Classic cars abandoned for decades in French barn valued at $20 million

Jake Wallis Simons, CNN
Updated 12:47 PM EDT, Fri June 26, 2015
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, one of the most valuable cars in the world, which is valued at up to €12 million ($13.7 million), is among a unique collection of rare cars discovered in France
The cars that time forgot —
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, one of the most valuable cars in the world, which is valued at up to €12 million ($13.7 million), is among a unique collection of rare cars discovered in France
Artcurial auction house
The Ferrari (left) was discovered beneath piles of dusty, old car magazines, next to a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua (right), one of just three in the world, which is expected to sell for $1 million
The cars that time forgot —
The Ferrari (left) was discovered beneath piles of dusty, old car magazines, next to a 1956 Maserati A6G Gran Sport Frua (right), one of just three in the world, which is expected to sell for $1 million
Artcurial auction house
A Delahaye GFA 148L (left) and a Talbot Lago Baby cabriolet (right), which was previously owned by King Farouk I of Egypt, a playboy king said to habitually consume 600 oysters a week, was also in the fleet
The cars that time forgot —
A Delahaye GFA 148L (left) and a Talbot Lago Baby cabriolet (right), which was previously owned by King Farouk I of Egypt, a playboy king said to habitually consume 600 oysters a week, was also in the fleet
Artcurial auction house
Left to right: An Abri 1, a Facel Vega Excellence and a Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet, which were all discovered in a makeshift shelter
The cars that time forgot —
Left to right: An Abri 1, a Facel Vega Excellence and a Talbot Lago T26 cabriolet, which were all discovered in a makeshift shelter
Artcurial auction house
A Bugatti 57 Ventoux was covered in thick dust that had accumulated over five decades.
The cars that time forgot —
A Bugatti 57 Ventoux was covered in thick dust that had accumulated over five decades.
Artcurial auction house
The grime was so thick that some of the cars were almost unrecognizable at first glance, but they were also strangely beautiful.
The cars that time forgot —
The grime was so thick that some of the cars were almost unrecognizable at first glance, but they were also strangely beautiful.
Artcurial auction house
There was an eeriness to the collection, a sense of time standing still.
The cars that time forgot —
There was an eeriness to the collection, a sense of time standing still.
Artcurial auction house
The cars had been left open to the elements for 50 years, but their elegant lines were still visible despite the dirt and corrosion.
The cars that time forgot —
The cars had been left open to the elements for 50 years, but their elegant lines were still visible despite the dirt and corrosion.
Artcurial auction house
An entrepreneur, inventor and car enthusiast called Roger Baillon collected the cars mostly between 1955 and 1965.
The cars that time forgot —
An entrepreneur, inventor and car enthusiast called Roger Baillon collected the cars mostly between 1955 and 1965.
Artcurial auction house
He had hoped to set up his own motor museum, but abandoned the plans after his business collapsed
The cars that time forgot —
He had hoped to set up his own motor museum, but abandoned the plans after his business collapsed
Artcurial auction house
His descendents were unaware of the value of the cars, and left them to rot for decades.
The cars that time forgot —
His descendents were unaware of the value of the cars, and left them to rot for decades.
Artcurial auction house
Grass and vines had grown around the cars, and even into them.
The cars that time forgot —
Grass and vines had grown around the cars, and even into them.
Artcurial auction house
Matthiu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff, the experts who discovered the cars, compared it to the explorers finding Tutankhamun's tomb.
The cars that time forgot —
Matthiu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff, the experts who discovered the cars, compared it to the explorers finding Tutankhamun's tomb.
Artcurial auction house
They anticipate that the cars will be in high demand when they are auctioned, with people wanting to restore them to their former glory.
The cars that time forgot —
They anticipate that the cars will be in high demand when they are auctioned, with people wanting to restore them to their former glory.
Artcurial auction house
The restoration job will be a painstaking one, as some of the metalwork is so eaten away with rust that it has become incredibly delicate.
The cars that time forgot —
The restoration job will be a painstaking one, as some of the metalwork is so eaten away with rust that it has become incredibly delicate.
Artcurial auction house
The cars have been removed from the site with great care, and are now in storage awaiting auction.
The cars that time forgot —
The cars have been removed from the site with great care, and are now in storage awaiting auction.
Artcurial auction house
Some of them were only just saved before they succumbed to the ravages of time altogether.
The cars that time forgot —
Some of them were only just saved before they succumbed to the ravages of time altogether.
Artcurial auction house
This Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet had begun to collapse under the weight of the years.
The cars that time forgot —
This Hispano Suiza H6B cabriolet had begun to collapse under the weight of the years.
Artcurial auction house
Some of the cars, like this Panhard-Levassor Dynamic coup, appeared to be structurally sound.
The cars that time forgot —
Some of the cars, like this Panhard-Levassor Dynamic coup, appeared to be structurally sound.
Artcurial auction house
Experts are unable to predict the condition of the engines, as to find so many cars of this age and quality, that have been sitting out in the open, is unprecedented.
The cars that time forgot —
Experts are unable to predict the condition of the engines, as to find so many cars of this age and quality, that have been sitting out in the open, is unprecedented.
Artcurial auction house
The rear of the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coup had caved in, giving it an almost sculptural quality.
The cars that time forgot —
The rear of the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coup had caved in, giving it an almost sculptural quality.
Artcurial auction house
In its heyday, the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coup was the plaything of Egyptian royalty.
The cars that time forgot —
In its heyday, the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport coup was the plaything of Egyptian royalty.
Artcurial auction house
When it is auctioned, it may regain some of the glamor that it has gradually lost.
The cars that time forgot —
When it is auctioned, it may regain some of the glamor that it has gradually lost.
Artcurial auction house
The rare cars that time forgot

Story highlights

A "treasure trove" of 60 rusty cars has turned out to be worth up to $20 million

The collection was abandoned in the Sixties when the owner had business problems

It is going to auction in its unrestored state

CNN  —