Devon Amber has been a passionate and committee collector and restorer of antique machinery for most of his life but, he made the difficult decision not so long ago, at 72 years of age, that it was time to ‘let it all go’. He was such an avid collector, that if you were a gambler, you would have bet that he would not have gone through with it. He did, however, which allowed him to focus on the job of moving to a new house and looking for some new hobbies.

Devon always says that, “the body will let you know when it’s time to change gears”, and after more than half a century of collecting, and touring rallies, he is philosophical. He often says, “You can’t take it with you when you go”. So, Devon and his wife, Betty, made the decision to manage their hobby rather than let the hobby manage them. With the help of their daughters and son-in-law, they put the property on the market, catalogued the collection, and commenced selling. 

They avoided holding a clearing sale, which allowed them to control who their much loved collectables were sold to, including other enthusiasts, museums, and clubs. For the most part, it went smoothly, except for the time when Devon (who has a bit of a deaf ear), sold an engine for next to nothing. After that, Betty was left in charge of the negotiations.

The result meant that, by earlier this year, they had sold their farm in the Adelaide Hills, all of their 54 tractors, most of their 200 engines, and innumerable pieces of machinery. Incredibly, every item had been shedded. They then transferred all of their possessions, including a few smaller engines (which they kept), to their newly renovated federation style home in Murray Bridge, SA. 

Devon’s history of collecting is a remarkable tale. His love and enthusiasm is endearing. In fact, he talks as if these engines and tractors not only have a history but also a personality. He can make you instantly fall in love with these inanimate objects over a cup of tea.

Devon isn’t sure why, or when, he caught the collecting bug. He only remembers that when he was eight years old, he watched with a forlorn face, as his favourite old T model truck, which had been an instrument for his endless childhood imaginary games, was taken from the family farm and carted off for scrap. 

His first recollection of a tractor on their property was an old steel-wheeled Irish Fordson. As a kid, he rode around on the fuel tank to keep warm, and many an hour was spent watching his dad trying to start it. It would dig in as soon as a load was applied and, for many years after it had gone, there were still holes in the paddock. He can also remember his father saying that it felt like, “you were doing a great job putting hay out but, actually, it was no faster than a wheelbarrow”.

Devon’s collection started with model T’s. He has dismantled 20 to 30 of them, many which were given to him for as little as a bag of spuds. Out of these, he has fully restored six, and provided lots of parts for friends and other collectors. 

His father-in-law, although he had little mechanical knowledge himself, was a positive influence on Devon. He liked engines, and he received great pleasure in bringing an engine home, sitting on a drum, and watching Devon run it. Devon received all the engines his father-in-law came across, keeping some for himself, and passing the rest on to others. 

He found all sorts of innovative ways to enjoy his collection, and you could say he lived his hobby. In 2002, he and Betty set off on a tour along the Murray River from Renmark, SA, to Gol Gol, NSW, motoring up the river in a 16ft Clauson boat, built in Adelaide. It had a twin cylinder Blaxland Pup motor. They would stop overnight on the river banks, and sleep in swags. 

Devon is a foundation member of the Model T Ford Club of Australia, and is an ‘almost’ founding member of the Barossa Valley Machinery Preservation Society, as well as a member of the Booleroo Steam and Traction Preservation Society. He has manned the microphone for over 15 years at the Booleroo, Wentworth, and Waikerie rallies, and has also acted as the compere at the National Rally in Naracoorte in 2005. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of tractors, and his knack for telling great yarns.

Around the rally circuit, Devon is iconic. You may have seen him in his gypsy wagon (or ploughman’s van) that he built himself, which contains memorabilia and collections of small antique items.

With the downsizing now complete, Devon and Betty can attend rallies with a few smaller, more notable engines. They also take these opportunities to display Devon’s sculptures, made of antique metal parts, which is one of the new hobbies he has taken to with much enthusiasm. 

If Devon feels a little nostalgic, he can sit in the comfort of his new home, and flick over the pages of his tractor, or engine albums, which were put together before the collection was sold. They contain photos, amusing stories and anecdotes, along with a wealth of other information. 

As far as collecting goes, Devon believes he has gone full circle. To put it in a nutshell, “it was fun on the hunt, fun putting it all together, and fun seeing it go”.

*Elizabeth McKeowen