Tank
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This is a cool story - Some of you may know I dig old broke down abandoned things (castles, houses, theme parks, etc). Same can be said for barn finds. I just marvel at things sitting for 50 years untouched and then all of a sudden being brought to light.
This is a really cool barn find back in 2012 of most likely the highest value of collector cars in possibly the worst condition. Collection included the Ferrari 250 Ca spider (Ferris Bueller's Day Off Ferrari & my hands down favorite Ferrari of all time)
Article from the time of the find (2012):
An epic French barn find contains a massive 100-car lineup among which is a rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider.
This could actually be the most important barn find ever as besides the limited California Spider (only 37 units made), there's also a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua and a Bugatti 57 Ventoux. 60 cars out of a total of 100 are going to be auctioned in February by Artcurial during the Retromobile Salon and according to auctioneers the Ferrari will fetch up to €12 million whereas the Maserati should go for €1.2 million.
The cars belonged to Roger Baillon, a French transport magnate who started assembling the collection in the 50s but two decades later his business began to have problems so he had to sell about 50 cars and didn't have money to restore the other 100 vehicles that were find three months ago rusting away on a French estate. Artcurial believes only 60 of them are still salvageable and these have an estimated combined value of €12-15 million. (slight under-estimate!!)
Article after the find with a little more background (2014)
Looks like the car world is going to end the year with a bang! We have seen some amazing discoveries this past year, but I think it is safe to say that this one takes the cake. Outside of a small village in France there are a couple of unassuming structures that are full of classic cars. These are not just any old cars though. Some of the world’s finest vehicles are housed within these dilapidated garages and collapsing tin sheds. Cars that you may have never even heard of, but many of which are worth unfathomable amounts of money. Cars from the likes of Bugatti, Ferrari, Delahaye, Hispano Suiza, and Talbot Lago are all represented here and although covered in rust and moss they are an astonishing sight to behold.
The owner of this property had originally planned to preserve as many of world’s finest automobiles as he could. His collection focused on the great French marques and coachbuilders of the prewar era. He planned to build a museum to house them all (complete with a train to transport guests!), but unfortunately business went south before he could accomplish his goal. A large part of the collection was sold off in the 70s, but many cars remained and there they sat for 50 years… The dream was forgotten and somehow the cars were considered lost by the hunters who endlessly search for these rare birds. Ironically many of the automotive masterpieces that the owner hoped to preserve ended up suffering a worse fate in his care than they might have otherwise.
Some of the standouts here include a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (which was previously thought to be lost), a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua, a Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé Saoutchik, a Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet Saoutchik (which was once owned by a king), a Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet Millon-Guiet, and a Talbot Lago T26 Record coupé Saoutchik. Don’t feel bad if some of these makes and models sound like gibberish to you. Just know that all those fancy words equate to big money. These are the sort of cars that you would expect to see at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of these show up there in the next few years since the cars are all being auctioned off in February. Artcurial is handling the monumental task of digging these all out and presenting them at the Retromobile auction. Boy, would I have loved to have been the guy who got the call to go take a look at this find! There is an interview posted on the auction house’s website where they discuss the experience. Understandably, it was a very emotional day and they even were quoted as saying that “This is surely the last time that such a discovery will be made, anywhere in the world“. Perhaps, but I’m not so sure…
and a quick article on the cars auction (2015):
French barn-find collection brings $28.5 million, sets 10 records
All eyes were on the Baillon collection during Retromobile week in Paris, with the Artcurial auction house offering a stunning menagerie of 100 cars, 60 of which were deemed to be in restorable condition. The collection had come to light only in the past few months and consisted of automotive treasures that had been hidden away for decades, rescued from the crusher by Roger Baillon, a shipping magnate. While the lion's share of the collection consisted of obscure coachbuilt French automobiles from the pre-war era, a number of better known cars were also in the sale.
"These exceptional results spring from work that has taken six months," commented Matthieu Lamoure, managing director of Artcurial Motorcars. "News of the Baillon Collection has traveled around the world. International buyers came together in one room to pay homage to Roger Baillon. This triumph demonstrates the universal passion for the automobile. This is a significant collection that has enjoyed a significant success."
