Some say the golden age of barn finds is already behind us. And that’s because super-rare and highly valuable classics (think million-dollar Bugattis and Ferraris) no longer pop up from sheds and abandoned properties. But you’re about to see proof that many historically important rigs are still waiting to be found.
Documented by Colin of YouTube’s “The Bearded Explorer,” this massive building is home to more than 30 rare and expensive vehicles. It’s not a full-fledged barn find since these vehicles aren’t exactly abandoned, but the building is hidden from curious eyes, and its location is unknown to most people.
Colin found out about the place thanks to a tip, but he admits that he sat on the video for a very long time to “make sure the cars were going to be safe.” This confirms that the property is not abandoned but some sort of storage facility for a rich fellow’s collection. Granted, the cars show signs of neglect, but it’s not one of those situations where they will rot away in improper storage.
This collection appears to be linked to a high-profile figure in the classic car world, and we’ll be seeing some of them at related events in the future. But until that happens, let’s check out the gems parked in this big barn.
Surrounded by overgrown vegetation and seemingly away from circulated roads, the building is home to an impressive number of classics produced between the 1920s and the 1960s. Unsurprising for a UK-based collection, it includes several Aston Martins and Bentleys. Most of the latter appear to be of the 3 Litre variety, which was produced from 1921 to 1929 with bodies from various coachbuilders. These Bentleys are usually worth more than a quarter-million dollars.
If you’re a fan of Italian sports cars, you’ll also see a Lancia and a few Alfa Romeos, including a 6C and a Giulia Sprint Speciale. Both Alfa Romeos are rare and desirable and the kind of vehicles you usually see at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Moving into German territory, the barn is home to a BMW 503. The grand tourer was built from 1956 to 1959, but BMW put together only 413 units. This Bimmer is one of only 274 coupes. And it’s probably one of fewer than 50 units with right-hand drive.
If that’s not rare enough for you, then how about that red Frazer Nash that pops up at the 18-minute mark? It’s one of only two Continental coupes ever made. Or the quirky-looking rig that shows up at the 24:30-minute mark. That’s the Nardy Silver Ray, a true one-of-one you won’t see anywhere else.
Sporting a modified Alfa Romeo chassis and a Plymouth V8 engine, this low-slung GT was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Carrozzeria Vignale. The one-off spent years in hiding before it was rediscovered and restored by Julian Majzub (who may be linked to this collection) in 2013.
Finally, the building is also home to a super rare Bocar XP-5. Developed by Bob Carnes in Lakewood, Colorado, Bocar sports cars were built between 1957 and 1961. The XP-5 was the first real production model from the small shop. Only 15 units were built with Chevrolet small-block V8 engines.
Most of the vehicles parked here are in solid condition, albeit covered in dust and spider webs. Some were in the process of being fixed or restored when whoever was running the place stopped checking in. Hopefully, these valuable classics will be put back on the road (and in the show car circuit) sooner than later. These classics are worth several millions of dollars combined, and it would be a shame to see them go to waste.