A rusting Ferrari found in a French barn after 40 years, was actually the extremely rare 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder convertible sports car. Found along with 60 other classic cars, this rare Ferrari has been sold for an astounding $18 million (Rs 118 crores).
This lost Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder was once owned by French actors Alain Delon and Gerard Blain. Delon was also photographed inside this car alongside Jane Fonda. The car went through a few owners, before it was bought by Roger Baillon, a French entrepreneur. Baillon was an avid collector of classic and vintage cars. His plan was to restore these to their original glory, and display them in a museum. But, as he faced some financial setbacks in the 70’s, this dream never materialized. Meanwhile, the remaining of his collection was stored in a French barn.
About a decade ago, Baillon died. The ownership of the cars went to his son, Jacques Baillon, who died last year. The expensive collection then passed down to the Baillon’s grandchildren. They knew about the cars in the barn, but had no idea of its rarity, until they called in Pierre Novikoff and Matthieu Lamoure of Artcurial Motorcars, a French auctioneering company.
The lost Ferrari and Maserati in the French barn.The Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder convertible sports car is just one of 37 units ever built. Hidden for the past 40 years, under a pile of magazines, the rare Ferrari becomes the fifth most expensive car to be sold. The priced Ferrari was bought by an unknown buyer over telephone.
Along with the 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder convertible, there were about 100 other cars which were found in that barn. About 60 of them were considered vintage. In the barn, alongside the Ferrari was a Maserati GranSport A6G Frua, this too was auctioned and fetched $1.25 million.
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via The Telegraph
