One of the best stories you can learn about when tracking barn finds is a massive cache of vehicles that no one seemingly knew about. According to the auction listing description, this collection in Europe was built without much of the outside world knowing about it. A Mr. Palmen started collecting cars 40 years ago, comprising one old church and two warehouses, and it’s now all going up for grabs with an eclectic mix of American and European classics. Any collection with an upstairs and a downstairs looks good to me. Find it here on classiccar-auctions.com with more than 230 vehicles up for grabs.
One of the best ways to get into collecting is by being in the business of specialty vehicles. Apparently, Mr. Palmen was a dealer or perhaps a consignor; whatever his career path, it led him to developing a familiarity with special and unique machinery. There are a number of desirable Lancias in the collection, with a few of them visible here; the full list of vehicles is not yet available but will be announced when an official auction date is provided.
As you can see, there are plenty of American classics in the mix as well. The listing claims Mr. Palmen was primarily an Italian car fan, and in addition to the Lancias, other photos reveal that multiple desirable Maseratis, Ferraris, and Alfa Romeos are all part of the collection as well. What’s even more incredible is that despite amassing such a sizeable collection, Palmen was still in the shop on a regular basis, running engines and performing any necessary maintenance himself. It seems entirely possible that many of these cars will only need basic reconditioning to run once more.
Sadly, due to age and other concerns, the Palmen collection will now be sold off. While it is unfortunate that so many special cars that have been kept together for so many years will be split up, it is unlikely any one person could take on the management of these vehicles, especially given the variety. However, I am curious if a deal could be put together for both the buildings and the cars, as that would make it instantly more feasible to take over management of such a significant assortment of vehicles – the likes of which we may very well never see again.
I can’t help wonder if any of these cars were actually driven. Clearly, the logistics involved in driving one of the “inside” cars, like the Citroen SM for example, would be a challenge to say the least.
Perhaps now the guy will just have a few cars that he can get in running condition and actually drive in whatever time he has left.
Wow! What a testament to the old saying, “You can’t take it with you.”
Hi Rex, not the happy ending you wish for. Mr Palmen was living reclusive, lately even in a cabin within one of the buildings where the collection is located. He developed dementia, and having no relatives was taken into a care home by a social service that also subsequently had the collection appraised and sold of to a dealer that now sells it through the auction.
As for the collection itself, it is great. I guess few people knew about it, and those who knew had no clue about the size of it. I knew about the collection in a church building in Dordrecht because I grew up at a classic dealership where he bought a few cars in the 80’s and early 90’s. I know he was still buying about 10 years ago, at auction when he had a feeling a nice car went for a low amount.
I have no proof he ever drove them and don’t believe he did.
So I guess we all enjoy our possessions in our own way. I believe in owning fewer but actively drive and restore.
Thanks David for filling in some details on this collection and Mr. Palmen.
But this leads me to more questions if I may: What did Mr. Palmen do for a living that he could afford to buy so many (seemingly) valuable cars? And, given his dementia, how was the collection and the building(s) looked after? Just curious.
Mr. Palmen had several bussinesses, I don’t know of what kind. But he bought the cars before they went expensive. For example the Ferrari 365GT 2+2 was bought in 1977.
The control over the collection was taken from him due to his dementia about a year ago. There was a fire in one of the buildings in early 2022, that may have started the process. But that is just my guess.
Yes your concern is shared by any car guy or girl who has come across this find. As a collector myself “on a much smaller scale” I can relate to not being physically able to actually drive every car one admires. But seeing a collection such as this gives me hope that the art and expertise of auto collecting and restoring shall always, always live on.
Whenever I see these stories, I think of American Pickers and all those guys who have storage places of cars and motorcycles just heaped on top of each other, just collecting dust and rotting. I’m not mechanical, but it makes me sick to see this part of our History just thrown out the door; never to be replaced.
All these “barn finds” where cars are just rusted heaps or just empty shells or partially on their way, is just a tragedy. You always hear these hoarders come up with nonsensical reasons for just letting them sit and rot. So sad.
WOW! Absolutely insane and unbelievable. The auction is on my birthday maybe I could just buy one car.
“If I only had the room…”
No doubt some of these cars will be on the road again thanks to their new owners, and that’s a good thing. A car in storage just takes up space.
Wow Maseratis, Chevrolet, Fords, and everything in between. What a list.
This gentleman did everything I wanted to do in life.
I congratulate you.
Just the pleasure of having all the cars I like and without losing their character, even if only a few work, is priceless.
Great.