In all, the collection brought in a staggering $28.5 million with an 89 percent sell-through rate, 85 percent of the lots going to buyers outside of France. The top 10 sales from the auction, which also included other consigned cars, are listed at the bottom of this article, as are the 10 world record prices achieved.
The star of the sale, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder didn't fail to disappoint, bringing a world-record $18.5 million after a presale estimate between $10,880,000 and $13,744,000 (€9.5 million and €12 million). Exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 1961, this example existed as a rumor among a very small circle of people for decades, despite having been owned by a movie star earlier in life. This California, with chassis number 2935GT, joined the collection of Jacques Baillon in November 1971, and had been out of sight just until a few months ago when Artcurial was contacted to come see a few cars sitting in a barn. This was one of a handful of better-kept cars from the Baillon collection, alongside the 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta by Frua, and will reportedly run just fine after a recommissioning.
And speaking of the 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta by Frua, this stunning coupe managed to bring $2.2 million over the weekend, besting its estimate of $930,000 to $1,395,000. The magic dust of the Baillon collection seemed to have done its work, coaxing an impressive amount from an American bidder. This Maserati shared a garage with the aforementioned 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder and was found sitting under a pile of books and magazines when the garage was opened.
One of the co-stars of the sale, this coupe by Frua was sold new by Garage Mirabeau on Avenue de Versailles in Paris after spending some time tempting buyers at the Paris Motor Show in the Grand Palais in October 1956. The car was picked up by Roger Baillon in December 1959 and was later joined by the California as its stablemate. Four years ago, Jacques Baillon started some mechanical work on the Maserati, but the recommissioning efforts didn't get far. The car just may be in good enough cosmetic condition on the outside to be preserved after a sympathetic mechanical restoration, but no one would fault the new owner if the car is treated to a concours-grade restoration.
Another major surprise of the sale was the amount achieved by the 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport SWB by Saoutchik, a car that had effectively been crushed on one side. Estimated to bring between $458,000 and $688,000, the Talbot-Lago stunned bidders by achieving $1,900,000. The winning bidder, only identified as a collector from Europe, will certainly have a few options when it comes to deciding what to do with the car. As friends in the collector car business keep reminding us, all you need is a chassis number.
The winning bidder will not only have that, but the engine, most of the frame, and a large number of trim items should a complete restoration be undertaken. There was said to be enough of the car there to create a 100 percent accurate 3-D blueprint of the Talbot-Lago T26, and cars that were much further "gone" have been brought back countless times.
Artcurial published a list of the top 10 cars in the sale, comprised of cars from the Baillon collection as well as regularly consigned cars:
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 1961, Baillon Collection -- $18.5 million/€16.3 million
1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta Frua 1956, Baillon Collection -- $2.2 million/€2 million
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta -- $2.2 million/€1.9 million
1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport SWB by Saoutchik, Baillon Collection -- $1.9 million/€1.7 million
1938 Mercedes Benz 380 K Cabriolet A -- $1.6 million/€1.4 million
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada -- $1.4 million/€1.2 million
1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster with Hard-Top -- $1 million/€929,800
1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale -- $971,015/€858,200
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale -- $944,054/€834 400
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet by Saoutchik, Baillon Collection -- $843,000/€745 000
Artcurial also provided a list of the 10 cars that brought world record prices:
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider SWB 1961: sold $8.5 million/€16.3 million (estimate: €9,5 million - €12 million)
1956 Maserati A6G Frua: sold $.2 million/€2 million (estimate : €800,000 - €1,200,000)
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada: sold $1.4 million/€1.2 million (estimate: €550,000 - €650,000)
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO: sold $499,000/ €441,000 (estimate: €280,000 - €340,000)
1986 Ferrari Testarossa: sold $223,000/€196,700 (estimate: €100,000 - €120,000)
1969 Lamborghini 400 GT Islero S : sold $337,000/€298,000 (estimate: €180,000 – €240,000)
1965 Maserati Mistral 3.7L: sold $204,000/€181,200 (estimate: €110,000 – €130,000)
1965 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet: sold $135,000/€119,200 (estimate: €80,000 – €120,000)
1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster: sold $337,000/€298,000 (estimate: €230,000 – €280,000)
1973 De Tomaso Pantera GTS: sold $151,000/€133,500 (estimate: €110,000 – €140,000
This is a really cool barn find back in 2012 of most likely the highest value of collector cars in possibly the worst condition. Collection included the Ferrari 250 Ca spider (Ferris Bueller's Day Off Ferrari & my hands down favorite Ferrari of all time)
Article from the time of the find (2012):
An epic French barn find contains a massive 100-car lineup among which is a rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider.
