How Many Vintage Vehicles Can You Identify?
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure is a maxim that we can all understand. However, if you are tasked with marketing vintage vehicles that just happen to be sitting in what suspiciously looks like an old junkyard, can you call them project vehicles? Take a look at this collection of cars and trucks from the twenties all the way up to the fifties for sale on Facebook Marketplace in St. Cloud, Minnesota. With nary a mention of price and an invitation to come and inspect the cars, is this the kind of start you are looking for in a project car? Can you identify the year, make, and model of the vehicles in question? Thanks to NW Iowa Kevin for the field find!
To be clear from the start, the ad is both blunt and vague. It says that the buyer should come check out the cars, that the seller will delete the pictures of the ones that sell, and that the cars are being sold whole. No parts sales at this point it seems. Looking at the pictures, it is evident that this rule was not always in force. While they are interesting vehicles, as a whole this is not exactly the Bill Harrah collection. Most likely it is just a relative trying to clear off a piece of land that they inherited.
Not that there is anything wrong with that. It is just that buyers want a little more information about vehicles that they might have to travel long distances to inspect. So, in the spirit of comradery that Barn Finds is known for, I figured that our readers might be able to help out with the identification of the cars seen in the pictures. It is well known that our readers are experts in all manner of vintage vehicles. So, let’s go to work on the cars and trucks seen in the pictures above and below.
There are eight pictures in total. While there are glimpses of other vehicles in the background, we will focus on the most obvious ones. My suggestion is that if you want to play, we go with some ground rules. First, all responses will be placed in the comments. Second, the responses in the comments will be numbered 1-8 for the eight pictures seen in the post. If there is one car, then simply list the year, make, and model. For example, if the picture showed a 1935 Ford Deluxe Phaeton, then that would be listed in the comment for picture one.
So, looking at the photos in order, we see that there is one car in picture one. Three cars are visible in picture two. Picture three shows a truck and enough of another vehicle that we will consider that one extra credit. In picture four there are two easily identified vehicles and two that can be seen in the rear that will fall under the extra credit category. You can see three in the rear if you squint a lot, so we will call the green one in the far back double extra credit.
Picture four has one obvious vehicle, one chassis with the engine for extra credit, and a front end that will also bring the eagle-eyed reader some extra credit points. In picture five, we will count two vehicles. Your first answer is the identity of the blue vehicle, and the second is obviously clad in school bus yellow. That particular vehicle might be worth investigating if you travel to St. Cloud, Minnesota to see this crusty collection. There may be some missing parts from the other vehicles hiding within its confines.
Picture five is where you can score a lot of points. Four vehicles are visible with multiple makes and decades are represented in the image. These vehicles are also some of the nicest shown in the ad. Perhaps someone can bring the blue one back to life with a little effort. The third and fourth ones might be within the realm of possibility. As for the second one, please reach out to whatever deity you feel is appropriate. Ask them to make sure that some fool with a blowtorch and an unnaturally strong affinity for Rob Zombie music doesn’t turn this once proud truck into another rat rod. Please and thank you.
Picture eight may be the same truck we see in picture seven. Go ahead and list your guess for it on both lines if you think it is the same truck, or a different guess on each line if you feel they are two separate vehicles. Extra credit for this vehicle can be had if you can identify the piece hanging by the running board.
As for points, each vehicle is eligible for three points. One point for the year, one point for the make, and one year for the model. There are 15 possible vehicles for regular credit, six vehicles to earn extra credit with, one vehicle you can earn double extra credit with, and one piece of something hanging off the red truck that can merit you a bonus extra credit point. I failed fifth grade twice, but I think my math is correct in saying that there are 70 total points up for grabs. As for how you identify them, we will use the Cannonball Run rule: The only rule is that there are no rules. Tear up Google if you want.
The tough part is figuring out a winner. I call on one of our most knowledgeable readers to judge this contest. Howard A. is one of the most consistent and knowledgeable posters in the comments of my stories, and I am hopeful he will step to the plate to referee this contest. If not, I am open to other volunteers.
What do you win? Unfortunately, I am destitute due to my hobby related spending and cannot offer any prize worth mentioning. Let’s say that the winner will have bragging rights over the rest of us. As for everyone else, the fun is in competing. Good luck to everyone! Entries close at midnight Eastern time on November 9th.
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now1 days$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now4 days$100
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now4 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now4 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now6 days$5,650
Comments
Well, thanks Jeff, perhaps I have more time than most and with the life I led, it’s a blessing. I’d like to play along, except, clicking on the picture tells the year and make. Looks like mostly a Chevy collection, however, going to a picture, then “back to story”, I get “Error 404” something, and pretty frustrating. If this comment makes it, sadly, I don’t see anything worth saving.
