barn find in the barn

[austinsailor]

Got an email today, seems my reputation for old mopars has spread. There is a 39 Plymouth coupe in a barn not so far from here and he wants it gone. I'm waiting on a call from the new owner of the barn. Do I need it? NO! Would I haul it home? Certainly. Wife has already approved, so what can I do if we agree on a price?

Been where you see it for 40 years. Bent up fenders, but don't see any rust on the bottom edges of any of it, except maybe the back below the taillights. Driver's door bent up, no telling what the inside looks like. I assume it has a motor and drive train, no telling what shape.

I'm sure there is no title, it would be filing for an abandoned title or bonded title.

By the way, what would you offer?

[old-idaho-iron]

That is a 40 Plymouth not a 39, and it does look pretty solid. Why can't i find stuff like this???

[austinsailor]

I kind of thought it looked like a 40, but can't see the front so wasn't sure. I guess a quick internet search would have cleared it up. 39 - teardrop shaped fenders. 40, much more squared off. Not sure either I nor the guy whose barn it is in cares - I'd still haul it home!

My first car was a 40 Plymouth (moredoor) so it'll seem like 50 years ago!

Oh, and Mr. Idaho, I thought you guys had all sorts of rust free stuff!

[Flatie46]

Wow! I think you need to invest in a lottery ticket while your on a roll. My hats off to the wife also. It'd be hard for me to say what I'd think it was worth not seeing the floor and trunk inside. Of course it's worth more to a Plymouth connoisseur than the junk man. I'd shoot a low offer off the bat if your thinking they just want it gone. Deal directly with the man that owns it though. I filed for a certificate of ownership on the last project and got a title, not sure if it's the same in your state.

[james curl]

Boy I hope the frame doesn't pull apart when you pull it out, it appears from the cracks in the dirt that it has seen some serious water at some point. I have a friend who has a large closed metal building with a dirt floor and he has ruined several desirable cars. When he tries to pull them out the frames come apart from all of the rust due to sitting on a wet dirt floor.

[T120]

Boy I hope the frame doesn't pull apart when you pull it out, it appears from the cracks in the dirt that it has seen some serious water at some point. I have a friend who has a large closed metal building with a dirt floor and he has ruined several desirable cars. When he tries to pull them out the frames come apart from all of the rust due to sitting on a wet dirt floor.

I would go along with Jame's evaluation - Mississippi flood?..Don't want to pour rain on anyone's parade..That said, not a car I would get too excited about,neither buying nor hauling home - from your photos.Hopefully on closer inspection,you may find there is some value for the car other than parts,but in either case I wouldn't be prepared to pay very much for this car.

[austinsailor]

Haven't heard from the guy yet, so who knows? May never get a chance to look.

But - the sheet metal looks reasonably good, and I have other drive trains, and can probably find other parts. The coupe body and metal should have some value, even if it went on a newer chassis.

The car is near a town that sits on the Missouri River. Whether or not it's within the flooded area from '93 is hard to say at this point, but it shouldn't be hard to tell in person.

Certainly worth driving 30 miles for a look.

[old-idaho-iron]

If it were me I would jump on it in a heartbeat! Despite some of the other members comments, it is still a prewar coupe. And it appears to be in pretty decent shape. Your right Austinsailor, Idaho does have alot of rust free or nearly rust free projects. But I think no matter where you are at, a coupe is still a pretty good find. It is definitely better looking then any of the Plymouth coupes I've drug home for sure. Here's hoping that you can get it for a song, if they just want it out of there.Good luck!!

[Frank Elder]

Haven't heard from the guy yet, so who knows? May never get a chance to look.

But - the sheet metal looks reasonably good, and I have other drive trains, and can probably find other parts. The coupe body and metal should have some value, even if it went on a newer chassis.

The car is near a town that sits on the Missouri River. Whether or not it's within the flooded area from '93 is hard to say at this point, but it shouldn't be hard to tell in person.

Certainly worth driving 30 miles for a look.

How about the flooded area in 2011? You know the flood caused by the army corp of engineers.......

