11 December 2014

In France, the ‘barn find' of the century

The BBC has an article by Jonathan Schultz about every junkers dream:
Rust is not picky. If it dines on a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider rather than a 1982 Chevrolet Chevette, don’t expect an appreciative belch. Ochre stains, however, can be catnip for automobile collectors disillusioned with diaper-buffed concours queens. These enthusiasts thrill to the prospect of spending years and millions of dollars returning a sympathetic shine to iron oxide’s victims.
It appears that their ship has come in for these collectors’. Cars found mouldering on a French estate will be auctioned in February of 2015 in Paris, during the Rétromobile programme of vintage-car events. Among these is the aforementioned Ferrari Spider, which may bring a twelve-million-euro high bid, and a Maserati A6G designed by legendary Turinese coachbuilder Frua. Some sixty vehicles in all will be offered, most dating from the 1930s.
Consigners Artcurial Motorcars have also identified a pair of coachbuilt Talbot Lago coupes, one of which having belonged to King Farouk of Egypt. Surrounding these are Hispano-Suizas, Delahayes, Citroëns, Jaguars, Porsches, and other European makes, all wearing what might be charitably described as “patina”.
The collection was amassed in the 1950s and 1960s by Roger Baillon, a transport industrialist. The auctioneer notes that Baillon’s fortunes soured in the 1970s and, though he managed to sell some cars during that time, many were poorly stored in outbuildings around his property in western France. It was only when Baillon’s heirs made enquiries at auction houses that the importance of the rusted heaps became apparent.
For a heart-rending tour of the site, watch the video, but interested parties would be advised to bring their rust brushes and open checkbooks:

Rico says that's people who like junk, not Junkers or Junkers...

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