It’s the stuff of legend, the stuff of dreams. You drive down a dirty, narrow, dead-end road, moisture dripping from the trees following the recent rain. The road opens out into a clearing, and there in the clearing sits a lone farmhouse and a scattering of out-buildings. The owner willingly leads you to a shed or barn, opens the door, and sitting before you is a classic car of incredible desirability and value. It doesn’t get any better than that…or does it? Would it be even better if the building contained 10 cars? Definitely. So, what if you opened the doors of multiple buildings and the count came to over 100 cars? That has to be proof positive that there really is more than one Aladdin’s Cave, and it is the dream of any motoring enthusiast. That is what this story is about, and I have to thank Barn Finder PRA4SNW for referring the story to us. You will find the full story and video here on Hagerty.
The owner of this incredible collection is a quietly spoken gentleman by the name of Billy Eubanks, who lives on the property with his wife and his elderly father. To say that this collection is eclectic would be a complete understatement. While Billy has a preference for muscle cars from Mopar, Chevy, and Ford, there is also a fair smattering of British and Japanese cars to provide a bit of variety. Taking pride of place in the middle of Billy’s sitting room is a Hudson Hornet, while in an adjoining room is a 1929 Stutz and a 1940 Lincoln Continental. It’s so hard to know where to go with a collection like this. Fancy a ’59 Cadillac Biarritz? Billy doesn’t have one, he has two of them. The one you see is either dark blue or black, while he also has a bright red one with the rare bucket seat option, and what he believes is a 472ci tri-power engine.
Mopar muscle is ever present in Billy’s collection. The Daytona that you see in this shot is one of three that he owns. These sit close to a white ’70 Plymouth Superbird that holds a bit of significance. It is a white car that was the 43rd Superbird built. Who wouldn’t want a Superbird that carried “The King’s” number on it somewhere? Close beside the Superbird is a white ’69 Torino Talladega, and beside that is a Mercury Cyclone “Dan Gurney Special.”
Resting in another building is a Charger R/T 440 6-pack, and everywhere that you look you will also find Corvettes of all eras. One of the most desirable of these is a ’68 model with an incredible option combination. Under the hood is a 427ci tri-power engine which is fitted with power steering, power brakes, factory air conditioning, factory side-pipes, and all of this is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. There is also an ’80 Corvette that Billy bought brand new. He picked it up from the dealership and then drove it home. He parked it and hasn’t driven it since. It still has the plastic on the seats, and 9.2 miles on the clock.
For lovers of the Thunderbird, Billy has you covered. There are at least three ’57 models sitting together in one building. One of these is a red car with a white top, fitted with the E-Code engine, and an overdrive manual transmission. Sitting beside these is an early De Tomaso Pantera, built before the big wheel arches and spoilers completely changed to look of the car. There are Chevy Nomads, Jaguars, a Rolls-Royce or two, and even a Datsun 260Z. One of my personal favorites is a 1941 Lincoln Continental. It is riddled with bullet holes. This was the famous Lincoln that was used in the violent death scene in the movie “The Godfather.”
Billy owns these cars because he loves them. Some of them remain exactly as he bought them, but Billy’s father taught him a thing or two about cars. A great many of the cars in Billy’s collection have undergone restoration under his own hand, and are a testament to his skills and ability. Collections like this simply don’t come along every day. For our Barn Finds readers, there are two things that I would like you to consider. Firstly, Billy is a very private man. If you know the location of Billy and his collection, please keep that knowledge to yourself. Secondly, no cars in Billy’s collection are for sale, so if you do know where the collection is, save everyone a lot of heartache by not asking the question. Billy deserves that respect, and it is an honor to see the fruits of one man’s undying passion.
So, if Santa could bring you any of the cars currently in Billy’s collection, which one would it be? Merry Christmas from everyone here at Barn Finds!
If my brother and I had had storage space, and did not need the money from the sale, this is likely what would have become of all the muscle that was ours to curate for the time.
Takes your breath away that someone who knew the score AND had the other two requisites, left such a magnificent legacy.
TriPowerVette, ‘magnificent legacy’ rotting away in barns and sheds for who ??? Certainly not you, me or any other car people who love to see and appreciate rare old cars from a bygone era !
Tossup between Doc Hudson and the Hot Wheels Daytona.
