Persistence Pays Off! Tom finds a Plethora of Pontiacs | Barn Find Hunter - Ep. 53

In this episode of "Barn Find Hunter," ride along with Tom Cotter and experience a rare glimpse into his process of barn finding. He's in Le Claire, Iowa, (hometown of the American Pickers) in search of cars the Pickers haven't gotten their hands on yet. Tom finds a few things here and there, but his persistence at one particular location pays off in the form of a plethora of classic Pontiacs and Fords, some of which are looking for new homes.
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[@Despoms]

Polite, unpretentious, considerate and attentive. That's it, I've found why I very much like Tom Cotter's approach to (chasing) classic cars.

[@Tmrfe0962]

I like the guys comment about his garage not normally looking that way!...Lol....yea, that’s what I say too.....

[@thebigpicture2032]

Yep, there’s how you want it to look and how it really looks. That stuff has sat there for 20 years.

[@deme7063]

I say that too because my garage usually looks even worse

[@kirkjohnson9353]

I feel for him. I sure wouldn't want any surprise inspections on MY garage. It normally looks JUST like his. LOL

[@ActivityPhoto]

Yep really looked like he hadn't worked in there for years. The lawnmower looked like it had been in and out recently though, LOL

[@kddaniels5965]

think you better wear your boots around that guy sure seems to be getting deep. lol

[@kotimoto]

Love from India, we don't have too many great cars here.. but we enjoy what we have

[@kotimoto]

@@_._._._._._._._ thank you, your class shines through

[@chronic2001n]

The last guy; good to hear him say that he had more cars than he could get finished and would like to sell them. At least he has the awareness for that and isn't a hoarder. If hoarders really loved cars, they wouldn't let them sit and rot knowing full well that they will never get to them. Hoarders say they love cars, but it's actually filling a void that can never be quenched.

[@fintanoclery2698]

In a way I'm kind of glad it took me so long to find this excellent program, now I get to binge watch it in the barn while my wife thinks I'm working!

[@Karsandklassics]

Be ready for the heartbreak when you catch up though my man. I used to live a life like you. Now I have to wait weekly. 😥

[@2233golf2]

Hey Paddy.....you my kind of guy......work your way through Hagerty....cheers buddy..Roger

[@5thgen691]

My man!

[@gertfroebe3175]

When you finish with Hagerty you can binge on Cold War Motors.

[@ralphreuben1386]

awesome journalism tom.another grass-roots working man (night-shift ) with a life-time collection of lovely relics of post-war production.lovely

[@jamespn]

One common thread is several projects that never get completed. You ask them if they’ll sell it but they say it’s not for sale, I’m going to restore it. Asks them when they bought it and they say they bought it in 1963.

[@rooster5755]

yeah,take stuff apart and lose interest and will never be driven again.

[@TEverettReynolds]

True. And then you'll see how fast the neglected kids and\or resentful widow dumps all those cars and parts to the first auction house they can, once the old man passes... I have seen, personally, where the angry widow dumps all the old mans crap without even telling his friends that she is dumping his "collection".

[@thebigpicture2032]

Yes, the family usually can’t get rid of the stuff fast enough.

[@jiffjiffernson7292]

Selling all these 'projects' would pay for 1 restoration by him. He's never gonna spend the money, period.

[@mainlawcafewv7681]

The widow will sell it to you. just wait.

[@genosho5574]

*"I also collect antique outboard motors."* That's a first one for me :D Great Show anyway.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Friend of mine also collects antique outboards... I love to run them...

[@allenschmitz9644]

hey it's on the mississippi river, every one in that area is a river rat.

[@sirmugman]

lot easier to work on then the cars lol, no body just an engine

[@mmill6505]

@@sirmugman Than not then. Why do people put THEN when its so easy to put THAN?

[@chrisscurry6091]

Aka junk

[@HISS2004]

Man I'd snap up that riv or lemans in a heartbeat. Nice to see realistic prices on cars.

[@damianosraftopoulos8365]

every time i see a non greek person using greek words, i'm deeply honoured. plethora = πληθωρα means a lot, a bunch of things/people, etc. we use a lot of words coming from this theme, πληθος = crowd, πληθωρισμος = inflation, etc. thank you sir!!!! you have my respect. for the quality of your videos too. greetings from volos, greece!!!

[@brunotulliani]

It's a real shame to see so many unrestored cars. Especially those eternal works in progress. They deserve better. Great Episode!

[@chrisblore9635]

Tom Love your show. Sad to say the guy with the model T will never get that car restored..

