Extremely rare cars up for auction

A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was found covered in a stack of magazines in a barn on the property of French car collector Roger Baillon. It is expected to be auctioned off  for between 9.5 and 12 million euros.

Dozens of other cars found in the barn are also up for auction on Feb. 6, 2015. Most are very rare and all are being sold in the condition they were found.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider

The open versions of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider are very rare, making it the most expensive road-going Ferrari today.

"This highly sought-after automobile is presented today exactly as we found it, on September, 30, 2014, when we opened the garage door to the property," says auctioneer Artcurial. "This is the Holy Grail of GT Spiders, the ultimate reference in the history of the automobile and THE most beautiful cabriolet from the second half of the 20th century."

Estimated auction price: €9.5 million - 12 million.

Hispano Suiza H6B Cabriolet

The Hispano Suiza H6, 32 CV, was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1919.

Many consider it to be the finest car of the 1920s and the undisputed king of the road.

This model, number 11138, was delivered to its owner in the early summer of 1925. In 1967 it was sold to  car collector Roger Baillon. From that point, the car was put away in the garages of Baillon's property.

Estimated auction price: €200,000 - 300,000

Hispano Suiza H6B Cabriolet

The interior of the 1925 Hispano Suiza H6B Cabriolet.

Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6

This Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 is likely a saloon that was transformed into a small flatbed truck.

The old registration appears on the back : 4124 XL 4, and the dashboard displays the plaque of a former owner : "Ch. Pouget, 10 rue Saint-Paul, Paris IV."

Estimated auction price: €25,000 - 35,000.

Lorraine Type A4

"Between the two headlamps  [of the Lorraine Type A4] is an interesting optical device, a 'Restor Monocode' with a big lens," says Artcurial. "The car is equipped with leather seats that seem to be well preserved and the dashboard appears to be complete with a set of round O.S. dials."

Estimated auction price: €4,000 - 6,000.

1925 Voisin Type C7 berline de voyage Louis Gallé

Built by Louis Gallé, the Voisin "has a soft top and with very elegant curves along the flanks," says Artcurial. "The elegance and originality of this car is sure to appeal to the most discerning enthusiasts," says the auction house.

Estimated auction price: €12,000 - 18,000.

1948 Delahaye 135 M cabriolet Faget-Varnet

This 135 M cabriolet is one of only six examples of the 135 M cabriolet to be built.  To date, this is only the third known to survive, the other two belonging to American collectors.

"This car, chassis n° 800745, made its first appearance at the 1948 Paris Motor Show, on the Delahaye stand, as Faget-Varnet were without their own stand on that occasion...a patented metal frame was used, built out of 10/10 steel sheets," says Artcurial. "The interior is completely covered in dust, but the leather appears to have been preserved. The main instruments on the dashboard are present along with the controls on the steering wheel. The bonnet reveals the 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine, here with triple carburetors."

Estimated auction price:  €100,000 - 150,000.

Sandford Type S

A rare three-wheeled Sandford.

"The body appears to be complete and fairly well preserved, the rear is in aluminum while the hood and some elements were probably remade in steel later," says Artcurial. "The dashboard is equipped with a tachometer and a Jaeger clock. Behind the bench we also found an old tool kit that was probably used at that time! This three-wheeler still has its gearbox and a Ruby four-cylinder engine was found on a pallet, not far from the car."

Adds Artcurial: "With a limited production run, they distinguished themselves in racing, including the Bol d'Or."

Estimated auction price:  €15,000 - 20,000.

Talbot-Lago T26

Artcurial says this Talbot-Lago T26 "shares the chassis as well as its powerful engine and mechanicals with Talbot-Lago T26 100239 presented in the sale, and is one of 208 T26 Records manufactured in 1948. The vast majority of these cars were given one of a number of factory body styles manufactured in-house by Talbot. 100272 is one of the rare instances where a Record chassis was sent to a prominent carrossier to receive a one-off body."

The car was originally sold to Salah Bey Orabi of Cairo but was sold to Biallon in 1954, the same year as a coup in Egypt.

Baillon parked it in a shed on the grounds of his Chateau, and it was believed lost until its discovery this year, keys still on the dashboard.

Estimated auction price: €120,000 - 150,000.

Delahaye Type 43

"By definition, 'utility' vehicles are used until they wear out, and there are few examples that have resisted the harsh treatment their vocation imposes on them," says Artcurial.

"The condition of this Delahaye Type 43 is worthy of attention. Roger Baillon had started his career in transport with a modest flatbed truck, and perhaps he liked to stand and look at this well-conserved early 20th century truck. Stored in the barn where hay was kept for the animals, it benefited from a protective environment that helped prevent its deterioration. The wooden structure, in the style of horse-drawn vehicles, is fairly well preserved and the metal brackets and the boards that make up the flatbed are still present. The vehicle sits on wooden-spoked wheels...the black leather interior is in great condition and the vehicle appears to be mechanically complete."

Ferrari 308

"This compact and powerful V8, combined with an elegant Pininfarina design, and derived from the famous 246 GT, makes it one of the most iconic sports cars from the 1970s and 1980s," says Artcurial.

Estimated auction price:  €5,000 - 10,000.

1960 Facel Excellence

Owned by the Baillon family since 1964 with its original "Tudor Grey" exterior color, and black leather upholstery, the 1960 Facel Excellence is remarkably well preserved.

All of the cars up for auction are being sold as they were found last fall.  The auctioneer says the  car just needs a "good cleaning."

"The dashboard still displays the magnificent imitation wood effect, while the roof lining has suffered from the years of neglect," says Artcurial. "

The odometer reads 52,213 km and under the bonnet, an oil-change notice dating from 1965 indicates a mileage of 48,221 km, according to the auctioneer.

Estimated auction price: €60,000 - 80,000.

1960 Facel Excellence

The dashboard of the 1960 Facel Excellence.