The term "barnfind" has been abused as late partly because there were times the word added a huge premium at auction, but true time capsules unearthed in old garages and barns never cease to amaze.

I'm sure there are many classic examples awaiting discovery where an owner parked a car for whatever reason and lived his/her life while it sat unmolested. "Barnfind" sounds better than the old "ran when parked" which more describes a car or bike that fell into disrepair from neglect.

An heir to the Macy's fortune parked his new 1931 Duesenberg in a NYC parking deck and left it sit for 70 years. For decades, the millionaire simply paid the parking fees as the car sat idle in a forgotten corner of the deck:

Enter Jay Leno in 2005 when he caught wind of "the last single owner Duesy in existence". Unfortunately it seems Leno took it upon himself to spread false rumors about the car's condition while he negotiated a deal with the by then senile and ailing owner, including lies that the car would no longer fit in the elevator and would have to be removed by knocking out an exterior wall and expensively lowering it to street level it by crane.

http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/hobby-news/leno_lands_last_original-owner_duesenberg

The Hollywood caliber lawsuits that followed that quick sale made this notorious Duesenberg a true star in auto collecting circles. Duesenbergs are the automobile equivalent of gold in that it causes irrational and reckless behavior among those who seek them out and collect them. Call it "Duesy Fever". With legal fees and settlement costs, Leno probably paid near fair value in the end instead of the paltry $180,000 he initially tendered, but I doubt he minded too much. He now owns one of the most coveted and original Duesenbergs in the world, and his is only the second name listed on the title.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_0DyZl1aBi67u3BEQJVAYyI

Maybe one of these days.

Closest I've found is a 76 FJ40 Landcruiser hidden behind a house.

We were just a few miles north of Millington Tn and saw an old Thunderbird sitting under a rusted out carport in the side yard. We pulled over and knocked on the door to inquire about the car. The lady that answered the door told us that the car belonged to her late husband and it hasnt been driven in over 10 year and no longer ran. My friend offered her to buy it and she said its yours for $500. My buddy ended up giving her $1000, we got a trailer and brought it home.

After draining the gas, cleaned the carb, and replaced the battery it started up on the first try. The tires were a little dry rotted as well but that was about it.

My buddy called me up3 years later telling me that he was selling the car as he was expecting a new baby, and would sell it to me for $3000 since I helped him restore it. Unfortunately I didnt have the money to buy it, but that was probably better off as he got 12k for it.