[@AntonyThorburn]

@Jamie Mills NICE

[@thebigpicture2032]

The car’s highest value is to that guy. Better that it stays with him until the end.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

That is 90% of these shows. "I'm gonna restore it".... dozens of cars, elderly person... no, no you're not going to restore it. It is going to be sold at your estate sale or removed by a tow truck when they're clearing the property to sell.

[@miniac91]

I lost count several years ago, of how many old guys had cool old cars, that they were "going to restore". The last one was an 80 year old guy in Mechanicsville, VA that had a 36 Ford 2 door with a slant back roof line. All original, complete in every way. Frosted glass, fine surface rust everywhere, but oh so doable. I offered $10k, and he insisted he was going to "restore it one day". He's gone now, and the car was in fact sold off along with several others, it was never touched. Moral of my story, Why do these guys go on living in this fantasy world?

[@tlr-nut7275]

Why do you get so bum hurt because he didn't take your lowball offer? If you would of offered $30,000 for it , you'd own it now. If that's too much, then move along. We all live in a fantasy world, with hope and dreams.

[@NCCElroon]

@@tlr-nut7275 *"would've", not "would of". "Would of" does not make any sense at all. Its "would've". Shortened form of "would have". Learn your own language, man. Greetings from Germany.

[@tlr-nut7275]

@@NCCElroon Makes perfect scence in America! But thank you for the english lesson.

[@77yogurt]

@@tlr-nut7275 *sense* ....... and no, it doesn't make any.

[@miniac91]

@@tlr-nut7275 I could have offered him 50, he simply wasn't selling. No bum hurt here. Plenty more fish in the ocean, right?

[@Thepar123]

That gem at the end. Rick seems like such a genuine car guy...rock that dirty garage!!!

[@turbolivesinmyheart6328]

I live about 15 minutes away from there. LeClaire is a sleepy little town in Eastern Iowa.

[@dennislang4375]

I bought a '67 LeMans while I was stationed in Alaska. Drove it home down the Alcan(to Minnesota) then to Texas for my next tour! It had the OHC 6 with 4speed on the floor. Interior was just like that one in the driveway. Memories

[@dennisrodrigues1877]

Tom, thanks for your perseverance here with this one. Enjoy watching from Bermuda..👍

[@fudk_off1312]

every time I hear them say, "I got all the parts for it" I just think what's so hard about taking the time to do it, make it a fun project, have friends over to help and celebrate when its done

[@LMacNeill]

This episode showed more of the knocking-on-doors stuff than what's usually shown. I liked getting to see more of that kind of "behind the scenes" effort that Tom goes thru to find the cars -- makes it that much more rewarding when we finally get to see the cars. I really liked this episode -- well done!

[@kirkjohnson9353]

I DESPISE reality shows- because of how phony they are. This is pure reality and I LOVE how they do it.

[@thefirebirdman8370]

I know all about feeling an underdog owning and driving Pontiac’s. I’ve owned nothing else since I bought a 73 Lemans Sports Coupe when I was 16. Current flock is 6 cars strong. Mad respect for my fellow Ponti-yakkers out there.

[@933brian]

ifeel the pain i have a 1965 pontiac acadian been parked in my garage 65 percent finished for last 20 years a little thing called life getting in the way just bought some parts for it hope it will get me moving on it ...love the show helps to motivate me

[@chrisgoffe5048]

..yeah same a half built 1978 mitsubishi sigma/galant with a 340 v8 been 10 years!

[@beboboymann3823]

You have a relaxed demeanor about you that allows folks to open up to you and reveal their dreams for their vehicles. Way to go.

[@garagedweller7159]

I would like to have any one of those Pontiacs, to do justice too. Makes me sad to watch these knowing that none of them will likely be road worthy and enjoyed.

[@JC-gy4xs]

Tom, You and the fine people that produce these shows should be proud of these wonderful episodes and at how popular they’ve become!

[@Karsandklassics]

You should definitely come to England one day to do some episodes. We've got loads of stuff stashed away here still

[@FirstLast-my6ke]

bring your own wiring :P

[@hanefar11]

Thank you for not going pay to watch like Roadkill.

[@Hagerty]

Red - Never will! Thank you for being a fan.

[@pablocolombi5768]

​@@Hagerty Superb call. Another fan right here guys. Makes me support the sponsors knowing they help produce an authentic show like BFH. Tom is the man.

