This Secret Stash in an Abandoned Warehouse Will Make Car Collectors Drool with Envy

Who doesn’t like finding treasures? And it’s even more fun finding them in unsuspecting places! People flock to estate sales looking for a piece of yesteryear or rummage through their grandparents’ garages and attics, dreaming about finding a key to their past or their ticket to a financially secure future.

Not long ago, in a remote countryside in Portugal, a photographer stumbled upon a treasure-hunter’s dream. The photographer had no business being in that field and shouldn’t even have peeked into the window, but his curiosity got the best of him. 

You see, the warehouse was full of classic cars, and they’d been there for a long time. In fact, the doors were sealed and had been for decades. The reason why has not been revealed to the public. 

The photographer’s heart beating with anticipation, he tracked down the owner of the property. The farmer agreed to open the doors under one condition. 

This photographer was also a fan of classic cars so he couldn’t contain his excitement as he peeked into the warehouse at saw dozens of cars covered in dust. He was intrigued – questions ran through his head. 

Turns out, a few details have been revealed. This warehouse was owned by a dealer who started bringing home unique cars over the years. His identity has never been discovered even though many would love to talk to him.

But not everyone wants publicity. Many value their privacy and do not want to answer questions. Not everyone collects cars or other pieces of memorabilia for the value they might have in the future. 

The cars are in pretty good shape for sitting there for 30 years. Some of them are rusted and there is a thick layer of dust covering the entire lot. Most have flat tires, which is to be expected. Housed in a warehouse away from the elements keeps them protected from some environmental phenomena, but not all.

Depending on how well they were protected in that warehouse, mice love to chew on old car wires and make nests in seating. What a shame that would be. 

Turns out these cars were owned by a vintage car dealership which closed in the late 70’s or early 80’s. Then the cars were parked and left to sit. That is sad and intriguing all at the same time. 

The collection includes 180 cars from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, and the cars are from American, Europe, and Japan. There are also pre-war classics. 

From the photographs, we can surmise some of the cars including a Formula 1 racing car and several roadsters. 

The years that the owner was collecting cars were interesting times in Portugal. There was an economic upturn in the 60’s, but by the mid-70s, the country was upended in a military coup. 

If the owner of these cars wanted to sell any of them, they would fetch quite a bit of money. First for their rarity and second for their condition. 

Other cars belong in museums. Some of the car manufacturers have faded into the past. Some of the cars in these photos might be the only ones left of certain models left on the planet. 

Ever since the pictures were published, there has been questions about their authenticity and a curiosity that has not faded. A video on YouTube which labeled some of the cars has over 5 million views, cementing the fascination with this find. 

Collecting cars isn’t just for the wealthy. There are countless gentlemen (and some ladies) that have kept or collected cars through the years. It starts with one or two cars and then you are renting warehouse space, building garages, and even acquiring land on which to store them all.

Some of these collectors grow up tinkering with cars in their garage. They want to get the cars running and see how they feel on the road. Some fix them up to show off to car communities, but some just like the process. 

Some car enthusiasts acquire several of the same model for viable parts to get one running. If a car was manufactured for just one or two years, it might be difficult to obtain authentic parts. 

Car collectors have stories about each car in their possession. You’ll hear them reminisce about their first car, the one they took their wife on a date with, a car that commemorates the birth of their first child, or the car that just caught their eye and they couldn’t forget it until it was theirs. 

Cars can come to people in all sorts of ways. Wandering through a junkyard, one might spot a shell of a car and a dream forms. Next, they are looking at engine rebuilds and fabric restorations. 

And for all of the people who like to restore them, there are millions of others who live vicariously through them, drooling over the chance to get a glimpse of classic models. 

Others are fascinated with the engine styles, hydraulics, or trim. Some had a lot of ornamentation and flair. Can you imagine getting them into a modern downtown parking garage?

Today, when cars have outlived their natural life, they are sent to the dump or crusher. The cars we drive today come off the assembly line with cheaper materials. They are meant to be replaced. 

The warehouse is a tour of automotive history. Imagine the stories these cars could tell if they could talk. From before the great war to the cars of the baby boomers, there are decades of manufacturing history to understand. 

What made the owner choose these models? Were they rare? Did they catch his eye? Were they cars that didn’t sell at the lot? Only the purchaser of a car knows that.

Thirty years ago, when the doors were closed and sealed, what was the owner’s plans? Can’t you just picture a Hollywood movie focused on these cars? 

One can only speculate why the owner of these cars wants to remain anonymous. Are the cars treasured possessions that the collector hopes to revisit someday? 

But everyone has their reasons, and this remains one of the best kept secrets in the car world. One thing is for certain, these cars are not for sale, and they are not moving anytime soon. 

So as you are driving down the road and see an old barn, you never know what is behind those walls. Some people are notoriously private and own treasures handed down to them or acquired throughout the years.