I have seen this email several times over the past couple of years and after we released the “barn finds” on My Life at Speed this morning, we received the email again (thanks Paul!). It is definitely worth viewing – and wondering – if the events happened as outlined, or if this is some sort of email “hoax” and the events are quite as fascinating. Anybody have more insight on this story?

Here is the original –

A recently retired New York man wanted to use his retirement funds wisely, decided to buy a home and a few acres in Portugal.

The barn

The modest farmhouse had been vacant for 15 years; the owner and wife
Both had died, and there were no heirs.

The estate was being sold to pay back taxes.. There had been several lookers, but the large barn had steel doors, and they had been welded shut. No one wanted to go to the extra expense to see what was in the barn, and it wasn’t complimentary to the property anyway… So, no one made an offer on t he place.

The New York gentleman bought it as is, paying just over half of the property’s worth; moved in, and set about to access the barn….. Curiosity was killing him.

So, he and his wife bought a generator and a couple of grinders… And cut thru the welds.

What was in the barn…?

The Barn

Inside the barn

The doors were welded shut, but a grinder took care of that.
A warehouse full of vintage high performance cars!!!

various cars….incredible

Opel GT, Lotus Elan FHC, Lotus Super Seven Series IV, Lotus Elan DHC.

…and more.

Porsche 356, Austin Healey Sprite MkII, Volvo PV 544, Ford Y?

and more….

Giulietta Sprint, Giulia Sprint Speciale (SS), Nash Metropolitan.

…more….

Alfa Giulietta, Lotus Europa, another Lotus Elan FHC, Matra Djet?

more….cars and dust and dirt.

Lancia Flaminia Coup

dirty beauty

Abarth 1300 Scorpione

Abarth

Interior of Alfa Romeo

alfa’s…

Lancia Flaminia Coup, Peugeot 504 cabriolet & 404 cabriolet.

and more and more….

Mini, Alfa 1900 Super Sprint, Balilla.

too many to count

Fiat Topolino II, Triumph TR4, Peugeot 202.

lines of cars.

BMW V8, Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes, Austin A30.
Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes, Austin A30.

Amazing!

Total value of all vehicles over 35 Million!
The man and his wife had full title to the complete lot of vehicles.

They’re having a great retirement!