All my life I have heard of junkyard and barn finds. Imagine opening the doors to a barn, and seeing what someone just disposed of as junk, and knowing it is a jewel. Finding a dream car in a junkyard or barn is something about which many people dream. Even when reading stories, I always check the source because many times as it sounds too good to be true.

Meeting a few car enthusiasts who have been lucky enough to have this happen is exciting. On a warm summer night at the local car show, ask the owner how they acquired the vehicle and you will see a smile begin to form. There is so much to be learned not only about the vehicles and where they are found but the people behind them. It is like finding candy or Christmas all over again… even better. For the true car enthusiast, telling the story is like finding the vehicle all over again.

For enthusiasts, we know the excitement of hearing an engine turn over, going to car shows and showing off our pride and joy and reliving the old days. After walking miles at a local car show, you see the one car that you have not seen yet just off in the distance. Suddenly, your energy comes back like a legionnaire in the desert walking toward a mirage of an oasis. Cars are in the blood. There is just no getting rid of the disease.

Many of us may have heard the story of the New York business man who retires and buys land in Portugal.  On the land is a locked barn, opened one day to reveal many antique cars. Few will ever be that lucky. And this story is not true. “Barn find” cars do exist, but not like in this fable. Photos shown are real and taken by Manuel Menezes Morais. He was employed by the owner to take pictures of the cars. The owner asked Mr. Morais not to disclose the location or details. Maybe this story was started because people could not get the information? Makes sense to me.

A real find was the 1909 Peerless Model 19 30-hp seven passenger touring Roi des Belges found in a barn in New York. Peerless built some of the most expensive cars of their time.

Every part of these vehicles was custom made except for the chassis. The vehicles were so luxurious that they even had gold door handles! With the Great Depression, the owners of these vehicles did not like the shame associated with driving a luxury car, and often hid them away in garages. It is said that the original owner of this vehicle stored the car due to the great demand for the aluminum that was used to build these cars.

This vehicle is all original and even drivable. 122 inch wheelbase, 30-hp four cylinder engine, non-synchronized manual transmission. This vehicle was put up for auction at the 2007 Sports and Classic Auction. Bids reached the several hundred thousand dollars, but it did not sell since they were under the reserve. In 2008, it did sell at auction for $170,500.

Unfortunately, there are very few of these vehicles left. Many were ripped apart and dismantled for use of the aluminum.  It’s a shame that something that was built with such accuracy is now barely existent.

Another great barn find is the 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible in Connecticut. This car had been rumored to be in the area and many car enthusiasts searched and searched and found nothing. Then out of the blue this car was for sale in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  After much research, this was determined to be the last 300F built by Chrysler!

 This car was factory ordered by Mr. Lines of Milford, Connecticut in 1960. This beauty came equipped with the optional two-zone air conditioning, upgraded radio, power antenna and power locks. Mr. Lines was the last to order and receive this type of vehicle. As shown in the pictures, it was found in its original state. The interior was in mint condition. The motor looks better than some I have seen new.

Another find is the junkyard located in the woods of Rhode Island. Story has it that this junk yard has all kinds of goodies. Mustangs, Camaros, Hemis, you name what you are looking for and it’s probably here somewhere. All of these cars are to be crushed per state order. Why not sell the parts? By the looks of the surrounding woods, it will be tough getting the vehicles out of there. Rumor has it the person who owns this is not very nice, and you do not want to be caught walking on his land uninvited. As those vehicles are being crushed I am sure there are many stories that could be told by the cars.

Another find is a Rhode Island man by the name of Jim who has just located a 1959 Corvette in Michigan, stored in a barn with 29 other cars. I would love to show pictures at this time but until the car makes its debut in Rhode Island my camera will sit waiting. I have been told by the new owner that the car is in mint condition. I can’t wait to see this one.

A relative of mine was walking home from school some 54 years ago and spotted a 1929 Model A Sport Coupe buried under a tarp with stuff on top of it. The more the then 14 year old boy peeked at the car the more he wanted it. He spoke with the owners who no longer wanted it. He drove it home and hid it behind the garage, since he had never gotten permission from his parents to have it. When he had enough money saved up from work, he fixed it up.  This is still his baby 54 years later, having entered and won many awards at car shows around the state. Since the find of this car, many others have joined “the family”.

So if you keep looking you just may find what you are looking for.  For those who research and follow through, luck may just come to them. Jay Leno, in his search for the Duesenberg that was rumored to be in a parking garage somewhere in New York, called parking garage after parking garage with no luck. One day as his wife was out shopping he finally hit gold. He had made the right call and found the car. The car had been parked in 1933 by the owner. The reason it was left there? The owner just did not like the car, and he refused to pay the parking fees. Mr. Leno bought the car and is now the proud owner. This was considered to be a “barn find” but Mr. Leno also had to do some searching to find his treasure. It did not just pop up in front of him unexpected. He is still just as happy though.

The treasures of yesteryear are still out there waiting to be found. Many times, when we least expect it they will pop out at us. Many times we will hear of something, and search and search, and may find it in the end. Whether we find them or they find us it’s still the same outcome in the end.

Generations before us had no idea that someday what they were hiding in the garages and barns would be our treasures.  For those who drove the Peerless and felt uncomfortable with the stigma because of the depression, made history for us to find and enjoy. To have the chance to see, touch and experience these beautiful vehicles is such a wonderful learning experience.

By Debra Verville

Debra Verville resides in Rhode Island with her husband and children. She has always enjoyed writing and now does so full time.