David is a member here.

I think we've also reached the inevitable point in time where the generation that bought these cars new have unfortunately began to pass on at a very rapid rate. This has left the next generation of non-car people in their family with the burden of selling these cars off. Anything that was stored outside is pretty much unrestorable junk now but what terrifies me is the rare parts that get thrown away into portable driveway dumpsters when the garage gets cleaned out.

Lots of cars coming up for sale that people never "got to restore" and realize they will never get to it. Also, people dying and the family doesn't really care about the car, Just want the money.

I figured he probably was when I saw the garage full of Camaros. I'm glad that some people are able to get these cars before they are completely ruined. Others are already too far gone.

I travel for my job and am always on the look out for barn finds. With one exception, every rare barn find I checked out turned out to be not a rare barn find but run of the mill neglected cars. Some not even the brands they told me they were. The one exception was a 1969 COPO Camaro I did not follow up on as I wrote it off as a 396 car from the description. Turned out to be a legit barn find COPO purchased by a member here a year later. I don't assume anything anymore.

Rick, I agree. There is a social media craze on the 'finds' of all sorts - barn, garage, field, behind garage, basement, etc. I think it is awesome to see. Our feature for the '67 Corvette was brought on through our Instagram app page. Scotty Lachenauer was alerted of our photos and reached out. It was a really neat process that was started by an innocent photo I took.

Matt, I totally agree. Our '67 Corvette was bought from the second owner who passed away about 1 year after we bought the car. Our '62 was bought from the estate of either the original owner or second owner. The Boss 429 was bought from the second owner who bought it with plans to restore it but realized at about 65 years old that he will never do it to the way it should be done. It is the same sentiment perpetually. Family objectives change and money becomes more important than the car. The generation following does not have interest in the car...

Dan

I wanted just show the true intentions of some people not being honest. And be careful it is easy to get caught up in that moment of wow look what I got then its a fake or send money off and it does not even exist which has happened. I cannot tell you how many times I have came here looking for help and got it every time...................

There have been several cars I have found that are sitting outside deteriorating. Case in point a black 69 L78 Nova purchased new at Village Chev in Queen, NY, has been sitting outside since I spotted it (actually Warren Malkin was visiting in 1991-93 and spotted). I had spoken to the orig owner over the years and he was always going to put it on the road. I offered to push it in his barn and he refused. Next I covered with a tarp until that deteriorated.


I noticed the grass was getting long on his property and left my card in door because no one answered. I was contacted and found out he passed away and the car removed.


There are many reasons why some owners just won't part with them and let them deteriorate. One may be they rather see them rot than someone else have fun or resurrect them. Others are they don't have time, money, motivation and or have a sincere attachment and can't let go of their youthful memories.

I tried to buy this car over 35 years ago. The owner will not sell it because he says he couldn't stand to see someone else drive it. It's a real '68 Z28 RS without the original drive train. Not enough left to fix it now.

I can sorta understand someone refusing to sell if they have some sort of reasonably decent storage for a particular car. But, allowing something to deteriorate ala Freddie's picture of the blue 68 Z pictured above......that's someone who has a definite mental problem. If your pure selfishness outweighs the potential for someone else to try and preserve a valuable piece of automotive history, then you are NOT a true auto enthusiast.