Palmen Barnfind, a Dutch businessman, kept one of the most important secret car collections in Europe in a church. In total, more than 230 vehicles gathered in the main warehouse of this temple and that it has accumulated over the years, without its neighbors knowing that authentic automotive jewels were hidden there.
This man has been able to put together Italian cars from Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Ferrari. In addition, the French Facel Vega and the German BMW, Mercedes and NSU also met in this church. The British are well represented with Jaguars, Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces, while American classics include Chevrolets, Cadillacs and Fords.
Between the darkness of the warehouse and the accumulated dust, this motor enthusiast also collected copies of Tatra, Monica, Moretti, Matra, Alvis, Imperia and Villard.
After four decades in hiding, the collection is coming to light and will be auctioned soon. The Gallery Aldering company has been in charge of buying it in a batch that included all the cars and the buildings where they were stored in the town of Dordrecht (Netherlands). The auction will be held through the Classic Car Auctions house.
As Classic Car Auctions explains, Barnfind had refined taste and extensive knowledge of rare and special cars, having been professionally driving similar cars since the mid-1960s, before he started collecting.
His passion for these vehicles led him to start collecting them forty years ago. His first car, his favorite, a yellow Lancia B20. After his first purchase, he accumulated copies in his private store. To prevent the engines from breaking down, he came to start them from time to time.
According to the auction house, most of the collection is in original, unrestored condition, “one of Europe’s best-kept secret car collections.” In total, 230 cars.
In the images distributed by Classic Car Auctions, you can see the hundreds of cars collected by this local businessman, with hardly any space between them. And many of them covered by a layer of dust.
“It is unlikely that someone will see a collection of this caliber and status again in their lifetime,” explains Nico
The company does not quite clarify the reason for the sale: “Due to Mr. Palmen’s age and various circumstances, the collection will now be sold.” And he only hopes that the new owners “appreciate them as much as he does”, who took care of them for forty years in secret.
