A Father-Son Feud Over a Bel Air with family memories: Secret Chevy | Barn Find Hunter

In this episode of "Barn Find Hunter," Tom uncovers a rare gem: a 1957 Chevy Bel Air with a history of family drama and memories of the owner's Mother. The car used to belong to his father, and the two had a falling out which resulted in the Father ultimately deciding not to pass the Car on to his Son. In an effort to keep the Car in the family, the son turned to his uncle and convinced him to purchase the Car. The son then bought the car from his uncle, ensuring that it would stay in the family and carry on its legacy. Tom's discovery of this unique vehicle is a testament to his expertise and dedication to uncovering the hidden stories behind these forgotten automotive treasures.
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[@Hagerty]

Merch is available now! barnfindhunter.myspreadshop.com

[@jasonmacneil2256]

A GTX??? SERIOUSLY? And youre SUPPOSED TO KNOW CARS!!

[@robertratliff6030]

Poor guy. Like most of the barn fines on this show, years from now the cars will still be sitting and rotting. Watching this series inspired me to sell ALL of my collector cars and all of my antique motorcycles. You just have to be realistic and realize that your never going to have the money or the capability to fix THE STUFF. Love the show, episodes like this reaffirms my decision.

[@carlosalbertogomez1391]

you're right.the "got it cheap-ill fix it later" never works

[@mindeloman]

Yeah, I had the similar experience with going to estate sales. I would see what people collected and saved for and entire life's worth and think, what was it so important to accumulate so much stuff you will never use? Caused me to take inventory of my own stuff and and starting cleaning house, so to speak. And I've definitely seen and been around the old car accumulator guys. It's so easy to find and buy a car. Many thousand times more difficult to actually have the time and resources to restore it. And with every car they buy, there is an unrealized dream. Knew a guy that had a little side gig of "selling people dreams" as he would call it. His house bordered a major state highway. So he would put an old beater out front and everyone would stop-in spurred on by a hope and a dream. And he soon realized the different personalities of people who stop and could tell which car/truck had a shot at actually being restored and which ones had no shot. It was his opinion of all the "dreams" he sold, mostly none of them ever got realized.

[@AlanShirtsink]

That’s what I was thinking as I watched it. If you don’t do them in a year, you aren’t going to do them

[@johnnyr4767]

Yea can't tell you how many farmers go to auctions and say to themselves "I could fix that up and sell it for more than I bid on it" and then they end up with dozens of old vehicles, and lawnmowers, and boats, and jetski's etc. etc. Just sad seeing stuff rot away with the owner convinced they will fix everything "in the next couple months"

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

Don't worry both of those cars will be done. Including the Dodge. I'm very busy with my business so all things in due time.

[@brianandrews7099]

Now being in my 50s and having my two cars for over 25 years, I am hitting the realization that if I don’t get going on these cars (finish one restoration and refresh another), it’s never going to happen. After years and years, they are now becoming a priority! 10 years sure goes by fast, nothing is getting any cheaper, and my energy level is decidedly moving in only one direction!

[@CarlWithACamera]

This channel is recording and preserving the history of people’s lives. Just as important as the cars themselves.

[@thejourneymen7722]

Sadly, 20 years from now, those cars will still be sitting in that barn when they should be back on the road where they belong .

[@Tmrfe0962]

Yea, unfortunately….if the dodge is not done, this’ll be on the 2031 episode of barn find hunters….

[@Tmrfe0962]

@@josephreisinger33 yup, may sound that way, but I’ve done a few cars in my day…and as this guy knows from doing them for a living, if ya don’t dig in and get it done…the project gets bigger and bigger…just sayin…

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

Won't take that long I haven't got that much time....lol

[@Tmrfe0962]

@@allclassicsrestoration1430 lol Touché…all the best!

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

I am always amazed by how many cars were obtained in decent shape and then left to rot.

