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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. |
We welcome our Barn Find sponsor:
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The 2024 finalists!
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Ford enthusiasts will know that the year of this car was the last for the long-running Cortina before it was replaced by the aerodynamic Ford Sierra. The Crusader was a special edition that marked the ... -
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The Astra was an important car for Vauxhall, both replacing the long-running Viva and competing with more modern rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and Mk 3 Ford Escort. Launched in 1980, the example ... -
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Unless you are familiar with the workings of the American funeral industry you’d be forgiven for not being aware of ‘flower cars’. Suffice to say this particular example is rare, and is guaranteed to ... -
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This stylish British sports car was launched in 1970, and by the time production ended seven years later 25,939 had been made. That was less than Triumph had hoped for, but fast forward the best part ... -
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Code-named ‘Brenda’, the Mk 2 Escort made its debut in 1974 and remained in production until 1980. The Sport was ideal for those after a livelier driving experience, and this now-rare example has been ... -
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These unusual cars date back to the late-1970s and were the brainchild of Aston Martin and Lagonda designer, William Towns. Developed into kits by his Interstyl Studios business, they are rare and int ... -
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In production from 1948 to 1950 and powered by a 918cc side-valve engine, these ‘Lowlight’ Minors might have boasted modest performance but they were packed with character, and that’s very much the ca ... -
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Little more than a bodyshell at present, the owner has exciting plans for it as it will be transformed into a replica of a ‘Mosquito’ - the original design for the Minor. This should project should be ... -
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Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and launched in 1983, the Uno was a stylish and capable supermini but it was the arrival of the hot hatchback Turbo that really grabbed the interest of enthusiasts. Nick ... -
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These tiny bubble cars are certainly amongst the classic car world’s quirkier offerings, but what makes this one so fascinating is that it has sat untouched in a garage for almost sixty years. Origina ... -
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There are few things cooler in the classic car world than a genuine American hot rod, and this one is quite rare. It will certainly be an enjoyable project to complete, and is guaranteed plenty of att ... -
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The first of these Japanese family hatchbacks appeared in 1977, and there were numerous generations that followed including the version you see here. This one is an SE model that is powered by a 1.3-l ... -
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Founded by William Lyons and William Walmsley, SS Cars was the forerunner of the luxury brand we know today, changing its name to Jaguar Cars Limited in 1945. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, this s ... -
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Proof that even modern classics can make excellent barn finds – although at 27 years old, this car is only 13 years off being a historic vehicle. This is the mid-cycle facelift Mondeo which was launc ... -
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These large saloons were launched in 1970, and very few are left today. In fact, there could be just four on UK roads which makes this survivor something of a treat for enthusiasts of the marque. Rob ... -
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Having founded the Transit Van Club in 2005, it is safe to say that no one has done as much as Peter to promote these much-loved commercial vehicles. Saving as many as possible is just as important, w ... -
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These solid and practical family cars made their debut in 1947, and the Phase 1 model that we have here remained in production until 1953. Power came from a 2088c engine paired with a 3-speed gearbox. ... -
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British manufacturers have long been skilled at producing cars that blend style with luxury, and the model we have here certainly boasts both of those attributes. And for Austin enthusiasts it’s sure ... -
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Launched in 1948 and designed by Alec Issigonis, the Minor was the first British car to achieve one million sales. Hugely popular then and now, this split-screen four-door saloon belongs to the Morris ... -
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Introduced as the last motor car to bear the Lanchester name, the post Second World War 14 was a final roll of the dice. Lanchester, by then part of the Daimler combine, were struggling to find their ...
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 ...
