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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.
SHOW SPONSOR
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’S BOOKS
Holman-Moody: The Legendary Race Team
Lost And Found: More Great Barn Finds
HELPING CARS YEAH GROW
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This is an excellent interview, well worth the time invested to listen. I appreciate an inside look at one of my inspirations.
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!
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
Friend of mine in Atlanta owns the Dean Jeffries 356 – it is for sale.
Thank you Bill. That is one unique Porsche.
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!
Hi Dan – I’ve forwarded your message to Tom Cotter.
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.
I have forwarded your kind message to Tom Cotter. Thank you for writing.
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
Hello Dominick –
I’ll forward your question to Tom. Thank you for writing.
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.
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.
Hello Josh –
I’ll forward your message to Tom. Here’s to the hunt!
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!
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.
My gosh Tom is quite a guy!
Love this story!
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
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.?
Hi Tom-
I’m a friend of Roger’s I am second owner of a 54 F100 found in the wheat state!
I enjoy your
I enjoy your barn find program. What an interesting fun opportunity.
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 !
Hello Martin – I’ve forwarded your email to Tom. Thank you for writing.
Tom, I have a barn find for you in Louisiana please contact me
Hello Harry –
I’ve forwarded your email to Tom Cotter. Thank you for writing.
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
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
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
Hello Adam –
I have forwarded your email to Tom.