Amazing WW2 collection up for auction

[PrinzEugen]

This is the collection of a well known french farmer that has recently passed away. As I understand it he collected the majority of the items in the years following the war in Normandy.
Anyway, it's an absolutely incredible collection, much of which looks untouched since the war.
It's 14 pages of eye candy!
http://www.interencheres.com/ventes_aux_encheres/description_vente_aux_encheres_1clic.php?clef_vente=200711100016&clef_etude=27003&num_art=0&nbr_photos=20&vue=liste#nav

Some examples:

[gaijinsamurai]

I'd love to be able to bid on the BMW R75, Kubelwagon, and Zundapp.
Thanks for posting, Prinzeugen.

[Martial]

Holy smokes! Where was he storing all of that stuff?? Anyone know the history behind this?

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Man, if I only had a trunkload of extra cash, I could buy a bunch of French Army helmets and a piece of a Tiger tank.. :o

[Name Taken]

Looks like the vast majority of it was stored in a field. :|

[LRPV]

http://www.interencheres.com/img/imgbase/img27003-200711100016-257.jpg

Now this I would buy. What a piece of motorcycling history!

[Eoin666]

http://www.interencheres.com/img/imgbase/img27003-200711100016-257.jpg

Now this I would buy. What a piece of motorcycling history!

a kettenkrad, I would love one of these or the BMW R75 sidecar combo...if anyone is giving one away! :)........c'mon lottery it has to be my turn by now!

[oregongrunt]

Thanks for such a great link, I really enjoyed the original camo on the bikes. What else to you know about this French farmer, I don't understand very much French.

[oregongrunt]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35525&d=1193147282
What is this vehicle? Is it some sort of Opel Blitz?

[Incoherent]

The man's name is Alain Roudeix, Ex-Maquis. He has been collecting military scrap (not quite scrap anymore these days..) since the end of World War 2. Living in the Falaise Gap area was a big advantage too! He was featured in "After the Battle" magazine countless times, and once was tasked to restore a Tiger 1 in the area that had sunk into a roadside ditch inthe 70s.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/gaz/vt.html

Farewell Alain Roudeix.. Rest in Peace... Although I never knew you personally, I've grown up with the fantasy of discovering an untouched Panther hidden in a long abandoned farmhouse in Normandy, thanks to you.

[zundappuk]

What is this vehicle? Is it some sort of Opel Blitz?

No, its a pre war 6X6 commonly known as the "Einhiets diesel".
It was produced by several different manufacturers, but was costly to make and complicated to maintain. Production stopped fairly early in the war, its role being taking over by simpler trucks such as the 4x4 Opel Bliz 6700a, Bussing NAG 4500a etc.

These Einhiets Diesels are rare and highly collectable, I expect it will surpass its valuation.

I will be going to the auction, but it will be out of my league. :-(

David

[PrinzEugen]

No, its a pre war 6X6 commonly known as the "Einhiets diesel".
It was produced by several different manufacturers, but was costly to make and complicated to maintain. Production stopped fairly early in the war, its role being taking over by simpler trucks such as the 4x4 Opel Bliz 6700a, Bussing NAG 4500a etc.

These Einhiets Diesels are rare and highly collectable, I expect it will surpass its valuation.

I will be going to the auction, but it will be out of my league. :-(

David

How was the auction David? Any pictures to share?
/John