Nuffield Universal

In 1945 as part of post World War 2 recovery plans, the British Government approached the Nuffield Organisation suggesting that they design and manufacture a new all-British tractor.

[4] Having given this due consideration, Morris Motors Limited vice chairman Sir Miles Thomas announced to the I.S.M.A at Hull in 1946 "Nuffield to Make Tractors".

A further 12 prototypes were produced before the end of that year culminating in a demonstration in Pershore in December.

[4] Due to steel shortages, production started in 1948 with the Nuffield Universal tractor being launched at the Smithfield Show in December of that year.

[8] Petrol-paraffin engine models introduced at the 1948 Smithfield Show were the Nuffield Universal M4 and the tricycle-wheeled M3.

However the final end of Nuffield may have been different as it is reported that British Leyland considered divesting itself of the tractor business and a sale to David Brown.

Some preparatory effort was made but there does not seem to have been sufficient commercial benefit for the merger to happen without some accompanying political imperative and nothing came of the move.

[16] Most versions of Nuffied tractors are still in existence, perhaps both an illustration of the strength of the design and the fondness that people feel for the marque.