The collection of the Den Hartogh automotive museum goes to auction in the Netherlands on 23 June 2018.

On offer will be the establishment’s 49 historic motorcycles in addition to what is thought to be the largest collection of Ford cars in the world.

The all-day sale will take place at the Den Hartogh museum in Hillegom, just outside Amsterdam under the auspices of auction house Bonhams.

Entire collection under the hammer

The museum opened in 1997 to showcase the remarkable collection of Piet den Hartogh who had begun building it up in the 1950s.

In recent years, however, the museum has struggled to attract enough visitors and when no member of the Den Hartogh family could be found to step up to run the place, the decision was made to close it down.

Highlights of the motorcycle sale include a 1943 Harley-Davidson 750cc WLA, an array of BMW’s including a 1958 BMW 490cc R50/Steib Combination together with numerous important British machines.

James Stensel, head of Bonhams Motorcycle Department UK, commented: ‘The Den Hartogh Museum Collection is known the world over and much like the extensive collection of motor cars and commercial vehicles, the motorcycles have been carefully curated to include many interesting marques and models. Offered entirely without reserve, this is a great opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to bid.’