The cars in the church: rediscovering the Palmen Collection

Good gracious, the Palmen Collection! To think it was unknown for so long, and has only recently been rediscovered! It’s quite something, isn’t it? How could it be possible that no one knew about such an impressive trove of cars tucked away not only in a massive warehouse in the Netherlands but also an abandoned church? Well, our own Laurens Klein knew something about it. He remembered taking a certain car part to a certain craftsman near Rotterdam years ago, when the old man told him about a collection of cars stored in a dilapidated church nearby. If you’ve ever spoken to Laurens you’ll know there are no flies on him, so he spent the next day locating all the churches in a 10-mile radius from the village in question… and then visiting them.

Seek, and ye shall find...

Did he find the hoard of treasure? Not straight away, but when he came back the next week to pick up the aforementioned part from the aforementioned craftsman, the subject of the church packed with cars was raised again, some more precise information was obtained and the search was on again, this time with a better outcome. You can read Rosemarijn Veenenbos’s account of what he found here.

Now, the secret is well and truly out, as Mr. Palmen has consigned his collection of over 230 historic cars, amassed over a period of 40 years, for sale with Gallery Aaldering.

We knew there was a lot more hidden behind the walls of that hallowed house than what Laurens had glimpsed. We haven’t found the Graham-Paige which he saw anywhere in the lengthy sales catalogue, though. It transpires that, in between the dozens of Alfa Romeos, Lancias and Facel Vegas, there is one car simply listed as ‘Pre-War’. “What’s that?” we asked the spokesman of Gallery Aaldering. He didn’t know, but we’re certain it must be the Graham-Paige. What else may be of interest to the pre-war enthusiast? Take your pick…

1912 Singer convertible
1928 Ford Model A roadster
1928 Peugeot 190S
1931 Essex Super Six four-seat roadster
1933 Sunbeam 20hp Tickford
1934 Rolls-Royce 25/30
1934 Morris Cowley Six two-door
1934 Hillman Minx saloon
1935 Hillman Minx tourer
1936 Steyr 55
1937 Buick Eight
1937 Rover 16 saloon

Words: Jeroen Booij

Pubblicato:

lunedì maggio 8th, 2023

Richard Heritage

15 Maggio 2023, 09:53

Secret collections such as this are the work of a "hoarder" and I say this without the intent of sounding derogatory of Mr Palman at all. Few people will ever see what collectors like him have tucked away. I say this from experience having crossed paths with a few but not with so many vehicles as this. In comparison, one collector with 72 MG's or another with 48 Studebakers; another with some 60 British cars in a purpose-built modern barn. And then there are those with literally tons of car parts stashed away. Accessing and seeing hoards like this often takes a heap of trust and patience to break that ice.
The one positive thing about these hidden collections that surface from time to time is they saved these vehicles from who knows what.

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James Simpson

14 Maggio 2023, 19:12

Treasure for sure, and a set of many stories yet to be revealed as each has its own trail of significance from the past. This is detective work for a "Sherlock Holmes" type historian - not unlike an archaeological dig. It is all in the "story" and there's likely even more value to be found if past ownership might be investigated through chassis numbers, papers left, and local interviews.
Of course, held as private information are the "certain part", and the "certain nearby craftsman" that leave open even more affiliations that are intriguing as well. Yet, compartmentalized for privacy, and, as well for the hard-earned exclusivity during further historical searching, we leave it to Pre-War affiliates to reveal more, perhaps later.
Not unlike the History Channel's recent, very successful exposé of family history investigations, there is as well here many trails leading to the church that has significant "story" in it, and additional value for historical knowledge and entertainment. "Barn Finds"--they are still out there!
Buried for both World Wars similar award-winning, find-winning Preservation Class at Pebble Beach a few years back.

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Joop Terpstra

08 Maggio 2023, 16:54

Het bezit van de zaak is het einde van het vermaak? Toch klopt dit wel heel vaak...
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Owning the case is the end of the fun? However, this is often true....

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The cars in the church: rediscovering the Palmen Collection

Seek, and ye shall find...

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