The Cobra in the Barn: Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology

in the barn

by Tom Cotter

It’s the fantasy of every car Pull a tarp off a pile in a barn, or hear a farmer say ""there’s an old car out back"" and discover a classic collectible such as a Hemi ?Cuda, a rare Porsche, or a Jaguar E-Type racer. Many such tales told during enthusiasts’ bench racing sessions are urban myths. But this book is full of true tales of rare gems pulled out of haystacks or junkyards?and there are before and after photos to prove it! Author Tom Cotter uses his engaging writing style in telling the tales of found Cobras, a rare Delehaye found disassembled in Czechoslovakia that eventually won Best in Show at Pebble Beach, a Ferrari racer found in a California woodchip pile, and several more. Cotter traces the early histories of the cars, how they were discovered, and where they are today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Cars

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2005

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around 45 rather brief stories of people who have found old abandoned cars in various barns, garages and yards. It is amazing what is out the waiting to be discovered. An ok book for car buffs.

[Brian Grouhel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book full of short discovery stories! Imagine looking into a barn or other such old building and seeing a long neglected AC Cobra or an Austin Healy or even a forgotten Mustang, what would we do! Probably think about buying it and fixing it up! This book is all about that and if you like cars then this is a good read! I enjoyed it so much that I am starting the next one in the series!

[Garry Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Tom's writing style and sense of discovery as you pour through each page.

[Andy Littleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stories, just ok writing for the most part. Great book to keep on a coffee table.

[Scomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve recently read the book The Cobra in the Barn by Tom Cotter. The book was first Published in 2005 by MBI Publishing Company. The book is full of different stories of people finding rare cars in unexpected places. Most of these places are old barns hence the name in the barn, but there also cars behind mechanic shops, gunk yards, garages and one was even in a bed room. These stories took place all over the country from California to Georgia and up to New York. Most of the cars are Shelby Cobras, but there are also other Shelby creations like 60s GT350 and GT500 mustangs. There are also a Ferrari, Jaguar, MGs, some woodys and some old race cars from 60s and 50s.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is into car collecting or would like to get into car collecting. It gives you ideas on how to start finding cars for your self to start projects. I also just enjoyed the book because it make you think your also alone for the ride finding old rare cars.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short pieces, each three or four pages long. Each one tells the story of a car that was tucked away, forgotten, for many years, but that eventually saw the light of day again when an enthusiast found it and managed to convince its owner to sell. The book is filled with color snapshots showing cars as they were found and after they were restored. As a gearhead, I sometimes wished for more details about what went into restoring the cars, but the book does a good job capturing the emotions involved in finding something rare and special, but neglected, and reviving it.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magical stories of finding elusive rare automotive treasures. At times the book becomes a little long in the tooth. However, having personal experience in finding barn cars (1960 Buick LeSabre
1950 Ford Custom and a 1961 Lincoln) getting them up on their tires and driving them rates amongst finest car sagas I ever had.

[Jon Pumroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite liked it.