'32 Ford Truck

In '57, Charles Bowman started moving his collection of Fords to a new property at a rate of 1 vehicle per day. Even back then, the process took almost 3 months! Buildings were added onto multi-directionally as more units were purchased over the years. After his death in the '99, hundreds of cars and tens of thousands of parts went to probate - where they remained for about a year and a half.

Having been fortunate enough to purchase cars and parts from Charles over several years, dozens of trips were made going through what was amassed. Ultimately, his 3 sons left with the daunting task of inventorying & selling lost patience. Their slower-than-molasses-in-January idea of unburying proved too slow going. An absolute auction was held, estate liquidated. This B was photographed the first time it saw sunlight in 41 years. It was in the "worst" condition of any of the trucks kept indoors. Not bad for 99% rust free.

NOS Indian pistons

Last time a bunch of NOS Indian Chief pistons with original boxes were seen together? Well, it may have been in '51!

'58 Goggomobil T400

This diminutive microcar is indeed a great find. The little German rear engined 2 cylinder sedan score has logged a mere 8084 miles since new! Being tucked away for years no doubt enabled original paint and a wonderful interior condition to survive well. Only 1200-1500 Goggomobils were sold per year in the US from '58-'61. US market received the "big block" desirable 392cc engine, or 400 designation and are highly sought after. Bumper overriders, turn signal lenses, big headlights, separate oil tank, and pre-gear select transmission are all indicators of an early US market car.

Inspiration 2

How many camouflaged rusting relics can you spot after enlarging panorama?

This old yard closed in '72. By '75, over 1700 cars were scrapped, leaving about 200 of the most complete or most interesting at the time. Pretty much untouched property since.

'60 Buick LeSabre Bubbletop

4 doors and sedans dominate market; 2 door coupes - not so much. This TX find has no rot, having been stored indoors for a couple decades. Rear driver quarter has a softball size dent, rest of body is straight. Missing front bumper has been replaced with a good replatable core. Radiator has been stolen. Great base for a mild custom with this bubbletop's sweeping lines.

'56 Cadillac Eldorado Seville

Pretty damn nice original TX survivor - absolutely no rust, straight as an arrow, 100% complete, and running. Perfect restoration candidate. This one has sold.

'41 Indian Sport Scout

This attractive 45ci skirted civilian model 641 is at least under cover, procured for a future generation's enjoyment.

'59 Dodge Custom Royal Convertible

Two friends went on together to give this rare Dodge Lance a frame off restoration. Beautiful (albeit dusty) in triple black. Even though 984 were made in '59, few were fitted with the new 383 D-500 option which boasts 345 horsepower.

'40 Ford Tudor

South Texas sedan awaiting new life as a hot rod. Si.

'53 Buick Special woodie

Pretty complete running, driving '53. Acquired with light surface rust throughout, the body was blasted with walnut shells and a coat of epoxy applied as a preventative for further deterioration. Original wood is completely dried out with fair patina. Went through brakes, added new tires, and take to cruise nights regularly. Has 5 Buick wire wheels. Beauty of this woodie wagon? It can be used as is or restored. 

'61 Chrysler New Yorker

100% complete uncommon 2D for restoration. Hasn't seen light of day in 20 years, when tucked away from the elements for safekeeping. Trunk floor has rust and there are holes peppering the front floors. Body is straight, no evidence of ever having accident damage. Impressive astradome dashboard assembly!

Harley Davidson Knuckleheads

Daytona, '94 - Volusia County swap meet. Asking prices seemed preposterous at the time. Both FL mills, both had original case numbers. One of them had 45FLxxxx. There were like what, only 200 navy bikes made in 1945? They were $5k and $5500. Whoops!

'59 Cadillac limousine

This monstrous finned chromasaurus was saved in the 11th hour from a date with the crusher. Good thing too! Underneath the TX sunburned paint is a fairly straight body with minimal rust. Windshield and front floors are the two largest areas of concern for this Series 75 informal (non-divider) limo.

'54 Chevy 210 Handyman

Considered a 'sleeper' when compared to the popularity (and prices) of Tri5s, this super solid NM tin woodie wagon peacefully awaits more attention. Still boasting original paint, it's mid-line model trim rests on the front seat. Another candidate best suited for preserved genuine status.

'56 Vespa Ape AB4T

Came across this rare (late) faro basso Vespa in upstate NY where it had sit undisturbed for years after being acquired at Hershey. Took another decade to buy...and little more than cleaning points & setting timing to run.

This old soldier proudly wears battle scars. Too cool original patina to restore. Count on one hand how many fenderlight Vespa Apes are in the US. How many of you can hank crank your scooter?

'60 Cadillac truck

 Fun concept crudely executed. What started out as a rust free NM 6 window Sedan DeVille ended up as a quirky Cadamino. Unfinished project with a solid platform where the vision should be followed through. Can you say bubbletop..?

Ford A & B

Another shot of what Bowman's hidden Ford-saturated property used to look like.

