This is a heartbreaking video. Usually barn finds carry the hope to salvage a car. This many cars, in those conditions, are such a waste. And the guy is a masterpiece in contradiction: extremely sharp when it comes to cars, trims and repairs, and evidently sloppy about… everything else. It shows that when we lose that special someone in our lives, it is so easy to get lost and overwhelmed by life itself. My heart goes with him, my hope is that some car lovers see the potential (if any) in those cars, purchase and restore them.
the problem is that the guy doesn't restore the cars, but he must also be one of those who don't want to sell them, or ask for absurd prices on purpose to stay with them
@@gualter2913 I wouldn't judge him on the state of the collection. Life has a way of altering plans and dreams. He mentioned the loss of his wife and his family as well as his own ill health, any of those events can be showstoppers.
@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 My uncle imported a 1957 Triump TR3 he literally found in a barn during a trip to the US. The car only had the frame and engine. All the rest was missing. He had it restored to run the Mille Miglia. But it wasn't cheap. Also, I understand the value of a restored car, but those are OLD cars, as opposed to classics. Once restored, they will be simply expensive ways to pollute more than any modern ICE car, let alone any EV. So, not really sure of the historic value of a BMW from the '80s. Not the same as a 1920's Alfa Romeo.
Really enjoyed the episode. He will have known how others would judge him after letting you film and still went ahead. There must be lots of people and cars in a similar position that would have kept you away. It says a lot. I think you could have done a half hour interview with him about his life and it would have been interesting. You did a great sensitive job on this Jonny and it was fascinating to see. Well done!
Many thanks. Yes, sensitive situation and I very much appreciated Rein letting me visit and chat. There's always more to these situations than meets the eye.
@@ElliotFlowers I am sorry to hear that you think so poorly of people and hope that you soon will see the goodness that is in 99% of people. Good luck on your journey.
I felt a slightly melancholic note from you Jonny, I think the old chap has never really got over the loss of his wife and has fallen into the hoarding stuff routine as he feels like having let go of his wife he needs to keep everything else. 30 years ago I tried to help an old boy clear out his collection of tractors but it was painful as every little thing we unearthed had a memory or some value in his mind and the to go area was almost empty. Sadly he died 3 months later and his poor nephew who was left everything which nearly broke the poor lad trying to sort it.
"But the wife died" isn't an excuse to destroy a load of cars by abandoning them. As an adult it's his responsibility to get the help he needs from a mental health professional.
@@Graham_Patch He never did anything with any of these cars even while his wife was alive. That's just an excuse that time wasters and dreamers come out with. I know of a few much younger people just like him and havent even started a project in the last 20 years, but are still searching the autojumbles buying spares to leave outside in the rain.
I didn't know that Rein was still alive! I did some work on a couple of those cars for him in 2007/8. The Fiat 124 Spider (made the brakes work and replaced most of the suspension ball joints) and the red and white 924 Turbo (oil change and making the windows work). Sad to see them like this although neither were good cars, even back then, the 124 was rust free but typically American, never been serviced so everything was tired out, the 924 just felt baggy all round. I remember him taking the 911 to the specialist because I went with him and gave him a lift home! He's a real character and has some great stories, he told me about selling some Volvo rocker arms to TWR and wondered why they wanted them as they were racing Rover Sd1s at the time...
Are you the alfaholics guy? I never used your services but i heard of you (and I may have ordered a part of your shop once...) .... I am a dutch aflista and lived in Liverpool in 1989-93, in the USA since then Anyway cool story the classic car world is full of "characters..." and cheepskates especially alfistas who always want to pinch pennies LOL! (not me I promise!)
So incredibly sharp about every car and nut and bolt. Reminds me a lot of my grandad, when you get him talking about his passions he could talk all day!
I love these cars so much I've let them turn to dust. He says he's going to sell them but like most hoarders you can tell from the way he talks about total wrecks as being in good condition, he's unlikely to let them go. There'll always be a reason to hold on to something "just in case" or he'll ask silly money for a wreck knowing no one will pay it.
Or people will come sniffing around like scavenging little seagulls, offering a pittance, and making him feel like a bad person for having the vehicles in this condition.
