California man buys abandoned shipping container that was lost at sea for $20,000 and finds a high-end vehicle inside that makes it all worth it
Published on Aug 17, 2026 at 3:10 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Aug 17, 2026 at 3:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
When this California man splashed out $20,000 on an abandoned shipping container, he knew he was taking a big risk – but a high-end vehicle sitting inside made it worthwhile.
YouTuber Brent Rivera and his friends had located a lost shipping container near the Port of Los Angeles.
Hoping they could make some money off what was inside, they set out to acquire it.
What they found inside would leave them stunned.
A lot of surprises can dwell inside of a shipping container
Approximately 1,478 shipping containers were lost at sea in 2025, out of the 280 million transported globally.
While that’s a small slice of the overall sum, that still represents more than 1,000 containers that never made it to their intended destination.
It makes you wonder about what was inside each of them.
As we’ve seen countless of times, shipping containers can be full of surprises.
One man discovered the last Tesla Roadsters, which had been lost for 13 years.
For another man, it was a Porsche 911 that was lurking behind the steely doors.
And it was a cathartic moment for these two Chevrolet owners when they were reunited with trucks that had gone missing at sea for two years.
Would YouTuber Brent Rivera and his buddies be so lucky when they got their hands on an abandoned shipping container?
Could this California man turn a profit with what he found in the Port of Los Angeles?
The shipping container was from ‘Tulip Shipping Company’ and was partially submerged near the shoreline, having likely washed up after a storm.
But before Rivera and his pals could get into the nitty gritty, the dock owner interrupted them for trespassing.
They managed to strike a deal with him, buying the container outright for $20,000.
“This shipping container could be worth millions. But if whatever’s inside got damaged, it could also be worth nothing,” Rivera reflected.
It was a gamble, but it was one he was willing to take a chance on.
It’s fair to say that the container had its fair share of odd items inside.
Here’s what was inside the container
There was an empty wooden coffin, live fireworks, and even a marked box full of venomous snakes.
As Indiana Jones once said, ‘Snakes…why’d it have to be snakes?’
But alongside the weird was the wonderful – a functioning humanoid robot capable of dance and kung-fu moves, a robot dog, and an electric surfboard.
Now that we think about, all of those are pretty weird too.
Dozens of water-resistant iPhones were also stowed inside, alongside a whole array of tech goodies from MacBooks to PlayStation 5s.
Throw in some Louis Vuitton sunglasses and sealed Pokémon cards, and you’re looking at a very good payday.
But then came the ultimate prize.
This car made everything worthwhile
At the very back of the container was a fully intact Polaris Slingshot, valued at around $50,000.
“This is someone’s car and they kept it in perfect condition,” Rivera gushed.
“This is so sick. I didn’t realize this was like a three-wheeled car. Dude, what? There’s one wheel in the back.”
It had held up beautifully, and the guys looked happy as clams to be driving off in it.
Wouldn’t you?
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
