A little over a week ago, I posted some pictures on our Facebook page concerning some barn finds and other cars that weren’t even fortunate enough to have a barn to sit in. For example, there was a dilapidated ’63 Corvette smothered in pine needles.

These cars, most of the time, are forced to rot away in the brutal elements and weather for the remainder of their lives. At some point, the truth remains that most of these cars will meet a sad end of life in a crusher, and eventually turned into a lamp. Or, a fork.

That Facebook post had such an odd array of responses that I figured I would work on my response over time to collect my thoughts on the issue. My goal was to not take a biased approach. Even though the sad truth is that many of these cars will rot away. But, you’ll have to read to the end to see my whole response.

Anyway, the reason for this post is because out of the many responses to that Facebook post, one stands out to me. He was the man standing in opposition to everyone. I wanted to think about his response in further detail.

He pointed out that some of these cars do get finished. He told us that his did, and I applaud him for that. In fact, whenever one of these cars rises up from the ashes (err, barn) it makes me grin like a little boy in a chocolate factory.

But unfortunately, I’ve seen a negative outcome far too many times to believe that this is the norm. Here’s an example: My dad’s old neighbor had several cars strewn here and there on his property. He owned 7 acres of wooded land in New Jersey (yes, there is wooded land in the garden state).

Anyway, I had my eyes set on this old ‘50s pickup. You know the one, right? It was painted aqua blue.

Or, turquoise… Whatever color it was, I wanted it. The only issue was that my dad wanted it, too. To the point where he’d approached his neighbor several times throughout the course of his life, asking to buy it.

The man’s response was always the same, with a heartfelt “no…one day I’m gonna get to it…” and left it at that.

Fast forward 15 years: the man died and left his house, cars and the rest of the junk to his estranged son. Of course, I’m thinking: “great, here’s my chance to finally get my hands on that old pickup!”

Wrong answer.

I walked over to where it was, and could barely even tell there was a truck under the mess of trees growing around (and through) it. There was so much soil in the truck’s bed that a few trees began to take root and were the size of small saplings.

Sadly, the truck was trashed – as were the rest of the cars on the property. There was nothing salvageable left on them. What a waste.

Now I’m not saying that this old dude didn’t have good intentions. I do believe that he wanted to fix up these old vehicles. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. And, to make matters worse, he prevented anyone else from bringing them back to their former glory.

It’s an attitude of: “if I can’t have it, no one will.”

I have to be honest with you here, though. I have to admit that if I owned that ’63 Vette pictured on our Facebook page, I wouldn’t be able to part with it because I’ve always wanted a Corvette from that era. But, there is a difference in how I’d take care of that car, as opposed to what the picture shows.

So, let this be a lesson to all of you who own cars like this, in sub-par condition. I’m talking about the beauties with a lot of potential. Treat them with the care that they deserve.

What am I saying here? I’m saying that I would have a barrier between the elements and my car. There would be no pine needles on it. In other words, if it were mine, it would have a cover on it – bare minimum.

Indoors is always best, so no more poking fun at cars in barns. Because it could be worse…

And if I didn’t have a garage or barn, I’d find a family member with one – or buy one of those portable car ports. Or a tent. Heck, even a tarp is better than nothing.

Show would be naysayers that you care about the car. Show them that it is your prerogative to NOT sell your pride and joy to them, and that it is okay because you’re actually taking care of it to the best of your ability.

That way, God forbid, you die and a family member has to sell the car – the car can still be brought back to life.

I think that if the car is being taken care of, then we shouldn’t get upset, angry or have hurt feelings that someone wouldn’t sell us their ride. Why? Because who knows, it could turn out better in their hands than it ever could have in yours (or mine).

But, if that beauty is in rough shape and the owner doesn’t seem to give two flying fornications about it, that’s another story. Let them know the error of their ways, and explain that while it is their prerogative to not sell the car, it’s in their best interests to take good care of it.

What are your thoughts on this issue? If someone was taking better care of an old tattered car, would you still be angry that the car wasn’t all fixed up or for sale?