'Once in a lifetime' car collection found in barn

A 1927 Diatto Type 30 was among the trove found in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford in Essex

An auctioneer stumbled across what he described as a "once in a lifetime" collection of cars while clearing a man's estate.

The vehicles - including a 1962 Lotus Elite and Connaught L2 - were found in a barn in Great Baddow, Essex.

Motor enthusiast Frank Lugg owned them until his death in 2024 and wanted the trove to be sold for charity.

"This clearly was his life's passion, he even had a motorbike in his dining room," said Paul Stacey, who will auction the vehicles on 28 February.

He estimated the collection could fetch more than £140,000 when it went under the hammer at Stacey's Auctioneers in Rayleigh.

The cars, including the Lotus and Diatto (both pictured), had not been on the road in decades

A coffee table made from a car engine was also found during searches of Mr Lugg's home.

Mr Stacey said: "It became very clear he was one of those special kinds of people who were passionate about cars, motorbikes and all aspects of engineering.

"There were three cars stored in his garage and quite obviously these hadn't seen the light of day for many years."

Mr Lugg had requested his estate was left to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute, a farming charity, after his death.

He lived on his own and did not appear to have any close family, Mr Stacey said.

The Connaught was raced at Silverstone and Goodwood

The Connaught L2 was given a price estimate of between £60,000 and £100,000, while the Lotus Elite Super 95 could fetch £20,000.

A 1927 Diatto Type 30 and a 1989 Honda VFR750 were among the other vehicles discovered.

"This is a once in a lifetime find and, as auctioneers, we feel privileged to have the opportunity to sell them," Mr Stacey added.