Look what is in the barn !

[Blackice]

So we have all heard it before I guy comes across a car in the barn, or the old lady hates her x and is selling the car cheap. Or the house had a car in the basement, or what ever....... So the story goes like this


A recently retired New York man wanted to use his retirement funds wisely, and decided to buy a home and a few acres in Portugal. The modest farmhouse had been vacant for 15 years;the owner and wife both had died, and there were no heirs.

The estate was being sold to pay back taxes. There had been several lookers, but the large barn had steel doors, and they had been welded shut. No one wanted to go to the extra expense to see what was in the barn, and it wasn't complimentary to the property anyway... so, no one made an offer on the place.

The New York gentleman bought it as is, paying just over half of the property's worth; moved in, and set about to access the
barn.. curiosity was killing him. So, he and his wife bought a generator and a couple of grinders... and cut thru the welds.

What was in the barn...?

The Barn


The doors were welded shut, but a grinder took care of that.


A warehouse full of vintage high performance cars!!!


Aston Martin?Opel GT, Lotus Elan FHC, Lotus Super Seven Series
IV, Lotus Elan DHC. Porsche 356, Austin Healey Sprite MkII, Volvo PV
544, Ford Y? Giulietta Sprint, Giulia Sprint Speciale (SS),
Nash Metropolitan.Alfa Giulietta, Lotus Europa, another Lotus Elan
FHC, Matra Djet? Lancia Flaminia Coup� Abarth 1300 Scorpione
American (inspired) design Interior of Alfa Romeo Lancia Flaminia Coup�, Peugeot 504 cabriolet & 404 cabriolet. Mini, Alfa 1900 Super Sprint, Balilla.
Fiat Topolino II, Triumph TR4, Peugeot 202. BMW V8, Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes,Austin A30.Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes, Austin A30.

Amazing. Total value of all vehicles over 35 Million!

[Blackice]

Here are some more images.

[Shocka]

Wow, thats such a great story. I was picturing one car hidden away in there. I guess that guys retirement is gonna be pretty great

[Crispy]

Open wheel race cars.....cool.

[Mr. Red]

so cool! what an epic story

[Initial D.oug]

real pics. wrong story.

impressive cars nonetheless.

snopes.com: Portuguese Barn Find

[Blackice]

It's not true ? Wow shocking

I have to admit, I always read these stories and think what are the chances of it being real, and part of me wants it to be, It sounds good, and it sells news papers..... I have to admit there is a side of me that just can't let go of the chance that the story is true. I guess it is thought that an under dog can stumble across a collection like this and over night become a player.

But seriously, how could that many cars go missing ? What did they estimate them at 35 million ? I know that my $2500.00 318i is well enough documented, that if I die the bank will know where to find it.
But still it sounded cool, and hey we all can dream.

Well done with the detective work. It was a good read, and it was cool to see even more photos of this most impressive collection, and I will sleep better knowing that there is not a old couple out there, somewhere, with a whole barn full of cars that are cooler then mine!

D

[JimB]

Have you guys heard...John Lennon has been shot!

Jim

[murphymurf]

So according to the "real story", the owner was a car dealer and obviously would have an idea of the value of such a collection. Yet he let it rot away and lose all that money????? What an idiot!!

[Cathy]

Wow, that is a funny story and like Shocka said I to thought there would be a nice car in the barn but not an entire collection. What a surprise that must have been!