WWII TREASURE TROVE UNEARTHED IN QUARRY
Central France hoard of classics believed hidden from German invaders
Acache of classics thought to have been hidden from occupying German troops during World War II has been discovered in the tunnels of a quarry in central France.
The occupation of France was between 1940 and 1944 and this abandoned quarry holds the rusted remains of more than two dozen 1930s and 1940s classics like the Peugeot 202, 203 and 204, as well as Citroën Traction Avants, 11s and 7Cs.
Vincent Michel, a Belgian PE teacher and amateur photographer, says he cannot give away information about the location, but he had heard about the quarry from a friend who is a classic car enthusiast, and who himself had heard a rumour about the potential treasure trove.
His friend wanted him to capture some images of the classics in the quarry. ‘ We didn’t have the exact location ourselves so with a few hints and after a long search, we found the entrance,’ Michel says. ‘ We think the cars were brought into the quarry to stop them being seized. After the war, they were simply forgotten.’
The vehicles may have been hidden from German officers who would requisition local vehicles to use as staff cars during the occupation.
The owner of the quarry has removed some of the more intact vehicles to sell at auction, but many are too fragile to be moved.
Michel is now on the hunt to see if he can find similar WWII hoards.