[@bbrown5887]

As frustrating as it is to see beautiful classics rusting away and sometimes never restored, it is the owners to do with what they please. You don’t see U’Haul trailers behind funeral hearses for a reason but it’s the memory tied to the vehicle that they’re often hanging onto so fiercely to the point of not possible. Another great video and human interest story. Life and families are both imperfect and complicated so hats off for quality authentic content.

[@moyadapne968]

'You don’t see U’Haul trailers behind funeral hearses for a reason'. That's deep, and so correct. I know an old guy with an XKE in his garage. Won't sell, but he's on his last legs.

[@redmondjp]

Actually that's not true. Back in college I had a 1969 Cadillac M+M 42" Combination ambulance/hearse (which was painted red and white, with curtains in the windows and rear quarter glass). This inspired the apartment maintenance man where I lived to purchase a 1975 Cadillac Superior hearse, which he added a trailer hitch to and pulled a U-haul trailer with, on his way to/from arts and crafts shows with his cut and stained-glass materials that he sold. A local church pastor in that town then did a sermon on that, having seen the man quite literally pulling a U-haul trailer with a hearse! This was in the mid-1980s in Kokomo, IN.

[@jackfitzgerald6927]

This car is an off-the-frame total restore. FANTASTIC car.

[@waynecreech]

Toms Barn Find Hunter is the best thing Hagerty has going, pretty much the only thing I watch on this channel.... I hope to shake his hand one day and tell him in person.

[@Hagerty]

Thanks for being a fan!

[@rgs4x]

Unfortunately I don't think this gentleman will ever get to these cars. It's a common story.

[@38Chev572]

True, But I hope you are wrong.

[@WayApp]

This captivating story reminds us of the unique treasures we inherit from our families and the personal significance they hold.🥰

[@timhanson2080]

That 57 could be a nice car. The Chevelle need the correct front end. Both really worth saving. Thanks for the video 👍

[@stevenbrowningsr1144]

Rich, touching story about him and his car. I hate him for having two of my favorite cars. LOL! Looking forward to seeing them on the road again, soon!

[@RoverIAC]

I guy I know has 1981 Ford XD Falcon. His son was born in the car on the way to the hospital in 2005. He's keeping the car for his son.

[@jamesrebbechi5247]

Thats an awesome reason to keep. Diametrically 😮I’ve got a old ‘89 Benz I drove my mum around in as she declined with alzheimers and in fact passed away only moments after a lovely late arvo drive around our rural neck of the woods. Some cars are also time capsules right.

[@mariahamblin923]

Hi Dave! Isn't it amazing how cars are such a part of our lives and bring back so .any memories. Love that Chevy! Thank you for this video.

[@billy38010]

A relative and I, shared the same type of Story, I still think of our silver 57 Bel Air,....it's long gone now, but ,...never Forgotten!

[@yamishdoy]

I own a 1974 Avanti.. they utilize a Studebaker Lark Police chassis. I believe they used Studebaker frames all the way up to 1983 when they went to a GM chassis... Kind of a rare car only 123 Avanti made in 74

[@idrivearttabletennis]

Cool story Tom. I love it when it's generational car guys and gals. Happy hunting for many years to come.

[@andrewfischer8564]

als worse then cancer. lost my brother. im speachless . get a good support system. hope the family is up to it.

[@doster59]

Another powerful episode, thanks for highlighting these special stories, it's inspiring.

[@shake9574]

Get it on the road and enjoy it. Worry about that concours restomod later

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Glad to see the car stayed in the family.

[@RazzandRipley]

Dave is my best friend's father, and I remember all the craziness going on when his father first got diagnosed with ALS. Makes me happy to know he has the car now

[@kiethholland3650]

I would bet the feud over the car was the dad's concern over it never getting done just like the coronette

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

No it wasn't

[@noeespitia7238]

I like this guy😂 cool cat

[@jparker785]

Love the story with it. I normally work on muscle cars and classics, but enjoy many others. One I'm doing now is a 1980 Honda Prelude, original owner! Still has the handbook with her name in it and dealership it was ordered from. Keep those dreams alive ✌️

[@01FozzyS]

A great story with all it's ebbs and flows. Hope you can return when at least one car is done,Tom!

