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Texas Time Capsule: Five Pre-War Classics Found in a Barn
Jeff Peek, HagertyMay 6, 2015
Barn find. Arguably the most powerful, attention-grabbing two syllables in the classic car universe.
“It’s 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 … It’s like you’re in a time machine.”
Brunet should know. He recently experienced the thrill first hand. And although the discovery wasn’t 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 Motostalgia’s 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 Coupe, 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 didn’t even know they existed, and they were stored only seven miles from his shop.
The owner, Jack (who doesn’t 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 Cadillacs, Brunet said it was obvious that the collection held a special place in Jack’s 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. “It’s on the V-16 registry, but it obviously carries a V-12 engine.”
Jeff Peek, HagertyMay 6, 2015
Barn find. Arguably the most powerful, attention-grabbing two syllables in the classic car universe.
“It’s 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 … It’s like you’re in a time machine.”
Brunet should know. He recently experienced the thrill first hand. And although the discovery wasn’t 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 Motostalgia’s 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 Coupe, 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 didn’t even know they existed, and they were stored only seven miles from his shop.
The owner, Jack (who doesn’t 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 Cadillacs, Brunet said it was obvious that the collection held a special place in Jack’s 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. “It’s on the V-16 registry, but it obviously carries a V-12 engine.”
