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 lain 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!
Some of the last show's line up
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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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ...
