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Tom Cotter

Tom Cotter has been a car-crazy guy his entire life. After selling his company in 2000 he bought himself a 289 Cobra and drove across the United States with his pal Peter Egan. Yes, that Peter Egan. His car collection grew and he wrote his first book, Homan-Moody, The Legendary Team. Then he wrote a series of six books on barn-finds including The Cobra in The Barn, The Hemi, The Vincent, The Corvette, and The Harley in The Barn. His latest book, 50 Shades of Rust was just released. He’s written biographies, been a contributing Editor of Road & Track magazine for 12 years and writes for the New York Times. He’s the former Co-Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and teaches public relations at Belmont Abbey College. His latest build is a ’32 Ford Hi Boy Roadster that he’s dreamed about since he was 15 years old.

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SUCCESS QUOTE

“Don’t be afraid to take chances.”

CAREER CHALLENGE

Tom had a very secure job at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A position most would say was a destination career. Listen to find out what happened when Tom took a huge chance and decided to leave and start his own company.

AH-HA MOMENTS

When his boss sat him down and asked Tom where he saw himself in five years he said ‘Running my own business.” Not the answer a boss usually wants to hear. Listen and find out how Tom made that happen. Then there’s another ah-ha moment that includes a Cunningham he found in a barn…

FIRST SPECIAL CAR

A 1939 Ford Deluxe Woodie – You won’t want to miss the story about this car.

BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE

Buy from your heart, not from your wallet.

BOOK SUGGESTION

A Higher Call – Adam Makos

PARTING ADVICE 

“Effort equals results.” – Roger Penske

HOW TO FIND TOM

 Tom Cotter’s Books

TOM’S BOOKS

50 Shades of Rust

Holman-Moody: The Legendary Race Team

The Cobra In The Barn

The Vincent In The Barn

The Harley In The Barn

The Corvette In The Barn

The Hemi In The Barn

Lost And Found: More Great Barn Finds

Rockin’ Garages

TV Tommy Ivo Drag Racing

HELPING CARS YEAH GROW

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43 comments
  1. Tom
    I have enjoyed your words for a long time.
    Years ago I got to talk to Dean Jeffries for a while, an honor.
    He mentioned having a 356 Porsche Carter’s 4 cam. He customized the front end.
    I remember an article about him, showing his 356 with distinctive elliptical shapes around the headlights- not many custom 356s.
    I was watching your barnfind show and in some bodies garage was a
    beat up red Carrera, and it just clicked to me it had strange elliptical shapes on the front end.
    I think that car is not just a Carrera, but was built by Dean Jeffries.
    I don’t have any documentation here, it could be looked up.
    Steve Posson
    Ps when I was going to Art Center College in the early 70s there was a bulletin board on a wall with stuff for sale. One of them was a Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso body, $500. I did not have 500!

  2. Hi Tom…
    Reading your book Corvette In The Barn book and although to late to get in a Corvette book thought you might be interested in my story…didnt find in a barn,but still own the 1963 Corvette I bought when in High School back in 1973…so I’ve owned for 44 years now…Dont know if I have enough stories about it,but its lead an interesting life…
    If interested maybe we can chat on phone one day….if not,keep up the “Barn” books..!!
    Your email address in book didnt go thru,so trying this page…you can contact me if interested at ricoman@tds.net
    Regards,
    George

  3. Tom, we recently bought our neighbors place and in her garage was a pretty amazing car, a1968 charger 440 auto. Her son said she bought the car new at a local dealer , it was last insured in 1973 and is sitting on cinder blocks with no wheels or tires. The car in amazing shape with 40,000 miles on it, The car hasn’t been run in 40+ years so it needs a little lovin but body wise wow!

  4. Hello Tom;

    my name is Roberto and I’m leaving in Italy.
    I always follow you on YouTube enjoying your great videos on barn find and I think are all amazing.
    Thanks to your authentic passion for the classic cars you offer the possibility to experience the beauty of travels discovering so many hidden cars.
    I also have your same passion and would be nice to meet you in US one day.
    I also own some historical US cars and trucks as a 1972 Jeep Wagoneer; 1970 Dodge Sweptline 383 4WD; 1976 Cadillac Seville …
    My daily car is a 2017 Cadillac CTS V .. and I also enjoy it …
    So thanks so much for sharing your passion with folks and I really hope to meet you one day … 🙂

    My best regards

    Roberto

    Ps.: in case you want to write me this is my email:

    roberto.sadun@sadun.it

    In case you will send me an email I will be glad to send you the pictures of my cars and truck.

