TX Barn Find...
May 6, 2015 12:32:29 #
Don G. Dinsdale
Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)
Texas Time Capsule: Five Pre-War Automobiles Preserved in a Barn
By Jeff Peek - Published May 06, 2015 - Hagerty
1932 Cadillac 370 B V-12 Victoria Body 1
1933 Cadillac 370 C V-12 Town C**pe
1938 Cadillac V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine
1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L
1908 REO Model G Boattail Roadster
1937 Kozy Coach Travel Trailer
Barn find. Arguably the most powerful, attention-grabbing two syllables in the classic car universe.
Its the Holy Grail for a car guy, said Antonio Brunet, chairman and founder of Motostalgia Auctions in Austin, Texas. Opening the doors, seeing the cars covered in dust, untouched for years Its like youre in a time machine.
Brunet should know. He recently experienced the thrill first hand. And although the discovery wasnt a true barn find since the owner never lost track of what he had, it was still an emotional experience for Brunet. He expects more of the same when five pre-war automobiles and a travel trailer stored for more than 40 years cross the auction block at Motostalgias sale on June 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the owner in attendance.
The final chapter of a magnificent story, Brunet said.
And what a story it is. Brunet said few people knew about the collection, which includes a 1932 Cadillac 370B V-12 Victoria Convertible, 1933 Cadillac Model 370C V-12 Town C**pe, 1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Limousine, 1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L, 1908 REO Model G Boattail Roadster/Sedan Tonneau and a twice-used 1937 Kozy Coach Travel Trailer. Until two years ago, Brunet didnt even know they existed, and they were stored only seven miles from his shop.
The owner, Jack (who doesnt want his last name publicized), moved to Texas from Wisconsin in 1972-73. He had some amazing vehicles that he put away in his new barn, always with the intention of getting the time and money to fix them, Brunet said. But as it often goes, he never found that time.
Although the cars sat untouched for more than four decades, except for a curious raccoon that left its paw prints in the dust on the hood of one of the Cadillac's, Brunet said it was obvious that the collection held a special place in Jacks heart. He really took the time to put the cars away properly. They were on blocks, perfectly spaced, waiting for the day they would be on the road again.
The rarest of the five cars is a 1932 Cadillac 370B V-12 Victoria convertible, body No. 1. One of only four Victoria convertibles built for 1932, it is the only one with a V-12 engine. It was used as a prototype to show executives to see if they would approve the concept of a Victoria convertible, Brunet said. Its on the V-16 registry, but it obviously carries a V-12 engine.
The car has only had three owners, and it has never been offered for public sale. Motostalgia estimates its value at $285,000-$350,000.
The 1933 Cadillac Model 370C V-12 Town C**pe, designed under the watchful eye of legendary Harley Earl, is one of only 952 built. It has all of its original running gear and has been started (and driven a short distance) since being removed from the barn. Motostalgia estimates its value at $55,000-$75,000.
The third Cadillac, a 1938 V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine, was once owned by the Wrigley family, chewing gum magnates and longtime owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Its unusual in that its a five-passenger limousine, when most pre-war limousines were seven- or nine-passenger cars, Brunet said. This one doesnt have the jump seats because the original owner only wanted it for himself and his wife. Its a great car, absolutely enormous. It really speaks to the eccentricity of Cadillac in American life. Pre-auction estimate: $45,000-$65,000.
Jack acquired the last two cars from an attorney who had accepted them as payment for services rendered. Brunet said the 1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L is one of the last models that Indiana-based Milburn built. In the 1910s and 20s, companies like Milburn and Detroit Electric built very competitive electric cars, he said. Milburn had a fleet of taxis in New York in the late teens and early 20s. It was a very successful brand. But in 1924, GM bought the company and dismantled the factory so they wouldnt have to compete against the car. Pre-auction estimate: $90,000 -$125,000.
The final car, a brass-era 1908 REO Model G, was the first that Motostalgia got up and running again. Brunet said its unusual in that its actually a t***sformer. Its three-person backseat can be removed and replaced with a wooden rear section, turning it from a five-person touring convertible into a two-person boattail. You can choose, depending if youre going out for a cruise with the family or a high-speed drive of 25 mph which was probably what they were good for in 1908, Brunet said with a laugh. Its pre-auction estimate is $75,000-$95,000.