This could actually be the most important barn find ever as besides the limited California Spider (only 37 units made), there's also a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua and a Bugatti 57 Ventoux. 60 cars out of a total of 100 are going to be auctioned in February by Artcurial during the Retromobile Salon and according to auctioneers the Ferrari will fetch up to €12 million whereas the Maserati should go for €1.2 million.
The cars belonged to Roger Baillon, a French transport magnate who started assembling the collection in the 50s but two decades later his business began to have problems so he had to sell about 50 cars and didn't have money to restore the other 100 vehicles that were find three months ago rusting away on a French estate. Artcurial believes only 60 of them are still salvageable and these have an estimated combined value of €12-15 million. (slight under-estimate!!)
Article after the find with a little more background (2014)
Looks like the car world is going to end the year with a bang! We have seen some amazing discoveries this past year, but I think it is safe to say that this one takes the cake. Outside of a small village in France there are a couple of unassuming structures that are full of classic cars. These are not just any old cars though. Some of the world’s finest vehicles are housed within these dilapidated garages and collapsing tin sheds. Cars that you may have never even heard of, but many of which are worth unfathomable amounts of money. Cars from the likes of Bugatti, Ferrari, Delahaye, Hispano Suiza, and Talbot Lago are all represented here and although covered in rust and moss they are an astonishing sight to behold.
The owner of this property had originally planned to preserve as many of world’s finest automobiles as he could. His collection focused on the great French marques and coachbuilders of the prewar era. He planned to build a museum to house them all (complete with a train to transport guests!), but unfortunately business went south before he could accomplish his goal. A large part of the collection was sold off in the 70s, but many cars remained and there they sat for 50 years… The dream was forgotten and somehow the cars were considered lost by the hunters who endlessly search for these rare birds. Ironically many of the automotive masterpieces that the owner hoped to preserve ended up suffering a worse fate in his care than they might have otherwise.
Some of the standouts here include a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (which was previously thought to be lost), a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua, a Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé Saoutchik, a Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet Saoutchik (which was once owned by a king), a Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet Millon-Guiet, and a Talbot Lago T26 Record coupé Saoutchik. Don’t feel bad if some of these makes and models sound like gibberish to you. Just know that all those fancy words equate to big money. These are the sort of cars that you would expect to see at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of these show up there in the next few years since the cars are all being auctioned off in February. Artcurial is handling the monumental task of digging these all out and presenting them at the Retromobile auction. Boy, would I have loved to have been the guy who got the call to go take a look at this find! There is an interview posted on the auction house’s website where they discuss the experience. Understandably, it was a very emotional day and they even were quoted as saying that “This is surely the last time that such a discovery will be made, anywhere in the world“. Perhaps, but I’m not so sure…
and a quick article on the cars auction (2015):
French barn-find collection brings $28.5 million, sets 10 records
All eyes were on the Baillon collection during Retromobile week in Paris, with the Artcurial auction house offering a stunning menagerie of 100 cars, 60 of which were deemed to be in restorable condition. The collection had come to light only in the past few months and consisted of automotive treasures that had been hidden away for decades, rescued from the crusher by Roger Baillon, a shipping magnate. While the lion's share of the collection consisted of obscure coachbuilt French automobiles from the pre-war era, a number of better known cars were also in the sale.
"These exceptional results spring from work that has taken six months," commented Matthieu Lamoure, managing director of Artcurial Motorcars. "News of the Baillon Collection has traveled around the world. International buyers came together in one room to pay homage to Roger Baillon. This triumph demonstrates the universal passion for the automobile. This is a significant collection that has enjoyed a significant success."
In all, the collection brought in a staggering $28.5 million with an 89 percent sell-through rate, 85 percent of the lots going to buyers outside of France. The top 10 sales from the auction, which also included other consigned cars, are listed at the bottom of this article, as are the 10 world record prices achieved.
