CLASSIC car enthusiast Stephen Johns has been sharing his passion for his hobby with the public for more than a decade.

But now the owner of Porlock's Exmoor Classic Car Museum is putting his entire collection of vehicles under the hammer as he retires for the second time.

Mr Johns, who is nearly 80, bought his first classic car in 1965 - and just went on buying, accumulating a collection estimated to be worth several hundreds of thousands of pounds.

After 45 years running a pyjama manufacturing business in Keighley, West Yorkshire, he retired to West Somerset and decided to open a museum - initially in Minehead - to house the large collection he had built up.

Now the exhibits, which have been based in Porlock's former Doverhay garage for a number of years, will be sold off at a specialist sale in Beaulieu, Hampshire, by auctioneers Bonhams on September 8.

Mr Johns, who lives in Wootton Courtenay, is keeping just one - a 1990 Bentley convertible.

"It's been wonderful running the museum but after ten years I'm ready to do something else," Mr Johns told the Free Press.

"I've enjoyed it but I have many other interests that I want to pursue, such as gardening, golf and motorbikes."

In all, ten cars, 13 motorcycles and a wealth of assorted automobilia will be sold off.

Among the highlights are a 1972 Ferrari 246GTS Dino Spyder, expected to fetch between £100,000 and £127,000 and a 1927 Bugatti Type 40 tourer, likely to make between £80,000 and £100,000.

Meanwhile, a 1923 Rolls Royce 20hp Doctor's Coupe by Mitchells of Nottingham is thought to be worth between £38,000 and £45,000.

Other lots of particular 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 125AA motorcycle truck that is the only one of its type.

Tim Schofield, director of the Bonhams motorcar department, said the museum could be described as every motoring enthusiast's dream.

"Museums like it don't really tend to exist today," he said.

"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."

Photo: Steve Guscott