Treasure Trove Of Cars Discovered On A Farm After 50 Years, Check Out The Rare Finds Of The Baillon Collection

Imagine stumbling upon millions of dollars' worth of well-preserved cars -- in an old barn left unattended for some 50 years. That's exactly what happened to Matthieu Lamoure, director of Artcurial Motorcars, and Pierre Novikoff, a car specialist, on a recent trip to western France, when a tip led to a treasure trove of 60 rare automobiles. The haul from includes a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider with an estimated value of 9.5 to 12 million Euros ($11.8 million to $14.9 million). The vehicles will be sold during the Retromobile 2015 auction held by Artcurial Motorcars on Feb. 6, 2015.

“This is surely the last time that such a discovery will be made, anywhere in the world. What's so special here is the number of cars (60), the range (from the early days of the motor car to the 1970s) and the quality and pedigree of the models,” Novikoff said in a statement.

Roger Baillon, an entrepeneur, amassed the collection in the 1950s but was forced to sell around 50 vehicles after some business setbacks. The remainder of the collection was left on his property until 2014. Lamoure and Novikoff were traveling around France looking for rare automobiles that could be included in upcoming auctions when they received information about Baillon's collection. "The cars weren’t stored in solid, purpose-built sheds, but [rather in] completely makeshift constructions. We came closer and realised that there were dozens of cars parked underneath,” Novikoff said.

Baillon wanted to preserve early vehicles, including postwar French automobiles, that might have otherwise ended up at a scrapyard. "This man was one of the early collectors. He wanted to celebrate the art of automotive engineering and bought a property to turn into an automobile museum,” Lamoure said.

The Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet Saoutchik belonged to King Farouk of Egypt, a ruler known for his lavish lifestyle, which included a massive coin collection and a love for cars. The rare 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider, one of only 37 ever made and long thought to have been lost, was owned by Gerard Blain, who sold the vehicle to Alain Delon. Delon was seen driving the Ferrari with actresses Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine, Artcurial noted. A 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider sold for $15.8 million at auction in August.

After the auction, Lamoure hopes some of the collectors opt to keep the cars as-is rather than have them restored. "What is incredible is the condition of these cars. I think some should be left as they are, and others should be restored. This is a unique testimony. It is the collectors who have this opportunity to make the successful bid who will decide...For the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé Saoutchik, caved in at the rear, I think it should be left in this condition. It is a sculpture," Lamoure said.