Entire classic car collection up for sale

The Exmoor Classic Car Collection, the retirement project of collector Stephen Johns, will be sold by Bonhams.

The specialist museum, in Porlock in Somerset, was set up by Mr Johns when he moved to the West Country 12 years ago.

Mr Johns, an entrepreneur who ran a pyjama manufacturing business in Keighley, West Yorkshire for 45 years, started the museum to house the large collection he had built up over the years.

Among the 10 cars, 13 motorcycles and assorted automobilia are:

n A 1972 Ferrari 246GTS Dino Spyder, expected to fetch between £100,000 and £120,000

n A 1927 Bugatti Type 40 tourer, expected to fetch between £80,000 and £100,000;

n A 1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Doctor’s Coupé by Mitchells of Nottingham, estimated to sell for between £38,000 and £45,000.

Also of interest are a 1930 Singer Porlock Sports Junior bought by Mr Johns because of the connection between its name and the museum’s location, and a 1948 DOT 125cc AA motorcycle truck, the only one of its type still existing.

A Bonhams spokesman said: “The Exmoor Classic Car Museum could be described as every motoring enthusiast’s dream. Museums like it don’t really tend to exist today. When you walked through the doors it was like walking into some forgotten past.

“Today everything is locked away behind glass cabinets but in this museum the public could touch the cars, open their doors and look inside, and flick through the old photo albums. It will be a great shame to see it close but Bonhams wishes Mr Johns the very best for his second retirement.”

The sale takes place at Beaulieu in Hampshire on September 8.