The last piece of the collection, a 1937 Kozy Coach travel trailer, has been used only twice in the eight decades since it was built first by its original owner in Wisconsin and again by Jack during his move to Texas in the early 1970s. Im obviously a car guy, and I just dont see vintage travel trailers that often, Brunet said. Theyre built with Masonite (pressed wood) and a lot of the older ones just waste away. But this trailer has been sitting in a barn for so many years that and its in great condition. The mahogany wood is inside is fabulous. Its a museum piece. Pre-auction estimate: $75,000-$100,000.
Click here for more from Hagerty or here sign up for their classic car newsletter
Brunet said that his promise to Jack was to get the five cars running again before the auction, and hes already close to fulfilling that vow. Jacks dream was to see them back on the road, Brunet said. So by giving us the honor of putting them in our auction, we promised to bring them back to life.
While Jack struggled to let the auction cars go actually, hes h*****g on to two others that have an emotional connection Brunet said just seeing the cars is a gift to anyone who enjoys the magic words, barn find.
I think the main reason why barn finds are so exciting is that most car guys like originality, Brunet said. Cars that are 40, 50, 80, 100 years old or more Theyve t***sitioned from basic t***sportation to collectible vehicles. And during that t***sition, most cars are repaired and modified here and there; they evolve over time. But with a barn find, its like time stopped. The cars havent changed, other than getting older. Theyre just as they were when they were put away, right down to the smell. Its incredible.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/05/06/texas-time-capsule-five-pre-war-automobiles-preserved-in-barn/
By Jeff Peek - Published May 06, 2015 - Hagerty
1932 Cadillac 370 B V-12 Victoria Body 1
1933 Cadillac 370 C V-12 Town C**pe
1938 Cadillac V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine
1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L
1908 REO Model G Boattail Roadster
1937 Kozy Coach Travel Trailer
Barn find. Arguably the most powerful, attention-grabbing two syllables in the classic car universe.
Its the Holy Grail for a car guy, said Antonio Brunet, chairman and founder of Motostalgia Auctions in Austin, Texas. Opening the doors, seeing the cars covered in dust, untouched for years Its like youre in a time machine.
Brunet should know. He recently experienced the thrill first hand. And although the discovery wasnt a true barn find since the owner never lost track of what he had, it was still an emotional experience for Brunet. He expects more of the same when five pre-war automobiles and a travel trailer stored for more than 40 years cross the auction block at Motostalgias sale on June 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the owner in attendance.
The final chapter of a magnificent story, Brunet said.
And what a story it is. Brunet said few people knew about the collection, which includes a 1932 Cadillac 370B V-12 Victoria Convertible, 1933 Cadillac Model 370C V-12 Town C**pe, 1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 Fleetwood Limousine, 1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L, 1908 REO Model G Boattail Roadster/Sedan Tonneau and a twice-used 1937 Kozy Coach Travel Trailer. Until two years ago, Brunet didnt even know they existed, and they were stored only seven miles from his shop.
The owner, Jack (who doesnt want his last name publicized), moved to Texas from Wisconsin in 1972-73. He had some amazing vehicles that he put away in his new barn, always with the intention of getting the time and money to fix them, Brunet said. But as it often goes, he never found that time.
Although the cars sat untouched for more than four decades, except for a curious raccoon that left its paw prints in the dust on the hood of one of the Cadillac's, Brunet said it was obvious that the collection held a special place in Jacks heart. He really took the time to put the cars away properly. They were on blocks, perfectly spaced, waiting for the day they would be on the road again.
The rarest of the five cars is a 1932 Cadillac 370B V-12 Victoria convertible, body No. 1. One of only four Victoria convertibles built for 1932, it is the only one with a V-12 engine. It was used as a prototype to show executives to see if they would approve the concept of a Victoria convertible, Brunet said. Its on the V-16 registry, but it obviously carries a V-12 engine.
The car has only had three owners, and it has never been offered for public sale. Motostalgia estimates its value at $285,000-$350,000.
The 1933 Cadillac Model 370C V-12 Town C**pe, designed under the watchful eye of legendary Harley Earl, is one of only 952 built. It has all of its original running gear and has been started (and driven a short distance) since being removed from the barn. Motostalgia estimates its value at $55,000-$75,000.
The third Cadillac, a 1938 V-16 Series 90 Fleetwood Limousine, was once owned by the Wrigley family, chewing gum magnates and longtime owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Its unusual in that its a five-passenger limousine, when most pre-war limousines were seven- or nine-passenger cars, Brunet said. This one doesnt have the jump seats because the original owner only wanted it for himself and his wife. Its a great car, absolutely enormous. It really speaks to the eccentricity of Cadillac in American life. Pre-auction estimate: $45,000-$65,000.
