Ferrari 360 Porsche barn find Haul Kicks Off Madison Merchel’s Restoration Channel
Madison Merchel could not have had a stronger YouTube debut. For her very first upload, she documented the discovery of a three-car haul of abandoned mid-2000s sports cars: a silver Ferrari 360 Modena and two Porsches. The Ferrari 360 Porsche barn find had been sitting untouched for years under heavy layers of dust and mold, making it one of the coolest recent discoveries of modern exotics.
After months of negotiation, Merchel acquired the three time capsules from the late owner’s family for an undisclosed amount, fully aware that none of the cars had run in ages. The subsequent attempt to bring them back to life offered a massive surprise.
Here is a look at the condition of the cars and the initial, smoke-filled revival.
Three Sports Cars from the 2000s
The three cars represent a strong haul from the era that bridged analog and digital driving experiences. The Porsches maintain the desirable stick-shift configuration, while the Ferrari is fitted with the F1 automated manual transmission.
The Surprising Revival
Despite the decay—including the mouse nest in the Boxster and the extensive dust—the engines of all three cars roared back to life with only basic prep work (new battery, fresh fluids).
- Smoke and Drama: The initial start-up was dramatic, especially for the Ferrari, which vanished behind massive plumes of exhaust smoke as it crawled out of the barn.
- Mechanical Integrity: The fact that all three analog engines ran after years of silence suggests a high level of mechanical integrity, though the 360’s rough idle and visible smoke may indicate that more serious issues will arise.
The Ferrari 360 Porsche barn find marks the start of a promising restoration journey. Merchel is no stranger to complex builds, as she currently owns a 991.2 Porsche GT3 RS and a modified FD Mazda RX-7. The biggest project will be the Ferrari, where enthusiasts are already suggesting a complex gated manual swap for the F1 transmission, a modification that would instantly raise its value and analog driving appeal.
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