The star of the sale, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder didn't fail to disappoint, bringing a world-record $18.5 million after a presale estimate between $10,880,000 and $13,744,000 (€9.5 million and €12 million). Exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 1961, this example existed as a rumor among a very small circle of people for decades, despite having been owned by a movie star earlier in life. This California, with chassis number 2935GT, joined the collection of Jacques Baillon in November 1971, and had been out of sight just until a few months ago when Artcurial was contacted to come see a few cars sitting in a barn. This was one of a handful of better-kept cars from the Baillon collection, alongside the 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta by Frua, and will reportedly run just fine after a recommissioning.
And speaking of the 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta by Frua, this stunning coupe managed to bring $2.2 million over the weekend, besting its estimate of $930,000 to $1,395,000. The magic dust of the Baillon collection seemed to have done its work, coaxing an impressive amount from an American bidder. This Maserati shared a garage with the aforementioned 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder and was found sitting under a pile of books and magazines when the garage was opened.
One of the co-stars of the sale, this coupe by Frua was sold new by Garage Mirabeau on Avenue de Versailles in Paris after spending some time tempting buyers at the Paris Motor Show in the Grand Palais in October 1956. The car was picked up by Roger Baillon in December 1959 and was later joined by the California as its stablemate. Four years ago, Jacques Baillon started some mechanical work on the Maserati, but the recommissioning efforts didn't get far. The car just may be in good enough cosmetic condition on the outside to be preserved after a sympathetic mechanical restoration, but no one would fault the new owner if the car is treated to a concours-grade restoration.
Another major surprise of the sale was the amount achieved by the 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport SWB by Saoutchik, a car that had effectively been crushed on one side. Estimated to bring between $458,000 and $688,000, the Talbot-Lago stunned bidders by achieving $1,900,000. The winning bidder, only identified as a collector from Europe, will certainly have a few options when it comes to deciding what to do with the car. As friends in the collector car business keep reminding us, all you need is a chassis number.
The winning bidder will not only have that, but the engine, most of the frame, and a large number of trim items should a complete restoration be undertaken. There was said to be enough of the car there to create a 100 percent accurate 3-D blueprint of the Talbot-Lago T26, and cars that were much further "gone" have been brought back countless times.
Artcurial published a list of the top 10 cars in the sale, comprised of cars from the Baillon collection as well as regularly consigned cars:
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 1961, Baillon Collection -- $18.5 million/€16.3 million
1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta Frua 1956, Baillon Collection -- $2.2 million/€2 million
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta -- $2.2 million/€1.9 million
1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport SWB by Saoutchik, Baillon Collection -- $1.9 million/€1.7 million
1938 Mercedes Benz 380 K Cabriolet A -- $1.6 million/€1.4 million
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada -- $1.4 million/€1.2 million
1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster with Hard-Top -- $1 million/€929,800
1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale -- $971,015/€858,200
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale -- $944,054/€834 400
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet by Saoutchik, Baillon Collection -- $843,000/€745 000
Artcurial also provided a list of the 10 cars that brought world record prices:
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider SWB 1961: sold $8.5 million/€16.3 million (estimate: €9,5 million - €12 million)
1956 Maserati A6G Frua: sold $.2 million/€2 million (estimate : €800,000 - €1,200,000)
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada: sold $1.4 million/€1.2 million (estimate: €550,000 - €650,000)
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO: sold $499,000/ €441,000 (estimate: €280,000 - €340,000)
1986 Ferrari Testarossa: sold $223,000/€196,700 (estimate: €100,000 - €120,000)
1969 Lamborghini 400 GT Islero S : sold $337,000/€298,000 (estimate: €180,000 – €240,000)
1965 Maserati Mistral 3.7L: sold $204,000/€181,200 (estimate: €110,000 – €130,000)
1965 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet: sold $135,000/€119,200 (estimate: €80,000 – €120,000)
1958 Porsche 356 A Speedster: sold $337,000/€298,000 (estimate: €230,000 – €280,000)
1973 De Tomaso Pantera GTS: sold $151,000/€133,500 (estimate: €110,000 – €140,000
