in Sutton this weekend.
The famous steeplejack and engineer spent almost 25 years restoring the vintage machine and it was even used to pull his coffin through the city of Bolton following his death in 2004.
Dibnah bought the engine, which was built in 1912 and counts Devonshire County Council among its former owners, in 1979 and completed it just before his death six years ago.
Dibnah rose to fame in 1978 after starring in a documentary about his life and work as a steeplejack in Bolton and he continued to appear in television series over the next two decades. He was awarded an MBE for services to heritage in July 2004.
His Aveling and Porter steam engine is being auctioned at the Cambridge Vintage Sale being hosted by Cheffins in Sutton on Saturday, July 24. The item is expected to come under the hammer at about 11.15am.
There will be a special viewing day for the auction on Friday from 1pm-6pm.
It is being auctioned on the instructions of the beneficiaries and executors of his estate with a guide price of between �120,000-�140,000 placed on it.
The late Fred Dibnah with his Aveling and Porter steam engine. Photo: SUPPLIED.
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