'49 Flxible Buick combination

This all unrestored funeral coach is in exceptionally clean original shape. Technically speaking it is a limo-style (windows all the way around) combination hearse/ambulance. This Buick has both rollers for casket duty and jump seats for attendants, dependent on duty. '49 happened to debut an impressive design change for Flxible - it was the first year that the cowl and waistline were not raised an additional 6". The now body flowed without looking chunky, err *cough cough* more "dignified". Flxible built 403 Buick Roadmaster based professional cars in '49 and in combination form this rare survivor had a list price of $6,060.

This example would benefit from having a piece of flat glass replaced and a serious detailing to enjoy in preserved original condition. It sits on a relative's property of the owner. The owner acquired it from a noted hearse dealer in '97, who has never provided the title. It has been kept roadworthy and rented for a couple movie shoots although it mainly sits unloved.

Harley 45 bobber

Pleasant surprise rounding a corner on a property and seeing this old stripped down 45. No title didn't deter interest either. Cool period flathead last plated in the early '60s.

'58 BMW Isetta Cabriolet

Heard a person bragging about stumbling across this bubblecar. How he brow beat the owner over price; how eventually he would wear the owner down. Buyers like him are time-sucking scumbags through and through - so a lesson was in order.

Not knowing the exact location but knowing the county this Isetta was in 2.5 hours away, a road trip hatched. Took a mere 20 minutes to track down once in area using visual references - a record! Owner had moved to the property from out of state in 1976 and the Isetta had been on blocks in the barn since, out of sight from the road. Owner explained that he could not sell, for he had given it to his son years ago. The son lived 2k miles away. Once the son was on the phone, there was no negotiating required. They took the initial offer. If a fair offer is made, both buyer and seller walk away pleased. This was one such instance.

Trailered away a low mileage completely rust-free original Isetta convertible. Bonus? Happened to be loaded with rare original accessories - exterior roof rack, interior roof rack, trim rings, splash guards, tailpipe embellishment, even an ashtray. Engine turned too. Only took points, condenser, and a battery to run.

Vintage Dirt Tracker

Another unit from the famous Bowman collection. This old Ford coupe probably has intriguing stores to tell. Makes one want to go through mechanically and rock cosmetics as-is.

'50 Buick Special woodie

 Woodie wagons have a cult following. This TX '50 has a lot going for it at a fraction of market prices. Super solid, engine runs, all trim present, new WWW tires... Take a $3500 flier and buy a wood kit.

'41 Buick Special Sedanette

Last plated in '59, this pre-war fastback has survived well secluded on a dry TX ranch. If every vehicle found was as rust-free and close to being complete...

'59 Vespa GL150

Although perhaps not low in production figures, the first series round headlight GL never came to the US market - which makes it very infrequently seen here. GLs shared improved suspension and handling with 10" wheels with their higher performance GS counterpart. This example runs and shifts smoothly and even has a few chic period accessories.

'56 Porsche Speedster

Untouched original even sporting an uber rare accessory factory hardtop - no fake 356 roadster here! Seems it needs more attention than the current dust collecting state.

'46 Hudson pickup

Older restoration with weak paint. Rust free, runs & drives, TX Big Boy Pickup truck. Hasn't been used regularly in a few years.

'41 Plymouth Sedan Delivery

Roughly 3200 Plymouth sedan deliveries were made in 1941 - the last year for them. Scarcely seen today, sedan deliveries didn't survive well and are among the rarest Plymouths. They were built as work vehicles and run into the ground. TX steel right here.

'30s Harley Davidson tank

Original paint rear fender mounted auxiliary gas tank from a Canadian police unit. Imagine being remote enough that both tanks were actually needed and realize how rare this HD part is.

'41 Ford Deluxe

Typical rot-free TX sunburned condition front clip. Take it home for $650.

'55 Vespa 125

Running early faro basso Vespa *loaded* with original period accessories for that chic low speed style.

'57 Imperial convertible

Gut feeling this rare Mopar will end up in Scandinavia.

'56 Packard Clipper

Arguably the most desired kustom taillight still attached to a TX junkyard Packard in '11...

'64 VW 21-window bus

 

The Deluxe Bus that got away... Still tough to swallow after a decade.

Found this barn fresh all original Samba in OH. Hadn't seen the light of day since '72, having only logged 57k miles. Loaded with options and original Empi accessories - this was one sweet splittie!

The owner had the task of clearing dozens upon dozens of his father's cars. The '64 was pinned in by a couple tons of junk in addition to 7-8 inop vehicles and 2 tractors. In other words, it wasn't leaving anytime soon. Came to an agreement and left a $500 deposit. Called monthly to check progress and stopped in periodically over the next 16 months with virtually nothing done. Offers of manual labor were repeatedly rebuffed. Then one unannounced visit the bus was gone! Owner explained someone drove up 3 hours to buy another car and when the '64 Deluxe was spotted, he immediately changed gears. He was leaving with that bus. Ended up offering more money - which can't be faulted. However, that owner had an obligation to call when it was going down and relay the situation. No opportunity was given to match price and the owner was the only reason the bus was still there in the first place.

Lesson learned the hard way.

'32 Ford pick up

One of over 300 vintage Fords that came out of the famous Charles Bowman hoard. When he moved to this property back in 1957, it took him over 3 months transporting one car a day to the new location. Original paint prewar Henry steel lined all available barn, outbuilding, and lean-to spaces. Charles was a visionary in his own right.