Another “nothing is for sale” car hoarder….whoopeeeee……
Let me know when the estate auction is planned……
Another “nothing is for sale” car hoarder…..
Woo-hoooo
Call me when the estate sale is announced…….
You are right, we should have the right to demand someone sell their cars on our timetable, not theirs.
Watch the video, most aren’t deteriorating. He’s been a long time enthusiast that was smart enough to buy what he liked and sit on them. This isn’t the typical case where someone parks a bunch of cars in a field or dilapidated barn that is now about to collapse. Most of these cars weren’t worth anything when he bought them, they survived because of his actions.
Steve R
Keep the wise comments coming Steve R.
If I had room for all of the cars people tried to give me when they couldn’t get gas for them in 1973 I’d have a collection like this. My father was such a buzzkill!
Steve,
If if I read you right, you are dead on.
This is the US of A! These guys have ZERO right to this man’s vision, so BACK OFF!
That’s all I have to say about that. :)
Steve R, and they’ll also rot because of his actions, which is the more desirable ?
Man, I’ll bet your the life of the family reunion.
Man, I don’t have the words, this collection does take your breath away. What an interesting man, I would feel like a kid in a candy store. I would take the Mercury Cyclone and be happy with my decision. Merry Christmas everybody !
Vance, from all accounts you won’t be taking the Mercury Cyclone or anything else from this guy if he has his way from all accounts, and neither will anyone else, it’s plain sad and should be illegal !
Barn Finds actually had the jump on Hagerty with this one- look up the Carolina Find, posted here in 2014.
What, no 10 mile Grand National in that lot? Zzzzzz..
Best comment! LMFAO!!! And brings us another wake up call on what 87 GNs and even GNX’s are worth IMO.
I watched the video.
I will never be the same.
I think I O.D.ed.
Amazing.
Someday long after I’m gone someone will open my garage door and………….
Sir, I like your style.
Happy holidays everyone!
YUP He’s Cool eh?
Lets not wait! :)
Richard, nice set, the yellow one must be from the UK, only the Brits and the Japs put the rear view mirrors so far down the front guards you need binoculars to see in them. Yep, someday someone is going to be cursing you for not getting them finished and driving them for all to see ! When you decide to kick the bucket let me know, I’ll be there with my checkbook ready for when they open the doors.
This collection was actually covered on Barn Finds back in 2014; look up the “Carolina Find” for more detailed pictures.
Without watching the video mine would be the ’69 Talladega…or maybe the Cyclone… Or maybe the, heck I’d be like a kid in a candy store with all those cars! I like the man’s style not being brand loyal and all.
Must b nice to have a garage!! I had to build a pipe n tarp for my tbird
The Eldo Biarritz ragtop…please.
Happy for this gent.Even as I weep at my relative financial impotence.That being said… I probably would collect only the number of cars that I could see myself regularly driving.
The Superbird, the Talladega, the Cyclone, and a Daytona would be a collection in itself.
Man knows his stuff.nice museum
this is crazy, he has a hudson hornet? Three daytona’s and the superbird?! Those are crazy rare.
A lot of frugal living went on at the Eubanks house so Billy and Caroline could buy those cars when they weren’t “worth anything”. Most of the sheds are built using logs as posts, simple metal siding and dirt floors. This is a man who lives to own specific cars and can still tell the story of most of them. He needs a son or daughter! Air is cheap, but with 100’s of tires to keep aired up, I bet it is a chore. Going to be a amazing Vanderbrink one day, if the car auction market holds up. Id rather visit them just like this, but probably wouldn’t take any of them home. I have enough projects for my lifetime already.
I guess they are lucky enough to have kids and grandkids. Hopefully they are into cars too.
It is his right to do what he wants with what he wants that is why we live in this country. I have over 20 muscle and classic cars stashed away because I can. Nothing as exotic as this but mine are mine and that works for me from a hot rod out 23 T bucket to a 55 gasser nomad and plenty of 60s muscle to boot
If he cleans up the cars and makes it a museum he can make money from spectators.
Id like to just look at them without the problems that come with them. I have more then enough to do then i have time in my life left to do them .
This is sooo sad! They are sitting on a fortune & NOTHING is for sale !!! ???
The surrounding’s look like they live pretty meagerly.