What a fabulous chap Rein is, I'd love to spend a day in his company the knowledge and reminiscences he'd impart would make anyone a much richer person.
My goodness Rein's story is amazing. Thanks for doing this Jonnie and pass on our Best Wishes to Rein and I hope he can enjoy some of the money realised from the sale.
To someone like me who is a car enthusiast and lived in England for couple years when i was 20, this is one the most "British" videos I have watched . Everything is British about this man .The sharpness in some ways of his memories about details and reparis, the very good taste he had in selecting cars, the huge melancholy of the current status of his collection, the love you can feel he had for his "collection" . This video made me subriscribe to your channel .
Reminds me of my neighbor they even look the same. If there is one thing he is good at its telling stories and drinking beer. His place even looks the same minus the cars
Sympathetically handled Mr Smith, well done. Like you I should have sold my Beetle back in the early 90's and bought a 912 when I had the chance. Oh well, I'm looking forward to your 912 restoration series
Sad on a few fronts. Sad and gutting to hear about the vandalism, arson and attempted theft, but also sad that all these cars have just been left to rot in the vegetation/collapsed buildings. Hope some of them, or at least parts, can be salvaged
Yeah, never understood the "car graveyard" syndrome, leaving cars out in the elements until they are ruined. Cars are meant to be driven, not left out to rot. Had your pleasure from a motor, want to move on? Please just flog it to someone who will drive it and enjoy, or maybe use it for parts. Even if the new owner drives it into the ground and it ends up on the scrap heap, isn't that better than letting it rot out until brambles and the mice take over? I suppose it takes all sorts!🤔
I fully agree - even if he was having a hard time he could have moved them on before they got destroyed. I'm pretty dubious about these cars ever coming back from the dead.
@@smoothmicra With all due respect, you probably never had a really hard time in your life. And no, first world problems don't count, so you would not understand. Times like that are not bound to logic. Easy to point fingers when it's not you.
@@kristisrb What are you talking about mate? How has my comment got anything to do with"first world problems"? Just querying why someone would let a car rot rather than sell it. The old fella clearly could afford just to buy another motor rather than sell it to help buy another car. Wasteful rather than a first world problem.
@@smoothmicra He's talking about you judging someone without knowing a stitch about Him, I'm sure until some decided to start at terror campaign against the poor sod they were reasonably well cared for. When some Arsehole then pulls down the front of your Garage with a chain and sets fire to your cars.... It sort of probably takes the wind out of your sails???? This 'Old Fella' is broken and is probably quite lonely and his cars reflect that. I'm sure he'd love to 'move on' tho thats easier said than done, are you going to help him?
@@MagicAyrtonforever Still gives NOBODY the right to go onto HIS property and touch anything. They obviously were loved, (and still are) otherwise they'd all be in the scrapyard, even now.
How sad to see these once amazing cars in this state, I love the way you show both respect to the cars and the owner, this a great channel Jonny keep up the good work
What a great suggestion Paul. I too would love to see follow up episodes for all these epic “barn finds”. Also how the current custodians are doing as well.
Someone noted favourite "RU-vid channel" .Is it possible just to say great programme. Your content is excellent and because your in control and not restricted to 25 minutes or 40 out of an hour its clear you obviously spent hours with him. Plus your "demographic attraction" in not going for collectors of a certain age. Your able to bring content from a car programme which I'm not sure I've seen in a programme or brand. Great stuff and thank you Kind regards Paul
Thanks Paul, appreciated. It often takes quite a bit of careful pursuasion to arrange these barnfinds, and in this case we did indeed spend most of the day digging and moving foliage. We couldn't fully uncover everything with the time available, however I tried to get some of the backstory without assuming any prejudice. There's always more than just a derelict old car in this situations.
assuming the letters relate to the same areas as the later suffix plates did, it was registered (in the UK) in Cumbria. i do know that some area letter codes did change but EC was certainly Cumbria area in late suffix plates.
I'd love to think one day there will be a part two of this episode, following one of the cars through it's restoration and seeing its new life would be great. Get on it Jonny!
Brilliant video but a tough watch. The vandalism is senseless but it’s also sad that the old lad let them go back to the land as it were. I’m not judging him as life can be a challenge. It’s just a shame.
