Corvette powered VW Pickup and an Ed Roth Hot Rod | Barn Find Hunter - Ep. 54

In this episode of “Barn Find Hunter,” Tom reunites with his 1939 Ford Woodie Wagon and is en route to St. George, UT. With no connections or leads in mind Tom is expecting a challenge, but after two strikes he finally hits a home run and finds an eclectic collection in a dusty old storage unit.
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[@nimeshchokshi1921]

This is one series that will never get boring for me. Even as a younger guy, I find older cars much more interesting.

[@415s30]

New cars are built to be recycled, not kept!

[@nimeshchokshi1921]

415 s30 They are multiple modern cars that I do like, but outside of a few, they just don’t excite me that much :(

[@finkelmana]

Older cars simply have so much more style. Sadly, modern safety, emissions, and efficiency regulations means that car manufacturers cant make cars like these anymore.

[@nimeshchokshi1921]

Ari Finkelman I’m all for improvements in safety and technology, but I just wish that it didn’t come at the cost of a car’s identity. (I hope that made sense lol)

[@Bird76Mojo76]

If you like em, and you know you'll get one eventually, then buy one now because they're only going up in price. Especially with inflation on a nearly constant rise from run-away government spending.

[@sailing8130]

Every episode should end like this one - engines 'a runnin'! There are only three channels on KZbin where I watch every minute. Another great one!

[@keithjohnson5398]

Just when you think the show's over, ha,, they start 'em up. Great finds too.

[@HandTightGarage]

What are the other two?

[@martinsmackes9350]

Just hope they don't start with the annoying rock music, like ever other car show.

[@Viperman200221]

The ending was the best part and the burnout!

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

@@Viperman200221 Those brake burnouts irritate the hell out of me.

[@Coacheslick]

Tom Cotter has the dream job of the century! VINTAGE CARS RULE!

[@fintanoclery2698]

He really does, this channel is great.

[@mathewkorn5008]

RIP Dewayne Neilson of Saint George. Thanks for all the help. You were one hell of a body man and a good teacher!!

[@s_wggns]

That Woody Tom drives is so amazing, looks like the perfect car to enjoy on a cross country trip. Also great episode, these truly never get old!

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Mike seemed tentative at first, but what a gracious guy to show you all his treasures. I was looking forward to seeing the engine in the back of that VW pickup.

[@MrMightyZ]

That woody gives me a... big smile! Beautiful! I always tell my Combi van owning mate to put a Japanese motor in his rattler. Here in Australia there’s a strong brigade of Volkswagen lovers who will tell you how durable their rattle-traps are and how often they’ve been around Aus but when you ask them how many motors they’ve been through, the truth starts forming. And don’t ask them what running repairs they’ve made unless you’ve got the rest of the afternoon to hear the answer. Were Volkswagens ever really durable? Because in the hot weather and rough conditions we have over here they don’t go well at all. Big mining companies don’t send their people across Australia in British, European, American or Australian cars if they want them to live!

[@SUBDUB67]

Dave L Subaru is my choice for my Vw, swapped 3 years ago, engine still running strong 💪

[@MrMightyZ]

Jon Paul Now your Van will be a whole lot more reliable (and as an added bonus the motor sound great too! It definitely won’t sound like a 22 gallon drum full of nuts and bolts being rolled down a hill like that clattery VW unit🤓)

[@vettekid3326]

I love the radial T/A's on the van - straight out of the 70's - 80's.

[@thatmanstu23]

They're mounted on Keystone mags...

[@jared5021]

They still sell them. Go to any cruise night and at least half the cars there will be wearing them. I agree with you. They give cars from that era the right look.

[@benjamingoodman2690]

A Corvette powered vw, seems dangerous. I like it.

[@YouvBeenThumped]

my brother has a stretched 68 bug with a Detroit 2 stroke diesel in it. that thing is nuts, will never drive or ride in it again

[@azriding8286]

@@YouvBeenThumped any videos on it that sounds bad ass

[@YouvBeenThumped]

@@azriding8286 I'll check or see if he has one up somewhere and get back to you

[@benjamingoodman2690]

@@YouvBeenThumped sounds like the coolest thing ever

[@YouvBeenThumped]

@@benjamingoodman2690 my brother builds some of the coolest rat rods in Vegas.

[@ftby59mikeD]

Tuff search but Tom doesn't disappoint! The Coyote with a period correct metal flake paint job would be awesome!