In the lead photo, I spot what appears to be a dark-colored `57 Mercury cvt.; I’d be happy just owning that lone car! (heavy jealous sigh)
Unfreaking believable I have 20 in my collection cads mopars ford’s but nothing like this good luck with the auction barry
WTF. Although it resulted in an intriguing collection, this does not seem like a healthy interest. Enough open windows for a rodent hotel, but at least some of the cars have keys.
From the auction site
1 – Alfa Romeo Sprint 1600
2 – Fiat 1200 TV Spider 1958
3 – Citroën 2CV 1955
4 – Triumph 2000 20TR Convertible 1970
5 – Panhard 24CT 1964
6 – Saab Sonnet III type 97
7 – Facel Vega Facellia coupe
8 – Facel Vega Facellia Convertible
9 – Bond Equipe GT 6 2 liter 2+2 1967
10 – Fiat 124 Spider USA 2000 1981
11 – Daf 66 HAVAS Convertible type 55 1970
12 – Facel Vega FB Convertible 1963
13 – Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto type 10503
14 – Alfa Romeo Zagato 2600SZ 1967
15 – Simca 9 Coupe de ville S
16 – MG B GT 1971
17 – MG TF 1954
18 – Lamboghini Espada
19 – MG B Tourer 1970
20 – Singer Convertible 1912
21 – Alfa Romeo Guilietta Srint Speciale
22 – Lancia Montecarlo 1978
23 – Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 1985
24 – Ford A Roadster 1927
25 – Facel Vega Coupe 1964
26 – Sunbeam Talbot Supreme Convertible
27 – Matra Bonnet 1965
28 – Lancia B24 Spyder America 1955
29 – Alfa Romeo Guilia GTC 1965
30 – Triumph TR3B
31 – Moretti 128 1974
32 – Sunbeam Alpine 1960
33 – MG A
34 – Singer 9 Roadster 1955
35 – Lancia Appia Coupe
36 – Alfa Romeo Spider Guilia 1600
37 – Jensen Healey 1974
38 – Simca Aronde Oceane Convertible
39 – Nash Metropolitan model 542 1956
40 – AC Bristol Aceca 1954
41 – Fiat 1500 Coupe 1960
42 – Lancia Appia sedan 1958
43 – Austin Convertible 1947
44 – Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible 1971
45 – MG MGA 1961
46 – Daimler Dart 1958
47 – Villard Type 27
48 – Volvo 1800ES 1973
49 – Austin Balanza 1800 MK2 1968
50 – Fiat 1500 Spider 1963
51 – Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1,3S 2e serie 1973
52 – BMW 1600 GT 1968
53 – Fiat 130 Coupe Automatic 3200 1972
54 – Fiat Dino Coupe Bertone 2.0 1966
55 – Bentley S2 Saloon 1959
56 – Jaguar Mark 10 1963
57 – Lincoln Continental Convertible MKIV 1959
58 – NSU RO80 1976
59 – Studebaker President 1958
60 – Jaguar XJ-S 4.0 Convertible 1995
61 – Mazda RX-7 Convertible 1988
62 – Mercury Monterey 2 door coupe 1954
63 – Ferrari 400i Automaat 1984
64 – Facel Vega FVS 1956
65 – Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner 1958
66 – Peugeot 190S 1928
67 – Aston Martin V8 Series 3 1975
68 – Mercedes W188 300 S Roadster 1953
69 – Studebaker Avanti Gold R2 1963
70 – Ford Fairlane Victoria 4 door sedan 1955
71 – Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 1958
72 – Maserati Merak 1972
73 – Maserati 3500 GTI S 1962
79 – Buick 8 1937
80 – Bristol 401 2L coupe 1952
81 – Rover P4 100 1959
82 – Jaguar MKII 3.4 1963
83 – Alvis TD21 MK2 1963
84 – Rover 16 Saloon 1937
85 – Facel Vega Facel II HK2 1962
86 – Citroën SM 1972
87 – Chevrolet Corvair Convertible S 1964
88 – Jaguar 3 1/2 liter Mark V 1943
89 – Lagonda Drophead Coupe 1953
90 – Daimler Coupe
91 – Chevrolet Corvair Coupe Monza 1964
92 – Ford Mustang 289 Coupe 1965
93 – Ford Mustang 289 Fastback 1968
94 – Chevrolet Corvair Convertible S
95 – Jaguar E-type Convertible 4.2 S1 1966
96 – Mercedes 300 SE Coupe (RDW 250 SE) 1965
97 – Ford Thunderbird Landau 1963
98 – MG Midget 1976
99 – Mercedes 450 SL Convertible with hardtop
100 – Ford Thunderbird 1962
101 – Rolls Royce 25/30 HD model 2025 1934
102 – MG TD 1953
103 – Jaguar XJ8 Convertible 1998
104 – Packard Eight de Luxe 1950
105 – Chevrolet Corvette C3
106 – Volvo 66 L 1979
107 – Ford Thunderbird MK5 Landau 1968
