South Africa's Largest Car Collection Is Covered In Dust

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And it's covered in dust.

In an unassuming corner of South Africa's Eastern Cape, a staggering automotive treasure has been unveiled. Known as Oom Louis Coetzer's Lost Barn Collection, this assemblage of approximately 200 classic and vintage cars marks a historic discovery in the automotive world. Joff van Reenen, the Lead Auctioneer at Creative Rides, was left breathless upon discovering the collection, amassed over a 50-year period by the late Oom Louis Coetzer, a renowned car enthusiast.

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The collection, initiated for auction by Coetzer's heirs, spans iconic brands including Mercedes Benz, Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW, all preserved under layers of dust, untouched for decades. This find was part of a larger trove that, upon further exploration, expanded to around 600 vehicles stored across several farms near Barkly East, solidifying it as South Africa's largest car collection.

Tragically, Oom Louis and his wife Hermien met their end in a car accident in early 2020, prompting the family to auction hundreds of cars later that year and in 2021. This latest barn discovery adds a new chapter to the Coetzer legacy, offering a window into a vast and varied automotive past.

The collection doesn't just include cars but also a wealth of automobilia, engines, classic car spares, original manuals, and body parts, making it a goldmine for enthusiasts and historians alike. Van Reenen described the awe-inspiring sight of cars lined up as if ready for action, a testament to the historical significance of this discovery.

Kevin Derrick, CEO of Creative Rides, highlighted the global rarity of such a find, noting the unprecedented scale of the collection outside the United States. The upcoming 10-day online auction, starting 25 March 2024, promises to attract collectors worldwide, eager to own a piece of this remarkable automotive history. Each car and component, sold "as is," represents a unique opportunity to revive and preserve a part of Oom Louis Coetzer's extraordinary collection, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of motoring excellence.

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