How one man’s treasured Ferrari collection ended up abandoned

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 20.05.2019

11 Ferraris were found in a Texas field, left for almost a decade

Once-loved cars left abandoned are a stark sight to see for any car enthusiast. It’s rarer and even more shocking still to see a fleet of Ferraris left to rot in the elements.

Silodrome reports the sad story behind these astounding photos.

They were once owned by an unnamed attorney who originally began collecting Corvettes, before eventually going down the rabbit hole and ending up with a taste for European exotic cars.

He reportedly had a couple of Porsches, a Lotus and a Lamborghini, before diving head first into the world of Ferrari collecting.

Over time, the attorney amassed an impressive collection of some of Maranellos finest and most sought-after models:  a Testarossa, a 308 Quattrovale, a 400i, a couple of 328s, at least three 348s and a couple of Mondials.

Unfortunately, the attorney was diagnosed with a serious medical condition around 2011 and was no longer able to drive his beloved vehicles. While he underwent treatment, he paid to have his vehicles stored in a secure warehouse by a friend.

Sadly his conditioned worsened and missed a few payments; after which his "friend" un-ceremonially rolled the cars outside and on to a field.

Payments eventually resumed, as well as the outstanding sum, but the cars were never moved back inside, and were left outside to decay for almost a decade.

The attorney’s family just recently were able to take-back possession of the cars, though much damage had already been done.

Curiously, the family found invoices for 13 Ferraris, and two Rolls-Royces that were meant to be stored; though the two Rolls-Royces and two Ferraris remain missing, and just nine of the remaining 11 vehicles retain their vehicle titles.

None of the cars are in running condition after nearly ten years out in the cold; though worse still, the photos indicate that the cars would have been in near-immaculate condition when originally stored.

Many of the interiors show minimal wear on the seats and steering wheel, hinting that they may likely be incredibly low-mileage examples; though years of sun and rain have left dashboards splitting, windows smashed, and parts dumped inside various cabins.

All cars are in dire need of restoration; a job too big for the surviving family.

The nine vehicles with their titles intact were sold to a dealer who could find loving owners for each of these forgotten cars.

To this day, almost all of them have found new homes; and we hope, are on their way to finally returning to the road.

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