Bonhams will auction the contents of the world-famous Den Hartogh Museum in the Netherlands on June 23, 2018. It is believed to be the largest collection of Fords in the world. The museum demonstrates the true breadth and diversity of the American brand. Examples range from the popular Ford A, B and C models to special vehicles such as ice cream vans, ambulances and fire engines.
The incredible single-owner collection includes more than 200 Ford and Lincoln automobiles and utility vehicles, as well as more than 50 motorcycles. Each lot is offered without reserve. The all-day sale will take place at the Den Hartogh Museum in Hillegom near Amsterdam. The museum was founded and managed by Piet den Hartogh, who bought his first Ford in 1956. Piet fell in love with the brand at a young age, inspired by the Ford trucks his father used for his transport company, having progressed from barges and horse-drawn carriages to more modern means of transportation.
Piet's collection grew quickly as he tried to collect an example of every single Ford model, from the 1903 Model A to modern motorhomes and even a Canadian police snowmobile. It was Piet's wife who suggested turning the vast collection into a museum in the 1990s and sharing the results of his collecting with Ford enthusiasts around the world.
For more than two decades, the collection has been a must-see for all car enthusiasts. However, such a large and unique collection requires an enormous amount of passion and commitment. Piet's daughter Greske ran the museum for many years, but the family has now decided that the time has come to share the remarkable collection with other Ford fans who will ensure that each piece gets the attention it deserves.
Rupert Banner, Bonhams Group Head of Motoring, commented: "This is an exceptional opportunity which Bonhams has been delighted to accept. The Den Hartogh collection is legendary throughout Europe and has been the destination of true pilgrimages by Ford enthusiasts for many years. It will be a pleasure to offer this amazing selection of Fords and Lincolns on site in the museum that has so carefully housed them for 21 years.
Every vehicle must be sold and every lot will be offered without reserve, meaning that both Ford enthusiasts and the wider collector community will be able to bid for their desired piece of the marque's history."
Further information can be found on the website.