  5. It saddens me to see so much effort you put into the whole “barn find” fantacy that you sell to viewers. Why don’t you tell your viewers how many classics are getting shipped overseas to China, Germany Indonesia and Russia, never to return. Cars that leave in containers never come back to U.S. soil. The car hobby is dying with your generation because you and promoters like you are selling everything off as fast as you can in some gross competition.
    Why dont you explain to younger viewers that they can’t expect to ever have a classic ride because thousands are being shipped out every week. Keep it up and soon there will be little left of the greatest hobby ever. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself this, how many 60s vw busses are left in the u.s. and what does a young driver have to do to get one?

    • Hello Verne –

      I can’t speak for Tom however I suspect the reason he doesn’t focus on what he can’t control is that he instead focuses on most of us automotive enthusiasts dream about, finding that special ride that’s been tucked away for decades, just waiting for us to discover. That’s much more fun to think about than cars leaving our shores. My old saying is, “Capital goes where capital grows.” Automobiles have crossed the ponds for decades and will always do so as long as there is a market for them.

  6. My name is Dominick, I live in Springfield Pa. I bought a restored 1947 Ford Coupe with a 383 Stroker Engine two years ago from Nashville Tenn. I have a complete vidio of the car and was wondering if Tom would be interested in seeing the vidio. If he would like to call my cell it is 484-636-7594.
    Thanks so much.
    Dominick

  7. I know where a 1967 1/2 Playboy Mustang Thunderbird Special is located. It’s pink, convertible, 4 speed manual, 390 cu in, and all stock. Currently being stored in a barn. Possibly the only in existence.

  8. Tom, While you are in Alaska with the Cobra tour be sure to ask a local person what the word ‘Cheechako’ means. Hint; One might leave Fig Newtons in a convertible parked outside in Girdwood. Cheers!

  9. OK, so 6 minutes into it, and after watching the Hagerty series, (I know this is maybe creepy) but……I think I have a man crush on Tom. Think we can talk about a Bromance Tom?
    No ‘ball’ sports here, NO golf either, just cars and racing. I wish I could absorb some of the PR knowledge Tom has forgot
    Seriously, such a nice guy.

  10. In 2005 I went and looked at your old 61 Vw double cab sitting in that exact spot , at the time I was driving a 61 DC to nascar tech everyday 2005 , did you purchase it ? I kick myself for not buying it , you’d like my stuff I inherited my fathers studs Baker powerhawk and I have a convertible 1959 Karmann Ghia rust bucket , as well as a 61 ghia vert RB

  11. Hey Tom, I have a long story short version
    I BELIEVE I PURCHASED THE ORIGINAL ELEANOR IN 2012. Yeah, the missing one.
    The one that Hilicki ( producer, director, stuntman) of the first “Gone In 60 Seconds ” said in an interview that he had crushed.?

  12. Steve, What condition is the car in? I’m not looking for pretty cars, but dusty, rusty and abused ones. Thank you for reaching out. Tom

  13. Hi
    My name is Tony and i live in Sweden. I bought a Ford Galaxie 500 XL from 1964, this is a P- cod car made in Atlanta. I havet tried tog find out IF there is many cars with this engine a Police interceptor. And i want to say a love the shows on YouTube about the barn finds.

  14. Check out the town of Provo South Dakota it’s in the SW corner of the state small town outside the abandoned WWII munitions plant. There’s large junkyards and every house seems to have dz of old cars and rat rod trucks just waiting to be found
    Check it out on google maps
    Thanks
    Tom
    Harbor Springs Michigan

  15. Tom,
    Many years ago, my daughter wanted to move from Arizona to Minnesota and needed help, so I started up my 1959 Marmon Herrington Custom Coach. loaded her and her kids into the motorcoach and drove it to the family farm where it has sat all these years. Each year I would buy the tags in a hope of driving it again. Not gonna happen, too old and living in Arizona for my health. The coach was custom built for Dow Chemical in 1960 as an airport chauffeur driven conference room, complete with a Stewardess. It is beautiful and one of only five built by Custom Coach Corp. It has the very first (experimental) six speed Allison automatic transmission installed, along with a 534 Ford engine (running backwards, as the coach is a rear pusher). It has air brakes and a 4 cylinder Continental aircraft engine running the forward (underfloor) on-board generator. It has a clear title, all the original factory books, paperwork and factory production photos. If interested, please contact me !

