Swedish tractor brand Swed-Trac only built about 60 tractors before going bankrupt in 1987, but there is now one up for auction again.

The Swed-Trac tractor - one of only a handful still around - is currently available via Klaravik, an online Swedish auction marketplace for used machinery, tools, and vehicles.

Swed-Trac was founded by the Pihlgren brothers in the 1980s, in Arvika, Sweden, but did not make it out of that decade.

The tractors had an eye-catching black and gold livery, colours usually reserved for commemorative or anniversary models in the world of tractors.

The brand was aiming to offer a Swedish-built machine to fill the gap left by Volvo BM.

Auctioned machine

The specific Swed-Trac ST 1674 which is up for auction has had just one owner since 1994.

Mikael Larsson used the machine sparingly and, as a result, he said it has clocked up just over 2,000 hours.

Larsson called his Swed-Trac a "tractor unicorn" before delving into its history.

He said: "It really was a tractor ahead of its time. Big, high-horsepower tractors like this were unusual back then.

"The previous owner had worked at Swed-Trac, so there's a close link to its origins.

"It has done very few hours and is in original condition, including the interior. It's well preserved.

"Given that there can only be a few left, it's undeniably rare," he said.

Components

The components used in Swed-Trac tractors were the basis for the brand's identity and downfall.

Utilising reliable Scania and ZF parts, Swed-Trac aimed to build a durable tractor for Sweden.

Unfortunately, due to high component costs (which in turn led to high retail costs) and delivery delays, the brand struggled to get off the ground.

Larsson pointed out the Polish heritage of the tractor, as the cab and axles had both come from Warsaw-founded Ursus.

He said that the tractor "deserves" to become a museum piece.

"To me, this is a 'tractor Ferrari'. It's a true cult classic, and together with Volvo BM, a major piece of Swedish tractor history."

The auction of the tractor closes on the Klaravik platform on Wednesday, October 28.