An urban explorer stumbled upon a treasure trove of nearly 40 rare and valuable cars, including a one-of-a-kind Italian sports car, in an unlocked barn at an undisclosed location in the UK. Colin Hodson, who shares his adventures on the Bearded Explorer YouTube channel, was left astounded by his discovery.
Colin ensured that he didn't release his video until he had confirmed that the cars were safely locked away again due to their immense value.
He expressed his astonishment at the find: "From an old F1 car to a Frazer Nash one of only two ever made! then a one-of-a-kind Nardi Silver Ray."
The Silver Ray, the first Italian car to be powered by an American V8, is thought to be the only one of its kind in existence. Its history spans continents, but it somehow ended up in the possession of a British collector who seems to have forgotten about it.
In the overgrown barn, almost entirely concealed by nettles, Colin also found Aston Martins, Bentleys, and a highly sought-after Ferrari. The self-proclaimed petrolhead described the barn find as "the greatest discovery of his career.", reports the Daily Star.
At the end of a long-forgotten track, a barn sits untouched for years. Its front door is securely locked, but luckily, a second entrance was left open.
Inside, Colin reveals, "We've got Aston Martins, we've got Bentleys, we've got BMWs, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Lancia we've even got some cars I've never even heard of before."
Despite the exterior showing signs of severe neglect, the interior tells a different story. Apart from a few cobwebs, the cars are mostly in pristine condition.
The collection's worth?
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"In the millions," according to Colin.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere, a set of tools lies abandoned in front of one museum-grade car, as if a mechanic had stepped out for lunch mid-repair and never returned.
A classic Alfa-Romeo, with less than 10,000 miles on the clock, sits under a thick layer of dust. Chunks of insulation foam litter its roof where the barn's ceiling is starting to crumble.
Like many of its neighbours in this forsaken workshop, the car hasn't seen the road in at least 45 years.
One vehicle in the collection predates the First World War, yet it remains in astonishing condition. A faded black-and-white photo of the original owner rests on one of its back seats.
The photograph showcases a remarkable artefact, adding to the value of the century-old roadster. In another corner, an ancient Studebaker stands tall, possibly harking back to the earliest days of "horseless carriages" at the dawn of the 20th century.
"It's absolutely unreal," exclaims Colin. "They are beautiful cars, every single one of them."
However, the star attraction is undoubtedly the Silver Ray: "This is potentially one of the most valuable cars in here."
With just over a thousand miles on the clock, the Nardi is as much a work of art as it is a mode of transport.
The number plates hint that this unique vehicle last graced the roads of California sometime in the mid-1980s. A fusion of American engineering and Italian style, the Silver Ray stands out as one of the most extraordinary cars in this exceptional collection.
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