[@joebrown1382]

One of my favorite channels. Old muscle car guy from the 60's. Never know what Tom will find.

[@wp.sworld.s]

So far this is my favorite one to actually see Ed Roth detailing in the back of that car it's mind-blowing thank you for all the videos that you do for everyone we really appreciate it

[@gasparini76]

Tom, you are a legend!

[@johnschutt9187]

Tom, I love your series. Thank you for finding and showing these cars to us.

[@normpenn6295]

tom, man what a life, i just sold the same truck to my buddy same colors ,tranny but my dad put on a period correct flat bed with the new wood kit and removeable side rails, big window with all the extra chrome made some big fat smoothies for the back did the seat and door panels and it has a modified air tank from a pete so you can move people out of the way when they get too close with the pete air horn under the hood with the botton on the floor. it was really nice to see that truck, my friend livesw in the next town so i see it quite often ,my dad has been gone for four years now i shure miss him, he would of LOVED your shows. i still have his 55 bel air two door hard top ,power brakes and a wonderbar that still works. he brought it home in 62 and i got here in 63 its a pretty nice car, every day driver if you ever make it to central calif i expect to hear from or see you , i can take you to see 3 or 4 days worth of cars ,trucks, or even nice v drive boats at least 10 of them, i do enjoy very much every eppisode of your production and haggerty is awesome thankyou for all you do every one is top notch and i always cannot wait for the next one! keep it up there are none better god bless peace njpiii

[@mariofalfan2997]

If that van could talk, actual running cars, what a great episode!

[@snappybonesify]

I was fortunate enough to have met ans spend more than hour talking with Ed Roth baxk in my early twenties. Great guy to chat with. Just sweet as could be but smoked like each one was his last.

[@gosportjamie]

A Volkswagen Type 2 dropside pickup with a Corvette engine and rear end in it. Wow, that's mad...

[@kenjsr1]

Great find!!! If I was a rich man, I'd make you an offer you couldn't refuse for that beautiful 40 Woody. Thanks for sharing !

[@carsmartsmedia2324]

Cedar city and St. George...my old (college) stomping ground. Beautiful part of the US and the Virgin River Gorge is one of the best drives in the west!!

[@rodneyholcombe202]

Drove the gorge on moonlit late nights just shut the lights off for 26 miles. Many times

[@tomnekuda3818]

Your woodie is super sweet! One of the finest I've ever seen and, the good part: You're not afraid to drive it. Great! Keep the Faith. Tom

[@pontiacgrandprix733]

That man has some cars, and they're stored properly, and run? I'll call his wife too, and tell he's a good guy, great find awesome video, nice people to even start them up

[@steven8856]

WoW Tom has the smartest fans.

[@barrymandalow]

Damn that chevvan is cool, but that Ed "big daddy" Roth pin-striping is freakin gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing, love the Barn find hunter!!

[@chadsimmons6347]

That 55 Chevy Apache is solid, you cant hardly dent them with a sledge-hammer

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

What a cool guy. Love the stories attached to these old cars.

[@steven8856]

Without the stories they are just an old car still cool just not as cool.

[@VWLifeVW]

Volkswagens have always been one of the most modified vehicles of all time. Thanks for sharing the video!

[@bajabell]

Agreed

[@CTmoog]

TRUE!!! =)

[@LAGuitarnetwork]

Yep, pretty sure about half of the old Beetles ended up as Baja's

[@krusher74]

@@LAGuitarnetwork half the 26 million?

[@tayro7265]

An old fella living back in the woods near me died a few years back. The scrapers found his place. They hauled over 250 64.5 to 71 Mustangs off to the scrap yards. There where a couple of dozen K's, multiple convertibles and (set your face to pissed off) 8 complete Cobras with the original 429's, two with sticks one of those was a rag top. By the time the son found out it was all gone except for one 351c with Aussie V2 closed port heads. I think it will look good in my 66.

[@088929k]

so enjoy watching people who have such a passion for cars and are lucky enough to be able to indulge that passion.

[@idrivearttabletennis]

Way cool especially when starting the toys at the end. Thanks Tom! Another great video.

[@curedham2963]

sorry for my ignorance, i dont know much about old cars but that wooden car he is driving is a piece of art work and would be so fun to drive.

[@TheTorkerman]

That van is the nuts!!!!