  16. Hey Tom I’m in need of a 64 for galaxie hood and seen a few of them on the episode with snowball. I would like to somehow get in touch with him and purchase a nice hood if possible. Thanks
    Joshua Dupre

  17. I enjoy watching your Barn Find Hunter programs on youtube. I have three old cars that I am considering selling and would like to get information on what to ask for these cars. Your help on this would be greatly appreciated because I respect your knowledge and experience on giving accurate information. The first car is a 57 Chevy 210 2 door hardtop coupe. It has no engine or transmission and needs floorboards replaced and other metal work and interior.. In other words a complete restoration. The second car is a 39 Plymouth four door with stage coach doors. It has the original flathead 6 and three on the tree. (engine will turn) It also needs a complete restoration. The third car is a 46 Ford Delux two door sedan with original flathead 6.(engine will turn) It also needs a complete restoration. I hope you can help me. Thanks, Thomas Stone

  18. Hello Tom,
    After roughly 400 hrs of research in the last four years, I feel confident enough to ask if you would like to see an Iowa “ghost” barn find. By ghost, what I mean is, a 1939 Packers-Henry that has been talked about in several books and is in the dealer literature, but has never been confirmed as far as I know. It’s measurements and body tag numbers indicate to me that it likely the lost Super Formal (non town car) Hurse. If true it would be significant find, and it’s in bar find condition. Be happy to show you when you are passing thru. Thanks

  19. Hey Tom

    I have a 1967 Early production Shelby Cobra GT 500 that I have owned since 1972 i just recently found the Barn Hunter series I have never been a big tv guy but have had much more time on my hands since covid I am 1 state away from you without giving my location away I have owned this car since I was 18 it was the first car I ever bought oddly enough it is lime gold with 32631 miles on it I am trying ounce again to restore it I’m sure you have done the math by now my car may be a 1967 year model but I am 67 years of age I’ve rambled on to long already I would love to get the chance to talk with you however I’m sure you have a very busy schedule if ever in the area give me a ring

  20. I recently had a barn find of my own, a 67 BMW 1600-2 that went straight from the factory to Alpina. I’m torn how to balance between preserving it as is, restoring it. I’m faced with dealing with minor rust versus an original finish that in 70% of the car, in decent condition. I’d love to hear your perspective & advice.

  21. Tom. This is a long sad story I will shorten
    In 1964 my husband’s father bought him a 1946 Ford business coupe. It has been rebuilt three times by my husband. Paint and all, making parts he couldn’t buy, etc.
    After retirement he was going to rebuild again. Frame, body, engine, etc. He was tired all the time. No energy. He was diagnosed with Parkinsons
    So, he found a shop that would spend the two years to complete. He was anxious to drive the 46 as much as possible, before he no longer could
    After 2 years, the body had been destroyed by poor workmanship. We are suing
    The problem!
    He found a good builder, but he can’t find a body to buy that would help finish the car in a timely fashion and reasonable price

    SO. If you find a rare 1946 Ford business coupe we would be interested. We live on the west coast USA, but ….

  22. Tom, I am looking for a person to help me find four Cars. If you or anyone else you know might be interested I could use the help.
    Thanks

  23. I AM A 83 YEAR OLD CAR GUY . OCCUPATION INCLUDE 4 YEARS AS A U.S. AIR FORCE JET FIGHTER CREW CHIEF MECHANIC.
    I RAN A ATO INSTRUMENT SHOP FOR 5 YEARS , I ALSO RAN A FLEET OF 24 TRUCKS AS A EMPLOYEE FOR U. P. S.
    10 YEARS D.O.T. STATE OF MAINE.
    I DRIVE A 1953 CHEC 3100 PICK UP MSLIGHTLY MODIFIED .
    HOPE TO MEET TOM AT OWLS HEAD MEET JULY 7 THIS YEAR, 207 5042745 PLEASE CALL ME .
    GOT PICTURES OF MY BARN FIND 1930 BUICK STILL IN THE BARN
    LOVE TO TAKE TOM TO SEE IT 1/2 HOUR DRIVE FROM OWLS HEAD.

  24. I’m new to Mr. Cotter and his vast body of work. What a find and I am now delving into the work of a gentleman that is close to my age (68) and blessed/haunted by the same love of automobiles…. Essentially from birth.

    So thank you for a treasure trove of goodies to read and or watch. Please keep up the good work and follow your heart. We will tag along as unfortunately my health is in decline and i will depend on seeing the car world through your trained and knowledgeable eyes.
    Thanks-
    All the best .
    C. Shelby

  25. Yes my name is Jack and I I was trying to get in touch with the gentleman with the 90,000 ft chicken houses full of cars is email address is not good. If you could give me a call my number 704-591-53 34 or give me his phone number if you have it or a good email address

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