The show is home to the UK's biggest Barn Find display with around 20 barn finds in various states of rust, all bidding for visitors votes to be crowned the winner. |
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The 2025 finalists, so far!
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This Mk1 Escort 1300e had been stored since circa 1991 by a friend for his friend. When the time came for it to be brought out of storage and moved to a new owner, I purchased this a year or so ago wi ... -
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Jupiters were built in Bradford, West Yorkshire – built on spaceframe tubular chassis designed by Robert Eberan von Eberhorst of ERA fame (English Racing Automobiles). They were powered by Jowett’s ow ... -
This 1994 Peugeot 308 once served as a police car before being left in the automotive wilderness. With its past shrouded in mystery, it joins the Footman James Barn Find display as a relic of law enfo ... -
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This 1933 Jaguar SS2 Series 1 Coupe is an exceptionally rare and historically significant vehicle. Believed to be one of only three surviving examples, it is also thought to be the oldest known SS2 in ... -
Get ready for a truly extraordinary barn find! A legendary 1954 Daimler Conquest Roadster, once the pride and joy of comedy icon Sir Norman Wisdom, is rolling into the show for its grand debut! Origi ... -
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This 1954 Austin A30 had been languishing in a barn since 1971. Last used on a family holiday through Europe, this Baby Austin, aka The Peanut, was parked-up in a shed over 50-years ago and didn't see ... -
This Skoda was originally a display model at Bibsworth Garage in Finchley, London, and has remarkably covered just ten miles from new. The owner believes Bibsworth Garage was the first Skoda dealershi ... -
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Bernard rescued this Austin 7 Ruby about 35 years ago from a scrapyard. He went to the yard to collect a second-hand part of another car when he spotted the Austin 7 in a line of cars waiting to be cr ... -
Another gem from UK Barn Finds, this 1983 Datsun carries both Datsun and Nissan badges, marking the transition between the two brands. A fascinating survivor that raises more questions than answers—co ... -
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Discovered in a collapsed garage after its elderly eccentric owner moved to live in a nursing home. Sold recently at auction by the Bangers & Cash team, who took a whole day to extract it from its loc ... -
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This 1980 Volvo 345DL, powered by a 1,397cc engine, is a true survivor with an intriguing history. Originally discovered in a barn in 2016, it was purchased by a film production company and went on to ... -
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Bernard spotted this Morris Oxford abandoned on a drive way some 35 years ago and plucked up the courage to knock on the door of the house to enquire if it was for sale. However, the owner didn’t want ... -
Also from the UK Barn Finds collection, this 1982 Vauxhall Cavalier is a perfect slice of everyday motoring history. It’s easy to imagine it once cruising down the M1 with a stack of cassette tapes ra ... -
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This 1957 Minor was modified for a world tour in the late 1980s at the Leeds Minor Centre. Upgrades included a 1275cc engine, Toyota gearbox, raised ground clearance, underbody protection, a front-mou ...
How do you define a 'barn find'?
To some, it has to be a vehicle covered in four decades worth of dust but to others, it is a car that has laid dormant for many years. The cars displayed are unearthed from garages, sheds, the bottom of peoples gardens hidden by years of weeds. Some have been rescued with the plan on restoring them back to their former glory, while others should be left to 'rust in peace.'
It's fascinating what you can find when you’re on a walk or even just sorting out your own garage – like a vehicle that’s been long forgotten!
About Footman James
Whether your classic is in concours condition after a nut & bolt restoration or in pieces in your garage, Footman James have an insurance policy to suit your requirements. If your classic is currently off the road, FJ’s Laid Up policy protects your vehicle against accidental or malicious damage, fire, theft and attempted theft when kept in a locked garage. It’s also covered during transit to and from competitions, exhibitions and restorers. Call us on the number at the top of this page or request a call back online for a quote.
Past Finalists & Winners
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Thought to have been stored away some time in the 1970s, this saloon was discovered in an Essex garage. With just two previous owners it’s a rare find indeed, especially as very few remain on UK roads ... -
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After it had spent around twenty five years in a barn, this owner acquired the Alfa less than a year ago and says it’s his mission to save it. Already stripped down to little more than a rolling shell ... -
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Seemingly abandoned in the 1990s, this big saloon looks a bit sorry for itself thanks to the layer of grime and moss. However, the owner says it appears complete and original, and while full restorati ... -
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It’s not often that a hearse appears on the barn finds display, so this one makes for a rather unusual project. It was built and used in Ireland and then ended up in storage until around 2010, and wit ... -
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This huge American motor sustained crash damage sometime in the 1970s, and spent decades in storage after being imported to the UK. It’s certainly a big project, but it came with plenty of original pa ... -
Having been discovered in a field back in 2011, this delightful van was in need of plenty of work and Peter bought it the following year. A complete and pleasingly original example with a reasonably s ... -
An interesting survivor of the once-ubiquitous Escort, the owner bought it five years ago in what he describes as an ‘impulse bid’ on an internet auction. Not too much work was needed and he’s been im ... -
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When the owner wasn’t able to restore the car he contacted Practical Classics editor, Danny Hopkins, who can’t wait to get started on the project. Plenty of parts were included in the deal, so the nex ... -
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This ice cream van is one of only four known survivors, so it’s both rare and incredibly charming with plenty of unique details. The engine has already been rebuilt, and while a re-paint will be neede ... -
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Purchased new by a London-based upholstery business and still in use until 2007, this charming classic commercial needs some attention to the bodywork although it won’t be resprayed. The owner doesn’t ... -
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Imported from the US, this desirable Coupe has suffered a bit in the hot Californian sun but it’s left an exterior patina that’s going to be kept. The interior and mechanicals will be refurbished, tho ... -
Rescued from a dilapidated garage, the popular family car hadn’t turned a wheel in fifteen years. The owner is a true Ford enthusiast and having been collecting parts ahead of a full restoration that ... -
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This very solid example has been awaiting restoration since being purchased four years ago, and the owner will retain as many original features as possible. Work will include a respray in its original ... -
Keen to try a modern classic as a daily-driver, the car Andrew chose had been owned by the same family from new. He’s already undertaken some work but says there’s plenty more ahead, so this is a roll ... -
The owner says this car wears its age with pride, and being almost seventy years old it’s certainly a treat for ‘Bug’ enthusiasts. It’s spent plenty of time laid up in garages over the years, but it r ... -
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Alongside a fascinating history that saw the car spend its life in South America, this Cortina was built at Dagenham as a special order so that it resembled a GT model. As a result it features some un ... -
Although a restoration was started circumstances intervened and this desirable Escort then languished in a garage for twenty years. But now the owner can’t wait to complete the job. It’s in his favou ...
