Hotcars.com: 15 People Who Restored Classics They Found in Barns
James Jacobs has written an article on 15 people who "instead of selling them off, these people decided to keep their old barn finds for themselves, restoring them into gorgeous classics they can drive." Check out #14.
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Howard Kroplick
Hotcars.com
May 6, 2020
15 People Who Restored Classics They Found In Barns
by James Jacobs
May 06, 2020
Though movies like Indiana Jones may be mere fantasy, the possibility of finding some hidden treasure is not. However, more often than not, it isn't some priceless gold artifact in a trap-filled tomb, but forgotten trinkets from decades prior. For a car enthusiast, this can mean only one thing: barn finds!
The thought of finding some awesome classic car tucked away in some dusty garage is cool, but there's a problem. These cars are by no means in 'good' condition, far from it. That's why many are sold off "as is" to those who can afford the repairs. Occasionally, though, some lucky treasure hunters have the chance to keep it all for themselves.
To showcase these rare instances, here are fifteen individuals who restored some cool barn finds!
15 Fredrik Nyblad’s Volvo 165 Coach
If you're into the super obscure, then look no further than Fredrik Nyblad's coach-built Volvo 165. Several years after recovering the 165 from a barn, Nyblad took it to another level; opting for a premium coach-built setup rather than the standard body style. It couldn't have been cheap, but (as a spectator) it was definitely worth it!
14 ‘E-Type UKs’ Jaguar E-Type (FHC Blue)
Deep in the United Kingdom's suburbs was a stunning Series 1 FHC, blue, Jaguar E-Type just waiting for a new owner. And who better to take up that mantle than 'E-Type UK', a repair shop that specializes in classic Jaguars, particularly E-Types. Using their professional know-how and resources, this old Jag has become a far cry from the sad display it was prior.
13 Howard Kroplick’s Tucker 48
Of all the classic American cars to find in an aired garage, one of the rarest is certainly an original Tucker 48. As fate would have it, Howard Kroplick managed to do just that, turning a rust bucket into a golden steed. You could try and buy one, but nothing will be as fulfilling as following Kroplick's lead.
12 Roger Fountain’s 1934 Riley Lynx
Ever heard of a "Riley Lynx" before? If not, then don't fret, as most of us here at HotCars haven't, either. Nevertheless, they were once distinguished race cars that ended up falling out of popularity. As there's no place to buy a new one, the best you'll get is a barn find, similar to Roger Fountain's one.
Fountain's particular Lynx is a 'Phoenix' special edition, making it even more rare and valuable. Thanks to tons of man-hours and hard work, Mr. Fountain can make sure it never ends up in a barn again!
11 Matt Barczak’s 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Whilst on the way to see what he thought was a 1970's Corvette find, Matt Barczak would instead encounter a one-of-a-kind 1957 Corvette! The owner didn't fully understand what she had and, after the roof of the barn collapsed years prior, figured it to be no more than junk.
As any sane man would, Barczak grabbed it as soon as possible. Unlike the others on this list, though, it's still a work in progress. Nevertheless, progress is noticeable, and the car is almost there!
10 Thornley Kelham’s Aurelia ‘Outlaw’
It's one thing to restore a barn-found car, but it's a whole other to turn it into your own personal masterpiece. In Thornley/Kelham's circumstance, that's what they'd done with multiple abandoned Aurelia's (Lancia). Nicknamed the 'Outlaw,' Kelham's custom Aurelia's add upon what is already outstanding!
Since their successes in reselling restored Lancias, Kelham has made a business out of it. So, if you ever find yourself in need of an ol' British racer, then Thronley and Kelham are your men.
9 Daily Driven Exotic’s Ferrari F430
YouTube has given rise to some wild 'celebrities' nowadays. For example, we have the guys over at Daily Driven Exotics, who recently managed to find a black Ferrari F430 in some back-woods shed. As their reputation would suggest, their F430 is well on its way to becoming a track-toy, let alone fully restored. As a long time fan of their work, we anxiously await the final product!
8 Cotter & Maxwell’s 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra
Two life-long car lovers, Tom Cotter and Jim Maxwell have made quite the name for themselves in the classic car community. Thanks in part to their wonderful restorations, such as the beleaguered Shelby Cobra 289 that had been abandoned for ages. The car was sold at Amelia Island in 2005, however, before the sale, Cotter and Maxwell remade the Cobra. Honestly, it looks so good that you can barely tell it had been left in a barn. Well, that and an odometer reading of just ~28,000 miles.
7 BMW Classic Group’s (Munich) BMW M1
Like you've likely figured by this point, a BMW M1 was discovered in a state of disrepair in a backwood town in Europe. BMW Classic Group, a BMW specialist in Munich, Germany, took up the mantle of restoring it. The job was no easy task, but in time it was completed. Heck, even though this thing was virtually done for not long ago, we'd still buy it (if we had the money)!
6 Alexander Klein’s 1964 Porsche 911
Surprisingly, a lot of 1960's Porsches have resurfaced after having spent ages hidden away. Here, we're going to discuss Alexander Klein's unicorn: a bright red 1964 Porsche 911. As you can see from the photo above, it hardly looks like a once battered 911. Klein has brought back both the appearance and the spirit of the antique Porsche it once was long ago.
5 Bob & Sean Kiernan’s Bullitt Mustang
Bob Kiernan, the father of Sean Kiernan, acquired the legendary Bullitt Mustang. Yes, THAT one; the one featured in the blockbuster film, Bullitt. The plan was to be a father-son project, one in which they could repair together. Sadly, after Bob's passing, not enough was done.
So, as a result, Sean Kiernan listed it for sale. This was the same Bullitt Mustang that sold at Mecum recently; breaking the world record for most expensive Mustang.
4 Marshall Woolery’s 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
Before heading off to war in Vietnam, Ron Smith, a soon-to-be deployed soldier, made a purchase of a lifetime. The object in question is an original 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Yet, it would be left in that garage for many years to come. Eventually, though, an enthusiast named Marshall Woolery took it off of Smith's hands; restoring it to its former self. As the "500 Limited" says on the side, it's a 1-of-500 machine!
3 Tom Cotter’s 1939 Ford Deluxe
The same gentleman behind the 1963 Shelby Cobra's restoration is also responsible for a litany of other barn find revivals. This time, it's a '39 Ford Deluxe, decked out in the signature wood paneling on the side. As you'd think, it was a barn find that was personally taken up by Mr. Cotter (instead of selling).
2 The Burbank Mechanic’s Ferrari 246 GTS Dino
Even if you're not deeply involved in automotive news, you've still likely heard of the buried Ferrari 246 GTS Dino; found in California completely buried in a backyard. Since it's recovery, and subsequent restoration, the Burbank mechanic (named Brad Howard) who took it home had all but disappeared. That was until a few years ago when it resurfaced! With a tag reading "Dug Up," too.
1 The Carr Family’s Bugatti Type 57S Atalante
Imagine what it must feel like to have several million dollars in your garage, but have no idea of its existence. That, dear reader, is how the Carr family felt upon discovering the value of their father's old Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, which had been rotting away in a garage. Because of the inherent value and delicacy needed to repair, only minor fixes were made before selling it at auction.
Now, the Type 57S is being brought back to its former glory. Once and for all!
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