108 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider
109 – Austin A90 Atlantic Coupe 1952
110 – Daimler DB18 53228 1949
111 – Jensen Interceptor III 1975
112 – Sunbeam 20 HP
113 – Talbot Lago Record T26 Coupe 1951
114 – Lancia Aurelia B20 1955
115 – Alfa Romeo Montreal 1973
116 – ISO Rivolta IR300 1968
117 – ISO Rivolta Fidia 1971
118 – Fiat 2300 Coupe Ghia
119 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint 1967
120 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider 1962
121 – Lancia Flaminia GTL 3C Coupe Touring 1968
122 – Lancia Flaminia Coupe Pininfarina 1962
123 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider Touring 1964
124 – Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Coupe 1950
125 – Maserati Indy AM116 1970
126 – Lincoln Continental Coupe MK2 1956
127 – Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 1967
128 – Datsun 280ZX Turbo 1982
129 – Maserati Mistral Frua AM109 1965
130 – Delahaye 135M Convertible 1950
131 – Facel Vega Facel II 1963
132 – Monica 560 1972
133 – BMW 3200 CS Bertone 1963
134 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider 1964
135 – Ford Thunderbird 1ste model 1956
136 – Talbot Lago Record T26 Berline 1949
137 – Talbot Lago Record T26 Berline 1950
138 – Essex (USA) Super Six Roadster 4 zits 1931
139 – Rolls Royce Camargue
140 – Imperial M617 MK2 Hardtop Coupe 1959
141 – Panhard PL 17 17B 4 doors 1963
142 – Tatra T87 1948
143 – Mercedes 450 SLC 1976
144 – Cadillac Eldorado Convertible MK7 1966
145 – Mercedes 220 A Convertible 1955
146 – Jaguar XK150 Fixed Head 3.4S 1960
147 – Lancia Flaminia 2.8 Touring Convertible 1962
148 – Mercedes 220 SE Coupe 1960
149 – Mercedes 300 SE Automatic 1964
150 – Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato Series 2 1964
151 – Maserati Bora 4.7 1972
152 – Fiat 130 Coupe Automatic 1974
153 – MG B 1978
154 – Panther J 72 1979
155 – Rolls Royce Camargue
156 – Aston Martin V8
157 – VW Kever
158 – Porsche 928
159 – Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
160 – Jaguar MK9
161 – MG B Coupé
162 – MG A
163 – Alfa Romeo Duetto
164 – Alfa Romeo GTV
165 – Alfa Romeo 2600 Coupé
166 – Citroën DS
167 – Mercedes SL
168 – Pre war
169 – Alfa Romeo Spider
170 – Peugeot 504 Convertible
171 – Daimler Sovreign
172 – Tractor
173 – Alfa Romeo GTV
174 – Maserati 3500 GT 1964
175 – Maserati Quattro Porte 4200 Serie 1 1965
176 – Cadillac Eldorado Convertible MK7 1955
177 – Lincoln Continental MKIV 4 drs Cabriolet 1964
178 – Ford Edsel SE Citation Cabriolet 1958
179 – Chevrolet Corvette C3 L-82 1978
180 – DeTomaso Deauville Serie 2 1978
181 – Cadillac Eldorado Convertible MK8 1968
182 – Daimler 250 1967
183 – Messerschmitt KR200 1963
184 – Ford Thunderbird 1957
185 – Bristol 401 2 Litre 1950
186 – Triumph TR3 1958
187 – Hillman Minx Tourer Cabriolet 1935
188 – NSU Spider 56 1966
189 – Facel Vega F2 Facellia Coupe 1962
190 – Sunbeam 20HP Tickford 1933
191 – Hillman Minx Saloon 1934
192 – Triumph Renown MK1 TDB Saloon 1948
193 – Sunbeam Supreme Alpine MK1 1955
194 – Lancia Aurelia B50 Cabriolet Pininfarina 1951
195 – Daf 600 1960
196 – Morris Cowley Six MC15 2-door 1934
220 – Tomos Moped Quaoro
221 – Germaan Moped
222 – Motor MV Agusta
223 – Moped Kreidler Florett
224 – Moped
225 – Moped Puch
226 – Motor Moto Guzzi
227 – Scooter Vespa
228 – Scooter Vespa
229 – Moped
230 – Moped
231 – Moped
232 – Cola cabinet
233 – Workplace 1
234 – Workplace 2
237 – Alfa Romeo Duetto Rood
253 – Lancia Thema 6V Automaat 1986
254 – Volvo 340 DL 1986
255 – Opel Movano Pick-up 2 2.5 CDTI Drops 2006
256 – Ford Thunderbird 1980
257 – Fiat Ducato 14 2.8D Pick-up 2000
258 – Volvo 480 ES 1987
259 – Steyr 55 1936
260 – Hymer/Vauxha Mobil camper 1976
261 – Volkswagen T3 Syncro DC 4×4 Pick up TD51kw 1989
262 – Lancia Zagato Fulvia Sport 1.3S series 2 1971?
