Shipping containers are a whole world in themselves. In fact, there are many people who dedicate themselves to, literally, searching for treasures in these unexpected places. Specifically, in the Netherlands, a classic car model has been found. The discovery was a Volvo 144 Deluxe, a model considered a true automotive relic. “A real barn find. Well… a shipping container find. This car was in a container in 1998, the year I was born,” says one of the discoverers in a YouTube video.
The car hadn’t been touched in almost three decades
A rusty container held a secret no one could have imagined. Stefan, a Dutch content creator and classic car enthusiast, stumbled upon this unexpected discovery. When the team finally opened it, they found a classic car inside. The car hadn’t been touched in almost three decades, and once taken to the workshop, the team quickly realized how much work lay ahead. The social media user says in his video description, “Well… it turns out to be a bit better than expected!” and asks his viewers, “Should I fully restore it? Should I turn it into a beat-up daily driver?.”
Many people participate in auctions where they pay a sum of money to acquire a container
The thing is, as the YouTuber himself explains, it all started when he received information about a rusty container abandoned on a farm in the Netherlands, and curiosity ultimately drove him to investigate. Searching for such hidden treasures has become almost a refined game for many. In the United States, there are even television programs dedicated to treasure hunting. Many people participate in auctions where they pay a sum of money to acquire a container without knowing what they might find inside.
The user says it was a complete surprise and that what they found was “good news”
Treasure hunting has literally become a big deal. In this particular case, the user says it was a complete surprise and that what they found was “good news.” Speaking of technical aspects, “the engine hadn’t seized, and both the brakes and the transmission, although worn, weren’t completely locked up. That was enough to convince Stefan and his partner to take on the restoration,” said the person who made the discovery.
The user claims he found the vehicle online, just as it was being put up for sale for parts
In any case, the biggest challenge wasn’t mechanical, but paperwork. The keys and registration certificate were missing. Even so, after cleaning off layers of rust and old paint, Stefan managed to discover the car’s serial number. According to the initial inspection, the engine could be restarted with only minor repairs. “I think we have a real chance of getting it back on track,” Stefan says enthusiastically in his video. The fact is, the user claims he found the vehicle online, just as it was being put up for sale for parts. No VIN, no papers, no title, no keys, and the engine was seized.
Not to mention how much technology has advanced and the gap in development is enormous
As you can imagine, reviving a car after almost 30 years of inactivity is no easy task. If getting a car that’s over ten years old running is already complicated, talking about a car from another century is a whole different ballgame. Not to mention how much technology has advanced and the gap in development is enormous. In this case, as Stefan explains, the restoration will require a new battery, a complete brake overhaul… In other words, investing much more money than he spent to find this gem.