[@MikeyMack303]

Yes, as you said Tom, 2 very sought after collectible cars!

[@jg769]

I have a buddy whose house was a collection of unfinished projects: Kitchen cabinets had no doors and were halfway finished for years, drywall was stacked in the garage for his basement remodel that was started but never got done, fence posts were set for the deck project in the back yard next to a pile of lumber that was starting to rot. I offered to help but he always responded with, “No thanks, I’ll get around to it.” My plan here would be to sell the Coronet, sell the Mercedes 280 SL, sell the Avanti, sell the Honda motorcycle, sell the two cars under tarps in the driveway and use the money to pay for the Chevy and focus on fixing it up.

[@hotrodswoodshed7405]

I acquired a 57 chevy wagon 4yrs ago, in west Kentucky that somehow made its way from the western states. I wish I knew the history. But I know nothing. But I bet someone out there knows it!. Good story

[@kyleforeman4543]

Great story, nice that him an his father are buds again..happy huntin

[@trickstothetrades1801]

Sounds like me, sleeping on the package tray as a kid. I also had a 283, after rebuilding it i started it on the garage floor, sat on the distributor, jumped the starter with a screwdriver at the same time pour gas in the carb, and adjust the timing while it vibrated around the garage floor and fire shot out the carb near my crotch! What a rush, Best time of my life. I put it in a ‘66 Chevelle and had to put an HEI distributor in it because i could get over 8,000 RPM’s out of it and it would float the points. I had a Rochester 4 jet carb jetted out, and a Turbo 350. That car ran so good I beat 351’s and 383’s. Even beat a 396 out of the hole but he took me on the long runs

[@michaelroberts1597]

Great show Tom 👍

[@mick_1949]

Wow. Great history

[@traddad9172]

I can respect all the giys who hold on to classics they love- as us blue collar guys know it takes alot of money whether you have the time or not.

[@stude1953]

Very interesting story. Hope both cars get done eventually and they appear again on Barn Finds as an update.

[@bradbeall392]

I wouldn’t mind having a shot at restoring that Honda 305 if nobody else is gonna do it. Restoring old Hondas is pretty much my specialty.

[@jamesbrown3358]

Another great story

[@mattskustomkreations]

First time I’ve seen the new logo. I like the old one, but I guess it was missing a car!😅

[@notchboy]

Good episode. Keep them coming brother. 😎🤙🌺

[@rsanchez9865]

Wow, I want to see it up and running

[@tomrobards7753]

My dream car from high school and youth just never could swing a deal on one even back when they were selling just over a grand

[@trickstothetrades1801]

Avanti was made just down the road from me, the old building used to be rented out to several business and i would work on their forklifts there. It was sad to see that (building) piece of history get torn down some years ago

[@richardmosher3660]

Run by A1 Tint Pros on N Polk in Charlotte and ask Jake about his Quattro and Toyota. The trip home with the Quattro is worth the visit.

[@brendannunya77]

Love barn find hunters!

[@Lu-KN]

11:31 Excellent choice.

[@paulwright1196]

Great story, thanks.

[@frankmgallo]

Yo You need to get on the Belair son life is short and there’s no guarantee for tomorrow. Just saying I lived it to many times. Good luck and put it on the road again

[@tomrobards7753]

Isn't that true

[@UmmYeahOk]

Some cars are very special, so much so that they eventually become family members. You don’t sell family members. Glad it stayed in the family.

[@allanfranklin9615]

Great 57! I 'm like everyone, I have a story about the 57 Bel Air station wagon I had in 1972. It was silver with white top, 283 three speed with overdrive, 4:11 rear end. It belonged to my brother who was tragically killed in a car accident, I bought it from my sister in law. It had a Carter four barrel. Many memories ago. Had a lot of good times in that car.