Poor heartbroken chap. Lovely fellow, I feel so sad for him. Its horrible growing old, facing loss and illness, and then unable to maintain the life you've lived. I know as I'm the same and it's heartbreaking from all angles. Hope that 912 and 911 get a good home.
He's a lot like my grandad, he had like 200+ cars around their old house. I used to hop around them as a kid :D His sons had to transport all that junk from the property at one point when they moved after like 50-odd years. That was just an insane undertaking... He's still like that at 92 though, making "great deals" with his "mates" who cheat him out of his pension.
Well it's good to hear that he properly enjoyed his cars back then. I hope these cars find appropriate caretakers. Cheers Jonny and thanks to Rein and others for the access and showcasing.
I drive past that house most weeks and the Golf can be seen from the road, always wondered what else was in there. Not surprised about the vandalism though, that part was very rough a few years ago. It's getting better now though. If I'd known you were there I'd have popped round with tools and leant a hand, would love to help uncover some proper gems from undergrowth someday.
Also driven past a few times but never knew it was there. Very interesting guy who I bet has a lot of cool stories to tell. I hope the selling goes well and wish I had more space. Aways nice to hear Cardiff getting a mention 👍
I'm guessing it isn't Tremorfa then! I haven't the foggiest where this is, not that I'm interested in buying any of the cars in their current state, apart from the 912.
@@TVtwarn 5 seconds on Google and I've found his house. It look abandoned, boarded up gates, garden is massively over grown. As others have suggested, he's clearly unable to throw anything away, and he cant look after what hes got fully. Not sure if he's got any children, but they have a real bastard of a job to sort out when he does depart this world...
Brilliant episode. In a fit of procrastination when I should be packing for a work trip, I fell into a Late Brake Show rabbit hole and am so glad I did. Well done for persisting with your cardening through all that vegetation. Uncovering those historic cars and unlocking Rein’s stories resulted in a captivating episode. Also, the quality of the comments on your videos are testament to the quality of your production. 🚘
Lovely video. Jonny you are a modern day Fred Dibnah……charming and knowledgeable English eccentric who is simply irresistible to watch when you produce these beautifully presented stories.
Great video, thanks for this. So sad seeing the cars like they are but Rein is obviously a man that's been through some tough times. If I'm nitpicking I feel you cut the video a bit abruptly as he was talking about his wife but there we go. Hope he manages to get some money from these and people can at least use the parts to help keep other cars on the road.
Feel really bad for the man, lost everyone around him and life just falls apart. And also you'd think that garden would have grown for 50 years rather than 15, that's astonishing growth in that period, no wonder cars in Britain rot quickly when sat a few years.. I'd really like one of them 190's though
I reckon someone needs to write his story down. I haven't even processed all of the extraordinary feelings that your video has surfaced, from the sadness and anger of all the pointless vandalism, to the fickle nature of Rein to step out of one car and into another, it's all just utterly fascinating. I still can't believe the hedge and brambles had so completely covered up the cars that you were standing on their roofs even AFTER you had spent time unearthing them. If anything, I'm amazed that your vegetation is that aggressive! I though that kind of growth in such a short time was limited to tropical jungles like we experience here in South Florida (where even a few months of jungle growth is frankly, a little unsettling).
Very sad to see those cars in that state but hopefully at least some of them can be saved, and maybe the others can donate parts to keep other classics on the road. Thanks for the video Jonny, excellent content as always.
I've watched many many RU-vid car videos and this one broke my heart. I think all car enthusiasts see a part of themselves in Rein but on the other hand, so heartbreaking to see such iconic cars being reclaimed by nature with likely no hope for restoration. Wonderfully handled and presented. I've grown to love your videos as you are witty and kind and that makes you the perfect person for a show like this.
Gosh, this made me feel sad 😔 what a life Rein has had but peppered with sadness too. How awful all that vandalism.. but, well done Jonny, you have a way with people and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold. I hope some good buyers come his way.
I am really angry that these vandal knob heads destroyed this lovely man’s life and his health. Having had my life destroyed by some unfeeling fool, he has my deepest sympathy. Good video Jonny. Pete. 🇬🇧
This guy is sadly deluded.. no point in saying new this , new that, ex New York stock broker, rare bits, all original , M Sport that, no damage to the switchgear etc etc when all the cars are close to scrap. All that 'was' good about them is now insignificant as they've been abandoned.