[@tollefreyerson6710]

They are just jealous if that is all they have to hate on. You took on a huge daunting project and saw it thru to completion. Well as complete any of our personal projects will ever be. Fantastic job JR!! Fantastic!

[@burlowsurviorhills4584]

Back in the day VW and vans had I purpose and we ole boys will pay it back for years.. Thank God for rewards like Grand Children and our amazing builds...

[@rjonesx7]

Enjoy your shows. First part of video showed I-15 going through the Virgin River Gorge in the N/W corner of the state of AZ. Took 12 years to complete 20 miles of the Interstate (1962-74). Most expensive section of Interstate built at that time. My father-in-law was the AZ Dept. of Transportation (ADOT) project supervisor for that section of highway. There is a great video about building that highway called "My Fathers Highway" on Vimeo done by Dixie College. About and hour and a half long.

[@chrisblore9635]

Tom As always a great show. This guy was a good find. I see a lot of those projects getting done. I think a follow up next year is a must..

[@Pedroisanickname]

Now this is a proper segment with the kind of unscripted content we are here to see. Great episode!

[@andyrichey1192]

Wow they're so awesome!! Love old cars. Appreciate you sharing brings back great memories, 40 Willys of yours now that is bad to the bone, but I would paint it Black i'll be watching for more

[@zyyzo1]

Amazing episode Sending my sincere love to you all From SAUDI ARABIA 💛🖤💛🖤

[@davidryan573]

Wow, very cool I love the wide veryence, how neat to have his first van. The burn outs were cool excellent series neat Woody so cool you drive it!

[@jimburig7064]

I just learned some of the earliest hemis were 241 cubic inches. All that iron only displacing 241 c.i. A lot of '55-56 Dodges had 270 or 273 c.i. hemis. Wow! Authentic Ed Roth pin striping! Priceless. Someone recently paid $40,000,000 for a Warhol canvas. The hand striping is my preference.

[@dougg1075]

Great guy to find. That’s what it’s all about:)

[@vwmountainman9701]

Very Kool !!! My Dad knew all the Big Dog van people back in the day. He lived in KCK - clubs like Vantashia - Mo-Kan Van Club - Kansas Outlaw Truckers . I 4get the rest.

[@poot111111]

That VW would make an awesome drag strip pit truck for someone!

[@Zed7]

Another great episode, thanks to Tom and the team for those awesome moments.

[@elvinferrelljr.5266]

Come to Chickasha Oklahoma. Plenty of old cars sitting around. Muscle car ranch has a few. Johnson's wrecker plus more. And May 9-11 we have an antique auto swap meet and show.

[@thomassmith225]

LOL!! He would have a Field Day- between Chikasha, then on 19, from Chikasha, through Lindsay ( a few in, and South of Maysville)- and all through Paul's Valley!!!

[@jeffreymccarty1388]

And there is a ton of crystal meth!!

[@choppermarc2342]

How could you put a thumbs down on this. So much history in this garage and yard.

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

Tom, observing your gorgeous Woody, it ccurs that this car is has a connection with my father's Morris Minor estate , tho on a scale that Lord Nuffield could only have dreamt of in his widest fantasy., being about three times the size and weight ( I'm guessing) of the moggy. However, for many of us here in UK, the ash frame that is an integral part of it body strangth , was quite a resical departure for a mass produced vehicle of the 60's, and so charming fifty years down the line. But your car is amazing ! Oh, by the way I'm hooked on your classic car adventure finds. Your spirit and natural enthusiasm is addictive. . As you put it , what a blast !

[@thebigpicture2032]

Super cool stash! Hopefully the guy never gets around to changing the Ed Pinstriped Hot Rod. Same with the Van. Just clean them up and drive.

[@stephenriley9084]

Tom, I love it! Pride oozing out of three cars at the end. Magic!!😀. Regards Stephen.

[@pmr413]

Love these barn find videos. Steve seems like a great guy and has some cool old stuff.

[@GETUPANDGO]

Tom's wearing a Boothbay Harbor Maine hat, how cool, that's right around the corner from me

[@radracer2033]

We need to see updates on that crazy VW pickup!

[@mrcotter2531]

Great Show Tom - when you mentioned your NY Roots I realized that we might be related...

[@shaundis2117]

i`m an insurance broker in BC and love that Hagerty puts the effort into posting videos like these .Great to show to new clients. Cheers .

