Barn Find Road Trip Read online

  BARN FIND

  Road Trip

  TOM COTTER

  — PHOTOGRAPHY BY —

  MICHAEL ALAN ROSS

  — ACKNOWLEDGMENTS —

  To my two car-hunting buddies—Brian Barr and Michael Alan Ross—who made this trip productive, memorable, and fun! To Zach Strait, who totally embraced the social media platform of our trip and guided us to a number of terrific discoveries in the central Virginia area. To friend Chuck Goldsborough, who not only turned us onto a number of really cool finds, but arranged for us to work on our disabled Woody in his brother’s repair shop when we were stranded in the Baltimore area. To Keith Irwin and the guys at Keith Irwin Restorations, who have managed to keep the Woody roadworthy enough for our extended road trip. To the fine folks at Street and Performance, who are making good on the Woody’s front belt drive system that gave us issues on our journey. To my Motorbooks publishing crew Zack Miller, Nichole (love the H) Schiele, Kathy Littfin, and Lara Neel, who wholeheartedly bought into the crazy concept of searching for cars and writing about it! And to my long-suffering wife, Pat, who had to do all the housework for two weeks.

  Contents

  Foreword

  Introduction

  CHAPTER 1 – Friday, September 26: DAY 1

  CHAPTER 2 – Saturday, September 27: DAY 2

  CHAPTER 3 – Sunday, September 28: DAY 3

  CHAPTER 4 – Monday, September 29: DAY 4

  CHAPTER 5 – Tuesday, September 30: DAY 5

  CHAPTER 6 – Wednesday, October 1: DAY 6

  CHAPTER 7 – Thursday, October 2: DAY 7

  CHAPTER 8 – Friday, October 3: DAY 8

  CHAPTER 9 – Saturday, October 4: DAY 9

  CHAPTER 10 – Sunday, October 5: DAY 10

  CHAPTER 11 – Monday, October 6: DAY 11

  CHAPTER 12 – Tuesday, October 7: DAY 12

  CHAPTER 13 – Wednesday, October 8: DAY 13

  CHAPTER 14 – Thursday, October 9: DAY 14

  Barn Find Road Trip Best–Of List

  Top 10 Rules of Barn-Find Hunting

  Epilogue

  Index

  Foreword

  How many times have you driven down a country road and wondered what rare car or motorcycle was in the garage, barn, junkyard, or shed you just drove by? Lots of times, I bet. Tom Cotter, through his series of books, The Cobra in the Barn, The Hemi in the Barn, The Vincent in the Barn, and 50 Shades of Rust, has given us a peek into garages, barns, junkyards, and even a bedroom (easy now, it was Henry Wilkinson’s Cobra), supporting that dream we all have of finding the car we’ve always wanted and at a price we could afford.

  All of the following stories were collected through Tom’s myriad contacts, rumors, and whispers, but now he and his cohorts have taken it to a new level. Driving his ’39 Ford Woody (a barn find itself) on a 2,700-mile odyssey through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania—and without the benefit of a television production company choreographing the trip—they dropped in on likely candidates. Taking the Woody was a good idea, as it was a great icebreaker and I am sure kept the guys from getting shot nosing around somebody’s premises.

  Tom, along with Brian Barr and ace photographer Michael Alan Ross, found a treasure trove of Chevys, Fords, a Cord Beverly sedan…hey! Read the book. They are all here. And the guys did it the old-fashioned way: cruising the highways and byways and just following their noses.

  Maybe this book will influence you to hit the road with the same goal. If you don’t, Tom will beat you to that lost Cobra, Ferrari, Duesenberg, or Bugatti. To quote the ever erudite Bluto from Animal House, you know what this means—ROAD TRIP! Enjoy the ride and savor the dream.

  Bill Warner

  Founder and Chairman

  Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

  Introduction

  — BEST ROAD TRIP EVER —

  For adult males of the gear-head persuasion, discovering an old car is a very special occasion. I say male because I have not met too many women who get their jollies by digging through mechanical trash, sneaking into barns and outbuildings, or risking tick and snake bites in the hopes of finding a vintage vehicle. But for certain guys, an environment like this is utopia.