[@--Zook--]

@@Hagerty Best news ive heard all week. This is my favorite car show right now, and I watch a ton of them.

[@rangemasterken]

Same here!

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Amen!

[@gmikej]

Great episode! My dad and I just bought a 1971 Pontiac GT-37 from a guy that had it sitting in his garage for over 20 years. Great to see other Pontiacs out there.

[@Hagerty]

Mike - Thanks for watching. Best of luck with the Pontiac!

[@iencamel9736]

I really enjoy Tom's series barn finder am amazed how friendly the people are to Tom. glad 2 c that keep the cars coming enjoy the series it's our history !!!!

[@llamamanism]

It’s quite simple why Tom can find these cars so close to the “ Pickers “ and they can’t. It’s just because he’s a genuine nice guy.

[@caddydaddy84]

So much truth in that. I don't watch pickers anymore because they act like vultures

[@kennieb5606]

@@caddydaddy84 THIS POS IS THE REAL VULTURES

[@brianruff1133]

I love how the first lady pawns him off on the next guy!

[@maxsands3861]

Those GTOs brought back a lot of memories. I had a 67 in high school, another 67 and a 66 later on. A lot of good times!

[@mariofalfan2997]

What a great collection of cars, Thank You for sharing !

[@NuggetGarage]

I absolutely love this stuff, it's so great to see these things still about, I've only been to the USA once last year and after watching this show I had a poke around and found a paddock full of old cars just sitting about in North Carolina, and like most people on these show's, the owner was a great guy! keep up the great work guys!!

[@terryorcutt8739]

Cordial Midwesterners. That guy was so gracious to show you around before work.

[@danielscott6787]

This is just my opinion: Seams like everybody wants to clone a Lemans into a GTO or a Belvedere into a Road Runner etc. I find it way more intriguing to find a Lemans like shown here with the OHC 6 cylinder. Tom: You need to take a ride down into Central S.C and surrounding Small town N.C. Off the top of my head i know where a 1969 L-72 427/ 4 speed Biscayne sits. Many 1932- 1938 Fords- 2 dr and 4 doors- 68,69,70,74 Road Runners. Multiple 1st and 2nd generation Dodge Chargers. 1966 Pontiac Tempest Convertible OHC 6, 3 speed. 1968 (Triple black) 396 4 speed Elcamin, 2 big block 70,71 Camaros. 71,72,73,74 Grand Prix S.J's, Ford Galaxies, 70 Impala Convertibles. 64 Pontiac 2+2 421 4 speed. and the list goes on and on. Even down to a 61 Ford Starliner which is probably only good for just parts. But they are hidden in barns, pole building and in long ago forgotten fields.

[@LawrenceRoss1906]

Yes! I would definitely restore that OHC 6.

[@Formulabruce]

A GTO is a "Grand Tempest Option " It was never a Sanctioned or certified car for ANY competition. >> "certified as conforming to the specifications, as fuel capacity and engine displacement, for a class of standard automobiles qualified to engage in various types of competitions " < But The marketing took this car to court !, to see the Judge!

[@baronofbeef]

Give me the 2+2 421 4 speed for the win!

[@manicmechanic448]

My late friend Mike would have loved this. He was a big Pontiac guy. I put the cam in his dad's 455.

[@LEMMYKISGOD]

PONTIAC ❤️ My 67' GTO shed a tear while watching this... 😢

[@Chambomorrison]

Oh men ,I'm in love with that pontiac LeMans 14:09

[@darinclark1853]

I love this peek into the collections of everyday car nerds...! Thanks Tom... Love your videos!

[@kennethmraz8396]

Bring back so many good memories thanks Tom that great videos with his little sketchy walking up on people's property ain't it stay safe God bless

[@twots22]

Thank you thank you. I love old pontirags. Happy hunting!

[@sumbeech1484]

The guy at 13:17 is me !!!! I've got two projects started and never finished either one of em' ! He's got me beat tho, way more in the his fleet than mine ! Well at least both of mine are indoors & safe from the elements !!! Pontiac outside I wouldn't mind havin' & he said 5k, which isn't bad !!!

[@jamespn]

Great old car finds. Keep up the good work.

[@stevevarholy2011]

The American Pickers are nice guys to meet. My greyhound Tuxedo got to meet them when they were sitting on the steps of their hotel that was across the street from my office. One time he tried to squeeze past David Crosby to climb up the steps of his tour bus.