[@andrew.l.5493]

Love the delirious van. Super cool interior

[@wmadamzzz]

I discovered Barn Finds a few weeks ago and have watched lots of episodes to date. I’ve been a car geek for many years and my mother, confirmed by siblings, used to say that I could tell the difference between a Ford and a Chevy when I was 3, but had a hard time telling the difference between a cow and a horse. I just turned 70- years old in January. This episode really appealed to me, mostly because he made lots of references to Utah, where I live. I was a Big Daddy Ed Roth fan back when he was still around and was very surprised when I heard that he had moved to Manti, UT. He’s gone now of course, but as I understand it his family still has operations in Manti, and quite often when I go to a car show locally, you’ll see t-shirts etc with the Rat Fink and Ed’s cars on them on display and for sale. I loved the VW pickup with the Vette Engine and the old red Chevy van..some very interesting pieces that the guy showed him. I wish they’d have introduced him and his helper but maybe there’s some kind of legal thing. Anyway, I keep watching Barn Finds and enjoying every minute.

[@steven8856]

Well WM Adams next time you are in St George Come see us we will give you the nickle tour that no one saw on the show.

[@matthewulm9103]

Any day where there's a new episode of Barn Find Hunter to watch is a good day. Thanks for another great episode ;)

[@professorstein5855]

Very good. Yes - a car with a story is great. And very nice to see them run at the end, like they should be.

[@louisedwards4023]

What a small world of CRAZY CARS ! WOW

[@The2000ss]

I'd love to have the shag gen wagon. So cool to see one again and in nice shape.

[@Daxx219]

Thank you guys for those amazing videos all the time! Greetings from Switzerland! :)

[@humblewisdom8976]

The inside of that van looked like a padded room if you had a straight jacket on. LOL

[@YotaCrew]

That Squareback looks like a pedal car next to the Chrysler.

[@OpenRoader]

I was thinking the same thing. Imagine meeting that Chrysler at an intersection broadside

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

May look like a pedal car, but fully restored guess which one is worth more ;)

[@jaywhite3529]

@@chrisfreemesser5707 yes

[@rickguyevans]

I grew up in the '60s, in a steelmaking city, in southern Canada and remember seeing so many of these cars as everyday runners. Even though I still restore motorcycles, I can't resist all the "eye candy" cars and trucks...makes this mechanic pretty happy! Another great show!!

[@jasonsweet8671]

Rick Evans Hi Rick! Hamilton? Sitting here now. Best to you!

[@rickguyevans]

@@jasonsweet8671 thanks, brother!

[@rickguyevans]

@@jasonsweet8671 yep...Stelco in the Hammer :))

[@shawnlizeleatherdale4052]

I've seen tons of these shows , BUT always based in USA , U.K. and central America . For once I would love to see these guys , any of the shows , go across Canada coast to coast , and see all the hoarding I've seen . I know of guys with cars starting in the 1920s , just left in fields , all the way up to guys with hundreds of factory originals , just left in garages collecting dust .

[@thenewnormal8853]

If you happen to find yourself in the Portland,Oregon area i know of a good place for you to visit. They have a wide variety of old vehicles from an all original 1932 ford roadster, 1929 Pierce Arrow, 1949 VW Beatle and a bunch of Mopars rotting into the ground

[@teenageviolets8643]

Great episode! Please Steve don't touch your boogie van, it's beautiful the way it is.

[@gudjon_jonsson]

I just love listen to Tom talk🙏🙏

[@danielhowe4460]

So good to see the Woody again. Great ending.

[@mnwoodshop3877]

I have some Ed Roth things.He was a great artist.

[@danswrld]

74k views in the first day, testament to what a cool series this is. Love it.

[@oliversworldofwheels4910]

That VW bus is awesome! Cool cars! Love the video like always!

[@jrodsumpthin7516]

I like the semi sleeper mounted on the gooseneck trailer...

[@FalconXE302]

Great little story where the guy who makes money out of crushing old clunkers, takes time out of his day because he reconsigned a bit of history that could be would be worth saving. Who knows how much joy that little act will bring to scores of people in the future.

[@bgd73]

I gave up my little boxer engine addiction for my older realm of gm v8... that vw truck is right down the middle of my compromise.. and nice gmt400. I am running one now, factory v8 manual with a whole hurst.. nothing but the whole hurst. Nice collection!

