May 10, 2015  •  Name That Car Stories  •  68 Comments

What’s Under That Tarp?

Whats under the tarp

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Barn Finds reader Forrest S. just sent in this photo of a car he is currently digging out. He is going to send more photos soon, but we wanted to post this to see if any of you can tell what’s under that tarp! Leave your guesses in the comments and then we will run an update once he gets it out. Thanks for sharing Forrest!

Comments

  1. Paul
    May 10, 2015 at 3:23pm

    there is something funny up front that I think is a red herring.

    The tall windshield makes me guess a later Dataun Roadster.

    Like 0
    • David Mann
      May 11, 2015 at 7:09pm

      1972 triumph TR6

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  2. randy
    May 10, 2015 at 3:24pm

    Whiskey Barrels? Old Vet?

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  3. randy
    May 10, 2015 at 3:25pm

    Forgot to subscribe!

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  4. perry
    May 10, 2015 at 3:32pm

    Based on fender humps and hint of bumper, im going with jag or cheetah. And I’m guessing the hood is off causing the sag.

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  5. Don
    May 10, 2015 at 3:32pm

    I was thinking an early AH Sprite

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  6. Jim
    May 10, 2015 at 3:34pm

    Jag…XKE …DROP TOP

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  7. Blindmarc
    May 10, 2015 at 3:47pm

    Xk1## without a hood

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  8. charles hefner
    May 10, 2015 at 4:08pm

    Austin Healey 3000 maybe?

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  9. Rick
    May 10, 2015 at 4:12pm

    Not much really to clear off, but only thing I can say is ‘convertible’

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  10. Robin
    May 10, 2015 at 4:13pm

    Alfa Romeo or Fiat

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  11. guggie
    May 10, 2015 at 4:19pm

    Jag

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  12. Steve
    May 10, 2015 at 4:31pm

    I think we are looking at the back. TR 3

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  13. zackman
    May 10, 2015 at 4:47pm

    I’m thinking an MGA or possibly an Austin Healy 3000….

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  14. Tom
    May 10, 2015 at 5:02pm

    I think we are looking at the rear of the car. The cover indicates a dip at the door belt line making me think of an imported roadster! maybe there is a clue in the (back) bumper! The size of the things on top of the tarp indicate a small car.

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  15. marc
    May 10, 2015 at 5:11pm

    MGA from what few bumper overrider details and rear fender curve that I can see. Looks like the rear tail-lights location and shape.

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  16. marc
    May 10, 2015 at 5:16pm

    See the similarities?

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    • jim s
      May 10, 2015 at 6:21pm

      yes i think you are right. good eye.

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    • Jim Simpson
      May 11, 2015 at 8:55pm

      You nailed it Mark and Zackman it looks very much to me like an MGA as well.

      Like 0
    • Tim
      May 11, 2015 at 9:06pm

      Nice, Marc. We have a winner, folks.

      Like 0
  17. Glen
    May 10, 2015 at 5:47pm

    I think Marc has it figured out.

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  18. ChipsBB
    May 10, 2015 at 5:49pm

    Great, an MG-A looks correct, and I was about to add it might be a chopped roof Sabra.

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  19. jim s
    May 10, 2015 at 6:22pm

    ok more photos and the rest of the story please. thanks for sharing.

    Like 0
  20. Dave Wright
    May 10, 2015 at 8:01pm

    Well……I know Forrest and have some unfair advantage but would like to see how this plays out.

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  21. DRV
    May 10, 2015 at 8:18pm

    The trunk is too low for the MGA. The hugely round rear fender and tall windshield and extended rear got me thinking.

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  22. marc
    May 10, 2015 at 8:28pm

    It’s not common but continental kits were available for the MGA maybe explaining the bump in the cover between the tail lights. I’m still on the MGA plan. Just think the spare is gone and the bracket is sticking up – plus the bumper seems to be sticking out a bit further.

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  23. marc
    May 10, 2015 at 8:29pm

    another view…

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  24. DRV
    May 10, 2015 at 8:35pm

    Can a Jupiter Jowett have a continental on it?

