ONE 70-year-old pensioner is preparing to auction off his incredible collection of classic cars, which are worth almost £1 million.
He first began building up his store of luxury vehicles as part of a retirement plan, before amassing over 120 vintage motors.
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Frank Loft started the Moretonhampstead Motor Museum in Devon in 2008, with just three cars and three motorbikes.
The collection rapidly ballooned in size and now includes classic vehicles from brands including Rolls-Royce, Ford, Jaguar and MG.
He owns 300 items of automobilia and 120 vintage cars in the massive museum, with the memorabilia collection having a collective value of £900,000.
The cars on offer include a 1930s Rolls-Royce worth £26,000, a 1959 Jaguar XK150 for £50,000 and a 1970 Ford Cortina Lotus Mk II, which will sell for £30,000.
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He is also selling more affordable motors, including a yellow BMW Isetta 300 for £8,000 and a 1972 three-wheeled Bond Bug for £7,000.
The oldest car in his collection, a James Wall quadricycle, dates back to 1914 and is being sold for £4,500.
Each vehicle is stored in a converted old bus depot in Moretonhampstead, which was opened to the public in 2013.
Frank originally worked in education and focused on helping children with special needs before taking early retirement in 2008 to focus on the car business.
At the age of 74, he has finally decided to settle down and retire.
Frank said: “It’s a hobby gone out of control. Museums aren’t a business you go into thinking you’re going to make a fortune.
“I have enjoyed more or less every moment, it’s been a great experience. It’s been a pleasure to welcome tens of thousands of visitors over the years.
“My body’s telling me it’s time I had a break.
“I haven’t decided what I’ll do now but I’ll probably find another project, I’ve always been a bit of a workaholic.
Since he was unable to find someone to take over the museum, he has decided to sell off each of his cars.
The huge sale is being held at the museum by Charterhouse Auctioneers of Sherborne, Dorset.
Richard Bromell, from Charterhouse, said: “Frank has been a client of Charterhouse for many years.
“He bought many of the vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and automobilia from our auctions over the years and we are delighted to be instructed to conduct the sale for him.
“I think it’s going to be a hugely popular sale.
“A lot of the vehicles are relatively affordable, it’s not a high-brow auction full of SSK Mercedes-Benz. There’s something here for everyone.
“You have pre-war up to modern classics, you’ve got fast Fords, you’ve got cars that, up until quite recently, we used to see on the roads a lot.”
The collection will be sold on May 15 and 16.
Ahead of the sale, Frank confirmed that he is hanging onto four vehicles.
He said: “I’m not a martini at the swimming pool person but it will be nice to have more time for the grandchildren.
“I’ve got about four I’m keeping, I’m philosophical about giving up the rest.
“I’ve always had a strong belief in Buddhism and it teaches that letting go is okay.”
The news comes as the UK’s favourite cars this year have been revealed.
The Ford Puma topped the charts, selling 14,930 units, and was closely followed by the Kia Sportage.
Electric car company Tesla failed to make the top 10 as European markets snub the manufacturer which is headed by Elon Musk.
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