All of the world's Ferrari 250 GTOs and Cobra Daytonas may be accounted for, but there are plenty of other classic cars left to be discovered. Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing left out there. We've heard enough reliable and tantalising tales to know that not to be true. Here are our top ten tips on how to unearth hidden treasures:
1. Look out for open garage doors - especially at weekends and on summer evenings when householders are more likely to be outside doing DIY or gardening. You'd be amazed at some of the things you can spot. Just last month during an after-dinner dog walk Russ Smith from our sister newspaper Classic Car Weekly chanced upon a Lotus Elan +2 less than 400 yards from his house. Apparently it's been there for years, but sadly it isn't for sale. At the moment.
2. Both local papers and the internet are good sources of information for when on-site house clearance sales are being held. Look especially for anything involving farms or larger rural properties, and the word 'deceased'. You won't be making the discovery of anything that might be lurking in barns or garages, but may put yourself at the head of the car enthusiast pack and be the first to know the value of what you find there.
3. Let your classic do the talking. You already know what a conversation starter it is, so use that when you head out searching. Stop in prominent places where people will be, like outside village shops, or during lunchtimes or evenings outside our dwindling supply of rural pubs. And when you do get people talking, drop into the conversation that you are interested in finding other old cars.
4. At risk of sounding obvious, look for clues. Older cars, either sat gathering dust or even still in use, outside a given property is often indicative of further machinery parked indoors, especially where farm buildings are involved. Even incongruous collectibles like an old phone box or rusty petrol pump can point to there being more to be found in those barns than tractor attachments and bags of feed.
5. You can do a fair bit of groundwork from the comfort of your home (or, ahem, office) computer before setting off on your vintage tin hunt. Zoom in on those remote, farmy areas using Google Earth or bing.com/maps. The resolution isn't great, but if you see a row or random collection of vehicles where you don't expect one, that has to be a spot that's worthy of further investigation.
6. While you're at the screen, monitor online auctions, classified ad sites and forums. Anything classic with an apparently low asking price and 'for spares or restoration' is worth following up. And always watch forr the magic 'bereavement' word. Even if that particular car doesn't turn out to be of great interest, it may be just one of a collection of cars, and the seller may also be tapped into other old cars in their area - never pass up a chance to gather information. People like to talk.
7. Take a look behind long-established general garages and vehicle repair workshops, more so if you know or have heard them to be classic friendly. Interesting cars are often retained in lieu of non-payment for repair work and then left to just rot. Often with the best of intentions. Garage owners are also well-known for putting stuff away for themselves as a planned retirement project or to fill quiet moments that never materialise. A DB5 project recently came to market after just such a garage owner died. Where possible find out who owns the land - never trespass on private property.
8. Take your classic to some of those displays that are held as part of larger events like country shows, fetes and so on, and stay with it in an easy-to-chat position. you shouldhave a fairly non-specialist audience, and for every 50-or-so 'I had one of those' type comments, there may just be an 'I/my dad/uncle/brother-in-law/neighbour has one like that mouldering away that I've/they've never got round to.' Russ has bagged a whole car that way.
9. At the risk of sounding a bit devious and cynical is something that really requires ownership of a decent SLR camera. You may find people talk more openly if you pose as a photographer wanting to take photos of cars in barns and happy to reveal their secret locations (like you would anyway!). No harm, then, in leaving a card on your way out and saying 'Thanks, and if you ever do decide to sell...'
10. This may sound a bit old-school, but remember the kind of people you are trying to encounter may be just that. Place a 'wanted' ad in specialist rural interest and/or local press for old vehicles or parts thereof. It only takes one hit...
Dos and Don’ts
DO gain permission from the owner before you venture on their land
DO be prepared to get dirty and meet all kinds of wildlife
DO take a friend, for various safety-related reasons
DO remember to take secateurs for undergrowth and a stick for cobwebs etc
DO be realistic about finds – it that car really worth saving or will a photo do?
DON’T trespass, however tempting that barn just a few yards away looks
DON’T take photos on private land without the owner’s permission
DON’T mislead the owner about your intentions or the car’s value
DON’T interfere with probate – you could get into a lot of trouble
DON’T expect to find exotics, it’s rare. Be happy with A30s and Minors!