THE latest classic car barn find is one of the most varied and exciting yet, featuring big and lesser-known names from bygone eras.
Classic Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets, and others were rescued from their death sentences thanks to one business owner’s vision for the future.
The landmark Red Barn held a treasure trove of vintage cars[/caption]
One of the rarer finds in the barn was a 1962 Cadillac Hearse[/caption]
A 1958 Cadillac Deville sedan was found hidden away as well[/caption]
A 1965 AMC Marlin Rambler is also up for auction[/caption]
Angie Foley recently purchased the Red Barn landmark in northern Michigan, and within it discovered 18 total classic cars during her efforts to begin transforming it into an event venue.
The highlights of the find were a 1962 Cadillac hearse and a 1941 Buick Special, featuring a then-industry standard straight-eight engine which is now a relic of a bygone era.
The latter is Foley’s personal favorite find for its “very pretty” frosty green color, per USA Today.
Other classics include a 1956 Hudson Hornet, a 1958 Cadillac Deville, a 1972 Cadillac El Dorado convertible, a 1949 Chrysler Windsor, a fifth-generation Chevrolet Suburban, and a pair of American Motors Corporation Rambler Marlins in red and white.
Foley initially predicted that the Hornet would be the “money car” in the find, but noted that it doesn’t have the “racing engine,” likely referencing one of two V8s which were optional to the standard V6 powertrain.
Also present in the barn from a more modern era were several GMC and Dodge Ram pickup trucks from the 1990s.
Foley hoped that the cars would be purchased as restoration projects, adding that she “may not be a car person, but [she] can appreciate saving something.”
Some of the cars went to auction earlier in the month, with Foley saying the arduous experience of getting them on the block helped her realize “a barn find is a big deal.”
As of this writing, it’s unclear which cars were sold at auction and how much they went for.
“It would be nice if they could be more than parts cars and somebody could save them,” she said of her hopes for the auctioned vehicles.
While the vehicles are in relatively good condition thanks to being stored well, moisture still crept into the barn over the years.
Some showed signs of rust, while others, like the Suburban, were “sunk halfway to the wheel wells” into crumbled concrete.
Many of these classic cars were collected by Maurie Standard, the former owner of the Rousseau Bar, which Foley is now the 10th owner of.
In addition to the cars, several other unique finds were discovered, such as an old-school snowmobile and an Apache pop-up camper, the latter of which she plans on keeping for herself.
Five steps for restoring a car
Restoring a car can be a massive undertaking. Here’s a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:
- Plan
- This includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.
- Strip the vehicle
- This involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.
- Bodywork
- This means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.
- Engine restoration
- This involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.
- Rebuild
- After reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.
Source: WeatherTech
Over 500 lots were up for grabs in the Red Barn auction, including the 18 abandoned vehicles.
GRAVEYARD FINDS GALORE
New groupings of forgotten classics are found more often than you may think.
In September, priceless Porsche models and other iconic makes were found in an abandoned Belgian dealership, some even in pristine condition save for a layer of dust.
Also discovered in Belgium was another abandoned dealership, this time filled with vintage Alfa Romeo models and even a Ferrari.
May saw over 300 classic cars found abandoned in a field, some of which were in excellent condition and could be driven right off the lot.
Ongoing automotive tariffs have even created car graveyards for modern models as manufacturers paused shipments to the United States earlier this year.
Two 1965 AMC Rambler Marlins sat in the barn for years, one red and one white[/caption]
A 1949 Chrysler Windsor went to auction[/caption]
The 1941 Buick Special was one of the oldest cars in the lot[/caption]
This fifth-generation Chevrolet Suburban sat without tires on the property[/caption]
A 1956 Hudson Hornet in the color red was also pulled from the barn[/caption]
