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‘More Than Eclectic’: Car Collector’s Barn Found to Hold 230 Ultra-Rare Classic Cars Hidden for 40 Years

CREATIVE WONDERS

BY LOUISE CHAMBERS TIMEMAY 12, 2023 PRINT
 
 

An elderly car enthusiast’s astonishing collection of 230 rare classic cars has been discovered by a Dutch auction house, and the lot, including European and American cars collectively worth millions, is soon to be sold at auction.

One particular, “undeniably stylish and sophisticated” sports car from the 1950s is expected to fetch in excess of 675,000 euros.

Former professional car dealer Ad Palmen of the Netherlands, 82, had been collecting cars for decades. He stored them in a church and two “dry but dusty” warehouses in Dordrecht until his ailing health forced him to sell them all. Hans van der Pluijm, the owner of Classic Car Auctions, will be overseeing the international online auction of the lot known as The Palmen Barnfind Collection, in collaboration with Gallery Aaldering, on May 19.

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An AC Bristol Aceca 1960, which will start bidding at 10,000 euros (approx. US $11,000). (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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Several of the cars in Mr. Ad Palmen’s 230-car collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection, featuring a red Jaguar E-type S1 4.2 Convertible 1966, to start bidding at 5,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)

“I knew Mr. Ad Palmen and his collection for more than ten years,” Pluijm told The Epoch Times. “Mr. Palmen started collecting cars approximately 40 years ago, with a yellow Lancia B20 being the first car. Over the years, his collection grew substantially. The variety is more than eclectic. He had a refined taste and extensive knowledge of rare and special cars.”

According to Pluijm, Palmen’s favorites were represented in his 230-strong collection, including Italian brands Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, and Ferrari; the French brand Facel Vega; German brands BMW, Mercedes, and NSU; British brands Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce; American classics Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Ford; plus more.

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The grille and headlights of a cherry red Maserati 3500 GT 1958, with other classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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A gold Facel Vega FVS 1957, which will start bidding at 10,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
 

Most of Palmen’s cars were acquired in their original condition, unrestored. Palmen had been starting them on a regular basis to keep their engines from seizing and had performed routine maintenance himself. He seldom sold a car once it entered his collection.

“He rarely showed the collection to anyone, so very few people knew of its existence,” Pluijm said, adding, “You can definitely call it one of the best-kept secret car collections of Europe. … It is unlikely that anyone will ever see a collection of this caliber and condition again in their lifetime.”

Among his most prized cars, the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America 1955, which is to start bidding at 100,000 euros, is expected to fetch between 670,000-875,000 euros. The B24 Spider America, with its powerful V6 and excellent handling, was “one of the fastest and most agile cars of its time,” the auction house states on its website, and “to this day still captures the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world.”

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A blue Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America 1955 will start bidding at 100,000 euros (approx. US$109,800). (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars with a Ford A Roadster 1929 in view, which will start bidding at 1,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)

Only 181 left-hand-drive and 59 right-hand drive models were ever produced, making it “an extremely rare and valuable car, rivaling the most iconic sports cars in history,” the auction house stated. It is still considered “a masterpiece of design and engineering.”

Another jewel in the rough amid the collection is a red Alfa Romeo Zagato 2600SZ 1967, a rare 6-cylinder sports car with a streamlined and aerodynamic profile and a characteristic “kamm-tail” rear. Set to start bidding at 25,000 euros, this prized automobile is expected to fetch between 110,000-170,000 euros.

Palmen’s neighbors told Gallery Aaldering that despite their regularly asking Palmen for a peek inside the massive warehouse over fifteen years, it “never came to a viewing.”

Epoch Times Photo
Detail of a red Alfa Romeo Zagato 2600SZ 1967, to start bidding at 25,000 euros, is expected to fetch between 110,000-170,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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A BMW 3200 CS Bertone 1963, to start bidding at 5,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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Detail of a Maserati Bora 4.7 1972, to start bidding at 10,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)

Carlo Te Lintelo of Gallery Aaldering told CNN that the true extent of Palmen’s collection was only revealed after a fire broke out at his largest warehouse in 2022, and speedy first responders were able to prevent the cars from being destroyed.

Palmen, who now suffers from dementia, does not have any known relatives and, sadly, remains too ill to share more of his story. Pluijm plans to honor his dedication to classic cars with a special publication at the time of auction.

The auctioneer told The Epoch Times, “I am sorry for him that his collection will fall apart; as a tribute, we will publish a book/catalog with the entire collection. We hope the new owners will cherish them as much as he did.”

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Detail of a blue Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America 1955 will start bidding at 100,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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The interior of a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 1968, to start bidding at 25,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection, featuring a blue Matra Bonnet Djet V 1965, to start bidding at 1,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars with a Ford A Roadster 1929 in view, which will start bidding at 1,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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The interior of a Delahaye 135M Convertible 1950, which will start bidding at 10,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars in Ad Palmen’s collection. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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The interior of a Talbot Lago Record T26 Saloon 1949, to start bidding at 10,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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An assortment of classic cars featuring a burgundy Talbot Lago Record T26 Coupé 1947 and beige Talbot Lago Record T26 Saloon 1949. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)
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Detail of a Facel Vega FVS 1957, to start bidding at 10,000 euros. (Courtesy of Classic Car Auctions/classiccar-auctions.com)