A dusty 1967 Shelby GT350 that sat parked for more than 37 years has changed hands for $135,000, according to a video from @mcmillanbuildz. The creator relays the result of the sale rather than being at the auction himself, so the details below come from his telling.

The video says the car sold at the McPherson auction in Deadwood, South Dakota. We could not independently confirm the sale price or the auction details, so please treat the figures here as what the video reports.

What the video says about the car

According to the creator, the Shelby is equipped with the K-code 289 Hi-Po V8 and a top loader four speed transmission. Those are the details that car fans tend to look for, since the Hi-Po 289 is the high performance version of the small block V8 that Ford offered in the Mustang of that era. The same owner has had the car since 1979, and it already had over 90,000 miles on it at that time.

The creator says the engine was reportedly rebuilt shortly before that owner bought the car, and that the passenger side front fender is believed to have been repaired. The car was parked in 1989 and then sat for more than 37 years. By the end, it showed just over 100,000 miles, along with plenty of dirt, faded paint and a worn interior.

The hammer price, he says, came in at $135,000.

The story is part of the value

Barn finds hold a special place in the hobby. Many collectors say a car that has sat untouched can tell a story that a freshly restored car cannot, and original condition, even a tired one, is often valued for that reason. In this case, the single owner for more than four decades, the years of storage and the details that the creator describes all add up to a car with a history. The condition tells you how long it waited, but the paperwork and the stories attached to it often matter just as much to buyers.

The creator closes with a question for viewers: restore it or keep it as is?

Restore it or leave it alone?

That is a debate with no single answer, and enthusiasts argue about it all the time. Here are some points people commonly raise on each side.

• The case for preserving. Original paint, interior and mechanical parts cannot be put back once they are gone. Many collectors prize a car that shows its age honestly, and some prefer to make it safe and reliable without changing its character.
• The case for restoring. A full restoration can bring a car back to the way it looked when it left the showroom, and some owners simply want to drive and enjoy a car that looks great.
• The middle road. A lot of owners choose to get the car running, stopping and steering safely, and leave the cosmetic wear alone. This is often called a preservation or sympathetic approach.

Tips if you ever find an old barn car

• Get the paperwork in order. Documents, titles and ownership history can make a real difference to a car’s value.
• Verify what it is. Valuable models are sometimes copied or recreated, so many buyers have the identification numbers checked by an expert before spending serious money.
• Do not rush to clean it. Dirt and patina can be part of what makes a barn find interesting. Think about it before scrubbing everything away.
• Make it safe first. Brakes, fuel system, tires and fluids need attention after years of sitting, before the car is driven anywhere.
• Budget realistically. Restoration costs can climb quickly, and a finished car does not always sell for more than was spent on it.

The bottom line

According to the video, a 1967 Shelby GT350 with one owner since 1979 and more than 37 years of rest sold for $135,000. Whatever its next owner decides, the car’s long wait is over, and enthusiasts will be watching to see whether it gets a full restoration or simply a good wake up.