These cars need to be seen & enjoyed NOT squirrelled away for no one!
Never mind the cars, wouldn’t you just want to sit down with this man for a day or two and listen all of the stories behind these cars. For me at least, all the cars I have owned, all have a story behind them. Usually these stories are rarely uneventful. I’m sure it would be a fascinating listen.
Merry Christmas everyone.
What a shame. Cars are meant to be driven, not hoarded away to sit on flat tires.
Tom does seem a little rough closing doors n hoods… the old man has his memories that he’s paid for and he’s leaving a nice inheritance for his children. Easy to find ways that he should be doing things differently with his cars but they are his cars. It doesn’t matter what we think.
Phil you’re right, it doesn’t matter what we think but we still have the right to voice our opinions, that’s what this site was established for wasn’t it ?
Every posting asks us for our opinions and ideas on each of the items listed.
You also presume he has kids to pass these cars onto and that they will be interested in them.
I say sell them to passionate car people who will preserve them for all time and not let them rot like he has and still is doing!
I have to agree with the last 2 comments, as I also have a collection which is all rebuilt by me, I don’t get to use them because I just don’t !, it’s not a case of being selfish, they’re my cars and I look after them as I choose to, non are falling apart they all get polished and cared for, it’s just that I choose to then put them back in the garages, I don’t mind people looking at them but if any go to a show, it isn’t me showing them off, I just don’t feel comfortable saying “it’s mine” or ” I rebuilt it”.
I guess we are all different, maybe my sons will think differently when they become custodians !.
Keep up the good work BF.
Phil, if you take your cars to shows for heavens sake don’t feel uncomfortable saying ‘it’s mine’ or ‘I rebuilt it’, you should feel extremely proud that you’ve had the opportunity to restore and save something that in the coming generations will be a part of the Worlds motoring history for all to enjoy and marvel at. Preserving or restoring these cars is a privilege that many people would kill for and they admire and respect anyone that has achieved that in their lifetime, don’t feel embarrassed, be proud of what you’ve contributed to the future of this World, everyone will thank you for it I can assure you.
A friend of mine passed and left me his barn full of cars that he had restored. Under his care, he just enjoyed having them and looking at them. Driving them or showing them was not too important. Now they are mine, I have them all on the road and take them out as often as I can. I too love looking at them, but have no desire to take them to shows. I found that shows simply pissed me off. Either people had negative comments, or they would let their kids touch them. One time a guy decided that he was going to open the rear tail light on my 56 Cadillac, then slammed it shut breaking a chunk out of the original lens. So, now I just drive them around town and invite “real” car people over to see what my dream turned into. If this guy wants to hoard his cars, that is just fine! They are his and someday when he is gone, hopefully the next owner will love them as much as he does. But you never know, some fool could buy them and decide to do something stupid with them.
Bob I like your comment. I feel the same as you. He bought these cars and has the right to do whatever he wishes, why sell them to someone that will just want flip them to make a buck. I own a 70 Boss 302 and a 2012 Boss 302 ordered new and I enjoy looking at them and washing and polishing them more than driving them and that’s my choice as long as I own them. I don’t like cars shows there is to many none caring people and kids running around and touching and women with purses and strollers and no it alls. Trophies are usually just a bunch of want to be people judging. Why even have them. Why would someone want to sell their collection if they don’t need too or don’t need the money ! To each and their own. I love my cars and after I die my kids can do as they please with them. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Cars such as these are made to drive and enjoy. Not rot away in a ole humid prone dust haven. Sitting on dirt floors is so hard on cars.Life is too short to let cars like these sit ,hidden for one self and the world. If one is gonna go to the trouble of restoration and then put it in a hole in the wall, whats the use?Then when you are gone, your heirs will fight over them and/or sell them off and reap the rewards
Complete video of this is on YouTube. Enter a search for Barn Find Hunter. It’s worth the watch!!
Definitely a worthy watch!
Video URL:
https://youtu.be/hRMAQj0yA44
Spend some time and watch it, it will give you a better idea of what this man is. You negative nellies should have watched it before jumping to your ill-informed conclusions.
I’m surprised at the division of comments to this obviously caring man’s collection. When I first saw the article, I was surprised at the sheer numbers of vehicles and that proved his love for the automobile in all of it’s forms. He did not leave them to rot, instead, he built enclosures for them and still works on them. Watch the video, or take time and read the article instead of just looking at the pictures.