  Perhaps there is an endorphin release, similar to the “high” that distance runners experience when going on a long run. For hard-core, truly addicted barn-finders, “the search” is at least as exciting as “the find,” and many times more so. As my friend Peter Egan says regarding intensive automotive restoration, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” After years of wrenching to complete a restoration, enthusiasts like Peter simply sell the car into which they have invested so much blood, sweat, and tears—and simply purchase another project.

  Peter wrote this in the Foreword of The Cobra in the Barn, my first book on this subject: “Finding that car in a barn and making it run again are as close as most car buffs will ever get to God.”

  Well said.

  For serious car finders, it’s much the same way. The simple task of following up on obscure leads that “might” yield a car is reason enough to waste away a perfectly good Saturday. And actually finding the car is gear-head nirvana.

  I speak as one of the thoroughly addicted. Since way before I actually held a driver’s license, I have been searching for old cars. Perhaps it was because I showed no interest (or ability) in organized sports or education; from grade school through high school I was more absorbed in reading my favorite monthly magazine, Rod & Custom, than in academics or throwing a perfect pitch. Rod & Custom featured a regular column entitled “Vintage Tin.” This column showed photos of old cars, perfect hot-rod material, usually in deserted locations. Ford roasters, T-buckets, Woody wagons and pickups, all looking slightly weathered, were featured in black-and-white photos. I just knew some lucky California hot rodder would purchase one and embark on a cool project.

  Living on the East Coast, I felt denied of that experience, so I started searching for old cars in my region. I often looked out the school-bus window or rode my bicycle up and down neighborhood streets, looking for interesting tin.

  During my first two years of high school, I went to a Catholic school, Seton Hall, in Patchogue, New York. My friend, Xavier Lucena—a fellow car guy—and I would walk the streets of Patchogue after school. Dressed in our school’s blue blazers and ties, we knocked on doors, asking about old cars in people’s backyards. And we found a bunch; this was 45 years ago, but I still remember a blue 1940 Mercury coupe, a black 1946–48 Ford convertible, a black ’36 Ford sedan, and a bunch of Model As.

  10,000 PHOTOS LATER

  I’ve been very lucky in my life. As an automotive photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most amazing, talented individuals.

  The greatest thing about this journey has been the people—the ones who create and sweat over their passion. The designers, journalists, photographers, collectors, and of course the enthusiasts who spend hours reading magazines or leaning over the fence at the racetrack; we are all connected.

  That is why I said yes to Tom Cotter’s crazy idea about doing a 14-day road trip in search of barn finds. Besides, rust is the new chrome.

  The next thing I knew, I was standing in a field of rusty Ford Galaxies. We drove thousands of miles, documenting cars and making new friends along the way.

  We saw way more than we could ever fit in this book, and God knows there are a few stories that will remain between Tom, Brian, and me.

  I saw, sat in, bumped up against, and stepped in things I never thought would be associated with an automobile shoot. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. It’s experiences like these that ground and connect you to what automobiles and friendship are all about.

  A barn
find is more than just an abandoned car. It’s a story of who owned it, how it got there, and why it’s still there. I encourage you to go take a road trip with a few friends. You never know what you’ll find.

  Michael Alan Ross

  When I was old enough for a driver’s license, my friends Phil Braddock, Vinnie Maggio, Tommy Allen, and I would occasionally cut class and travel to Long Island’s east end in search of old cars. My personal interest lay in 1935 to 1940 Fords, because I liked their round body styles. But Phil preferred earlier, more angular-styled cars—Model Ts and Model As, which he called “Squares.”

  I remember once Phil hollered, “Square,” as we drove by a farm, and what he thought was an early-model car parked next to a barn; it actually turned out to be an outhouse that somehow resembled a Model T coupe.

