Usually, when we talk of barn finds, we think about vintage cars that come to light after being stored for a long time. However, the truth is that a large number of cars have been permanently abandoned and are currently decaying on sites that have been ignored for many years. One of those locations is the estate you are viewing.
Documented by “The Bearded Explorer,” this property is located somewhere in France. Our host does not disclose its exact coordinates for obvious reasons but does share that the place was left behind after the owner passed away. Sadly enough, one of the buildings and the yard are both packed with classic cars that won’t be rescued anytime soon. And I say “sadly” because some of them are actually rare gems you no longer see on public roads.
The footage kicks off with a few more mundane cars, including Ford Sierras and Granadas. These are common sights in the U.K. and France, but some of them have become increasingly scarce in recent years. And I’m talking about the Euro-spec Granada, not the compact and midsize vehicles with the same name that were sold in the United States from 1975 to 1982.
If you’re not aware, the European-built Granada replaced the P7 and was first released in 1972. Claimed as a “grand executive vehicle,” it was manufactured for three versions up to 1994. Outside of the UK, the Mark III was marketed as the Scorpio, nevertheless. In the beginning, Ford offered a sporty two-door fastback in addition to the standard four-door sedan and five-door estate models. There are two of the latter, which is possibly the rarest version of the Granada, on this site.
But as you might have already guessed, there are quite a few French cars in there as well. Highlights include a Renault 16, a five-door hatchback produced from 1965 to 1980, and a Renault 20/30, the company’s most upmarket automobile from 1975 to 1984. There’s also a Renault 8, a small family car introduced in 1962 and sold through 1976 in some countries.
While far from iconic in the U.S., the Renault 8 was quite popular in Eastern Europe back in the day and also spawned a sporty Gordini version. The one found here looks like a Gordini but it’s an 8S, which is almost as desirable.
But none of these cars are as special as a certain pair of 1930s classics. I’m talking about a couple of automobiles wearing Hotchkiss badges. Not familiar with the brand? Well, then you should know that it was one of France’s leading luxury carmakers between 1903 and 1955. Its main competitors included Delahaye, Delage, and Talbot-Lago, brands that have since been discontinued as well.
Even though they aren’t as well-known as vintage Rolls-Royces, Hotchkiss cars are noticeably more uncommon and, depending on the details, just as coveted. Two pieces from this little collection are an 864 from 1937 and a 686 from 1934. It goes without saying that both are exquisite and uncommon gems that should be found and fixed.
Massive piles of auto components, a Porsche 924 in excellent shape, and a few other 1930s classics are also on the site. We can only hope that some of these priceless treasures may eventually be preserved; in the meantime, enjoy them all in the video below. Please use the comments area to let me know which car you would choose to bring home.