For those who think it is a crime, a shame, etc., if it weren’t for this dying breed of collector, these cars simply would have been driven into the ground and then crushed. Or, like most of you think he is doing, would really be placed outside, neglected, and left to rot.
The ONLY thing which bothers me at all about how Billy loves his cars is that so many are stored in well less than ideal conditions. I realize that it would be a tough decision to make, but if a select few cars were to be liquidated, it would provide the funding for a truly modern, DRY and relatively well-sealed structure that could house pretty much all of the rest. And have them accessible and driveable.
Just based on what I saw of Billy’s physical condition (and his age), he won’t be doing very many more full restorations. It is the way things are, we all get old and have to cease doing what we have a passion about. That does not mean liquidation time is here now, but it certainly appears to be on the horizon. This would be a good time to take stock and decide how important having the whole collection is, and how the bulk of it can be preserved and enjoyed. there is a method and a strategy which could be employed that would allow Billy to take his bride for a ride in any of those cars, any time he wanted.
As a bonus, space could be allotted and set up which would allow Billy to work on any of them with relative ease and comfort. It appears as though much of the work he did accomplish so well was done with less than ideal space and equipment.
One thing which bugs me…. The “Barn Find Hunter” guy talks through his hat sometimes, knowing little about a car, but pontificating nonetheless. Twice he ascribed “concours” status as being easily attainable to a car, when it is obvious that the ride shown is hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars away from being anywhere near that. At best, they were #2 examples as they sat.
Not surprised that comments are disabled for the video, if for no other reason than the host’s own failings would draw a lot of criticism.
I agree. It amazes me that some of these folks commenting have such a phucked up mentality about this. This is America. If he wants to use them for an outhouse and wipe his butt with the seats, that’s his choice. Who the hell are any of you to judge this guy?
Hi Todd, I kind of agree. I have some old stuff in the house and garage that I collect. Priceless to me, but junk to others. I am sure after I check out most will go in the dumpster. His cars are just old iron to the younger kids. I would be in Heaven to grab a longneck and wander around in those sheds. I am happy for what he has saved. Wish I knew him. A lot of history will be gone when he goes. Take care, Mike.
Todd, ‘WE’ are the car loving community who want to see these vehicles on the roads, at car shows, and out being used, maybe even be able to own one or two, which is what they were intended for, not hoarded away and hidden out of sight in some dirty dusty old barn or shed in some ‘god forsaken’ out of the way location that none of us will ever find or get to see. We also have the right to voice our opinions the same as you and everyone else on what we think is right or wrong in this world, (it’s called ‘freedom of speech’).
Brad J.,
Yes, of course you have the right to have any opinion, and to voice it as well. I’ll always defend those concepts.
But when it comes to someone’s personal property, ‘WE’ have zero say on how it is held or maintained by the owner. Your interpretation regarding what cars of any type (or paintings, sculptures, John Wayne’s hat/spurs/six-shooter, whatever) were “intended for” is way off base. ANY item, especially a manufactured one like a car, was and is built to in some way benefit the entity which made it. That could be financial, and make the shareholders happy, or it can be for a “halo” which raises the company’s image with no monetary gain. Any purchaser then can enjoy as he or she chooses.
In the BF listing for the 88 mile GNX, BF participant Bill Smith said he has 5 of those, in a collection of 400 cars. Broken down to basics, there is only one potential difference between Mr. Smith and Billy, the man with the cars in this posting: Mr. Smith’s cars may be held in a better average condition, under cleaner/dryer environmental circumstances. That’s it. Whether you desire to see any of them “on the roads, at car shows, and out being used” is irrelevant. Since Mr. Smith holds 4 times as many as Billy, does what he is doing bother you four times as much? I’m guessing that you can’t see or possess any of the 500.
Get a grip, pal. There are plenty of cars which you can see and own. Visit LeMay, or any other automotive collection and be sated. Whining about the relatively few which you can’t see, touch, or put in your garage is illogical. Cars are not van Gogh paintings; there are plenty of them, and relatively very few were unique.
Very well said!
Brad J., maybe speak for yourself. Have yourself a Happy New Year bud.