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Redevelopment Forces Sale: Major UK Barn Find Auction

According to a website with a major auction listed among its upcoming events, a large collection of project cars and trucks were forced out of their barn storage to make way for a major redevelopment of the property. The picture above captures just some of what was contained inside the barns that have presumably been razed, and my goodness – someone had a panache for the rare and eclectic. Find the auction details here on Bidspotter with the live auction scheduled for November 2.

I honestly can’t imagine not having enough foresight to amass a collection as unique as this and not have a “Plan B” when the real estate developer comes knocking. Presumably, someone either died or ran delinquent on their taxes, as I can’t imagine any other way I’d let go of a collection this unique. This is an incredibly rare Gilbern Genie – when’s the last time you saw one of these for sale?

Given how many of your textbook British sports cars are in the collection, the owner clearly knew what cars UK enthusiasts would salivate over. This includes a Ford Cortina, which is done up to look like the Lotus version but sadly does not have the legendary drivetrain under the hood. Still, it wasn’t uncommon for the engine to be yanked, so the VIN could still bear out that this is the genuine article – and that’s a car worth saving.

Other British classics include a beautiful Rover 3500; a TVR Tasmin; incredibly rare Ford Corsair; a nicely preserved Peugeot 304 cabriolet; a Hartge-modified BMW 7-Series; a Lancia Flavia 2000 Coupe by Pininfarina; and more BMW 6-Series than you can shake a stick at. Just to show you the range of this collection, get a load of this classic T-bucket Ford hot rod – seriously, the caretaker of these cars was a guy seemingly everyone could relate to.

I’m going to go past my usual four photos because I have to include this one: a Range Rover Carmichael six-wheel conversion, one of about 400 ever made. Primarily produced for rescue applications where the extra wheelbase was needed for carrying firefighting equipment, I can’t imagine many were made for private hands – and yet, here we are. There is literally something for everyone at this auction, and I very much wish I had a reason to be in the UK this weekend.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    Wouldn’t you love to be let loose in this collection!

    Like 9
  2. Avatar local_sheriff

    That’s a massive collection of vehicles! However, when reading the conditions for this auction there’s potential for a lot of headache here – they don’t have any documentation for any vehicles NOR will assist with obtaining it…

    I have no idea what is UK legislation on having re-issued docs for a vehicle bought off an auction like this, so BE AWARE!

    Like 5
    • Avatar UK Paul 🇬🇧

      You can get a new V5 (reg document) fairly easily.
      Can’t remember the process but it can be done.

      Like 5
  3. Avatar jo6pac

    Sadly they’re right hand drive.

    Like 1
    • Avatar luke arnott

      No problem with right hand drive!I drive LHD cars in the UK!

      Like 7
  4. Avatar UK Paul 🇬🇧

    The Escort Cosworth replica is interesting in that it has the correct interior including the dash with central gauges. That is some attention to detail.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Classic Steel

    What’s the blue coupe front row by the red doghouse?
    I clicked many links but didn’t see it Listed.

    I know british laws used to be that junkers had to be over concrete at a thickness approved level to atop chemicals leaking.

    It was a stopgap to cut down on junyards sadly which reduces classic cars.

    Cheerio!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Arno

      I guess it is the lot#71, but that won’t help you as it is listed as “unknown kit car”…

      Like 2
    • Avatar JamesHGF

      The blue coupe lot #71 is a Falcon Caribbean designed for a Ford Pop 1172 chassis.

      Falcon & Falconshells info and photos:

      http://fordspecials.co.uk/falcon.html

      Like 4
  6. Avatar PDXBryan

    I think the word the Brits use for this sort of thing is…gobsmacked!

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Rx-7 TurboII

    My wishlist out of the lot would include the Celica All-Trac Turbo, and the Porsche 928 GT. Any of the BMW Coupes like the 635csi would be acceptable to! LOL
    This is the only time I’m going to say that I wish I was in the UK right now. Nice lot!

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Mike

    Never seen the Peugeot (lot 8) before. Cool little convertible.
    The Sunbeam Rapier (lot 28) very sporty.
    Too bad about the Bristol (lot 50)
    The Gilburn (lot 82) looks like a UK version of an Alfa Sprint GT
    Lot 93 (???)
    R.I.P. lot 109
    Leave the car design to the professionals (lot 124,129 & 131)
    An automotive snail (lot 130)

    Like 2
  9. Avatar H5mind

    I am in London, but Preston is over five hours away in the northwest. Any of these cars could probably be imported to the US as “parts” and registered in Vermont regardless of residence- last time I checked they would plate anything with a VIN.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Alan C

    Preston’s 30 mile from me,

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Little_Cars

    Ugh. I look at the forward edge of the hood and rocker panels of that Cortina and repeat to myself…”nevermore.” UK rust just as bad as northern USA rust. Still, always fun to imagine how the cars were when loaded into the building years ago.

    Like 1
    • Avatar sir mike

      The MK11 Cortina’s are just as bad…and the one might be a true MK11 Lotus Cortina….and the Crayford is really sad

      Like 0
  12. Avatar ACZ

    Anybody have an idea of what kind of engine is in that T bucket? It looks like it has some sort of twin SU sidedraft induction. The valve covers seem to infer a hemi of some sort but I don’t recognize it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Sirpike

      Hi ACZ , 2.5 ltr Daimler

      Like 2
      • Avatar ACZ

        Thanks, Sirpike!

        Like 0
      • Avatar Concinnity

        Or even 4.5 litre Daimler.

        Like 0
  13. Avatar sir mike

    Humber Super Snipe is such a cool name…

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Del

    If I lived in Europe, I would be all over this like ugly on a snake.

    Not

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Speedy Gonzalez

    That Jensen Interceptor III, the first gen Ford Lotus Cortina, and the Alfa Romeo GTV are my favorites.

    Like 0

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