Did a TikTok House Tour Really Uncover a Lost Bill Thomas Cheetah?
If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok and stumbled upon a house-hunting video, you know the drill: quick pans of kitchens, awkward commentary about closet space, and maybe a surprise or two in the backyard. But when one creator’s video flashed past a battered coupe with a tree growing through it, car enthusiasts everywhere sat up and took notice. Was this the barnfind of the decade—a genuine Bill Thomas Cheetah, one of the rarest American sports cars ever built?
Why Did Viewers Think This Was a Legendary Cheetah?
The Bill Thomas Cheetah is the stuff of legend. Born in the 1960s as Chevrolet’s answer to the Shelby Cobra, fewer than 30 were ever made. Each was a wild, lightweight, V8-powered missile, designed for one thing: beating Carroll Shelby at his own game. Spotting one in any condition is a big deal. So when TikTok commenters spotted the coupe’s swoopy lines and long hood, they immediately started speculating. Could this be a forgotten piece of racing history, left to rot under the Nevada sun?
What Details Gave Away the Truth?
Here’s where things get interesting. The TikToker, urged on by a flood of comments, returned for a closer look. This time, the camera lingered on the car’s details: mismatched door handles, a roofline that didn’t quite match the Cheetah’s signature curves, and a rear glass area that looked off. Most telling? The taillight was mounted inside the cabin, shining through where the rear window used to be. That’s not just odd—it’s a dead giveaway.
Colin Comer, a respected expert who actually owns a real Cheetah, chimed in to confirm what many suspected: this wasn’t the real deal. In his words, it’s “a Cheetah-ish kit car of some kind.” That’s not a knock—kit cars have their own cult following—but it means the car in the backyard isn’t a million-dollar unicorn.
How Rare Is the Real Bill Thomas Cheetah, Anyway?
To put things in perspective, the Bill Thomas Cheetah is rarer than a Ferrari 250 GTO. Only about two dozen authentic examples are known to exist, and each has been meticulously documented by collectors and historians. According to the Historic Vehicle Association, original Cheetahs rarely change hands, and when they do, prices can soar well into seven figures. So the odds of one languishing, unnoticed, in a suburban backyard? Slim to none.
What’s the Story Behind This Mystery Car?
So if it’s not a Cheetah, what is it? That’s where things get murky. The car’s styling hints at 1960s kit car culture—a time when companies like Fiberfab and Kellison offered fiberglass bodies you could bolt onto a donor chassis. The Kellison J-Series, in particular, shares some visual cues with the mystery coupe, but there’s no perfect match. It’s possible this is a one-off project, a rare kit, or even a homebuilt special cobbled together from various sources.
This kind of automotive mystery isn’t uncommon. In the 1960s and 70s, kit cars were a way for enthusiasts to build their own dream machines on a budget. Sometimes the results were stunning; other times, they were, well, a little more creative. The car in the TikTok video seems to fall into the latter category—an oddball creation with a story all its own.
Why Do Barnfinds Like This Capture Our Imagination?
There’s something irresistible about the idea of stumbling across a forgotten classic. Maybe it’s the hope of finding hidden value, or maybe it’s the romance of rescuing a piece of history. Social media has only amplified this phenomenon, turning every backyard discovery into a potential viral sensation. According to a 2023 survey by Hagerty, nearly 40% of classic car enthusiasts say they dream of finding a “barnfind” someday. It’s the automotive equivalent of a treasure hunt.
What Should You Do If You Stumble on a Mystery Car?
If you ever spot a strange old car tucked away in a yard or garage, here’s a quick checklist:
– Snap clear photos of all angles, especially badges, VIN plates, and unique features.
– Post in enthusiast forums or Facebook groups—crowdsourcing can work wonders.
– Consult marque experts or local car clubs for help with identification.
– Don’t assume rarity equals value; condition and provenance matter just as much.
And if you’re thinking about buying a property with a mystery car included, check the paperwork. Sometimes, the story is worth more than the sheet metal.
The Big Takeaway: Car Mysteries Are About the Journey, Not Just the Jackpot
In the end, this TikTok sensation wasn’t a million-dollar Cheetah, but that hardly matters. The real fun is in the chase—the wild guesses, the expert sleuthing, and the stories that emerge along the way. Car culture thrives on these moments of curiosity and connection. The big takeaway? Chasing barnfinds isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.