Barn Find Sells for a Whopping $90,000 at Mecum Florida
Yes, we know. “Barnfind” is the most abused word in the car-world but dammit, what’s better than seeing some classic grails unearthed for the first time in decades? Im always struck with a feeling of disgust that someone could have neglected these cars so poorly but i’m also glad that they were found and that they’ll have a chance at second life.
Photo:Mecum
Here is one that will wound up at the Mecum Auto Auction in Florida last month.
Mecum describes the vehicle as:
“The Dodge 440 Magnum engine, which was only offered in the Daytona and R/T versions of the 1969 Charger, is original to the car, complete with many never-replaced peripherals. Behind this is a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic and 8 ¾ differential. Again, none of this has been altered since the car was retrieved. What makes this Daytona especially appealing are its interior options, which include headrest-equipped bucket seats, factory-chromed floor shifter in a center console, dash cluster with clock/tach assembly and more. Door-mount stereo speakers were added to the factory radio at one point, and the interior has been stabilized but remains as found. To homologate the Daytona body for NASCAR, Dodge was required to build 500 units; they built just 503 of these cars. The story of its discovery was recently relayed in the pages of “Mopar Muscle” magazine, and you will have the possibility to take ownership of this true time capsule, either to preserve in legacy or restore to like-new condition.”
Photo:Mecum
Glenwood, Alabama barn find
One of 503 produced
Two owner car
Matching numbers 440 CI engine
Automatic transmission
Original Red with White wing
Custom flames painted on nose cone
Black bucket seats and center console
Featured in November, 2015 issue of Mopar Muscle
Photo:Mecum
The original owner was apparently a judge in a small town and had purchased the Daytona for his wife In 1974. When it came time for the judge to sell it, he took it back to the local dealership he purchased it at,and asked them for help in selling the car.
Photo:Mecum
The second owner snatched it up for a paltry $1,800 bucks. The 18 year old owner wanted his Daytona to have a little flair so he could turn some heads at the upcoming Spring Break in Panama City. Soon he had the car painted with those wild flames that remain on the nose cone to this very day.
Photo:Mecum
It remained on the owner’s property till late last year when it was sold to a man named Charlie Lyons who discovered this car sitting in the man’s barn after hearing rumors about it’s existence. While he didn’t discuss what he bought it for, he recently sold it at suction for $90,000.
Photo:Mecum
The old owner said that the car ran till 4 years ago(I doubt it) and he said he used to drive it around the farm and park it in different spots depending on the weather. The damage to the front was caused when he bonked into the farm truck. After that, he never started it again.
Photo:Mecum
The new owner hoped to get $150,000 or more at the Mecum auction, but fell short of his expectations, but still crushed it by selling the Daytona for $90,000. Not bad for a beat to hell car neglected for decades.
Photo:Mecum