Ugh.ive seen this so many times.his hoarding has killed these cars.tyres goes flat, chassis rests on the ground, no cover, British climate.what do these people actually expect
Exactly what I thought. There’s those people who put down a car because you have became to attached to let anyone else have it ……..and then there’s just plain hoarding of too broken to be fixed cars without any care for them. Imagine that he’s having to use a chainsaw just to find them in his own backyard?😂😂wtf The fact this guy stands there proudly listing parts that by now have rusted away because of his lack of care….he’s lost his bleeding mind ! Or is just plain ridiculous and delusional.
Dennis Collins would be over there in a split second with a bag of money for those 912s. Sad for Rein and I hope he can find a home for some of these. Thank you Jonny.
I love how only 17 years ago he was buying modified cars and having fun as an old bloke. What a legend. However I reckon that 912 has been sat there much longer than 15 years. more like 30, it's just calling for an electrified restoration.
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny...the lengths you go to for your art. To have gone ten feet into that hovel and not come running out arms waving in horror is a testament to you. This gentleman might be a fine fellow with a good hart, but looking at his "garden" makes me wish he had taken to stamp collecting or perhaps those tiney figurines
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode, a very interesting story into not only a fantastic collection of cars, but an insight into someone's love of cars. That geezer is a true petrol head.
A great video Jonny, and such a tragic story. Rein seems like such a lovely guy I really hope the sale can improve his fortunes a bit. We all undertake things with the best of intentions, and sometimes they simply don't work out as we expected or wanted, or factors we don't predict bite us hard. However I hope this can have a happy ending, he deserves it
Got a bit emotional when the cover came off the 912. And can we hear more stories from Rein. A very knowledgeable man with alot of history and fond memories with the cars. I could listen to his stories on them and his life story back catalogue all day.
I love the fact that Jonny is willing to do the work to uncover these cars. It took me a while, but I think I know exactly why - it's the same reason that makes me clean out any PC I can get my hands on, even a filthy, old, obsolete and nearly useless one that the owner doesn't plan to do anything with. Once you realise that you feel something towards these machines, you can't stand to see them "suffer". You desire to let them "live their best life". It is interesting how we can look at something that is very much not a living, breathing organism, and still talk about reviving it, getting it some sun, some fresh air, and massaging it into a better state of being.
I know it is a car channel but really this film is about Rein. It would have been all to easy to edit Rein's stories out but he is just as interesting a find as the Porsches! Excellent documentray work, sensitively handled!
Well done Jonny - a delicate situation sensitively handled. Do you think there's any chance that if some of the cars do get salvaged/renovated/restored, you might be able to upload videos of the process? If so, it could turn a somewhat emotional but slightly sad story into something uplifting. Thanks for this one.
We need to hear more from Rein. What a lovely man. He may have fallen on hard times but he is a true enthusiast who knows his cars. He must have some great rallying stories too.
Walked or driven past that house hundreds of times without a clue to what was lurking behind the undergrowth. Hope he finds them some new homes and it's a turning point for him personally.
Dude what a great barn find and what a great history, unfortunately there is no part 2, which would be amazing. There is a history behind any barn find and it is as precious as the findings. Besides, its important to highlight that we have to respect other people property. What people did setting fire on that man garage is not excusable. Great show Jonny!
Pretty much every street in the UK has 1 house with a load of abandoned cars. My neighbour was that guy but he a Corsa, 5 series, a Saab 900, and a Vauxhall Meriva. Although he did apparently have an old Roller in a garage somewhere that he never used.
I'll confess that I read your comment and thought 'That's a bit of an overstatement'. Then I realised that there is an early 80's Vauxhall Senator on flat tyres, that hasn't been moved in the past 20 odd year, not 50 metres from where I live. Ooops - sorry.
As an original owner of an '89 MX5 my heart almost stopped when you revealed those two early examples. What a horrible way for them to have spent the last 15 years or so. 😞
You do realise that this guy just wanted someone to come over and sort his tip of a garden don't you? 🤣 Great episode though, and some great finds! The part of the presentation about his wife is heartbreaking. I really feel for him.
