Cars in barns

I've sold many old cars in my life. I've sold probably 14 that wern't for sale. When people used to ask me about my '47 Ford Coupe & my '35 Pontiac coupe, I'd say they aren't for sale but everything has its price. I sold both of those for twice what I thought they were actually worth. I came to learn after many years that anything you're selling is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If you have a '50 Ford and you think it is probably worth $800.00 and a guy offers you $1500.00, take it. I don't set prices. I either accept or reject offers.

With all the states and cities passing scrappage laws and neighborhood enforcement busy bodies peeking over back fences, blight, attractive nuisance laws dictating what you can store and just plain butt-holes with a grudge... there has been a big surge in the number of old cars that have been loosened from the death grip of owners with an unrealistic fixation on the cars you guys are talking about.

The good news is these cars and the temptation we have to go buy them from these mean ol' hoarders will lessen. Over the next 5 - 10 years, with al the liberal interpretation of immenient domain laws being stretched way beyond any reasonable Constitutional limits, they'll be melted down into more Toyota. We can then all rest much easier in the knowledge that these hoarders got what was coming to them. That'll lern'um.

But, the bad news is so many hot rodders are mercenary about these cars when they go hunting for them. Don't they realize that every time someone boasts about how he "stole" a Galaxie, Mustang, Fairlane for pennies on the dollar - most likely the guy he bought it from or a friend of his just might be hanging out on these same web sites and forums? It will get back to him more often than not. Kinda' reminds me of when I one of my best friend, who had a particularly funny accent, walked in while I was just making a joke at his expense. I don't mean anything about it, after all - he did have a funny accent, I had done the same joke before face to face, he even laughed. But, I can tell you our friendship was never the same after that day. We still are friends, but there is an unspoken limit that sits there like a 10ft tall pile of crap in the middle of the room - no one talks about it, no one takes the time to clean it up - don't even know it can be cleaned up; even though it stinks up the place.

We have all be screwed once or twice in trading for, bartering or buying parts and cars somewhere along the road to picking up a little knowledge. I guess with the internet and worldwide knowledge sharing that we have today, it not just a feeling of being taken, now the whole world gets to know that "Ol' Billy Bob" got screwed when he sold that running, 63 Galaixe for $200, when the buyer was willing to go for up to a $1000?

Guys, I would strongly suggest that when you buy one of these barn finds, you keep your mouth shut on what you paid for it! If you just have to brag, then I'm sure you can privately let whoever you want to tell what it cost.

Second, You can never tell why a car is being kept, if you rush in waving money without taking the time to find out why the car was sitting for so long - then its no suprize why the guy won't sell it to you or anyone else.

Years ago, a lot of guys would not sell a car, 'cause it meant something to them - but they would practically give it away to some scrawny kid, if he showed a little respect and had the determination to bring the car back to life. In the past, I've been the recipient of more than a few "gi'me parts", whole cars; some from people that I had never met!

I guess what I'm trying to say is bitchin' and moanin' is OK, up to point. But reality is there has to be a little bit of mutual respect when it comes to horse trading, especially if there is a chance, no matter how slim, that the buyer or seller will follow up on the transfer.

Does any of this make sense? If not, then put this message down as the rambling of a pre-diagnosed, potential Old fart just working his jaws to have something to say. But if you understand what I'm saying - you have to believe there is a grain of truth in here somewhere. Maybe its just me, maybe I just never got into the habit of talking prices.

There is a "yard" about 20 min from me that is FULL of old and COOL cars! I "snuck" in one afternoon (there are no trespassing signs everywhere on the property) to see what he had. Man, talk about a gold mine. You can't see it from the road but I knew it was there...friend and I were flying one afternoon and I noticed the shine of glass, and a quick look through the binoculars I knew it was a yard of some sort.

Anyway, I snuck in...camera in hand to snap a few pics. First car I saw was a '67 Fairlane 2 door...I always wanted one. Then a '37 Chevy pickup. I walked a little further and man, oh man...I fell in love. A '70 boss 302. Looked to be all there and in decent shape other than typical sitting outside body damage (fading, etc). Also a '67 Firebird right next to it, and next to that a '77 Maverick 4 door. I was trying to get pics but stupid me...forgot to check the batteries before I left.....

Anyway, a few weeks later I found the owner of the place (it's WAAYY out there!) and knocked on the door. An old lady comes to the door, possibly pushing 100 years old. She was really old but really sweet. I told her that I was driving by one afternoon in the winter time when the trees, and I noticed some old cars back in the trees. I asked her if she would be willing to part with the Maverick (I wanted the Boss for sure....but I figure I'd start off with the Maverick and maybe I'd get lucky). I no more than asked about a Maverick that I could see from the road and she very quickly said NO and literally slammed the door in my face. I did, however, get the street address (which was a rural route number....) and sent a letter, and of course no response.

I'm telling you, this place probably has thousands of old cars. Some go back into the 1920's and 1930's. There is an old Cadillac that I spotted, it had a tree growing through it (convertible). Big deal right? Well...it was a Blackjack Oak.....and probably 18" diameter at it's trunk, so it was a few years old, which tells me that the car hasn't moved in at least 25-30 years. There were a bunch like that. A '64 Olds was sitting in one area, with a Pine in the front of it and a big Cedar behind it...you'd have to cut a tree out to move the car or pull the car sideways. Gives you an idea.

10 or 12 years ago I had a '70 Torino GT convert. Actually bought it 11 years before that. I did a ton of work to that drop top while I had it, rebuilt the 351C, lowered it, shaved the door handles and put in solenoids, that kind of stuff.

Anyway, after being apart for more than a year I had put it back together, got it running and cruised up to the local Stop & Rob for gas. Guy comes out of the store and says that's the coolest Torino he's ever seen and that he's always wanted one. I chuckled and said, "make me an offer". SOB made me an offer.

He follwed me home, I signed the title and away went the Torino.

I don't regret selling, and like Cal said, the car wasn't for sale and I didn't set the price. But I sure sold it in a bigass hurry when he made the offer.

Yeah, when nobody wants it, that old car is a rusting junker that is taking up space. But let somebody come by and ask about it and it all of a sudden has value. It's now going to pay for college tuition or rent or something else.
I guess the bottom line is don't spend the rent money on a hobby and don't expect a hobby to provide your rent or college tuition.