In photos: Classic cars found rusting on farm sold at auction for millions
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider set a sales record for California Spiders – becoming the fifth most-expensive car ever sold at action – when it fetched about $23 million at the Artcurial auction house in Paris. The car, one of only a few dozen ever made, once belonged to actor Alain Delon and was discovered rusting under a pile of old magazines and newspapers on a French farm. Delon only owned the car for two years, but he was photographed with actresses Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine in the car. It eventually ended up in the hands of Roger Baillon, who owned a transport business in France. Baillon’s business did well after the Second World War, allowing him buy a property and classic cars, hoping to turn the farm into an automobile museum. Baillon’s business declined in the 1970 and he was forced to sell much of his collection. However, he held on to 60 cars, which went under the hammer last Friday. Ballion died about 10 years ago and left the collection to his son, Jacques. Jacques died last year and passed the cars to Ballion’s grandchildren, who initially had no idea of the extent of the collection or the value. Sitting next to the Spider was a 1956 Maserati that sold for $2.4 million. The treasure trove of classic cars had been forgotten about for about half a century. Only 37 of this model were made and the other 36 were documented by historians. This one was considered lost.
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (left) and a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua discovered in Roger Baillon’s farm in France.
A Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (1961) is auctioned 14,2 million euros in Paris on February 6, 2015AFP / Getty Images
Matthieu Lamoure, managing director of Artcurial and Pierre Novikoff, motor car specialist, sit in front of a 1961 Ferrari that sold at auction for $23 million on Feb. 6, 2015.
A Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (1961) is auctioned for 14,2 million euros in Paris on February 6, 2015.AFP / Getty Images
A Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (1961) is auctionned 14,2 million euros in Paris on February 6, 2015AFP / Getty Images
A 1956 Maserati
Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet Millon-Guiet
A Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta (1956) is auctioned for 1.7 million euros in Paris on February 6, 2015.AFP / Getty Images
Visitors look at a Delahaye 135 Coach Chapron and a Lagonda LG 45 Cabriolet during an auction of vintage cars, in Paris, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015The Associated Press
Visitors look at cars during an auction of vintage cars, in Paris, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. A treasure trove of classic cars was discovered after spending 50-years languishing in storage on a farm. 60 rusting cars were found gathering dust and hidden under piles of newspapers in garages and outbuildings at a property in France. The cars were collected from the 1950s to the 1970s by entrepreneur Roger Baillon, who dreamt of restoring them to their former glory and displaying them in a museum, but, his plans were dashed as his business struggled, forcing the sale of about 50 vehiclesThe Associated Press
Visitors look at a Talbot Lago T26 during an auction of vintage cars, in Paris, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015.The Associated Press
Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé Saoutchik
Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet Saoutchik ex-King Farouk
Talbot Lago T26 Record coupé Saoutchik