Sometimes things can acquire collector's value quite unintentionally:

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/04...used-for-20-years-after-owner-loses-keys.html​

As a result, the SL500 sat in a garage in Knightsbridge, central London, until very recently, with only 75 miles on its digital odometer.

 

I guess the irony of old junk is that, if most of us didn't lose it over time, the fraction remaining would never appreciate in value.

A buddy of mine that owns big scrap yard often makes a similar comment.

"Whenever I crush an old car or tractor I am just making someone else's more valuable." and believe me, he has done a lot to make many old things more valuable!