A Farmer Leaves This Car Sitting Under Corn Bags In His Shed For Years – Turns Out It’s Worth A Fortune

The Scherer family car has been sitting idle in their shed longer than any of them can remember. Over time, various creatures have made themselves at home in the aging automobile, which is gradually deteriorating due to rust and neglect. Its days of ferrying people around are but a distant memory. 

Had the Scherer family been aware of the tremendous value of their vehicle, they might have taken measures to preserve it. However, due to their lack of knowledge, they left it in storage for an extended period, allowing it to succumb to the elements. 

The Scherer family had owned the car for quite some time. Darryl, the patriarch of the Scherer family, had bought the vehicle long ago and presented it as a gift to his wife, Vivian. For years, Vivian was the car’s primary driver. 

Despite being utilized for everyday errands and tasks, there was always something remarkable about the Scherer family car. Its sleek and sporty design set it apart from other vehicles around town, making it stand out on the streets. 

As time passed, the once remarkable Scherer family car started deteriorating, becoming a mere shadow of its former self. And in 2006, when Vivian passed away, the vehicle’s fate was sealed. Following her passing, her husband took ownership of the car. 

Darryl had always harbored aspirations of reviving the aging vehicle and restoring it to its former glory. Regrettably, he was unable to fulfill his plans, and the car remained untouched, collecting dust and rust. Darryl passed away at the end of 2021, leaving behind his beloved car as a forgotten relic of the past. 

When it came to family cars, the Scherer’s vehicle was a true anomaly. This car was none other than a Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 Bathurst, produced in 1968, boasting a unique set of features. Yes, the car did serve its primary purpose of toting the Scherer family from point A to point B, but it was also capable of reaching exceptional speeds. 

While it’s easy to associate ’60s muscle cars with American automobiles, the Holden HK Monaro was born and bred in Australia. This vehicle from down under was part of a line of muscle cars uniquely produced in Australia, and the HK Monaro stood out as one of the best. 

It might have been an unconventional choice for a family car, but the HK Monaro was the only option for Darryl Scherer. He was determined to own the best, and when he acquired the vehicle all those years ago, it was a special occasion for him. 

Noeleen reminisced about her father, who had since passed away, describing him as a diligent sugar cane farmer who grew up and lived in Bundaberg, a city in Queensland, Australia. According to Noeleen, the HK Monaro was a significant purchase for her father for one big reason in particular. 

It was evident that Darryl had set his sights on purchasing an extraordinary vehicle, especially since this would be the first car he would buy that had not been previously owned by his father. Yet, despite his desire for this particular car, Darryl didn’t even intend to use the car himself!  

With the keys to her new car firmly in hand, Vivian wasted no time taking it for a spin. After all, this was meant to be a family car, and as a mom, she was always on the go. On some occasions, Vivian even volunteered to take local school children on field trips, much to the children’s delight. 

​​Noeleen has vivid memories of the moment she first saw the car as a child. She recollected that she could still recall the exact day when her father purchased it. She was outside waiting to be collected from school when she and her classmates spotted the eye-catching, sparkling car. 

The Scherer kids were thrilled with their mom’s new car, and Noeleen recalls that their peers at school were envious of the red muscle car. Noeleen could clearly remember she and her three sisters were the most popular kids in school because every child wanted to ride in their car. 

The Scherer family and the locals had a sentimental attachment to the car, but they were unaware of the car’s true value in the eyes of collectors and car enthusiasts. Moreover, they had no idea of the level of interest the vehicle could generate outside their community–and how could they?

As previously noted, the car’s status changed after losing its primary driver, Vivian, in 2006. This unexpected event marked a turning point for the car, as it was no longer utilized at all. 

Following the passing of his beloved wife, Darryl made the difficult decision to leave behind his former home and relocate to the outskirts of Bundaberg. With a small plot of land to call his own and a sturdy shed to house his belongings, Darryl stored his car in the shed. 

Due to less-than-favorable conditions, the shed where the car was stored gradually deteriorated: the once-pristine vehicle became shrouded in a thick layer of dirt and grime, causing it to lose its luster and shine. As time passed, the shed became overrun with wildlife, and soon the car was covered with empty cereal sacks and other debris, obscuring its beauty. 

After so many years, the car had become little more than a bulky obstacle taking up valuable space. It was clear the time had come for the car to be dealt with, and the responsibility of handling the vehicle fell to Darryl and Vivian’s children. 

Once he had seen the car, Bill gained a firsthand understanding of its dire condition. As he recounted to The Guardian, he discovered that the car had been tucked away in the corner of the shed, obscured by a pile of empty corn bags and a discarded pool liner. 

Despite the car’s battered and neglected appearance, Bill remained optimistic about its potential for restoration. Being an expert in the field, he recognized the unique qualities that made the vehicle special. 

Bill knew the old car still had significant value, despite its appearance. Based on his expert knowledge of the market, he estimated that the car could potentially fetch anywhere between A$50,000 to A$80,000 at auction. 

As events unfolded, it quickly became apparent that Bill’s initial estimate was vastly underestimated. Upon introducing the car to the market, it became clear that there was significant interest and enthusiasm surrounding it. 

Bill was inundated with inquiries about the car, with an estimated 300 to 400 individuals expressing interest. Surprisingly, the demand for the car was not limited to Australia–one potential buyer even hailed from China! The dilapidated car had garnered international attention, reflected in its final sale price. 

The family was utterly taken aback by the high selling price. And naturally, they were all rather curious why the old car had fetched such a substantial sum of A$200,000. 

The Scherer family had always recognized the uniqueness of their car, but they were taken aback by the extent of its value. The vehicle had always held a special significance in their lives–well before they realized its worth. To them, it was the car of their childhood and held unforgettable memories within it. 

Noeleen Scherer reflects on the somber aspect of the tale, which is that her father, Darryl, was never able to restore the car to its former glory himself. The car was an item on his to-do list for a long time, but unfortunately, he never got around to it. 

Noeleen and her siblings may be a little disappointed that their father never got to work on the car, but they can’t deny the excitement and satisfaction that came along with the car’s recent sale for a staggering amount. 

Young, the auctioneer who sold the 1968 Holden HK GTS Monaro 327, is likewise ecstatic regarding the auction’s outcome. He has been in the auctioneering business for twenty-five years but has never made a sale as significant as this. 

Young was startled by the incredible level of interest that the old, beaten-up car garnered. However, he couldn’t help but feel delighted by the situation. Young was overjoyed to receive numerous inquiries about the car from all the major cities across Australia, with Sydney and Melbourne being the busiest.