A SECRET collection of 230 classic motors amassed over a period of 40 years was discovered in a warehouse and an abandoned church just last year.
The fleet of cars, which includes a Lancia Aurelia B20 and a Jaguar E-Type, was a mystery to the world until a fire broke out at the owner’s building.
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The hidden collection belonged to reclusive former business Ad Palmen from Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
Palmen had bought the cars over a period of 40 years, having worked as a car dealer in the mid-1960s before eventually starting his own collection.
Among the motors kept across the two warehouses and a church include Ferraris, Lancias, Alpines, Fords, BMWs, Mercedes, and many others.
Described as one of the greatest ‘barn finds’ ever discovered, the motors were eventually auctioned off in May 2023 after Palmen became ill with dementia.
Before then, seemingly no one knew about Palmen’s car-collecting hobby.
Indeed, a neighbour said: “We have been at this location for about 15 years and have regularly asked the owner if we could take a look inside, but it never came to a viewing.”
While a number of famous marques are among the 230 motors, the haul also included a number of obscure manufacturers, such as Tatra, Monica, Alvis, Imperia, and Villard.
Standout models in his collection included an Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ, and a Mercedes-Benz 300S Roadster.
What’s more, auction house Gallery Aaldering, which worked alongside Classic Car Auctions on the vast sale, say the motors have “stood the test of time very well.”
“It is unlikely that anyone will ever see a collection of this calibre and condition again in their lifetime,” Nico and Nick Aaldering of Gallery Aaldering said in a statement.
This comes as classic car fanatics were left stunned after a one-of-a-kind car was put up for sale for over £765,000 recently.
Untouched for 46 years, the vehicle has been left covered in dust and muck.
Also, a classic motor believed to be Britain’s rarest car is currently up for sale.
A long-forgotten Japanese saloon that was meant to rival the Ford Cortina in the 1970s is now seldom seen – with just two left on UK roads.
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