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  25. marc
    May 10, 2015 at 8:47pm

    I don’t think so – even if what we are seeing is not a continental kit, the stock license plate light sits pretty darn high on the rear of the MGA – enough to appear as it does in the photo under the cover.

    Like 0
  26. Ed P
    May 10, 2015 at 10:17pm

    My guess would be a ’73 Studebaker Golden Hawk convertible!!

    Like 0
  27. Bobsmyuncle
    May 10, 2015 at 10:57pm

    So I’m the only one that thinks we’re looking at the front of the car?

    Like 0
    • Barry
      May 11, 2015 at 6:20am

      I agree bob ,if that is the rear end , I wouldn’t want to drive pushing the air with the angle of that windsheild !

      Like 0
      • randy
        May 11, 2015 at 8:31am

        I have migrated to the school of, this is the front we are looking at, no idea the kind of car.

        Like 0
  28. Robert Adcoc
    May 11, 2015 at 1:04am

    Daimler Conquest Roadster

    Like 0
  29. mg Kent
    May 11, 2015 at 3:49am

    I agree with Steve, TR 3.

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  30. Horse Radish
    May 11, 2015 at 6:24am

    Fiat Dino spider ?

    Like 0
    • Jim Simpson
      May 11, 2015 at 8:58pm

      As utterly cool as Fiat Dino Spiders are that is not one…

      Like 0
  31. ZACKMAN
    May 11, 2015 at 8:28am

    I’m still sticking with my original assessment of it as an MGA. That’s the body line and taillight shape….. that other thing sticking up, however, is not a continental kit. It sticks out too far… I’m thinking that is probably some sort of aftermarket bicycle rack….. a very European idea I do believe….

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  32. steve baker
    May 11, 2015 at 8:36am

    the tarp seems to show the lip of the wheel well rolled, or perhaps fender trim. i’m still looking.

    Like 0
  33. mowogeditor
    May 11, 2015 at 8:55am

    MGA by the rear fender line and the posts sticking up at the corners of the windscreen and the straight front fender line

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  34. John
    May 11, 2015 at 8:55am

    Could it be an MGA

    Like 0
  35. sunbeamdon
    May 11, 2015 at 9:34am

    Its a cut-down ’40 Ford! Want proof? It is in the barrels!

    Like 0
  36. Gary
    May 11, 2015 at 9:55am

    From the picture I would definitely say that is a rear shot and I agree with a few others on the MGA with a continental kit or rear plate bracket.

    Like 0
  37. Robert R.Member
    May 11, 2015 at 12:42pm

    I too believe this is the rear of the car. The, what appears to be, upside-down ersuctions are present on MGAs. MGA.

    Like 0
  38. Alan (Michigan)
    May 11, 2015 at 3:33pm

    You front end guys seem to be in the minority. And I’ll be joining the rear view crew. I think that the MGA guess is as good as any, so I’ll go along.
    What distracts the eye is the angle of the photograph. If it were more to the side, I think that the windshield tilt would be more obvious. I’m guessing that the car is wearing a tonneau cover over the cockpit, leading the “nose first” adherents to believe that they see the junk piled onto the hood. But that stuff does not look heavy, so it could easily be supported by the cover.

    How’s that for over-analysis?

    Like 0
    • Alan (Michigan)
      May 11, 2015 at 5:07pm

      Wait….

      Copy/Paste to Paint, enlarge to 150%, and… Look! Is that a TAILPIPE protruding from under the blanket, just a bit to right of frame center in the photo? And the placement seems to be identical to the spot shown in Marc’s photos. Hmmm… Anyone still think this is a front end nearest the camera?

      I think I’ll even join the “Continental Tire Holder” proponents. Hehehehe

      Like 0
  39. Deborah K.
    May 11, 2015 at 3:35pm

    Something with a roll bar?

    Like 0
  40. John C Cargill
    May 11, 2015 at 4:54pm

    tr3

    Like 0
  41. David
    May 11, 2015 at 5:04pm

    Looks like an MGA roadster. The bumper guard is MGA and the pins sticking up at the windscreen end is MGA.

    Like 0
  42. DRV
    May 11, 2015 at 5:24pm

    Tr3s don’t have a rear bumper and the MGAs overrides don’t look like that. I know this rear end….I just can’t remember her name….

