It’s every car enthusiast’s dream — stumbling upon a hidden garage where an old, forgotten car lies, covered in decades of dust. From high-end Ferraris to muscle car icons, these garage finds can fetch astronomical prices at auction today. While it might seem like something straight out of a movie, these incredible discoveries happen. Here’s a list of 12 rare classic cars found in abandoned garages whose worth today is mind-blowing.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider — Discovered in Paris
In 2015, a barn in the French countryside held a hidden secret — a collection of 60 classic cars. Among these gems was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, a rare beauty known for its sleek design and powerful V12 engine. The car was found under a pile of newspapers, wholly forgotten for decades. Its original owner was French actor Alain Delon, who was often photographed driving it with celebrities like Jane Fonda. The car was auctioned for a staggering $18.5 million, setting a record for the model.
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona — Alabama Discovery
2019, an incredible find was made in a dilapidated garage in rural Alabama — a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, one of only 503 ever built. The car, hidden for decades, was found by local mechanic Jack Thompson while working on a routine job. The Charger Daytona, known for its distinctive aerodynamic nose and towering rear wing, had just 30,000 miles on the odometer and was in remarkably original condition. The car was sold to a collector, Michael Reynolds, from Miami, Florida, who paid a staggering $500,000 for the rare find.
1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 — Found in Japan
When the Lamborghini Countach LP400 was introduced in 1974, it represented the cutting-edge supercar design with its futuristic, angular lines. Fast forward to 2020, and one such Countach was found in an abandoned garage in Japan, forgotten by its owner. Despite its poor condition, with rust eating away at the frame and a faded paint job, the rarity of the LP400 model ensured that it was still precious. After a complete restoration, this garage find was valued at over $1.2 million, a testament to the car’s iconic status.
1967 Shelby GT500 — The Texas Treasure
In 2018, a 1967 Shelby GT500 was found languishing in a garage in San Antonio, Texas. With its fierce reputation and powerful 428 cubic-inch V8 engine, this muscle car had been abandoned for over 30 years. The car’s previous owner, George Thompson, had stored it away in 1980, planning to restore it someday, but never got around to it. The car was sold at an auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2024. The winning bid was $250,000, made by collector Michael Johnson from Dallas, Texas. Johnson, a renowned automotive enthusiast, was thrilled to add the rare find to his collection, planning a comprehensive restoration to bring the GT500 back to its former glory.
1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante — The British Barn Find
One of the most famous barn finds in automotive history is the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, discovered in a barn in England in 2009. This car had been untouched for over 50 years and was one of only 17 ever built. The car’s sleek design and advanced engineering made it a masterpiece of pre-war automotive craftsmanship. After being unearthed, the Bugatti was sold at a high-profile auction in Geneva, where it fetched a staggering $5.6 million. With a provenance tracing back to British racing driver Earl Howe, this Bugatti’s historical importance only added to its extraordinary value.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing — Santa Monica Find
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is widely considered one of the most beautiful cars ever made, thanks to its iconic upward-opening doors. In 2017, a grimy 1957 model was discovered in a garage in Santa Monica, California, where it had sat untouched since the late 1960s. This classic beauty was found in excellent condition and was sold at auction for an astonishing $1.4 million. Its rarity, performance, and timeless design continue to make it one of the most coveted classic cars in the world.
1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda — Discovered in North Carolina
In 2017, in a small North Carolina town, a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda was discovered in a derelict garage. One of only 108 Hemi ‘Cudas produced that year, this car boasted a 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine, making it one of the most powerful muscle cars ever made. The car had been under a tarp for over 40 years, but its desirability as a high-performance legend hadn’t diminished. Despite years of neglect, the car had all the matching numbers and most of the original parts intact. It was sold at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, where it fetched an impressive $1.3 million.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — Ohio’s Lost Muscle Car
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a legend in the world of muscle cars. Only 69 were ever built, each equipped with an all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch V8 engine. In 2021, one such ZL1 was found in an abandoned garage in Cleveland, Ohio, where it had sat unused for decades. After its discovery, the Camaro was sold at a Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana, for a staggering $1.1 million. The car, still retaining its original paint and parts, drew significant attention from automotive enthusiasts and collectors alike.
1964 Aston Martin DB5 — New York Discovery
The Aston Martin DB5, best known as James Bond’s car in “Goldfinger,” is one of history’s most recognizable classic cars. The car, originally purchased by a businessman named Allan Fearnley, was hidden in a garage in Northumberland after his passing. Fearnley, a noted art dealer and classic car enthusiast, had acquired the car in the 1970s but had left it in storage when it became too valuable to drive regularly. This DB5 was notable for its near-original condition, with matching numbers and factory-spec parts. After being unearthed, Bonham’s auction house was carefully restored and sold in 2020 for a remarkable £579,000 (around $750,000).
1955 Porsche 356 Speedster — Oregon’s Hidden Treasure
In 2018, an incredible discovery was made in a garage in Portland, Oregon — a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster. The car, purchased by its owner in the late 1950s, was a rare find, retaining its original patina and mechanical parts. This 356 Speedster was equipped with a 1.5L flat-four engine, making it a prized example of Porsche’s early sports cars. The car, showing wear but still remarkably intact, was sold at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite its dusty condition, the Porsche fetched an astonishing $500,000 due to its rarity and originality. The barn finds status added significant value, as many collectors seek unrestored, authentic vehicles.
1968 Ford Mustang GT390 — Bullitt Car Found in Tennessee
The car, known for its role in the iconic Steve McQueen film Bullitt, had been untouched since the early 1980s, after its original owner, Robert Turner, died. His son, David, inherited the car but never restored it. The GT390, in Highland Green, was in excellent condition, though it needed some TLC to revive its 6.4L V8 engine. Word of the barn find spread quickly among collectors, and the Mustang was eventually sold at a local auction in Milwaukee. It fetched an impressive $85,000, with the buyer being Greg Harmon, a car enthusiast from Detroit.
1956 Maserati A6G 2000 — Found in an Italian Barn
In 2016, an extremely rare 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 was discovered in a barn in Italy. One of only 21 ever made, this Maserati was covered in dust and cobwebs, having been forgotten for decades. Despite its poor condition, the rarity of the A6G 2000 made it a highly sought-after collector’s item. In 2013, it was sold at Artcurial’s Retro mobile auction in Paris for an impressive €1.7 million. The car’s historical significance, stunning design by Zagato, and untouched originality made it highly sought after by collectors, marking it as one of the most exciting barn finds of the decade.
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
When you think of supercars, names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren often come to mind, along with their staggering price tags. However, high-performance vehicles aren’t exclusively reserved for the super-rich. There exists a sweet spot where speed, style, and (relatively) sensible pricing converge, offering thrilling rides without completely obliterating your bank account. Hop in as we explore 14 underrated supercars under $100K.
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