Edited August 21, 2012 by FRANKIE47

[austinsailor]

I'm going to look at it tonight. He says it's just mud that washed in, we'll see.

Here's something interesting. It was driven in and parked 40 years ago - with a set of brand new tires on it. Still has the little rubber deals on the tread.

I told him it might be stuck. He says, no, he doesn't think so - the guy drove it in. Well, he has a bit to learn, huh?

He's aired the tires, put it on a trailer and hauled it to his parent's house.

More to come.

[Young Ed]

I'm going to look at it tonight. He says it's just mud that washed in, we'll see.

Here's something interesting. It was driven in and parked 40 years ago - with a set of brand new tires on it. Still has the little rubber deals on the tread.

I told him it might be stuck. He says, no, he doesn't think so - the guy drove it in. Well, he has a bit to learn, huh?

He's aired the tires, put it on a trailer and hauled it to his parent's house.

More to come.

Unless he drug it onto the trailer with the wheels not turning I'd say thats a good sign that it wasn't exposed to too much water.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I gather this is no longer a barn fine if it has been removed and on the guys trailer at his parents house..

[austinsailor]

I guess it's now a barn found?

And I screwed up - my B1B has barn find as it's license #. Guess I'll have to see if barn found is available! :<)

[Plymouthy Adams]

go with: barnfind2

[Robert Smith]

Wow, a '40 Plymouth biz coupe! That's a rare find!

She looks like she has spot lamps that were broken by random visitors over the last 40 years. I wonder who puts new tires on a car 40 years ago and leaves it never to drive it again? And they were WHITE WALLS!

Curious, does the guy have the hub caps? Maybe they're in the car. I'm curious to see the interior… Most likely it's in poor shape, yet it must have not been in the sun so, the plastic knobs and such could be in fair shape.

Keep us posted, like to know the overall condition! Post some photos of the interior if you can after you see it!

[Flatie46]

That's good if it's on a trailer, you'll probably get a better view of the floor and frame. I'd be really proud of it if it isn't stuck after sitting for 40yrs but it's possible I guess. I'd say the oil in the pan is pretty thick and sticky.

[1flipdog]

My father bought a new 1940 Pontiac, drove it home, jacked it up and put it on blocks. He said he was afraid you wouldn't be able to buy any cars during the war. He was right. Started driving it in 1947. He never bought another new car because he was waiting for the prices to come back down. That has never happened.

[RobertKB]

Good luck with the '40. Can't go wrong if you can get it cheaply. Even as a parts car you will make money. Hopefully it is better than that, but if not, parts cars live on in other people's projects. Hopefully the guy hasn't been watching too much Barrett-Jackson. We need pictures whatever happens!

[DCurrent]

To me that barn just doesn't look 40 years old. It just looks like a pole barn and I don't think they have been around all that long. I could be wrong though. Ever since I was bitten by the Plymouth bug I sure have kept my eyes open for such finds. I am aware of a 1936 plymouth basket case that the guy has lost interest in. I've thought about going and taking a look, but I'm not sure I need another project. I haven't got a clue what he might want for it or what it's worth.

Darren

[austinsailor]

Saw it. One word - ROUGH!

Every panal has been bent by cows. Everything on it is cow s***. Floors gone, I did manage to turn the motor a few degrees with great force.

It has two things going for it.

1. It's a coupe.

2. Steering is tight.

I offered $500, he wants $2200.

It was a lucky night, though. My wife is lucky, we don't have another car. (Yet!)

I lost one of the ramps from my Featherlite trailer on the way over (a 40 mile trip). Found it on the way home along I-70 with heavy traffic 1 1/2 hours later!

[Niel Hoback]

He must have been watching B-J auctions on tv. Or he's got something really good to smoke.

[Plymouthy Adams]

2200.00 didn't know you were in my neck of the woods..should have stopped by for coffee..

[Flatie46]

Yep, that's what the asking price would have been here before the economy took a dip. The price of projects have dropped.

[austinsailor]

Ok, so it's pictures you want? I'm home now (with my ramp!) so here you go:

[austinsailor]

second set