[@MileMunchinAdventures]

This was a great episode, love the stories and the rumble of the cars at the end.

[@daviddntait]

I love how you guys started some of the junk up! Love the vids, keep 'em coming.

[@kidwray4313]

You guys should come to Lithia Springs Georgia it’s a lot of barns out there full of cars

[@dustinmorehouse2418]

I dont think this guy realised that we dont call it "historic st george" for nothin. We have some of the greatest classic car shows in the nation. The old dogs here cruise the Blvd like they're still in highschool. One of the greatest cities for classic rods out of everywhere that I've lived. Wish I had seen this ole woody while he was here. I have a ton of friends with grandparents into resto and resto-mods

[@79tazman]

This was a cool episode love buddy's van I remember when I was young my dad friend had a Dodge Van that had the side pipes and the bed in the back and a big mural on the side and back with the tear drop windows and two sunroofs in it I loved that van I wish the van craze would make a come back but today's vans are not as cool as they were in the 70's

[@zombienectar]

if I had 5 bucks for every time I heard the phrase , " all the parts are there " I would be ok.

[@thatmanstu23]

And it's a runner...At least it was back when it was running,.

[@geraldswain3259]

Always the same case scenario ,they strip them with the greatest intentions of a rebuild but when they've sat down and engaged brain then realise what they've taken on it goes into involuntary hiding in the shed for 10yrs or more to disintegrate even more.

[@carpademen1066]

Or "Ran when parked"

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

In the old days, it was a nickel. Inflation I guess.

[@CTmoog]

I like that VW truck hiding in there! =)

[@VWLifeVW]

you should get it! you need a 3rd one :)

[@CTmoog]

I need a bigger shop! =)

[@VWLifeVW]

@@CTmoog yep pretty much no other option, better get started.

[@michaelledford4751]

Deleriois is my favorite simply because its a serious throw back to my twenties in the 1970s when everyone who was anybody had a custom van,i didn't have a van because all my $ went into saving Harley Knuckleheads which was the start of a 50 year collecting binge of Harleys and Mcintosh hifi tube electronics made in NY .

[@brunotulliani]

American cars plus stories equals amazing! Can't wait to visit all these places......great episode.

[@boltonky]

Such a brilliant episode, and that 35 caddy what more do i need to say

[@imbatmanbitchh]

I really like that van its so 70's

[@drewhall4553]

Hi Tom, I love watching your channel. It was almost as exciting finding out you two knew a lot of the same people as it was to see the unique cars. Thanks for a great watch. Was the VW by chance from the Sportsmobile shop? Just curious.

[@richardcranium6554]

Some jealous Vidiots actually gave this a thumbs DOWN? Stuff like this makes my soul smile. It made my day. 10 thumbs up, just to offset the Vidiots. Excellent!

[@masskilla469]

You should come and do a case study here in Alliance Nebraska. We have a lot of Old timers that hoard old cars away in their Barns and outbuildings. They Make Jay Leno look small time and are obsessed with early and late 40's and 50's cars Motorcycles and trucks!!

[@bmh67wa]

I didn't even care what this video was about. As soon as I saw the Woody again I gave it a thumbs up.

[@hillbillynick2000]

Especially good episode! Digging that VW pick up!

[@angusosborne3151]

I always love the sound of a real rod coming to life!

[@lolbr3720]

Organically hang out? That made me smile. The man was correct about the Pontiac motor in the GMC that yr.

[@trevorkinzer7918]

Double thumbs up! Fellow Utahn!

[@dennisrodrigues1877]

Good stuff Tom. Look forward to each video..👍🇧🇲

[@ticnatz]

I could watch this kind of crap all day long.....and just might!

[@andrewstudholme3169]

best sort of crap to watch!!

[@mattf49006]

Pity about that ford wagon parted out...restored stock appearance with a coyote motor and quiet exhaust...what a cool ride

[@geneva760]

This is one neato episode - - thank you. Have a nice day all. Cheers from AUSTRALIA.

[@MICKEY4356]

George Barris said he built the Monkee mobile. I never have figured that out. Jefferies name was in the credits at the end of every Monkees show.

[@johngrepo9976]

Dean Jefferies designed and built the Monkeemobie. George Barris bought the car and took credit for it. A real scumbag thing to do. Fact

[@FalconXE302]

Tom... these episodes just keep getting better and better.