Wherever I go in the world, my eyes are always on silent prowl for cool cars that may be forgotten, but not gone. Cars marooned and neglected on driveways or in carports or just parked in front of some house, looking forlorn. My missions are likely much the same as yours are; I just enjoy looking at or photographing forgotten hardware, or sometimes I’m interested in buying for myself or to rehab and resell. It’s all fair game.
Early Beetles are now genuine collectibles, and this one looks all there.
Naturally, the increase in the popularity of the collector car hobby has changed a lot since the proliferation of the internet, and car hobby television, such as collector car auction coverage, and shows like Chasing Classic Cars. Plus the whole barnhunter barnfinder phenom. But I still see great stuff just sitting, no matter where I go. It’s not only fun but I’ve met some interesting folks in the process, and scored a great deal or two along the way.
This quarter window Chevy half ton sits on the same property as does the Beetle above. I’m betting there are younger enthusiasts who would also want this Acura Integra too.
If you choose to actively play the driveway hunter game, there are a few rules of the road.
Don’t drive around the blocked a hundred times or you begin to look like a stalker, which you sort of are, but not in a human or malicious way.
Don’t laugh; there is demand for these early 80s El Caminos. Other than the light shot this one’s taken in the nose, the body is straight, and judging from the front spoiler and stripes on the sides, it could be an SS. If not yet a collectible in your book, they’ll at least haul stuff around in the bed while driving more like a car than a truck.
I’ve left notes on windshields, and knocked on doors. Both methods have worked for me, but the latter is best. You might be met with the metaphorical “growling dog and shotgun” welcome by someone who knows nothing about the car or if its absolutely NOT for sale and the person you run into is tired of being asked about it.
Often, you’ll get “well, that used to belong to my ex father in law, and we were just thinking about selling it.” Be cool, and don’t seem too over anxious. I usually drive something modest when I’m out on prowl; tooling up in your black Bentley or a howling Lambo won’t usually engender their sympathetic response and incentive to give you a great deal. Even if the vehicle is filthy, covered with leaves and sitting on four flats, don’t pick it apart too hard or two quickly, because even if you’re right about its problems, an already defensive owner’s block walls can rise quickly if all you do is bag on his baby.
I won’t going into an entire treatise on how to negotiate for an old car, but just be cool, ask smart, but not too smart, questions. Make sure they have keys and a clear title, and all that.
One of the downsides of the growing popularity of the collector car market is that everyone thinks that every old car is a highly valuable classic. When that happens, you can try to educate them as to why “this ’41 is cool, but it’s really the ’40 that everyone wants.”
It’s also likely that they really aren’t ready to sell it right now, or their price expectations are not realistic, which is a good opp to thank them for your time and ask if you can leave them their name and number to call you when they are really ready to sell.
It’s more and more doubtful you’ll find a forgotten Ferrari in a field or a Bugatti in a barn these days, but you never know. All of the cars in these cellphone snaps were spotted less than five miles from my Los Angeles area suburban home.
This SL has obvious issues, but given the recent price increases in R107 Mercedes-Benzes, this one has value. It looks very complete including the removeable hardtop, so its eitther a parts car or a project for restoration.
Keep your eyes open and you’ll be surprised at what you find. Happy Hunting.