The 296 GT3 required around 3,300 hours in order to design and develop the production tooling. Those tasks included 3-D printing, hand-working hundreds of patterns, and the production of molds before the prototyping phase. Every 22-inch long example requires approximately 350 hours of fettling, fitting, and painting. The result is a near-perfect replica that looks like you’re peering into a shrunken version of the actual vehicle.
The incredible trove, which comprises no less than 230 classic cars, was amassed over a period of 40 years by Dutch collector Ad Palmen.
Mr Palmen worked as a car dealer in the Netherlands in the mid-1960s before eventually starting his own collection with a yellow Lancia B20. He stored his ever-expanding hoard in three separate locations—two warehouses and a church—away from the prying eyes of the curious (and other auto enthusiasts).
It was only when Palmen became ill with dementia late last year that his executors came across what is now considered one of the best-kept secret collections in Europe.
Hailing from marques the world over, the rarities illustrate Palmen’s refined taste and discerning eye. The haul includes coved classics from Italy (Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, and Ferrari), France (Facel Vega), Germany (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and NSU), the UK (Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce), and America (Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Ford).
There are rides from more obscure nameplates on offer, too, such as Tatra, Monica, Moretti, Matra, Alvis, Imperia, and Villard.