Jack acquired the last two cars from an attorney who had accepted them as payment for services rendered. Brunet said the 1923 Milburn Electric Model 27L is one of the last models that Indiana-based Milburn built. In the 1910s and 20s, companies like Milburn and Detroit Electric built very competitive electric cars, he said. Milburn had a fleet of taxis in New York in the late teens and early 20s. It was a very successful brand. But in 1924, GM bought the company and dismantled the factory so they wouldnt have to compete against the car. Pre-auction estimate: $90,000 -$125,000.
The final car, a brass-era 1908 REO Model G, was the first that Motostalgia got up and running again. Brunet said its unusual in that its actually a t***sformer. Its three-person backseat can be removed and replaced with a wooden rear section, turning it from a five-person touring convertible into a two-person boattail. You can choose, depending if youre going out for a cruise with the family or a high-speed drive of 25 mph which was probably what they were good for in 1908, Brunet said with a laugh. Its pre-auction estimate is $75,000-$95,000.
The last piece of the collection, a 1937 Kozy Coach travel trailer, has been used only twice in the eight decades since it was built first by its original owner in Wisconsin and again by Jack during his move to Texas in the early 1970s. Im obviously a car guy, and I just dont see vintage travel trailers that often, Brunet said. Theyre built with Masonite (pressed wood) and a lot of the older ones just waste away. But this trailer has been sitting in a barn for so many years that and its in great condition. The mahogany wood is inside is fabulous. Its a museum piece. Pre-auction estimate: $75,000-$100,000.
Click here for more from Hagerty or here sign up for their classic car newsletter
Brunet said that his promise to Jack was to get the five cars running again before the auction, and hes already close to fulfilling that vow. Jacks dream was to see them back on the road, Brunet said. So by giving us the honor of putting them in our auction, we promised to bring them back to life.
While Jack struggled to let the auction cars go actually, hes h*****g on to two others that have an emotional connection Brunet said just seeing the cars is a gift to anyone who enjoys the magic words, barn find.
I think the main reason why barn finds are so exciting is that most car guys like originality, Brunet said. Cars that are 40, 50, 80, 100 years old or more Theyve t***sitioned from basic t***sportation to collectible vehicles. And during that t***sition, most cars are repaired and modified here and there; they evolve over time. But with a barn find, its like time stopped. The cars havent changed, other than getting older. Theyre just as they were when they were put away, right down to the smell. Its incredible.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/05/06/texas-time-capsule-five-pre-war-automobiles-preserved-in-barn/
May 6, 2015 12:57:36 #
It is indeed quite a find. I would love to see them again after being cleaned up and fully restored.
May 6, 2015 13:12:29 #
Wow, I'm salivating. Awseome.
Quick note:
There was an old v-12 Caddie pulling Sail Planes aloft in Calif. for decades without a hitch or a glitch.
Quick note:
There was an old v-12 Caddie pulling Sail Planes aloft in Calif. for decades without a hitch or a glitch.
Don G. Dinsdale wrote:
Texas Time Capsule: Five Pre-War Automobiles Prese... (show quote)
May 6, 2015 17:57:26 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
missinglink wrote:
Wow, I'm salivating. Awseome.
Quick note:
There was an old v-12 Caddie pulling Sail Planes aloft in Calif. for decades without a hitch or a glitch.
Quick note:
There was an old v-12 Caddie pulling Sail Planes aloft in Calif. for decades without a hitch or a glitch.
I would love to have the REO. That was one of Ransom E. Olds best.
May 6, 2015 18:47:47 #
Don G. Dinsdale
Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)
no propaganda please wrote:
I would love to have the REO. That was one of Ransom E. Olds best.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I was about 10 I had a model that I put together of an REO...
May 6, 2015 19:03:48 #
One of each would do.
But look at this town c**p ragtop
But look at this town c**p ragtop
no propaganda please wrote:
I would love to have the REO. That was one of Ransom E. Olds best.
May 6, 2015 19:10:34 #
Don G. Dinsdale
Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)
missinglink wrote:
One of each would do.
But look at this town c**p ragtop
But look at this town c**p ragtop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is That "Drop Dead Gorgeous" or What? :thumbup:
May 7, 2015 09:51:45 #
Don G. Dinsdale wrote:
Super duper great. As we we car guys (girls too) know most oldies great and not so great end up here as depicted by my cartoon. Check out VELOCITY on your cable. On Direct it is channel '281'.Texas Time Capsule: Five Pre-War Automobiles Prese... (show quote)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.