The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

[Edmund C.]

Folks:

I just bought and quickly finished the book "The Corvette In The Barn." As many of you know, it's a good read. I think that we can all agree that the term "Barn Find" is being a bit overused today (and likely dishonestly in some cases as well). Kind of like the new advertizing term of the moment "hand crafted" (e.g., "hand crafted cocktails," and "handcrafted Subway Sandwiches," etc.). At the end of the day, with all the vintage car related shows out today; I've got to think that true "Barn Finds" are getting about as rare as an honest politician.

Question: How many of you know of a real first hand Corvette "Barn Find" situation (past or present) that you can share among the NCRS Family? Please note, I'm not asking you to devulge the details (e.g., geographic location) of this rare fact; but there must be some great tales that we could share.

My own story goes as follows: As a yong fellow, I used to mow lots and lots of lawns. One Fall Friday afternoon, I was mowing a big lawn (of an older couple) for the first time in Braintree, MA. While I was raking up, I glanced in the garage window and there was an early 70s Vette (that light metallic green color - '73?) with those protruding finned hubcaps. It glowed from within the dark garage and looked bone stock. No one was home, so when I finished, I left a note with my bill asking after the car. A week later when the check arrived, the wife said that the Corvette belonged to her son and provided his telephone number. Apparantly, it'd be in her garage for a few years. I called the fellow (it was a Saturday) and asked if he wanted to sell it. He laughed and said that he was getting married that very afternoon and told me he might in the near future and to call him again a few months down the road. As time passed, I called a few times and he ended up keeping her. A few years later, I ended up buying my first Corvette from a real "character." I'll save that story for Frisco. Any "Barn Find" stories from the rest of you would be appreciated. Best, Ned

[Michael J.]

Re: The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

Yes, there are some great stories out there. I was in an outstanding seminar on the '63 Z06 at the Hampton National in '13. The '63 was the "Year Of" 50th car, and many '63 Z06s were on display (the most I have ever seen in one spot), including a convertible that had just come out of the barn, dust and all. The stories of the owners and how they found the cars was fascinating, from the one sold 3 times before it left the barn, to the one found partially in boxes in an attic. Neat stuff, wish those guys had done a Restorer article or something. I was lucky enough to find something like that in a garage. When it was finally started and haltingly loaded in my trailer, the whole place, including my trailer, smelled heavily like a gallon of lacquer thinner had been spilled all over......

[Sean S.]

Re: The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

Go on YouTube and check out "The Barn Find Hunter" hosted by Tom Cotter. It's produced by Hagerty Insurance. About 6 episodes so far that average about 20 minutes or so. Great show that you will enjoy if you like the barn find stories----just like his book series.
Sean

[Edmund C.]

Re: The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

Sean:

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. BTW, my current '66 was kind of a barn find. More like a "garage find" at a very big homestead in Palestine, Texas. I bought it from the wife of a self-made successful fellow (and a life long Corvette man) who had the vehicle redone in 2012 and then passed shortly thereafter. It had sat since then in a big garage with the top down. It was dusty and a little moldy, yet, otherwise perfect (and it fired up immediately). I heard about it during a car discussion with a group of country boys at a local shop. It took me weeks to get the lady's name and number (Slim) from them. Apparently some other fellas had been working on her and wanted to flip the car. She was very wealthy and in no rush. Rather, she said that she cared more about who it went to rather than turning a profit. Long story short, Julie, the boys and I drove up for a visit and cut a deal within a few minutes. After agreeing on a price, I asked her if she wanted me to go to the local bank and get her a $5K deposit. She laughed, stuck out her hand and said "Bull Sh**, I'm a Texas gal, let's shake on it." We did and we closed the deal the following Tuesday. It was a great day and underscores the uniqueness of the Corvette fraternity. No other car marque creates this kind of fellowship. Best, Ned

[John M.]

Re: The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

My 67 was a backyard find. It sat in a backyard from 1978 until 2002 when I bought it from the original owner. He was "going to restore it". The car cover was rotted off the car and it had no rust in the bird cage and little surface rust on the chassis. I think the new top in 70s saved the bird cage and interior/instrument cluster etc. Dirty, rotted vinyl but ok. I knew about the car for a few years before he finally let it go. He had the original carb and two sets of keys and all docs in his house all that time.

[Rich G.]

Re: The Corvette in The Barn - War Stories

My 68 was purchased by the original owner in July of 68 in his home town. In 1973 he took one carb off, put it inside the car and closed the garage door. He lived alone. Around 1989 somebody saw it through a garage window. ( not me). That guy managed to buy it and did an extensive body on restoration. When I got it that work was done but it still had the 73 registration sticker and inspection sticker on the windshield. It still has a Sunoco oil change sticker on the door jamb from 1973. The carpets, seat covers and glass are original. So is most of the paint. It had 30k miles on it when found. Now it has 39k. Mostly put on by me. I have photos of the car when it was found and also some of the clean up process.

BTW, I met Tom Cotter at Billy Joel's Century Motor Cycles a few years ago. He wrote a coffee table book "Rockin' Garages" about rock stars who are motor heads, like Joel. My friend Jay Geils in in the book and there was a book signing at Century. I went with Jay who came down from MA for the event.

Now, for you Long Island guys, Tom Cotter is the brother of Pete Cotter who is co-founder of the Blue Point Brewing Company.


Rich