--- title: "These Two Barn Find Minis Were Finally Freed From Their Overgrown Garage" description: "These two barn-find Minis sat in a garage for so long, trees grew in front of the doors, which needed to be cut down." date: "2024-03-03" modified: "2024-03-03" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/these-two-barn-find-minis-were-finally-freed-from-their-overgrown-garage" categories: - "Mini News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Cooper 2 Door" - "Hatchback" - "MINI" --- # These Two Barn Find Minis Were Finally Freed From Their Overgrown Garage ![]() *The Late Brake Show* Most barn finds require some digging to get to. They wouldn't be barn finds if they weren't buried in a barn or garage for years. However, it's unusual when cars are buried in a garage for so long that trees grow in front of the doors, locking the cars in. Except that's exactly what happened to these two [Minis ]()in the latest episode of The Late Brake Show. In the episode, host Jonny Smith visits these two Minis, which hadn't seen the sun in at least 14 years. One of which is a 1991 model, which still makes it a [classic Mini](). The other is a 2002 model, which makes it among the first of the new, [BMW-owned Minis](). The latter was last used and subsequently stored in the garage, in 2010, and both are one-owner cars. ![]() **The Late Brake Show** Their one owner is Margerate, who hadn't seen the cars for ten years before Smith got there, which was evident by the state of the garage doors. Both doors were completely inaccessible, due to trees, vines, and garbage blocking them, which meant Smith, and Margarate's friend Alan, needed to break out the landscaping tools. After hours of cutting, pruning, and chainsawing, they were finally able to get the doors open and see the cars. The roof of the garage had caved in on one side, due to rotting ceiling joists and heavy debris, but thankfully the cars weren't in harm's way. Despite the caved-in roof, weather and animals getting in, and more than a decade of neglect, the Minis were both in decent shape. Sure, they were disgusting, full of cobwebs and muck, and the 2002 Mini had vines growing inside the engine bay, but both cars were free of any real damage. They even got the older '91 Mini to start, albeit poorly. I hope we get to see what happens to these two Minis next, as they're both great cars in surprisingly good condition, given their history. They deserve to drive and be loved again, so hopefully they can go on to new owners that will fix them up and get them back on the road. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiC_2425hc8&t=615s *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()