[@stephenriley9084]

Tom, I like the jumble. In the 1960s the words Pontiac Firebird sounded like the most attractive thing to me. I had one... Hot Wheels!!! It was about 3" long😀 and ran on a track! I still have a 1959 Chevrolet Impala. It's canary yellow with red seats.... but its a Dinky!!! Some day, some day. The garage I used to hang around in as a kid had a corner like that man's place. It had a great big old Austin in it. A filing cabinet. But Jim had it complete and loads of spares and it would have run if it wasn't for all that paperwork! The smell of the wood and leather interior sticks with me now. A good video, evoking fond memories. Regards Stephen.

[@keithlane4343]

I really enjoy this series, and the best part is, I show my wife the collections these guys have, and that what looks like a pile of junk to the uninformed, is actually a gold mine of automotive, and marine history.

[@travel-warrior]

what a great program, passion never dies and holding onto your dream for most of these guys is simply survival

[@StephenMcFadden]

Tom Cotter, you're an American hero. I love this show. Happy Hunting.

[@Hagerty]

Thank you for the kind words! Happy watching!

[@georgelambertson300]

Tom great stuff keep knocking on those doors great content ,,,many thanks

[@jimburig7064]

Friendly people there in Iowa.

[@kirkjohnson9353]

That was the REAL find

[@Clarkecars]

The ship is the Mayflower. Plymouth was created out of Maxwell Auto Co. after being purchased by Walter P. Chrysler.

[@vettekid3326]

Back when I lived in Illinois I used to ride my motorcycle along the the river highways up Iowa and back down the Illinois side. If you poke around from Bettendorf thru Savanna and back to Moline you can spot a lot of old cars & trucks just in that narrow amount of riding. Le Claire is a neat little river town to visit.

[@GearScar]

Lots of very interesting cars in this episode, thanks Tom!

[@Rj-tz5kb]

Love to watch Tom hunt cars! Greetings from Belgium!

[@henrybourdon6712]

so he is planning to restore it since 84 and all he done was take it apart and let it rust. good thing he will live forever at that speed.

[@pensive69]

Never seen one of those old Ford engines setup as a compressor. ingenious. Great video and series.

[@RexRaces]

Soon as you said Iowa, I was like ooo American Pickers and then you drive past their HQ! Love it

[@commando340]

my dad bought the first 1951 ford hardtop sold in dallas. i still remember helping him push it down mockingbird lane on a hot september day when it was vapor locked.

[@commando340]

my dad bought the first 1951 ford hardtop sold in dallas. i still remember helping him push it down mockingbird lane on a hot late summer day because it was vaporlocked.

[@gasparini76]

Tom you are a legend!

[@Hagerty]

Thank you André!

[@mustangstrike8355]

Oh my, thank you Tom, I think I feel a kind of pain about of those cars in that condition, they derserve better than just get cover by dust, I´m fan of the GTO ´66, thank you Tom for sharing all this beauty pictures about the towns and the places you visit and off cors that pieces of history.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Dude: I'm restorin' this car! Legend says he had it since 1963.

[@--Zook--]

I really like this format. Id rather have a hour long show with all the "behind the scenes" than a 18 min best of.

[@MikeyMack303]

That is so funny that you are right around the corner from Antique Archaeology! Right in their own backyard!

[@ncsteeltoe]

That four on the floor column shift for those days when you can't decide.

[@johns.4639]

Really enjoy his videos. Nice layed back delivery while being very knowledgeable and personable.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Just when I think my car hoard is getting out of control, I see other guys that are beating me..... Time to get another.

[@jasongrooming36]

@Darren Ty fake bullshit

[@caidentimothy9691]

i know Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@lennoxtravis9487]

@Caiden Timothy instablaster =)

[@joebrown1382]

Great show Tom. Waited 1 1/2 hours that's dedication.

[@adamskikijowski9139]

Lovely to see all these cars. The Ford pickup and Buick Riviera-legends.

[@lonpearson2134]

I have enjoyed watching many of your videos and it occurred to me to mention I have a 1971 F-250 step side that I bought in 1975, but the body is badly rusted. It runs like new, having rebuilt the motor in the 80’s and have gone through the entire drive train. It’s a heavy duty version and I bought it from a construction company based in Montana. I am looking for a cab and bed for it and thought I would mention it, since I’ve only seen a few of them over the years.

[@cosmosome]

have seen automatic and four speed gear both in one car thanks to you 😃

[@speeder36]

Another Fantastic episode! Just a follow up, I had a 1965 Pontiac 2+2 421 and it came stock with a 3 spd on the floor!