Thank you for this very nostalgic video, not only for the wonderful cars, but for the lovely narrative that Reim was able to give for all of the cars he has bought over many years😍 Can’t see this situation repeating in another 50 years with the cars of today. They probably won’t rot as much, but the electronics will be well shot ! I wish him luck with his sensational gardenfind sale 👍🏴😍
Very sad that this chap is clearly an enthusiast and very eloquent, but has no idea how to care for the cars he's owned. Putting cars away "after a service and MOT" and leaving them to rot is very sad. Talking about a rotting shell as having "a new starter motor" is heartbreaking. I hope he gets the help he needs.
When he said one had a brand new engine, I was like, any engine that ran in the last year is better than a "brand new" engine that has been sitting outside for over a decade. Brand new or not, it has to come out and be taken apart, cleaned, most likely rebuilt with machine work; new parts and reassembled.
Drag em out, take them to a big secure shed. Clean them up, and auction them off to people that can restore or salvage parts from them. If he dies they'll all go to scrap.
Clever way to get you garden cleared. Tell the car pervert there’s a 63 Porsche right at the end. I see a colab with Kev Tee channel coming up. Taking them to scrap.
Glad to see Santa keeping himself busy during the off season. "Find one in my travels all round Britain"..... "bumped into people on my other job" Don't worry mate, your secret's safe with us. It won't go any further than these four walls.
Wow, that's been interesting to watch! Well, we all know how it'll end: the 912 and 911 will be restored, as those are the only ones worth enough to warrant the effort. The rest will be parted out to save other cars, but at least that's better than leaving them to rot. I hope the owner will get the money he needs.
@@gearhead9828 I used to work near sunnico racing,(Porsche GT racing car preparation)They had the occasional 912 for sale when they were worth bugger all,it wasn't that long ago either! Hindsight is great😁
Thankyou Jonny. What an interesting episode. The gentleman has such an appealing individual History and his choice in cars is diverse but very revealing. Let's hope that most of these will be rescued and may see another day but particularly the Porsche 911 and 912 and even the 318is drivetrain. As time goes on such finds will become a lot rarer I am sure.
Cardening, thats funny Jonny, I love watching these finds but it also makes me incredible sad that these amazing cars get left to rot away like this, and what annoys me is that some jealous, destructive little s**t's have fire bombed these cars, and this mans collection, I hope the Police were involved, but I suspect they were next to useless in finding the culprits, which is another crime I think. I hope some of these cars can be saved, but the fact the 924 was so rotten, you fell through the sunroof, probably says not so... sadly, what a shame Rein didn't decide to do something sooner. 😥
Listening to him he's lead a very interesting and varied life amassing some great cars .. hopefully some of them get saved and put back on the road where they deserve.
What a fascinating guy. I really feel for him. The cars and their condition are a real metaphor for his life. I wish it could have been a better outcome but in the end they are just cars.
I love to see videos like this, but they make me really sad. I know, and have known a few car hoarders over the years, and I'm fairly guilty keeping stuff myself that's really better placed in other folks hands, as I want the opportunity to get them done. There's ALWAYS a story, sometimes sadly the story is full of good intention and bad events, then realisation, by which time it's sometimes too late. All my stuff tends to be stored in workshop/containers now and is slowly, but surely, being restored, as I'm in a position to do it.. he probably thought he'd find himself in the same position one day, but it never came.
*I'm another who regrets not spending their £3.5k savings on a 912 from Tower back in the day. I test drove a gorgeous black SWB 911 sport when Eagle Racing was a classic car dealer (as well as an E type specialist) but couldn't raise the £7k asking price. If only I'd known... I hope Rein sells his cars and enjoys the remains of his life enjoying the cash they bring. Thanks for such a sensitively shot video*
The collection needs to be sold as one - this involves demolition, garden clearance plus all the work transporting them. I think £50k is a fair price to buy everything and clear the site. Some of those cars are very expensive to repair and others just scrap and beyond salvage.
Sit the old guy down in your sofa with a cup of tea, and let his stories flow - Love to see a video of him chatting about his life. In this case Rein is more important than any car.