One of the greatest finds in decades has been discovered by the Collectors’ Car Department at Artcurial. 60 rare classics have been hiding out on a property in Western France for more than 50 years.
Pierre Novikoff, a motor car specialist from Artcurial, caught wind of the collection over a phone call and immediately set out to investigate. What he would find is a collection of classic cars from all major marques dating from the early days of the motor car through to the 1970s. Amongst the sleeping beauties was a Packard Super Eight Convertible, Bugatti 57 Ventoux, Delahaye Type 43 coupé chauffeur, a Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet Millon-Guiet, and a Talbot Lago T26 Cabriolet Saoutchik that once was owned by King Farouk of Egypt. Many of the cars are one of a kind, custom-designed by famous coachbuilders of the day.
This rare collection was originally brought together by a man named Roger Ballion. He was a Mr. Ballion owned a French truck manufacturing and transport business. Roger had a dream to display over 100 of his greatest classic cars in a museum that would be open to the public for all to enjoy. Unfortunately for Ballion, his dream never became reality. During the early 70s his company experienced some major hard times and Roger was forced to sell 50 of his prized classic cars and the remainder were stored on his property until now.
Many of the classics were stored under corrugated steel roofs with no walls allowing mother nature and the elements to have there way with the sleeping classics. There were however a few special cars that were kept in barns behind closed doors and were able to better stand the test of time. Probably the most notable find is the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, one of only 37 ever made. This Ferrari was once owned by actor Gérard Blain and then was sold to fellow film star Alain Delon. The car was also once photographed with American acting legends Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine.
Along side the Ferrari was another well preserved beauty. A considerably good condition 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport with coachwork by Frua. This Maserati was also one of 3 ever made and s a true blessing that it was kept behind closed doors and was not left to the same fate as much of the rest of the collection suffered.
The Baillon classic car collection is currently being cleaned up the best that can be expected and will eventually be sold by Artcurial Motorcars at auction on February 6, 2015. The Ferrari alone is though to fetch anywhere from $11 to $15 million due to its rarity and the Maserati will pull in another $1 – $1.5 million. For the rest of the collection it is hard to say what the value will equal. Experts still need to sift through the findings to see what is and isn’t salvageable.
Pierre Novikoff, the expert who found this collection said “These sleeping Beauties are clothed in the precious patina of time gone by. A collection like this can’t fail to arouse the passions of those who love automobiles, as well as art and history enthusiasts. Never again, anywhere in the world, will such a treasure be unearthed!”
Enjoy some of the images provided by Artcurial. Beyond that is a full list of all the vehicles discovered in this rare classic car collection.
Here’s the full list of cars found in the collection:
Amilcar C6 berline
Amilcar CGS Ariès coach
Auto Union cabriolet
Avions Voisin C15
Avions Voisin limousine C15
Avions Voisin C7 par Gallé
Ballot 8 cyl limousine
Barré torpédo
Berliet coupé chauffeur
Berliet Type VIGB 10HP Taxi Landaulet
Bugatti 57 Ventoux
Citroën Trèfle
Delage D6
Delage D8 coach
Delahaye 135 cabriolet Faget Varnet
Delahaye 135 coach Chapron
Delahaye 235 coach Chapron
Delahaye 235 coach Chapron
Delahaye 235 coupé Chapron
Delahaye Type 43 coupé chauffeur
Delahaye GFA 148 L
Delahaye Type 43 camionnette
Delaunay Belleville limousine VL8
Facel Vega Excellence
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Ferrari 308 GTS i
Ferrari 400
Ferrari Mondial 3.2L cabriolet
Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet
Millon-Guiet Hotchkiss cabriolet
Innocenti S cabriolet
Jaguar type S 3.4 L
La Buire 12 A
Lagonda LG45 cabriolet
Lancia Thema 8.32
Lorraine Dietrich B3/6 plateau
Lorraine Dietrich B3/6 torpédo par Grumman
Lorraine-Dietrich torpédo
Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Frua
Mathis cabriolet
Mathis FOH
Packard cabriolet Super Eight
Panhard-Levassor Dynamic berline X77
Panhard-Levassor Dynamic coupé X76
Panhard-Levassor limousine X72
Porsche 356 SC ex-Sonauto
Renault AX torpédo
Renault Vivastella cabriolet
Sandford cyclecar 3 roues
Singer Cabriolet
Talbot Lago 11/6 cabriolet
Talbot Lago Baby cabriolet
Talbot Lago Baby cabriolet
Talbot Lago Cadette 11
Talbot Lago coach
Talbot Lago T26 coach
Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé Saoutchik
Talbot Lago T26 Record coupé Saoutchik
Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet Saoutchik ex-Roi Farouk