[@richvandervoort2950]

The Avanti II has a Studebaker Lark convertible chassis.

[@duanewhite3184]

And my dad's 67 Chevelle was the SS 396 turbo jet 400 sweet ride especially when they come off the showroom floor at Fred Bauer Chevrolet

[@d.g.n9392]

About 1966 I was 15 years old, worked at a FINA gas station. Remember some of those cars where you’d flip open the tail light to fill the gas

[@Drobert882]

My first car , 1968 cornet 440 wow LoL memory's

[@somerandomness4285]

Come to Connecticut tom!!! When will it happen there's a lot of great stuff here to be seen

[@duanewhite3184]

My dad's last 56 Chevy he fixed up was so clean that he was able to drive it in the parade it was all stock when it came with in 1956 and I believe that was a 265 V8

[@billgiltzow4464]

The Avanti chassis is Studebaker Lark convertable. Left over studebaker production lasted until the late 1970s

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

Thanks for the info

[@mcdonaldm73]

That wasp nest in the 57' dome light is huge! And terrifying!

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

Funny thing I just noticed it when I was watching the video

[@j.w.groves2199]

Avantis 5:21 used old left over Studebaker lark frams until during a sale to another company redesigned it to a unibody car.😊

[@BillyBob-uc9zp]

Nice one Mr 😎

[@landscapeone2957]

The guys dad seems like a real piece of work. He through his son under the bus.

[@IvoPoblete]

The new thumbnail doesn't scream out Barn Find Hunter

[@scotttabor4936]

Had bought a 57chevy Bel-Air when I was 14 , in 1970 $60, with no engine and trans but the body was perfect and all original interior, if I only had it today

[@todddenio3200]

I dont think I would want to be around when his dad finds out he has the car.

[@michaellawrence3345]

Same it’s gonna be very frosty 😅

[@privateer0561]

Excellent wasp nest on the dome light. I think you should keep it...

[@jkajje2945]

Nice story

[@GoodForYou4504]

Oh, those bilnker indicators on the Coronet hood brought back memories. Had a 69. That thing was big!

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Same on the 76 Volare' Wagon

[@31Wolflover]

Used to work for Dave. Good guy, cool story!

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

They need to do an episode on the Charger

[@7viewerlogic670]

Good video.

[@richardmosher3660]

Stop by A1 Tint Pros on N Polk St, Charlotte and ask Jake about his Quattro an Toyota. The story of bringing the Quattro home is worth the trip.

[@jeffreypinder9398]

Funny you mention Roger Penske, his flight department is just west of our hangar that holds his corporate jets. All painted the same with the colors and striping.

[@indy4175]

This is the only show that I’ve seen ever episode.

[@opera93]

Thanks, great Overview, & etc.. Interestingly, was somewhat the same ( Projects piled up) with Me: oddly , Surgeries and early Downsizing ( age 69,etc) took care of some things…….Oddly, Cars/ Vehicles seem extra Hoarding /Denial/insanities attributed, than most Work/commitments ( e,g. Pergola,second GRafe)….

[@matthewmarty5983]

At 13:41, what is the fog that rolls out from the upper right corner of the screen? Almost looks ghostly?

[@t.j.m3987]

Yeah Concord...where my family is all from...and where Charlotte Motor Speedway is located

[@Camska427]

i just received a 57 bel air form a long time friend of my father. he recently passed away from ALS.

