BEHIND THE STORY
Manuel Menezes Morais shot the photos, but he was sworn to secrecy about the cars’ location and the owner’s name. However, he was able to obtain permission from the elusive owner to give me the following information:
The owner of the cars was a car dealer in the 1970s and 1980s, and decided to save the more interesting cars that came through his doors. When the barn was full, he padlocked and “soldered” the doors shut. (Perhaps welding was too permanent.)
Web sites varied on the number of cars: 58, 100, and 180 were speculated. According to Morais, there are 180 cars in the barn.
And, aw shucks, none of the cars is for sale.
Clara was able to determine that the cars are located somewhere in the area of Sintra, near Lisbon. I asked Morais if he could ask the owner if he had a favorite car. “He has lots of good cars in very good condition,” he says, “but he loves the Lancia Aurelia B24. He has two.”
I would ask that a European-based SCM subscriber pick this story up and help fill in the blanks. And let me know what you find (tomgcotter@roadrunner.com). I’d like to include the true story in a future In the Barn book, as well as in SCM.
Opels & American barges
Fiat Cabriolet (1200 or 1500), Ford Cortina MKII, Mercedes Benz 180/190.
Pre-war stuff, 1970’s American barges, who knows?
Lotus Super Seven Series IV, Lotus Elan FHC, Opel GT, Alfa Bertone.
Lotus Super Seven Series IV and Lotus Elan.
Opel GT, Lotus Elan FHC, Lotus Super Seven Series IV, Lotus Elan DHC.
BMW V8, Formula racers, Chryslers, Mercedes, Austin A30.
Steyr Puch, Austin Healey Sprite MkII.
Abarth 1300 Scorpione.
Lancia Appia.
Definitely American.
Lancia Aurelia.
Porsche 356.
I wish I could tell you what cars these are….
Pre-war Austin, Alfa Giulia, BMW 501 V8.
Fiat 508 Balilla Sport, Austin Cooper and MG Magnette.
American, 1920’s.
Alfa Giulia SS.
Alfa Giulietta, Lotus Europa, another Lotus Elan FHC, Matra Djet
Austin Cooper
Austin Cooper
Elan +2, DKW 1000 SP
Sport Car Market
