A mystery car enthusiast is selling his incredible collection of dusty classic motors that date back to the 1920s.
The rare cars, which the owner spent 45 years collecting and restoring, were stored for decades in a barn in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
The owner, a retired businessman who is remaining anonymous, built up a collection of around 30 vintage vehicles that span the last century.
He is now selling ten of his prized cars worth 80,000 pounds that were discovered in a barn where they had been gathering dust for decades.
The oldest car going under the hammer is a rare 1923 open two-seater Citroen.
Other finds include a 1952 Austin A125 Sheerline; a 1929 Peugeot open tourer; and a 1928 Chevrolet doctors coupe.
One of the rarest motors is a 1941 Hudson 6 coupe which was found alongside a 1926 Austin van 12/4 van.
The most valuable car is a 1928 Franklin Airman which is worth around 20,000 pounds.
A 1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and a 1973 Rolls-Royce Shadow 1 are also being sold which the seller originally bought new.
The most modern car being auctioned is a 1997 Jaguar 3.2 sport.
“Opening the barn door was a jaw-dropping moment for me, like discovering a secret motoring museum,” said classic car consultant Jim Ronan, of Hansons Auctioneers, which is handling the sale.
“This extraordinary collection celebrates motoring history from the 1920s through to the 1990s. I was amazed by the quality and range of vehicles.
“Aside from the inevitable layers of dust, all the vehicles are in remarkable condition given their age.
“They’re heading to auction in March and collectively could achieve 80,000 pounds.
“These ten curvaceous classics offer a tangible lesson in British, U.S.A., and French motoring history.
“Every vehicle has been loved, driven, enjoyed, and well maintained. They have been cherished for decades.
“For example, the Austin A125 sheerline—Austin’s answer to the Bentley—has been owned by the vendor for 40 years while the rare 1928 Chevrolet doctors coupe has been in his care for 30 years.
“They will be offered at auction without reserve.
“That’s sure to get car enthusiasts’ pulses racing. My personal favorites are the Hudson 6 Coupe and the Franklin, both American classics.”
The seller’s collection got so big he kept them in an aircraft hangar.
“Before retirement, the seller took great pleasure in driving one of his classics to his former Burton-based business, Applied Signs,” Ronan said.
“Our vendor turned heads with his motors and became known as a car collector.
“This led to him receiving offers of more classic vehicles.
“The collection grew and eventually became so big it was housed in an aircraft hangar.
“Later the vehicles were transferred to a watertight secure barn.”
The classic cars will be sold at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, on March 18.
Friends Read Free