You don’t see anything worth saving? There’s lots to work with here!
Howard,
Thanks for reading the post and lending your expertise. As fo the pictures, I have to label them somehow when I save them in the system. What shows up is a pure, quick guess on the make and model. Some of those Chevrolets may be something else, as GM shared bodies across divisions. If anybody is reading this, I am not an expert! I am merely the lowly writer!
Also, I want to thank you and many of the other regular posters for your comments on my stories. A lot of the reward for writing is seeing that the stories were enjoyed and that they brought back a lot of memories. I especially enjoy it when all of you share your memories of cars, times, and places. I appreciate all of you!
Jeff
It’s always sad to see a field full of long neglected cars like this.
It the Oldsmobile is a ’46-’47, I’d take it. Dad had one when I was growing up.
Does anyone know the year and make of the truck next to the blue 50’s Ford car?
Pretty sure thats a 38 Chevy
Picture #1: junk car, picture #2: junk car, picture #3: junk car….
Oh boy, There are a few parts cars and some art work stuff, after that…shred away. Caritous is a terrible thing. I have it but once you get a few finished you start looking at the others realizing, A, they are junk, B, no one is going to restore them in this day and age, and finally, C, Selling parts is a larger pain than a root canal. Shred away, that’s what I am doing with a big slice of, what I have deemed junk. I have had several acquaintances over the years with caritous and all they did was leave a headache for their family upon their departure. I don’t plan on doing that. Items like this are a giant pain for auctioneers and relatives.
Sadly I keep getting ” Error 404″ how would someone get the owners contact information
I get that too. While the staff insists it’s on my end, I think if too many people visit the post at once overwhelming the server, listen to me, big innernet[sic] expert. It’s the only site that happens.
Why do people do this? Putting cars to rust away in the elements, especially Minnesota!
it probably was a small junkyard at one time ; most are picked over
They had repair business or a towing service or caritous. The days roll to months than years. Most were given to them as junk at the time and it is likely the nearest scrap processor was too far to travel to to make it worthwhile or like lots of collections like this, the guy lacked the equipment to deal with it. Decades later you have this. Times change development comes as does the zoning board with pitch forks and torches. Then sadly the portable scrap company comes in after the pickers, kickers, and flippers finish.
Fun idea for a contest. Next time paste a number into each photo next to the car/truck. Would make playing much easier.
I see at least one olds a couple of early 50s late 40s fords a model t or a a couple of Dodge power wagons, Chevy panel vans, and international harvesters, a few.
1. Lightning
2. Sally
3. Mater
4. Doc
Didn’t watch the rest of the movie so not sure.
Hmm, scrolling this post doesn’t seem to let the photos come up well. SO, based on the 10 photos in the FB Marketplace advert:
Pik 1 = 58 Chevrolet
Pik 2 (L to R) = 53? mercury wagon; 47? Studebaker; 50 Studebaker; 54? Ford.
Pik 3 (L to R) = ???; 47? Olds; ???
Pik 4 = International-Harvester KB-5 truck (46-49)
Pik 5 = 53? Chevy sedan delivery
Pik 6 = ??? in front; 58 Chevy in the back right side.
Pik 7 (L to R) = 54? Ford; ???; ??Chevvy truck; 47? Olds; 46-49 IHC truck.
Pik 8 = 46? Chevy/GMC truck.
Pik 9 = 48? GMC truck.
Pik 10 = darned if I know.
That ’53 Chevy Panel Delivery in photo 4 is probably the most sought-after vehicle of the bunch, as they are wanted for street rod conversion. They are actually hard to find because so many were driven hard & then junked, because 10 years later, unlike a pickup truck, few people wanted one.
If the seller is going to delete photos as vehicles sell, I suspect photo #4 will be one of the first photos to disappear.
Hi Bill: – If you happen to be interested in a sedan delivery, I’ve got a REALLLY REALLY NICE 52 Chevy Sedan Delivery that is already to go back on the road (I’m out of garage space). 4545 w/TH-400, fully customed paint and interior, black and silver. Runs really strong (light he tires if you hick-up while lightly on the pedal. Minimum reserve price will be $35,000 if I put it on line in Jan. Open to discussion before then.
Manley,
Thanks for the offer, but at my age and with multiple medical issues, I’m selling off cars & stuff, not buying!
What’s with the mirrors seemingly hanging in space on pic 3? You can barely see some sort rods connecting them to the body, but they still seem way too far from the vehicle even if they were extended for hauling a trailer. A weird look.
Good catch, Paul, I believe it may have been some sort of manufactured home toter.