This Sunday, around fifty cars that had until now been kept at the Château de Vernon Museum near Poitiers are being sold at auction, along with some forty other vehicles owned by different proprietors. More than a century of automobiles is put up for sale, from a 1912 Panhard to a 2020 Renault Clio. The unveiling of the collection is a journey through automotive history.
The entire collection that has been on display for 15 years in this 15th-century building will be auctioned off. The fifty or so vehicles include varied models: sedans, coupes, roadsters, sports cars, promotional vehicles, Formula 3 cars, but also tractors and even an airplane.
During his lifetime, the collector gathered prestigious marques such as Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Maserati, as well as Facel Vega or Alpine. The models are open to the public from this Friday until the auction on Sunday.
“A real journey through time”
Behind the wheel of a Facel Vega, a senior specialist at the auction house describes the quality of the elements you can see in this late-1950s car. “It’s a real journey through time, with bodywork that is decidedly modern. An American engine, therefore large, very powerful V8s, electric windows,” explains the car expert, “and you can also smell the fine leather.”
This 1958 Facel Vega HK 500 is one of the gems of the collection. A French luxury brand that lasted only about a decade but was driven by stars. The car is estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 euros, with bidding starting at 40,000 euros.
Note to collectors with lighter budgets: some models start at just a few hundred euros. “A young enthusiast can decide to get started without breaking the bank,” details the specialist. Be careful however: several of these collector cars are rigorously maintained, but need to go to a garage before being started and driven again.
Be sure to protect your purchase by conducting thorough checks before buying any vehicle from a private collection or auction.
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