Everyone has heard the mythical sounding stories of how some guy stumbles upon a classic car that had been sitting in a barn, or garage, untouched for decades and buys it from for a ridiculously low price. Things like that never happen in real life, right? Maybe. Maybe not.
Several years ago, I discovered a friend of mine had a 1957 Chevy Bel Air sitting in his garage. I got really excited that someone I knew owned such a cool, old car!
I found out that he had owned it for about twenty five years. It stopped running shortly after he had it “re-done”, and it was still sitting untouched in his garage. He invited me to come look at it and take some pictures. I had a great time! I kinda of felt like Indiana Jones finding a lost treasure and then leaving it hidden!
Recently, I asked my friend if he still had the Chevy.
He told me that he was preparing to sell his house and needed to get the car out of the garage. He offered to sell me the Bel Air for a price so low I would be able to pay cash for it! Being the responsible husband I am, I quickly consulted My Beautiful Wife about purchasing the car. She agreed I should buy the Bel Air. So, I did!
The Bel Air still has the original straight six engine.
It hasn’t been started in almost three decades, but between me, my brother-in-law, my son, and the internet, I’m sure we can get it back on the road. I feel quite blessed to have a project car like this. Will it ever be a show car? I doubt it. Will my family, and I, enjoy it? Oh, yeah!
(The next question was how to get it from the Kansas City area to Waco, Texas. But that’s a whole different story!)
Father, thank you for allowing me to have a hobby I can share with my family and others. Help me to keep you, and my family, as my priorities and not allow it to come between us.
What would you do with this “barn find?” Have you ever discovered what you would consider a hidden treasure? What did you do? Would you do it again? Share your thoughts in the comment area.
