← back

One Hundred Classic Cars Found in a Farm Garage in France

Posted on February 15, 2015 – Classic Cars

One Hundred Classic Cars Found in a Farm Garage in France

There is an Indiana Jones in all of us, dreaming of solving mysteries and discovering treasures. For most of us, this will never be more than a fantasy, but if you work at an auction house, you actually get to come across some true riches. Forget about paintings, an incredible story of neglected classic cars in France has made the headlines worldwide.

Found in a makeshift shelter made of corrugated iron, those cars were collected between the 1950s and the 1970s by wealthy French industrialist Roger Baillon who had a passion for pre-war cars and wanted to preserve a piece of automobile history.

Over a period of about 15 years, he collected about 200 cars, notable for their rarity. His ambition was to restore them and display them in a museum, but his business fell on hard times and he gradually had to sell half of his collection, while the rest was left to rust in an outbuilding on his farm.

As Mr Baillon and his son passed away, his grandchildren found themselves the heirs of what they thought a collection of decrepit vehicles. However, when auctioneers from Artcurial Motorcars came to estimate its value, it was with great excitement that, buried under old magazines, there laid a treasure trove worth, literally, a fortune, as the collection was initially valued at NZ$25 million!

Sixty cars were deemed to be in good enough a state to be sold as cars, while the rest would be put for sale as spare parts. It was auctioned by Artcurial Motorcars at the Rétromobile Salon in Paris on February 6, 2015, and the 60 vehicles achieved an astonishing NZ$38 million. Not bad for a bunch of decrepit cars!

It is a historical collection made rare by the fact that it embodies the history of the French car and that it comprises makes long forgotten. The Barré Torpédo sold, for example, was made in the 1920s in a small village in Western France, and is remarkable for the fact that it is only one of five cars of this model ever made.

Berliet cars were represented by two fine examples of the make, the Coupé Chauffeur, a successful car in the late 1920s, and the VIGB Taxi Landaulet launched in 1906, which could reach the impressive speed of 40mph! Founded in 1899, the company was one of the pioneers in automobile technology, experimenting with engines, but it disappeared as an independent car manufacturer when it was bought by Citroën in 1968, then by Renault in 1974.

The collection also includes a Delage D6 and a Delage D8, which was considered the pinnacle of this manufacturer’s creativity and which was produced between 1929 and 1940. Despite its launch coinciding with the Great Depression, this car, destined for high-end customers, became one of the most successful Delage products and a symbol of luxurious cars in France.

Other well-known classic cars makes were found in the garage, such as Ferraris, a Maserati, a Jaguar and a Porsche.

The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California SWB was one of 60 ever made. It is one of the most sought-after and valuable classic cars, and discovering one of them sent the world of automobile collectors into frenzy. Those cars usually come with an impressive lineage, and this one doesn’t disappoint: owned by Alain Delon, a French movie star from the 1960s-1970s, it was photographed with himself and his co-stars in the 1964 movie Les Félins (Joy House), Shirley MacLaine and Jane Fonda. This car was sold for an eye-watering NZ$25 million, a world record for this model.

A Ferrari 400 was also present. Launched in 1976, it was a technological wonder at the time as it could go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

The 1956 Maserati A6G Berlinetta Grand Sport by Frua was one of only three of its type ever made, and it also set a world record for this model, being sold for NZ$3 million.

For those of you who like a car with a pedigree, the Talbot-Lago T26 Cabriolet is for you, as it was owned by the last monarch of Egypt, King Farouk, well-known for his wealth and extravagant lifestyle.

All 60 cars were sold to private collectors around the world. Although Baillon never fulfilled his dream of restoring them, it seems that his dream to preserve them for future generations will, in a roundabout way, be achieved.


← back


Related articles

How to Buy a Vintage Car
Posted on 19th December 2022
Buying vintage cars may look like a walk in the park, but it can take a little more work if you're a newbie. We show you the ropes of buying your vintage car!
Read more


Your Guide to Buying a Coupé
Posted on 15th January 2018
There is a time in the life of car lovers when they just want something a bit different – and it’s not necessarily because of a midlife crisis! A coupé might just be the answer to their prayers with their inimitable sleek lines and their horsepower.
Read more


How to Restore a Classic Car
Posted on 14th September 2017
Buying a classic car is always an exciting time for a collector, whether it is the first one or an addition to your collection. While there is nothing wrong with choosing a car that can be driven right then, purchasing one that needs some love and restoring it yourself will give you an intimate knowledge of its workings.
Read more


Importing a Motorhome from the UK
Posted on 14th August 2017
It may not feel like it at the moment, but good weather will be back in a few months and we will all be itching to get the barbecue out and explore the great outdoors of New Zealand. Why not do it with a motorhome?
Read more



Our easy - 3 step shipping process

×
Advise pick-up location
Documents & shipping
Delivered to your door

Tell us the pick up location and we'll arrange a date & time

We handle all customs & shipping including insurance

Enjoy your toy, after it's delivered to your door anywhere in NZ.

Get Started

Shipping a vehicle?

Get a free quote

Unlock your dream now …

Copyright © 2024 McCullough Ltd | Terms & Conditions

Website crafted by bocapa