A Collector's Dream...

There are disposers and there are collectors.

The former are likely to be very particular about cleanliness and tidiness, bordering on Obsessive Cleanliness Behaviour.

The latter are likely to be hoarders, for one reason or the other, for just in case the item might be needed, or that it will become a collector's item. Such people can never be really tidy because of the superfluous number of items waiting for attention, be it touching up, awaiting a missing item or re-arranging into a set. Cleaning in terms of normal standard of cleanliness is out of the question because it is just not practicable. So, disorderliness and messiness would seem to be the order of the day. Many collectors would prefer cleaners not to touch the items in case they are broken, they themselves are unlikely to have the time to do so.

It is every collector's fantasy to buy something which turns out to be a real collector's item with immense value. Unless descendants are aware of the values of items collected, most would dispose of unwanted items indiscriminately ranging from throwing into the bins or selling at any prices offered.

Now and again, a collector would discover a bargain which pleases him or her immensely. But to discover literally 'an Aladdin's treasure trove' is definitely hard to come by, but it happened! Here is the story forwarded by a friend:

A recently retired New York man wanted to use his retirement funds wisely, decided to buy a home and a few acres in Portugal.

The modest farmhouse had been vacant for 15 years; the owner and wife? Both had died, and there were no heirs.

The estate was being sold to pay back taxes. There had been several lookers, but the large barn had steel doors, and they had been welded shut. No one wanted to go to the extra expense to see what was in the barn, and it wasn't complimentary to the property anyway... So, no one made an offer on the place.

The New York gentleman bought it as is, paying just over half of the property's worth; moved in, and set about to access the barn... curiosity was killing him.

So, he and his wife bought a generator and a couple of grinders... and cut through the welds...

Amazing...

Total value of all vehicles: over 35 million!
The man and his wife had full title to the complete lot of vehicles!

The barn:
The doors were welded shut, but a grinder took care of that. What was in the barn?
A warehouse full of vintage high performance cars! which includes the following:
Aston Martin, Opel GT, Lotus Elan FHC, Lotus Super Seven Series IV, Lotus Elan DHC, Porsche 356, Austin Healey Sprite Mk II, Volvo PV 544, Ford Y, Giulietta Sprint, Giula Sprint Speciale, Nash Metropolitan, Alfa Giuletta, Lotus Europa, another Lotus Elan FHC, Matra Djet, Lancia Flaminia Coup, Abarth 1300 Scorpione, Peugeot 504 cabriolet & 404 cabriolet, Mini, Alfa 1900 Super Sprint, Balilla, Fiat Topolino II, Triumph TR4, Peugeot 202, BMW V8, Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes, Austin A30...

Wasn't that deserving of a big celebration and ... a barn dance?

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