A £12million treasure trove of 60 rusting classic cars left languishing on a French farm for 50 years has gone up for auction.
Booty engine, which includes dozens of old sports cars, was found gathering dust in piles of newspapers in garages and barns on a farm in western France.
Among the vehicles on sale are a Ferrari once sat on by Jane Fonda and extravagant Talbot-Lago was owned by King Farouk of Egypt.
The Ferrari (left), once sat in by Jane Fonda, was found under newspapers in an outbuilding on the French farm, alongside a Maserati A6G 200 Berlinetta Grand Sport Frua – one of only three in the world
The £12million treasure trove of cars, including this Ferrari 250 GT California SWB, was left languishing on a French farm for 50 years before its discovery
King Farouk was known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included owning dozens of expensive cars such as the Talbot-Lago
Mr Baillon died about 10 years ago and his son, Jacques, who inherited the collection, died last year.
Mr Baillon’s grandchildren had no idea of the extent of the collection, calling in car specialists Matthieu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff of auctioneers Artcurial Motorcars to estimate its value.
They found a 1956 Maserati Gran Sport A6G with bodywork by Frua leading designer, one of three in the world, estimated to sell for just under 1 million pounds.
But the greatest discovery of auctioneers Ferrari 250GT SWB was that one covered headlights 1961 California Spider, which was hidden under piles of newspapers.
The car was owned by French actors Alain Delon and Gérard Blain, who was photographed with Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine, and should attract the attention of collectors of Ferrari with an estimate of 9.5 million pounds.
Only 36 of the particular model of Ferrari ever made, including the barn and another bought by Chris Evans in 2008 for an estimated 5.5 million pounds.