[@johnschutt9187]

Thanks Tom, for the videos. I love watching each one.

[@Hagerty]

John - You are very welcome! Enjoy the ride.

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Neat collection, and love the wall art.

[@rickyhogan2749]

Always Great, Thank you.

[@kickit59]

Tom you were persistent on the Pontiacs! I drive around & find cars keeping track of the ones I want to buy.

[@oliversworldofwheels4910]

Those cars are awesome like the Fords and more! Love the video like always!

[@5797029]

I had both the 66 GTO and the 67 Grand Prix. The GTO was a green on black 4 speed with full analog guages. The Grand Prix was maroon on black and had all the bells and whistles including bucket seats and console with shifter. It looked pretty much like a big GTO on the inside and the tail lights were unique to the full size bodies. It came with fender skirts which I didn't use. It also had hidden headlights where a vacuum powered door would lift when the lights turned on. It also had the hidden wipers. I believe the full size Pontiacs were the first of all American cars to have the hidden wipers in 1967. They were opposed and retracted completely out of sight. It was copied very quickly and some are still using an altered version of it.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The more I watch this show, the more I want a garage. I don't have much money, but I'm pretty good at fabrication and repairs. It's just hard to do much in my driveway.

[@davidoldbikes799]

Another great episode. Just love seeing so many parts of America that I guess I’ll never get to. Love the background guitar work to. Terrific!

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

Love the sound of that Ford door at 16:10..solid.

[@styldsteel1]

This series is by far the nicest channel I think on KZbin, But this particular episode is by far the best on yet so far. So nice you swung by Antique Archaeology in LeClaire. Hats off to Tom and Company.. Well done guys. Thank you for a wonderful episode.

[@Hagerty]

We think so as well. Thank you for the kind words. Many more to come!

[@1970chevy07]

Hey it's been a while welcome back my friend

[@kapekodbob]

Great video, Frank and Mike will be sad you didn't drop by. Reasonable prices

[@phillipleeds296]

Always enjoy these. Thanks so much.

[@MrTurboRotary]

Nice 👍 Keep on chasing those hidden gems.

[@johnobrien2436]

Great stuff hagerty, Love All this love Old Cars back up and running regards,stay Safe

[@keithtate3699]

you need to go to lebanon, missouri. omg!!!! im from atlanta. my parents live there. old car heaven its nuts. all unrestored.

[@vernonricker6498]

Any 57 chevys

[@allenschmitz9644]

you saw the Cordova drag strip...lol' Barney Beswick used to race there, cant believe thats still around..most closed down since the 90s.

[@pontiacgrandprix733]

Pontiac man, good find, I was anxious, I'm trying to find a 1973 Luxury Lemans w power windows and doors, 350, 400 just not a rust box, your gonna walk by one some day, and go towards the Jaguar and I'm gonna scream, good job Tom as always keep em coming

[@michaeltruscott9443]

I had a 65 GTO with a two speed power glide on the column and it was a ragtop

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

Enjoyed the hunt with you ! I always like to go through and read the comments . And like many others I always wonder why folks get these old cars and never finish them ? The guy with the Fords and Pontiacs has way to many projects going on . I like looking in the background also to see what else is laying around , saw a lot of new parts in his garage for some of those cars . It took me a lot of years to restore my 66 Chevelle SS . but it finally got done . It was my only car project .

[@jayallen408]

oh wow is that a vintage mid 90s Club Car golf cart

[@Paulscottrock]

Good job . Very interesting . Dude is really good at asking questions and getting people to talk . These old codgers can be cranky .

[@Jb74W]

Love the theme song from this show.

[@richhayrobrokke6171]

i love this program.. awesome finds

[@mattkaustickomments]

Cool ep. my sister knew Mike W from AP before he was famous. She sent me one of his early vids, where he buys a ‘39 or ‘40 Ford Woodie that had been converted into a pickup after the owners had accidentally shot a hole in the roof with a shotgun on their way back from a hunting trip! I could see the potential of the show back then before it got picked up. Later on, my sis ended up dating Frank for about a year. She went to A&E HQ in NYC and saw the army of workers behind AP.

[@2trkpony471]

Yes a plethora to me,all I want is one!

[@SF80CAMARO]

Tom ...yes new stuff!!!👍

[@rickmcrae8745]

Being a car guy myself and restored a few it is a shame that these people will not part with them and all they do is rot and never amounts to anything ...it kills me to see that stuff.. lol...more projects that will never amount to anything but stories...I wish we all could live forever...