The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) is always difficult to navigate due to the number of enthusiasts who turn out; the largest crowd there can be found at the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems display. Ryan Brutt, he of the “Automotive Archeologist” persuasion, is the curator of this aggregation of forlorn performance cars. Whether it’s the thrill of the chase, an urge to prove the adage, “They’re still out there,” or you simply enjoy seeing the potential that lies within, barn finds and other automotive discoveries are an exciting component of the hobby.
Trailering a car and staying at a hotel can get quite expensive, yet you’d be surprised by the number of folks vying for space at Barn Finds and Hidden Gems at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Considering some of the vehicles in the display aren’t properly functioning, there are even more things to fuss about for some owners, but all that pales in comparison to the fantasy on display.
These are all the cars in the Barn Finds and Hidden Gems display. For more MCACN coverage, just follow the lede above.
In 1965, the “W29” 4-4-2 package was available on several F-85 and Cutlass models. This F-85 Club Coupe is one of 1,087 built. By 1969, the 4-4-2 was in its second year of being its own model.
A 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is a dream car for many, while a 1968 Plymouth Satellite convertible is more off the beaten path.
Dig the Cragars on the 1965 Buick Gran Sport, a stark difference from the 1969 “A12” Dodge Super Bee, which came with no wheel covers at all.
The 310-horsepower 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 was an insurance-busting package based on the F-85 or Cutlass S. The 350/325 W-31 package also was based on the same models, but it was the real deal, a small-block that had a penchant for upstaging big-blocks.
You can’t beat a ’65 Goat. The 1979 Hurst/Olds was only available in black/gold or white/gold.
The Plum Crazy 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T is a 440 Six Pack car. The 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible is powered by a 383. Both were brought to MCACN by Mopars5150.
Both these Super/Stock vehicles were built with assistance from Hurst. Note the 1969 nose on the ’68 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda, while the 1969 AMX had not been updated back in the day.
