Barn find stories.

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin) 01/11/2017 at 15:08 • Filed to: None

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Holy hell. I’m acquiring a barn find.

Sure, 35 years ago my father disassembled a 1952 MG TD, stuck it in our garage, boarded it up, then forgot about it in the divorce. My mom has said since we were little that whomever puts it back together gets it, and my siblings all agree It’s mine.

But that doesn’t really count.

Now, three years ago I was working in Virginia, talking about cars to a co-worker who didn’t know anything about cars (but her son did), when suddenly a third co-worker jumps into the conversation to talk about the car in her sisters garage. Its rare. It has extremely rare options. Its ridiculously well cared for. It has unheard-of low mileage. And due to hip replacement they dont drive it anymore. Its been parked for years. They just want it gone. They give me a price. Oh my god. I told her It’s worth three times that, doesnt matter.

So, I spent the last three years hounding my wife about this car. She finally agreed. I am buying a rare car that’s been mothballed, in showroom condition. I get to find something lost and forgotten, presumed dead by the community, and bring it back to life.

My goal is to prep it for Mecum here in Indianapolis this coming May. More details to follow as I chronicle the purchase, haul, and prep to revive.

Several have guessed correctly, so here goes: 1981 Trans Am Turbo Daytona pace car with the recaro package and a manual transmission. 50k original miles. Still has the plastic on the seats.

Mattbob > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:11

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What kind of car??????

Tareim - V8 powered > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:12

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you’re getting a what car?

atrombs > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:12

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I’m already excited for you. Can’t wait to hear what it is!

atrombs > atrombs 01/11/2017 at 15:14

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Also, If the picture you included is an accurate hint then I’m very, very excited.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:14

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The suspense is killing me

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:16

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Quit being a tease and tell us what it is.

Azrek > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:16

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Rare edition sports stripe Ford Pinto for $50? It’d be worth $150?

TheHondaBro > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:20

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If this is about a fucking Power Wheels I will figuratively kill you.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:22

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81 T/A Pacecar?

Party-vi > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:23

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Trans Am Recaro?

TheHondaBro > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:24

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V6 Accord manual?

Stapleface > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:24

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Isuzu I-mark? Seems like the only thing I can find that has those seats.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:25

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Come inside, come inside.

Stapleface > Stapleface 01/11/2017 at 15:28

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Actually no. It looks like an 81 Trans Am Pace Car.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:31

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Firebird Turbos never came with a manual transmission. It either isn’t a factory turbo or isn’t a factory manual transmission.

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:36

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Congrats! If you need any help with anything, I’m in SW Virginia (Roanoke/Blacksburg) with 24hr access to a shop. Let me know if I can help with anything.

My bird IS the word > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:38

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Manual transmission? The 301 turbo wasn’t available with a manual. Not to be nitpicky, but something to look out for.

Want to know anything, let me know. although bandit or something could probably help you better, he has done more work than me.

Party-vi > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 15:43

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The Willys had sat in a barn for two decades before I got it. It was named “Little Swamp Bitch” and blew Old Roy dog food out of the exhaust the first time we fired it up, probably because the glasspacks were a great place for rodents to store food. Here’s to your success!

PS: If anyone needs a Sears aluminum top for an early CJ I’ve still got it.

LongbowMkII > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 16:28

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Better idea: don’t sell it.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 16:38

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Barn finds are great. Just don’t daily one immediately as I did. All rubber parts and hoses will need to be replaced. Thorough fuel, cooling, clutch, and braking system look throughs. But once all parts that need replacing are gone through they’re really a good way to have an old car in decent condition

Here’s my car after my trip to Florida through several snow storms.

CaptDale - is secretly British > mkbruin, Atlas VP 01/11/2017 at 16:54

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WOW!!!!!