'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.

'53 BMW R25/2

All original down to the '53 Fulda tires that have no dry rot - with remnants of pinstripes amidst little character building bumps and bruises. Consistently starts second kick. Great around town over-engineered Teutonic bike.

Once when parking to eat sushi, two yuppie chodes pulled up and parked beside in a (then new) BMW Z Roadster. They immediately joked about "added BMW badges" and asked what it really was, since BMW hasn't made motorcycles that long. After a correction making motorcycles since 1923 - the joke quickly reversed. Then the tone changed.

"Do you want to sell it?"

"No."

"When are you going to restore it?"

"Never."

"Why not?"

"Because mechanically this bike is aces. Things are only original once. Any dipshit lacking discipline with too much money can restore something."

'75 Daystar motorhome

Included as it appears older. Amazing old world craftsmanship evident in the full teak interior. This Daystar is 1 of 16 ever made. Owner's uncle won it in a poker game back in '76. Actually, he won a Cessna - then proceeded to fly the plane having never done so. And drunk. Crashed the plane attempting to take off, then traded the Cessna for the Daystar. All in ONE night!

Still runs. Could use some refreshing after a homeless man called it home for a spell.

'61 Cadillac limo

Series 75 formal (divider window) limousine set against a rising moon suffers mainly from some broken side glass by vandals. All that it took to get this TX Caddy running was a water pump, battery, and points cleaning.

Indian forks

Ever wonder why you never see original Indian leaf spring front ends at vintage swap meets? Why there is a proliferation of replicas on the market? Stop losing sleep over it.

'60 Pontiac Catalina Bubbletop

Makes one wonder what was going through the mind of this yard operator to stack crap on top of a 2D hardtop. NM steel worth saving. Would look great as a mild kustom.

'50 BSA C11

 

Sandwiched between a BMW R50 and BMW R60/2, in a dimly lit shed, under a pile of steering columns, sits this intact original dark red Brit 250cc.

'60 Airstream Pacer

Only 99 examples were built in 1960. This 16' Pacer is the precursor to the ever-popular Bambi model that was introduced in 1961. Stalled restoration project that was awesome to stumble across.

'31 Ford Vicky

Super dry TX builder. '31 is the first year for Ford Victoria. Infrequently seen enough that some have converted others wanting this rear body line. This example is completely rot-free and comes with spares. Only hurdle is deteriorated wood around rear window that would be replaced anyway. Primo candidate for a period correct traditional rod available reasonably.

'32 Ford Cabriolet

Say ROUGH x3. Still, original '32 Henry steel - not reproduction. This will take a skilled metalworker. Well worth bringing back for someone in the market for a Deuce. All convertible specific components are present too. Squint and see a traditional highboy...at least the grill shell and firewall don't need work.