Rare Dodge Phoenix gets first deep clean after 15/20 years abandoned
- A Michigan YouTuber picked up a rare 1960 Dodge Phoenix
- It had been sitting abandoned in a barn for between 15 and 20 years
- However, its thorough cleaning inside and out was seriously impressive
Published on May 03, 2025 at 10:07 AM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Apr 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A Michigan-based YouTuber traveled to Interlochen to pick up a rare 1960 Dodge Phoenix that’s been sitting abandoned in a barn for between 15 and 20 years.
The car’s owner, Jerry, explained the car’s history and how his father bought it long ago and did bodywork with his brother.
Its semi-Hemi motor from a 1959 Dodge is a nice surprise hidden beneath the hood.
However, its transformation when it’s cleaned is even more amazing.
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Abandoned and rare Dodge Phoenix
After inflating the tires, Detail Dane and his team were able to roll the vintage muscle car out of the barn and load it onto the trailer to take it back to the detailing shop.
Dane noted that the car resembles the 1958 Plymouth Fury that was virtually the protagonist in the 1983 Stephen King film, Christine.
While the engine bay was dirty, it was remarkably clean under the carburetor, featuring unique Spitfire valve covers.
An interior inspection revealed that the seats, carpet, and dash were mostly in good condition, with the original hubcaps found in the trunk as an added bonus.
“I know this is going to be one heck of a transformation,” Dane said excitedly about the vintage car.
The clean up
The makeover began with a full and satisfying exterior wash, starting with the wheels and engine bay, preparing the car for deeper cleaning steps to follow.
It was then treated with an iron remover and ceramic spray to decontaminate the surface, then clay-barred to remove bonded contaminants.
Afterwards, there was an extensive paint polish, and the YouTuber noted that the car had been repainted at some point, but he expected the paint to shine up significantly.
He then planned to clean the chrome accents, including its large rear fins, dual headlights, and jet-inspired styling, using fine steel wool.
As for the interior, despite the front seat and convertible top being stuck, Dane was able to vacuum and scrub the carpet, dash, and door panels thoroughly.
Despite minor stains remaining, the classic scrubbed up a treat.
Even Jerry was seriously impressed with the ‘beautiful’ content creator’s efforts, and promised to bring more of his collection to the shop in the future.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness, and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the senior content writer and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms, and coveted brands. When her OOO is on from writing about cars and heading up on-site SEO you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym, or exploring the city she loves.
