Car Guy Magazine Car Guy Magazine issue 115 | Page 24

Barn Find!

Rust is not picky. If it dines on a 1961
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider rather
than a 1982 Chevrolet Chevette, don’t expect an appreciative belch. Ochre stains,
however, can be catnip for automobile
collectors disillusioned with diaper-buffed
concours queens. These enthusiasts thrill
to the prospect of spending years – and
millions – returning a sympathetic shine to
iron oxide’s victims.
It appears that these collectors’ ship
has come in. Cars found mouldering on a
French estate will be auctioned in February 2015 in Paris, during the Rétromobile
programme of vintage-car events. Among
these is the aforementioned Ferrari Spider
– which may bring a 12m euro high bid –
and a Maserati A6G designed by legendary

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Turinese coachbuilder Frua. Some 60 vehicles in all will be offered, most dating from the 1930s.
Consigners Artcurial Motorcars have also identified a
pair of coachbuilt Talbot Lago coupes, one of which having
belonged to King Farouk of Egypt. Surrounding these are
Hispano Suizas, Delahayes, Citroëns, Jaguars, Porsches and
other European makes, all wearing what might be charitably
described as “patina”.
The collection was amassed in the ‘50s and ‘60s by Roger
Baillon, a transport industrialist. The auctioneer notes that Baillon’s fortunes soured in the ‘70s, and though he managed to
sell some cars during that time, many were poorly stored in
outbuildings round his property in western France. It was only
when Baillon’s heirs made enquiries at auction houses that
the importance of the rusted heaps became apparent.
Interested parties would be advised to bring their rust
brushes and open chequebooks to the auction.