  Today, being a longtime member of the Early Ford V-8 Club of America, my favorite column in the V-8 Times magazine is “They’re Still Out There,” which features photos of old flathead-powered Fords that still languish behind buildings and in fields today.

  Which is the purpose of this book.

  People comment to me all the time that there are no old cars remaining; that they were all discovered 10 or 20 years ago. Baloney, I say. I can’t drive to the local pizza place without finding an interesting vehicle.

  After an all-day trial run with my good friend, Brian Barr—where we discovered at least 10 great vehicles in Western North Carolina—I called my publisher at Motorbooks, Zack Miller, and told him that I thought I had an idea for a new book. A true “reality” book.

  All the “amazing” discoveries you see on the popular TV programs are really not too amazing after all. They have all been thoroughly vetted by producers, weeks before the camera crews arrive. It’s all carefully choreographed, with lighting and sound engineers all in place.

  I told Zack, “I’d like to write a book based on discovering cars the old-fashioned way: going down interesting roads and knocking on doors.”

  The working title of this book was Barn Find Road Trip: 3 Guys, 14 Days, 100 Cars.

  “Do you think you can find 100 cars?” he asked.

  “I think so,” I told him. “But it’s really hard to predict.” Convinced we had a decent idea, he gave us the go-ahead to spend 14 days documenting our discoveries.

  Enjoy the next 14 chapters, one for each day. Some days were more prosperous than others, but every day was memorable.

  And remember, “They’re still out there!”

  Tom Cotter

  — A LIFETIME FULFILLED —

  I’ve always said my headstone will read, “Here lies Brian Barr. Racer, Writer, Rocker.” While I have raced in amateur and vintage events and played in a rock band (35 years ago), I wasn’t sure how I would fulfill the “writer” epitaph. Thanks to Tom Cotter, I was invited to participate in this fantastic adventure and book. In writing this, I’d say that’s close enough!

  Growing up in New York, I was always California dreaming. I discovered hot rods and sports cars along the way. My dad was a car guy and DIY mechanic. I was his willing assistant. Both my grandfathers taught me the skills of car hunting. They were always searching for old iron when poking around town or traveling across the countryside. I enjoyed riding with them and hearing their stories.

  When Tom invited me to participate in this epic adventure, I jumped at the chance. I spent two weeks poking though hidden treasure and anticipating the next one with a couple of great guys. We talked cars 24/7. We met interesting people. With every turn there was excitement and anticipation. This is what cars do; they are more than transportation. Cars are time machines, memory makers, and rolling art, especially when viewed through the lens of Michael Alan Ross.

  Tom is a great friend. We never run out of car stories to talk about, and it seems we haven’t run out of cars to find either.

  Thank you Tom, Michael, and all the new friends we met along the way!

  Brian Barr

  A Brief Note About the Stories in Barn Find Road Trip

  Cars featured in this book might have been for sale when I wrote it in the fall of 2014. These for-sale references were meant to be interesting tidbits about how many cars are actually still out there and available for purchase. I am not suggesting, however, that these cars are still available, and I am not acting as a broker for the owners.

  If you are interested in pursuing the purchase of any of these cars, do not contact me. If you decide to pursue any of the cars in this book, there are enough clues to make it possible.

  Thank you for your consideration.

  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

  Starting Mileage: 21,806

  DAY 1

  I had a bagel with chicken salad and a Snapple Iced Tea at Bagel Bin in Huntersville, North Carolina. I’m watching my calorie intake, so I bypassed the potato chips. My two traveling companions, Brian Barr and Michael Alan Ross, had similar sandwiches, which, we surmised, would give us the energy for the tough journey on which we were about to embark.

  It was noontime on Friday, September 26, and we had been challenged by Motorbooks to find and document all the old cars we could in 14 days. We felt up to the task, but decided to start our adventure with full stomachs.

  We decided to budget our time in four states, spending between three and four days each in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. We planned to end our trip at the Hershey, Pennsylvania, Antique Car Club of America (AACA) swap meet and car show.

