The entire collection of a classic car museum which was set up as the retirement project of a former Keighley businessman will go under the hammer next month.

The Exmoor Classic Car Collection will be sold by Bonhams on Saturday, September 8, after it was set up to house the vehicles amassed by retired pyjama factory boss Stephen Johns.

The museum has been described as “every motoring enthusiast’s dream” giving the public the chance to get a close look at the collection.

Entrepreneur Mr Johns, who ran the Johns-Craft factory in Oakworth Road for 45 years, set up the museum, in Porlock in Somerset, when he moved to the West Country 12 years ago. He began collecting classic cars in the 1960s and continued to add to his collection ever since, he told Kris Palmer, author of Dream Garages in 2006.

Vintage vehicles in the sale could attract six-figure bids, it is estimated. Highlights among the ten cars, 13 motorcycles and assorted automobilia he has collected are: l A 1972 Ferrari 246GTS Dino Spyder, expected to fetch between £100,000 and £120,000 l A 1927 Bugatti Type 40 tourer, expected to fetch between £80,000 and £100,000 l A 1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Doctor's Coupe by Mitchells of Nottingham, estimated to sell for between £38,000 and £45,000.

Other lots of interest are a 1930 Singer Porlock Sports Junior bought by Mr Johns because of the connection between its name and the location of the museum, and a 1948 DOT 125cc AA motorcycle truck which is the only one of its type.

Tim Schofield, director of the Bonhams motor car department, said: “The Exmoor Classic Car Museum could be described as every motoring enthusiast's dream. Museums like it don’t really tend to exist today. When you walked through the doors it was like walking into some forgotten past.

“Today everything is locked away behind glass cabinets but in this museum the public could touch the cars, open their doors and look inside, and flick through the old photo albums.

“It will be a great shame to see it close but Bonhams wishes Mr Johns the very best for his second retirement.”

The collection will go under the hammer at the Bonhams Beaulieu Sale of Collectors’ Motor Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia, in Hampshire on Saturday, September 8, at 11am. There will be a viewing on Friday, September 7, from 9am to 5pm. Contact the auctioneers on (0207) 4477447, e-mail info@bonhams.com or visit bonhams.com.