    Like 0
  43. DRV
    May 11, 2015 at 6:08pm

    Even though the tailights of the MGA should be bumping up more and the overrides might be bent down a little , my money is on the MG through default. To good of a match with the empty continental kit.
    With the empty whiskey barrels it’s no wonder it sits.

    Like 0
  44. Ian Evans
    May 11, 2015 at 7:25pm

    mga

    Like 0
  45. Bobsmyuncle
    May 11, 2015 at 9:40pm

    I’m not buying the continental kit. For one there (obviously?) is no wheel which is fine but how does that explain the protrusion both upwards and outwards (toward the camera).

    The possible tailpipe is a good catch but again seems to protrude awfully far from the car and awfully close to the covered over rider to be plausible.

    I still think the apparent angle of the windshield evokes a front view but concede that the angle of the shot could be playing tricks on the eye.

    Like 0
  46. Bobsmyuncle
    May 11, 2015 at 10:02pm

    Sticking with the front of the car vein, could the protrusion be a rally light and/or a badge bar?

    Like 0
  47. gunningbar
    May 11, 2015 at 10:38pm

    The windshield says Austin Healey…. but the front not so much.. Jensen?

    Like 0
  48. Tim
    May 11, 2015 at 11:11pm

    I’m troubled by that rear fender shape, and the length of the tail. Makes me think it’s either rear-engined, like a Karmann Ghia, or something older with a very swoopy back end like a 1950-ish Studebaker or Buick, or even older with separate fenders. The rear bumper is also a problem. It does not have a concave middle (top to bottom) like a Jag, double bar like so many 1930’s cars and the over-riders are a very subtle shape with their slight rearward lean at the top. Is that a badge on the top edge of that over-rider or just a reflection? Also, look at the flat top of the bumper disappearing round the body corner – is that an ‘s’ profile in the upper bead? That’s more reminiscent of 1940’s-50’s Americana than European isn’t it?

    Like 0
  49. DolphinMember
    May 11, 2015 at 11:14pm

    The bumper guard, tail pipe, and the pins at the ends of the windshield frame that secure the top frame are right for 1960-61 MGA 1600. I’ll go with that and asume that bulge at the middle of the rear bumper is the bracket for the continental tire kit, as mentioned already.

    Like 0
  50. Brian
    May 12, 2015 at 10:25am

    Looks like an MGA to me!

    Like 0
  51. pongo
    May 14, 2015 at 3:51pm

    bug eye sprite

    Like 0
  52. Bobsmyuncle
    May 17, 2015 at 11:19am

    A conclusion would make this a lot more fun!

    Like 0
  53. Rev Rory
    May 17, 2015 at 12:59pm

    Sorry Bob’s, I get it; I haven’t been back out there to finish the dig-it-out. Soon…
    I promise a happy ending.

    Like 0
    • Bobsmyuncle
      May 17, 2015 at 2:02pm

      :)

      Maybe another hint first?

      Like 0
  54. Rev Rory
    May 17, 2015 at 2:08pm

    Not a Spitfire. ;-)

    Like 0
  55. randy
    May 17, 2015 at 2:25pm

    “Front or rear?”

    Like 0
  56. Alan (Michigan )
    May 22, 2015 at 7:43pm

    Talk about a slow reveal!

    Two weeks is an eternity in Internet terms.

    So I’ll push the subject a bit. If it posts from my phone, saw this on the road Monday.

    Oooo… success! Getting better at this smartphone thing, lol.

    Like 0
  57. Rick
    May 23, 2015 at 8:38am

    Niiice!!

    Like 0
  58. Rev Rory
    May 23, 2015 at 2:45pm

    Usually see those things headed east from here in August with a few Harleys aboard and a can of spray-on road grime in the trunk.
    Good guess.

    Like 0
    • SoCal Car Guy
      May 23, 2015 at 5:02pm

      Rev Rory,

      Assuming you’re referring to Sturgis, along with the can of road grime they need their Hollywood-style glue-on ZZ Top beards and wash-off-in-a-week removable tats. You can’t be a wannabe bad-ass biker for a few days without tats a Duck Dynasty whiskers…

      Like 0

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