  In the parking lot were the two vehicles we would navigate for the next couple of weeks: my 1939 Ford Woody wagon and a 2014 Ford Flex. Brian and I, the two certified barn-find geeks, would drive the Woody. Michael, my photographer friend, would drive the Flex that was kindly loaned to us by Ford Motor Company. I had the pleasure of working with Michael in the past on the book Rockin’ Garages, co-authored by Ken Gross and me.

  The Woody would be our lead car, our rolling billboard, so-to-speak, and the Flex would contain all Michael’s photography equipment and our suitcases. With a full tank of fuel, the Woody had 21,806 miles on the odometer when we departed.

  Which way would we go? Didn’t know, but we knew two things: I didn’t want to search for old cars in North Carolina because I didn’t want the potential criticism of “discovering” cars I might have already known about in my home state, and I wanted our tour to end at the AACA flea market two weeks later. Other than that, all bets were off.

  The Three Amigos—Michael Alan Ross, Brian Barr, and Tom Cotter—with our Barn Find Road Trip vehicles, the 1939 Ford Woody, and the 2014 Ford Flex, moments before leaving Cotter’s driveway for the 14-day adventure.

  My publisher had these decals made for the side windows of the Woody, and we had miniature versions of the decals that we gave out to interested people en route.

  So after we ate our hearty sandwiches, drank our beverages, and said goodbye to the girls behind the counter, we climbed into our vehicles and headed north on Interstate 77. I knew we could be in Virginia in about an hour, and this way we could begin our car hunting adventures sometime in the early to mid-afternoon time frame, rather than just use Friday as a commuting day.

  It was a glorious day as we traveled north past Statesville, Harmony, and Mt. Airy. In about one hour, we crossed the North Carolina—Virginia state line at a wonderfully scenic region called Fancy Gap. When our country’s founders were designing the state boundaries, they obviously decided that the flat land would become North Carolina and the mountainous area would be Virginia. This is very unlike the Four Corners National Monument out west; Virginia’s southern border and North Carolina’s northern border is that clear.

  Another 30 minutes north, as we were approaching the intersection of I-77 and I-81, Brian and I both shouted at the same moment: “CARS!”

  Our Woody veered sharply to the right, with Michael in the Flex following (sorry for the radical move, Mikey…) We both parked, probably illegally, on the shoulder of the highway as cars and trucks passed mere feet away at 80 miles p
er hour. I didn’t know if what we were doing was illegal, but it certainly was unsafe. Nonetheless, we were on a mission to discover old cars, and this was our first find.

  There, on the east side of the interstate, off in the distance, was a field of steel. Some of it was shiny, some of it dull, but all of it rusty. We used my small binoculars, but then Brian got a little bit fancy.

  “Watch this,” said our expedition’s techno-genius, as he fiddled with his iPhone. After a couple of minutes, he showed Michael and me his screen. “I figured we’d try Google Earth!”

  So, we were looking at a field of vintage cars, assisted by a satellite camera located several hundred miles above us in space. I was amazed. And glad Brian was so technically savvy. Then, for a better view, Michael installed his telephoto lens and confirmed that the cars in the field were, indeed, vintage tin.

  We needed to find a road to that field. So Brian secured the satellite location of the field, then he pinned it on his GPS so we could locate it from the other direction. We climbed back into our cars and continued north on I-77 and took the very next exit onto I-81 North. We took the first exit off I-81 and figured the field of cars couldn’t be too far away.

  Soon after exiting the highway, we came across a terrific series of old mill buildings. We had to stop. Here were a bunch of buildings that had obviously been vacant for many years. A man who passed by in a pickup truck stopped and told us it had once been a grain mill and general store. It resembled an abandoned Western town.

  We wanted to climb the fence and explore inside, but decided to respect the No Trespassing sign. We admired a rusty old gas pump next to the general store. I imagine that before I-81 was constructed, this might have been a popular area for locals to shop. But we had cars to find, and we needed to keep moving in the direction of those cars in the field. On we drove.