Our friend Tom Cotter and the good folks over at Hagerty recently released their newest episode of Barn Find Hunter and boy is it an amazing one! After receiving a lead on a collection in Iowa, Tom made the trip to this old dealership to see what exactly the owner, Robert, has stashed inside. And what he finds is an unbelievable and eclectic mix of classic cars. Ranging from Italian exotics to tiny Crosleys, this dilapidated looking Buick Dealership is a find to behold.
Let’s take a quick look at a few of the standouts in Robert’s stash, starting with his 1968 De Tomaso Mangusta. It’s likely the most desirable cars here, as De Tomaso only built 404 of these “Cobra” killers, and yet it’s surrounded by piles of junk. Unfortunately, the engine and transaxle are out of the car and there’s no word on whether they are still with it. Since the Mangusta was powered by a Ford V8, that probably isn’t all that critical to the value of the car, but the ZF transaxle has to be worth a decent chunk of money. Hopefully, Robert puts it back together one day as the rest of the car appears to be in fantastic condition.
Next up is Tom’s favorite car in the stash, a 1963 Jaguar E-Type. It’s a series one Coupe, which makes it quite desirable. Of course, there’s mention of the most overquoted commentary on the E-Type, that Enzo Ferrari called it the most beautiful car ever made (a statement that has actually never been verified). That’s alright though, as these cars truly are works of art and have values to match. This one looks to be solid and complete, although I’d love to have a look at the area below the battery box.
Robert also shows Tom his Imperial, an MGC GT, an MTD, a Facel Vega, an MG Bugeye Sprite, and a Lamborghini Espada. Clearly, Robert has is a sports car fan with vehicles like the MGs and the Facel Vega, but a trip to the roof of this old dealership reveals an interest in oddballs as well. Seriously, the roof of the building has several garage stalls that originally housed the dealer’s body shop. Now, it houses a mixture of Jeepsters and Croselys. It really is an eclectic and amazing mixture of vehicles.
If you haven’t watched this episode of Barn Find Hunters, I highly recommend watching it! Honestly, I would enjoy spending a day looking at all of Robert’s car, heck I’d love to have a collection as varied and interesting as this. So, if you could have any of the cars here, which ones would you want to be parked in your barn?
Do you have a collection of classic cars stashed in your barn, garage, warehouse or storage unit? We sure would love to see and share it here on Barn Finds! If so, please contact us at mail@barnfinds.com!
Okay, after watching that episode I’m going to definitely need a cigarette!! LOL
What a find…wow!💓
My feeble mind comes up with some comments, Think that healey is a 100-4 def not a bugeye. That Facel vega came thru with a big block Mopar, 383 or 440? Amazing collection. Love that pantera. Wonder if any of it will come up for sale? If I had that kind of space or facility like that, It wouldn’t be cluttered like that. To each his own. Thanks for showing this collection!!
Cheers
GPC
You need to watch the video again. There’s definitely a Bugeye (not an MG bugeye, as noted) in there and they talk about it extensively. Plymouth engine in the FV; Not a Pantera, a Mangusta.
No such thing as a MG “bugeye” sprite Austin-healey “frogeye” sprite lol and its a healey 100-4;
The 1st generation Sprite was called a frogeye in the UK and a bugeye in the US, but no, of course it was never an MG.
Yep, big Healey up on stands in the picture. I think that the MG by the E’s bonnet is a B; not sure what the other red car with its bonnet open is. Not a Frogeye, as the whole front lifts open on them.
@Derek. It is my belief that the 100/4 was just known as an Austin Healey 100/4 and not until the 3000cc Healey came out were they known as the “Big” Healey.
Just to differentiate it from the wee Healey!
If you’re referring to the white bugeye with the Toyota engine, it has a front opening hood hardware modification.
This guy packrats like Citizen Kane.
Everyone should look for Rosebud, methinks.
Bob
Clearly everything has gotten away from him. I mean one unfinished project, okay………….that’s hard enough to deal with.
But almost all of those cars look like they haven’t been touched in years and years……..Familiar story and too bad.
On the plus side I’d like his Z that his sister gave him. Might be the only car that hasn’t been fooled with and modified.
Healy is definitely a 100-4 true roadster.
Sorry to see that butchered Merc.-they fall to the torch too often. Not many originals left.
The shape the owner is in, I guess he will never get any of these on the road before he kicks over. Look for an estate auction within 5 years.
Love me some Mangusta! What a soundtrack!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CcmIl2_mEs
Mangusta and Espada for me…
Facel Vega for me.
I will take the Jag series 1 coupe such a beautiful car and they sound so nice high in the revs. Yep no second thoughts on this one.
I watched this and just got seriously depressed. Having grown up with a Dad with more projects than time and having a bunch of projects myself, it took a long time for me to realize that quality will beat quantity every time. If you have too much stuff to take good care of it because you don’t have the time or money, you have too much stuff.
That easily replaced missing small block Ford would be a Boss 302.
Not so easy to replace.
This collection, between Cotter and Hagerty, will probably never see the light of day as an estate auction. Most, maybe all, will go to private collectors who already know all about this bunch and will pay big bux for each piece, even the Crosleys.
Shows like this make it hard to find a bargain any more. So I don’t watch them.
They didn’t make a boss 302 until 1969 The early Mangusta’s came with a Hipo 289. Still a very desirable car hardest part to find is the ZF transaxle. Interesting collection of desirable cars.