Hagerty Barn find

[Whodeeny]

Hopefully this link hasn't already been posted on this web site. The Hagerty Barn Find series has a very good episode about a Cobra barn find that you all may enjoy.

Here is the link
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...24_HagertyNews

[eschaider]

I stumbled onto one like that at an estate several years ago. Although it had sat for three or four decades the owner had done a modestly better job of maintaining the car(s) before he passed away. Here is a pic from the driverside rear of an original 289 Cobra that was there.



BTW the car on the far side is a Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing. Somewhere else in the garage not visible in this picture was a very early Ferrari California with a 100 miles or something like that on the speedometer. There were one off Rolls Royces an original Allard (next to the Cobra) and just so many exotics I can't remember them all.


This passenger side front view gives a sense of how clean these cars were.




If I recall correctly he also had 2 new Rolls Royce Merlin engines in cosmoline and enough spares to build a couple more. There were about 40 or 50 cars (I can't recall anymore) in the garage and a whale of very interesting way cool artifacts.

Stumbling into one of these garages is a trip through time like no other I have ever experienced.


Ed

[Alfa02]

@eschaider, What in the world happen to the cars??? More to the point, The Cobra?? It seem's if it was a Estate sale, everything was for sale? With a collection like this gentleman has, his family would have the sense, to contact the right people to break-up this incredible collection. more to the story? And where pray tell were these cars at? City, State?? The neatest Estate sale I attended was Pete Lovely's. Look up his race history, last privateer to race in Formula 1 (Lotus 49) Won the first race at Laguna Seca (57 Ferrari Testa Rossa. I was able to be one of the first in, and have many one-off item's (his first trophies, from the 50's), his cars were long gone.

[1795]

It was neat to see the video, and kind of sad to see the mouse nests throughout the cobra. I wonder which number car that was? It would seem that the owner is still alive, I wonder what became of the cobra?

[Karl Bebout]

Lordy!
UGLY Fender Flares? Those gotta go!

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

@eschaider, What in the world happen to the cars??? More to the point, The Cobra?? It seem's if it was a Estate sale, everything was for sale? With a collection like this gentleman has, his family would have the sense, to contact the right people to break-up this incredible collection. more to the story? And where pray tell were these cars at? City, State?? The neatest Estate sale I attended was Pete Lovely's. Look up his race history, last privateer to race in Formula 1 (Lotus 49) Won the first race at Laguna Seca (57 Ferrari Testa Rossa. I was able to be one of the first in, and have many one-off item's (his first trophies, from the 50's), his cars were long gone.

A small portion of the cars were auctioned off at the Mecum auction two or three years ago Alfa. The group that was auctioned brought around five million dollars or so, possibly a little more, if I recall correctly. The Cobra was sold in a private sale away from the auction. The majority of the cars at that time did not go to auction.

The family was quite diligent in the selection of cars to auction, which to keep and who would auction them. As you might suspect some of the cars had sentimental value to family, others not so much. All were stunning!

The collection was in California just outside of the San Jose area.

These collections are breathtaking as you explore what they contain. They are an extraordinary testimonial to the enthusiasm some well to do folks have for our illness.


Ed


Update: My how time flies! I was thinking this was about three years ago. Boy have I lost track of time! This was actually ten years ago — old men who can't sense the passage of time anymore

Here is a link to my original post 10 years ago => Barn Find

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Lordy!
UGLY Fender Flares? Those gotta go!

Yeah, I know Karl

That was my first reaction when I saw the car. The more I saw it they sort of grew on me. As it turns out there were several cars built with those flares some by Shelby and some outside Shelby. I believe the total count could be done on one hand with a few fingers missing.

I did a little research on the car after I first saw it. There were precious few with these sorts of flares. Interestingly the Kirkhams built a few 289 cars with a similar (I think slightly less prominent) fender flare treatment.

Like yourself my preference is the more traditional treatment but when everything is said and done, it is still an original Cobra. BTW if anyone is interested in some of its back story, it is CSX2225 and you can find it on page 166 of the registry.


Ed

[Alfa02]

Thank you Ed, for the info. Your right about time slipping away, but these cars keep us young Another interesting note are the WIDE Borrani wires on this Cobra, I would bet they were a very special order. If it was my car, I believe I could live with the flares, with those wheels. Tom.

[eschaider]

The car was definitely neat, Tom. The more I was around it the more it grew on me. You are right about the wheels. There was a back story on the wheels that I have forgotten. One thing for certain though, as good as they might look in the pics, they look even better in person.


Ed

[Alfa02]

I bet Ed, I love polishing thing's, and wheel's are my favorite. I could easily spend hours & hours on those Borrani's. Just a FYI, I've tried every alum. polish made, and I also collect vintage stereo's from the 70's, which have alum faces with lettering, so you have be careful, not to rub the lettering off, you do and their worth nothing. My polish of choice is Blue Magic (Blue Cream) 6oz. can $6.99. My $.02

[1985 CCX]

Tom seems to find the coolest cars ever!
Fooled him a bit with mine, that made my day. He is a great person and his show simply great!

[eschaider]

Way cool guys!

I am going to try some of the Blue Magic, Tom. Like yourself, I like polished aluminum (and Mag)

Ed

[t walgamuth]

I'll take it mouse nests and all!