[ MONTH IN CARS ] Barn finds
Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche, Morgan and more classics in stunning US discovery
A remarkable collection of long-stored classic cars emerged from a property in upstate New York to be offered at Gooding Christie’s Amelia Island sale on 5-6 March. The star of the group was undoubtedly a 1951 Ferrari 342 America Coupé, chassis 0130 AL, recognised as the first road-going Ferrari sold in the UK. The buyer was David Brown, owner and chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda. As the first 342 America and the only one bodied by Ghia, it’s unique. The asking price in 1951 – a reported £9700 – would have bought two Bentley MkVIs or eight Jaguar XK120s. Repainted from its original silver over blue to red in the mid-Fifties, it passed through several more UK owners before moving to America in 1967. It was soon with Robert Chevako of New Woodstock, NY, but after a visit to watch the racing at Watkins Glen in June that year, it disappeared from view.
Ghia-bodied 342 first road-going Ferrari sold in the UK
Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport with the same owner for 60 years
Following Mr Chevako’s recent passing, this and several other cars he kept were extracted for sale, including a 1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport that had been with him for more than 60 years, plus two Porsche 356s – a 1955 ‘Pre-A’ Speedster and a 1951 356 Coupé, and also a 1933 Morgan three-wheeler. The barns and garages also contained a Jaguar XK and several Minis, which were not entered in Gooding’s sale.
New York hoard yielded two 356 Porsches; Coupé…
…and Speedster, both from the early Fifties
Perhaps as a reaction to the military action on Iran and expected economic shock, the results for the New Woodstock collection were below expectation, with only the 356 Coupé beating its estimate to sell for $195k (£146k), while the Ferrari 342 fell a long way short of a $900k-$1.2m estimate and sold at a hammer price of $480k. The 342 America was not the only genuine Fifties barn find in the sale, as a 1959 250GT coupé by Pininfarina could not attract bidders and was passed on a $300k-$500k estimate. Bought by a US serviceman in the Bavarian Alps in 1969, it was shipped home and soon stored in Newark, New Jersey, where it remained for 55 years.
Ferrari 250GT attracted no bidders
Original owner David Brown of Aston Martin
Get your highly original Mercedes-Benz 300SL barn find… direct from Mercedes
This unrestored 300SL found in Pennsylvania
This 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster was discovered last year in Pennsylvania after a period of internment lasting several decades. It’s completely unrestored, which makes it one of an ever-dwindling number of 300SLs, either in Roadster or ‘Gullwing’ Coupé form, that can make this extraordinary claim.
Original SLs dwindling in number
Rather than popping up for sale with a dealer or making a big splash at auction, this one has been acquired by Mercedes-Benz itself, which is offering it as an opportunity to buy into the process of specifying the rebuild by its original maker. It was exhibited on the Mercedes-Benz Classic stand at Rétromobile in late January.
Interior includes US-spec Becker Mexico radio
The car’s long-term owner, a gentleman called Richard Scarborough, was a passionate fan of German sports cars who actively campaigned the 300SL at local club racing events in the Sixties; there’s still a black-painted roundel on the bonnet from those days. This Roadster was originally delivered in 040 Black, featuring an optional hardtop in 149 Light Grey, combined with a red leather interior (1088) and black soft top (872) – an unusual two-tone configuration. American-market specifications include the 3.89:1 rear axle ratio, Firestone Phoenix tyres and a Becker Mexico radio.
A campaigned club racer in the Sixties
Mercedes-Benz Classic is currently restoring the historically significant 1954 W196R Stromlinienwagen that sold for £44.2m last year and has completed exacting restorations on Mercedes cars of many eras, including the firm’s own 1924 2.0-litre Targa Florio racer.
New owner can specify build direct with Mercedes
Single-owner Jensen FF emerges after 30-year sleep
Jensen had been stored for almost 30 years
This silver 1969 Jensen FF had been laid up since shortly after the first owner’s death in 1997, when it moved to an outbuilding on his daughter’s property. The effort required to extract it was considerable, beginning with the need to shift several tons of bricks and paving stones, stacked on pallets in front of the door. Once this was done, with the use of a telehandler, further efforts were required to hack back years of ivy growth and dig roots out from under the doors. A lost key meant invoking an angle grinder to defeat the padlock, and the telehandler returned to lift the doors off. What was inside was a very dusty but well-preserved and original FF.
Only 60,000 miles at time of hibernation
When new, it covered some 60,000 miles as a daily driver, having been chosen for its 4WD ability to get in and out of the muddy Staffordshire quarry sites that its keeper owned and managed. In 1973 it moved, with its owner, to the Isle of Man, where it remained until returning to the mainland in his daughter’s possession in 1997. All four wheels were locked solid but the team working with Iconic Auctioneers wisely chose not to drag it out against its will and returned two days later when the brake pads had been removed and the tyres persuaded to hold air. It was consigned to the Race Retro Sale on 21 February, making £30,375.
Some rust but very well-preserved
Interior looks to be complete
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