[@crazyhorse8508]

283 will be excellent especially with holley sniper i guess..I know where a very low mileage all original 283 factory 4 barrel still has stickers on the breather 283 power pack or something like that..the old guy wont sell it but ive tried for sometime.I wanted it for a 67 to 71 camaro build or maybe split bumper vega gt..there actually prty torqy

[@Airplanefish]

I just found and purchased an all original 1955 chevy that has 17K miles on it. It had been parked since 1978 in a farm building. It's insane how great of shape it is. I would love to have an expert come look at it and tell me what it's worth or what should be done with it. One owner car

[@User0000000000000004]

The way he says "motor" makes him sound like he's from PA. "Meu-durr"

[@todhollandsworth4371]

A lot of vehicles if they have been in the family for generations they don't leave the family I'm not far Concord and I have one of them vehicle a wagon that my grandpa bought from the original owner and has been passed down from my dad to me it's keeping the memories alive

[@deus-sued-autark]

Cooles Video 😊

[@joebrown1382]

Love the 57 & would love to see its future but the Chevelle will be a knockout.

[@ne1273]

Absolutely great 👍 thanks

[@witness1013]

Avanti has a modified Studebaker Lark 109-inch convertible chassis

[@killerontheloose80]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if I'm not mistaken the Studebaker Avanti the original Studebaker Avanti 63-64 was on a modified Lark convertible chassis from 59 60

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

After doing some research yes that is what the chassis is.

[@theguythatcouldfly]

Studebaker did not have convertibles in 1959. It was the first year for the Lark. Convertibles came around in 1960, and ended with a few in 1964.

[@user-tb2tk4uh1o]

These are the stories movies are made of I mean you just can't make this kind of good quality stuff up.... This man is somewhat living the American dream.

[@Guardducks]

I had a feeling he would say the chevelle.

[@marvwatkins7029]

And then later on, after this vid, his dad either trashes the car or has it stolen.

[@chuckwhitson654]

I thought all 400ci sbc came two barrel only from factory, but I could be wrong

[@jeffharkson1920]

I believe Avanti was born from the Studebaker line, so that X chassis makes sense

[@geebopbaluba1591]

I have a really nice 64 440.

[@SaneCayne]

I mean, David has to get cars done for his livelihood... But looking at his own cars, can't see the Chevelle or the Bel Air getting on the road before this show runs its course. 😒

[@alanmeyers3957]

Probably never.

[@royjenkins9681]

Both are beautiful cars. Guy just needs to get a 'round toowit,' always hard to find.....

[@pjs9346]

All cars have stories.

[@user-nt1zv8ic5m]

Looking at the Miata, the Coronet 440 that 57 will never leave that car port

[@davidbarnsley8486]

Great to see you out with the woody Tom Can I have the Honda dream 😂😂 The old man should give him his money back so he can get the title and get it fixed I think I have the same love hate relationship with my father 😡😡😡

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

Contact me about the Honda Dream

[@roncarter445]

My man what you have there is a 74 Avante it has a Studebaker frame normally they had 350 with 350 turbo trainees so that one's got 400 with a th400 tranny much better

[@kennethmello5353]

I’m pretty sure the Avante was built on a Studebaker chassis. I’m not sure exactly which one.

[@calvinh.8882]

When I was born my parents had a 1969 Charger R/T 426 Hemi, and when I was 7 they still had it and it was still in mint condition, and they divorced before I was 8 and my dad took the Charger and left town and we never seen it again. And I didn't see him again until I was 18, and I asked about what he did with the Charger, and he said he sold it years before. I've always wanted to find that car and had certain people look for it that traced older vehicles, and nothing was found. So we figure someone must have totaled it years ago and it was scrapped. I'm still a tad disappointed in him over that car. But it was just a car.

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

I've got a story about another 57 we had that was gotten rid of in the mid 70s.

[@dizzle123able]

Wanted the car. Has not done a dang thing with it lol 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@allclassicsrestoration1430]

If you want to finance the build I'll start on it tomorrow.

[@ryan49805]

The car is cool but I’m happier that the guy and his dad made up. Nothing in life is more important than family and regret can last forever. ✌️

[@ricardofierro7041]

Father and son DID make up. It’s talked about somewhere in the video. So basically they ARE talking.

[@dominicpetruzzelli3134]

I have a funny feeling neither one of these cars will ever see completion