263 – Peugeot 504 Coupe injection automaat 1973
264 – Imperia TA-8 Sport Hotchkiss 1949
266 – BMW 2000 CS 1972
267 – Opel Vectra B 1.6-16v 5 deurs 1998
268 – DAF 400 autoambulance AE04BN 1987
269 – Land Rover Discovery 1997
270 – Winnebago Renault Traffic Lesharo 2e serie 1986
271 – Chrysler Imperial 1956?
272 – Studebaker Champion Coupe 4e generatie 1955
273 – Renault Express 1989
274 – Citroën Jumper 1998
275 – Fiat Ducato Camper 15L 2.3JTD 2004
276 – BMW 2000 CS 1969
277 – Mercedes Vito 108CDI 2002
278 – BMW 3 serie 1996
279 – Renault 19 cabriolet Karmann 1992
280 – Master MTD grasmaaier
181 – Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 1968.
Cadillac never built a 1968 Eldorado Convertible.
But Eldorado convertibles were produced in the 50’s & up until 1966. I feel that the listing is nowhere near a concise description. Many Europeans aren’t necessarily knowledgeable about American iron, just as we average Americans aren’t experts on European units either. I fear that the auction house may be in over its head.
1959 Imperial (at this time they were a separate marque from Chrysler)
And there never was any “MK7” designation on any Chrysler products.
Wow. Sooo many obscure ( somewhat unliked models ). Yeah, they’ve been sitting ( yes, a task, to get running and roadworthy ) possibly lightly, to never driven, with low mileage, and no damage. The chances, of them not being, beaten to death, jacks up, the prospect, of obtaining ( unobtainium ). Just WOW.
Unfortunate, he lost control of the collection. Hopefully, whoever is doing this, will keep him comfortable, for his remaining days.
Mind-blowing collection-if only I had the space-& the money 💰-I’d love to see the old vettes
Lots of cars I’m unfamiliar with here, but there are two in particular I’d like to know what they are, if someone could say:
1. Maroon car with A-wings on the front fenders above the headlights, parked next to a yellow Karman Ghia, and front plate 68-XE-98. Looks a little bit like an Airflow.
2. Blue coupe with a hood scoop, fender flares and wide tires, 14-MZ-59 front plate. Looks a little bit like an Opel GT from the front.
Thank you!
1 is an Austin Atlantic
2. is a Matra Djet
Thank you, David.
Very sensible comments from David. I disagree strongly that it would be a pity to break ip this collection. Mr Palmen showed good taste in purchasing premium classics, although he was obviously price aware. There are no show cars here.
But these cars need to be put back in the ocean to find owners who will restore rather than just store them ( although well!). There would be no point in perpetuating another man’s automotive Diogenes syndrome
Looks like they were still adding cars in the early 2000’s
Don’t look now, but the early 2000’s were 20 years ago.
I read through that list on the auction site and will echo the same reaction as most others here: WOW!
Something for everyone -this collector did not limit his collection to any specific genre or vehicle type. I suspect that he bought whatever he considered a bargain. If I was closeby (no shipping involved), it might be fun to bid on a moped just so you can say you had something from the collection.
The Facel Vegas and the Delahaye jump out for me; plus the Aston V8.
Yes, he seemed to have cornered the market on facel vegas! A family friend owned one when i was growing up and I didn’t realize until adulthood how rare and valuable they were
Depending on the year, Facel Vegas bring $500K restored.
It’s not how many toys you died with, it’s how much storage you have for those toys!
The good thing about this auction is, some of those cars will live again and be driven, not just mouldering away in a barn where no one can appreciate them.
Jay Leno should be all over this auction