A Rare Piece of Nuffield History: The Nuffield 4/65 Bray 4WD

Tamar Vintage Tractors – Tavistock, Devon

Every now and then, a tractor comes along that is a little bit different. Not simply a good example of a well-known model, but something genuinely unusual — a machine that tells a story about the ingenuity and specialist engineering of the British tractor industry.

This Nuffield 4/65 Bray 4WD is one such tractor.

The Nuffield 4/65 was already an important tractor in the history of the Nuffield marque, being the final Nuffield model produced before the transition to Leyland. What makes this particular example especially interesting, however, is the Bray four-wheel-drive conversion.

The Bray Connection

Bray was a specialist engineering company that began life in Feltham, Middlesex, before later moving to Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The company became known for producing specialist tractor components, including custom-built front axles and transfer boxes.

During the period, companies such as Bray, County and Roadless were at the forefront of converting conventional two-wheel-drive tractors into capable four-wheel-drive machines.

These conversions gave farmers the opportunity to gain additional traction and versatility from tractors that were otherwise unavailable as factory-built 4WD machines.

It is reported that around 130 Nuffield 4/65 tractors were converted by Bray, making surviving examples particularly scarce today. They very rarely come onto the market, which makes this tractor an interesting proposition for both Nuffield enthusiasts and collectors of specialist British tractor conversions.

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A Well-Preserved Older Restoration

This particular tractor has come from a private collection and is best described as an older restoration.

It starts instantly from cold and runs very well. The power steering is fully operational and works as it should, and despite its age, the tractor is remarkably composed when driven on the road.

The tinwork is in very good order, while the paintwork shows some age in keeping with the tractor's older restoration. Importantly, there are no significant signs of corrosion to be concerned about.

The tractor is fitted with tyres that remain in good usable condition. They do show some cracking, as you might expect from their age, but still have plenty of life left in them.

The Bray 4WD System

Of course, the real attraction here is the Bray four-wheel-drive conversion.

The 4WD axle is working correctly, with no unpleasant or concerning noises from the axle or transmission. Combined with the working power steering, good brakes and strong running engine, this is a tractor that isn't simply an interesting collector's piece — it is still very usable.

That combination of rarity and usability is what makes machines like this so appealing.

A Rare Nuffield Worth Seeing

The Nuffield 4/65 Bray 4WD represents an interesting chapter in British tractor history. It combines one of the final Nuffield models with a specialist four-wheel-drive conversion from a company whose work is now relatively uncommon to find.

With reportedly only around 130 Bray conversions produced, surviving examples are few and far between. For anyone interested in Nuffield tractors, specialist conversions or the history of British agricultural engineering, this is a particularly unusual machine.

It would make an excellent addition to a collection, but equally, it is ready to be enjoyed and put to use.

This Nuffield 4/65 Bray 4WD is available from Tamar Vintage Tractors.

📍 Based in Tavistock, Devon

🚚 Nationwide delivery can be arranged

Please call Tamar Vintage Tractors to discuss pricing or to find out more about this rare Nuffield.