No barns just cars

They said there was a 356 Porsche somewhere in BF Parañaque that had no engine, was gutted out and rusted. The first thing I did was to find someone who actually had seen the car and not just heard about it. From there I got the address and tried my luck. Tip#1 “Where there is smoke there is fire and if it was just a mirage you at least had a moment of excitement.

Yes, there was a 356 Porsche; it was Champagne Gold in color. Half of the front hood and body had been left directly under a downspout for years, ultimately eaten away by rain and rust. No engine, gutted interiors, yes it was Rust In Peace for this one. The reason no one ever managed to buy and “Rustcue” the car was because half a wall had been built behind it making it impossible to drive it out.

Assessment: Real 356 bodies are rare and when it comes to rare cars pay the price the lady was asking. If it’s rare, let no wall keep you apart. Walls can come down and be built up again. So we did just that.

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While having lunch at a Baguio Café my Swiss friend told me about a Cadillac Limousine that allegedly belonged to or was used by President Manuel L. Quezon that was somewhere in “Ilocos”. I ignorantly assumed that it was the “Quirino Chrysler” Limo and left it at that. But later I asked around and a friend confirmed the existence of the Cadillac but he had failed to buy it. It was in Vigan, Ilocos Sur but was not in the market.

One day after unceremoniously being kicked out of a radio show, I decided to lick my wounds and go after “The Relic.” This was a long drive and a long shot but by going after the unknown and the impossible, it all becomes worth it.

The car was a 1941 Cadillac convertible limousine that came out of Malacañang Palace after it was bought by Pedro Singson Reyes – Technical Assistant, Office of the President for the amount of P2,300 on Sept. 25, 1953. Mr. Singson eventually became Governor of Ilocos. According to the signed deed of donation later executed by Mr. Pedro Singson to the Gasser family: “Said Cadillac Car was successively used by the following Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines;

Manuel L. Quezon

Sergio Osmeña

Manuel Rojas

Elpidio Quirino

While we did not bag the car, actually seeing and learning about its history made the entire trip worth it. Upon returning to Manila, my wife and I agreed to include the car in our prayers and after a few months, the owner called and agreed to sell the car to me on installment. The only problem I had was how to get the car out of Vigan knowing Governor Chavit Singson had long been wooing the owner to sell the car to him. The solution came by way of an old high side vintage vegetable truck! In fairness to Manong Chavit he even helped me get the car’s file that had been in storage.

Lesson: When it comes to real collectible cars, go the distance. We’ve had duds, busts and overpriced junks come our way, but that one precious find makes the rest meaningless. I did not have the money when I went out to Ilocos nor did I expect to find the relic, but what I had was a lot of faith that good things come to those who wait upon the Lord and if it was there and if it was mine, it would be. Believe it or not many “car’ friends warn others: make sure Cito does not pray over your car or it becomes his! Most important is to be in agreement with your wife, your child or a prayer partner!

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I once had 1965, ’66, ’67, and a ’68 Mustang Fastback in a bunch that had accumulated in a yard. One or two was rusted out with no engines while one had a diesel engine and only one was a real find, straight lines, all original, etc. Then I had a Chevy Biscayne that simply refused to show its real beauty no matter how hard we worked at it. Then one day, I had one of those whispers from the Lord that suggested I try to swap them out for an early model 911/930 Porsche that had been sitting in my friend’s garage. Given I had three rust buckets, and only two halfway decent cars, it seemed like a highly unlikely idea.

On the other hand, it really made no sense to have an entire series of basically the same car and given that each car costs about 500,000 to 800,000 to properly restore, it did not seem like I would be having that much fun. On the other hand a wide-body Porsche was certainly highly desirable as well as good value for money. So I did what the good Lord suggested. I offered a complete swap and my friend initially held off but after two weeks he held out his hand and went laughing all the way to the bank. Apparently he spent the two weeks finding buyers for all the cars and made a tidy profit.

Lesson: If a car has been sitting in someone’s garage for a long time while all the other cars are being driven, chances are the owner is not too interested in the car. If you have too many of one thing trade them off for something of better value. My friend was a Muscle car guru and the Porsche was just a deal that fell on his lap. It was an exchange deal. By the way, do what makes you happy and makes sense and avoid the naysayers. Go for what you want. Several people disagreed with my strategy and if I allow those things to affect me, I would probably still be regretting. As it is I have what I want without breaking the bank.

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These are just some of the “Barn find” stories I have and I recently shared these with Hannah my 14-year-old daughter, to teach her lessons about believing in dreams, going after the prize, ways and means to make the deal and the power of prayer and God’s will to bless us even with our “toys.” I told her that persistence and perseverance are the two most valuable traits that have helped me achieve the goal and acquire the car.

As we finished dinner, Hannah asked me which of the cars or what car took the longest and required so much perseverance and persistence. I looked away to the window and told her it was that Rolls Royce with no engine and supposedly sitting forlorn. I had not laid eyes upon the Lady of Ecstasy, nor have I gazed into her formerly well-appointed interiors. Yes, there were times I wondered if it was just a dream. But I have friends and they have made promises to help……….