A worthwhile "barn find" Wagoneer -- sitting in plain sight

[acct21]

Hasn't been on the road since 1986 according to the inspection sticker on the windshield. Hasn't moved in years according to the rotted tires and pools of brake fluid at all four corners. No rust anywhere -- except the roof. The roof feels a bit crunchy underneath the vinyl.

Have tried contacting the owner of the business where it's sitting -- under a giant awning. Called -- no response. Left a note -- note was taken but *zero* communication.

Anyone willing to share a success story from a similar situation? I'm sure I'm not the first that has inquired -- but for pete's sake, it's sitting in plain view. If the owner wasn't interested in the attention, there are plenty of places he could store this -- there are other vehicles in and around the site that are completely out of view.

This needs to be on the road, not on a 30+ year-old "I'll get around to it" list.

[babywag]

That's a super wagoneer fyi, a pretty desirable vehicle to some FSJ enthusiasts.

Some have a deep attachment to vehicles, persistence can make a deal happen, or just piss the owner off to no end.

My first car, a 1967 mustang fastback, was purchased from a very unwilling @ first owner. It had been sitting for decades rotting away.
It took many months of hounding the owner after I found him. It was inside an airplane hanger.

[acct21]

Oh yeah, it's a Super... an earlier example, with the 327.

I'm never going to be rude or aggressive (it's absolutely their property -- not mine), so if persistence alone pisses off the owner, so be it.

more pics:

[Mustang Shooter]

Hey guys,
I may be able to fill in some info concerning this Waggy.
I believe it still belongs to the family that has owned a car dealership in Fredericksburg for several decades.
Where you see it parked is the location of their original dealership.
They have quite a collection of cars that were sold by the dealership over the years and are not interested in selling them. The old dealership is used as a warehouse for them.
We were contacted by them several years ago to see if we would be interested in performing some repairs to some of these cars.
My dad has purchased his last 3 Grand Cherokees from them and is on a first name relationship with the owner.

Dan

[acct21]

It would be nice to put one back on the road for them.

If your dad is ever so-inclined, I'd be happy to provide him my contact info to give to the owner.

[TexasJ10]

Thanks for sharing that. There are so many cool features and trim on a super wagoner that you rarely get to see. That one is really a collectors piece and looks complete. Even has the A/C option.

If there are multiple kids, I'm betting the collection will eventually get auctioned off. The next generation rarely has the desire or ability to deal with the stuff that their parents held dear. That show " Strange Inheritances", has had a number of situations like this that has shown the problems the kids face after the original collector passes away. It would have been much better to have taken care of it before anything happens and not make the kids do it later.

[ZackN920]

That's a cool find! Good luck trying to get it. You've already had more luck than another guy around here had.
He wanted to (possibly) buy some early Bronco's('66-'77) that have been sitting(with many other vehicles) on a small property outside of town. He went to go look at them, and a guy came running out of the delapitated shack of a house with a shot gun! Was threatening him by sayin "Those ain't for sale! now I'm gunna shoot your f###in' ass if you don't get the f##k off my property!"

Just to be an ass hole, i've always wanted to report that jackass. His place isn't a registered junkyard, but that's what it looks like, with all them rusty hunks of . I'd like to see him pull that shotgun out on the law.

If there are multiple kids, I'm betting the collection will eventually get auctioned off. The next generation rarely has the desire or ability to deal with the stuff that their parents held dear. That show " Strange Inheritances", has had a number of situations like this that has shown the problems the kids face after the original collector passes away. It would have been much better to have taken care of it before anything happens and not make the kids do it later.

and you know what? That's just sad! Mabey its just because I'm a car guy, and I like the older stuff but idk...
yup-Just sell it off. ...for god sake, doesn't anyone give a about family heirlooms.
Nope, it's all about that money. Well, in situations like this, I LAUGH when the stuff goes for near nothing.

I got a car coming to me, through will. A mint low mileage '76 Torino. I don't think i'd ever get rid of it, other than passing it down the line again. It'd be nicer if I could get it sooner, so they know that i'll enjoy it, before their passing but... that's how it goes sometimes.

[rang-a-stang]

WWWwwwwwooooowwww....... that is an awesome rig. That would be awesome just freshened up and put on the road.

[66Stepside]

Whoa, that is a sweet Super. The white version is my favorite. I've only seen white with red and blue interior- so it's great to see the black interior version, too.

Do you know if the painted stripe below the was repainted white? I thought all the side stripes were always black. That's a great find.

[rocklaurence]

I have a simular story here in Bartow Fl on HW60. There's a 1973 J2000 sitting in a lot by the highway. There's always someone/customers asking me if I know about that J truck on 60. So, I knew where it was, pass it often and decided to investigate. When I got to the house it had "Owner is Armed", "No Tresspassing", Trespassers will Be Shot". I was affraid to go to the door. So, I asked the neighbor if he knew who owned the truck. They said that the Crazy Man next door with the No Tresspassing signs owns it. I offered the neighbor $50 if they could get the guy to call and sell it to me--I never heard back. I hope the neighbors are still alive.
Poor Old trucks is melting into the Florida Sand

[SOLSAKS]

over the years i have found that some folks get far more pleasure
from telling someone "NO"
than they ever would get from selling an item, even if they
need the money.

it must be something about the fact that:
"it is mine, i know you want it, but you cant have it"
that brings satisfaction to some.

and as stated in some of the replies/posts
the item usually ends up rotting away
until it cannot be saved.

dave in NC

[mattmopar440]

Stick a note on the windshield with a phone number and a short message like Love the jeep if your ever looking to sell it call # never hurts to try

[xabn82]

over the years i have found that some folks get far more pleasure
from telling someone "NO"
than they ever would get from selling an item, even if they
need the money.

it must be something about the fact that:
"it is mine, i know you want it, but you cant have it"
that brings satisfaction to some.

and as stated in some of the replies/posts
the item usually ends up rotting away
until it cannot be saved.

dave in NC

Exactly, well said. I've got a buddy that tried for years to buy a 1957 Chevy car from this guy. Half of it was under a carport and the rain fell on the back glass. That car finally rusted and broke into, because the guy refused to sell. Just makes no sense

[66Stepside]

Exactly, well said. I've got a buddy that tried for years to buy a 1957 Chevy car from this guy. Half of it was under a carport and the rain fell on the back glass. That car finally rusted and broke into, because the guy refused to sell. Just makes no sense

X2.

I know of a 1970 Gladiator with the factory quad headlight set up and it's rusted through in so many places. I've left several notes, too.

Another sad tale: Late 60's, early 70's J3000 with the auto/Buick 350 combo- no such luck on a sale.

I just drove by both last weekend. rusting away, only a few salvageable parts left.

[Randyzzz]

I got my 90 Waggy back after selling it with a note on he windshield.

I've been working on a Jeepster for years now with no luck.

But- just had a local "Hoarder" offer me 4 66-70 Waggys for the price of scrap...