You're tearing across the Mexican desert at 200 mph and suddenly your radio crackles. It’s a rumor. Someone saw an old shed. Probably just some rusted-out tractor, right? Wrong. In the world of Forza, specifically Forza Horizon 5, these rumors are the golden ticket to a garage that makes collectors weep. But honestly, finding all the forza barn find locations isn't as simple as just driving into a purple circle and hoping for the best.
Most players think they can just wait for the game to hand them every car. It doesn't work like that. I’ve seen countless people get stuck at 11 or 12 cars, wondering why the last few "rumors" never trigger. The truth is, some of the best cars—like the Jaguar XJR-15 or the GMC Jimmy—are gated behind specific mission objectives that the game barely explains.
The Mystery of the 14 Barns
There are 14 cars hidden across Mexico. Most of them pop up as you play, but a few are total pains to unlock if you aren't paying attention to the "Optional Accolades" in your expeditions.
Take the Jaguar Sport XJR-15. You won't find this by cruising. You have to play the Jungle Expedition. During that mission, you’ve got to find the "lost barn find notes" at the abandoned Aeródromo en la Selva. If you skip that tiny side task, the barn remains a ghost. It’s sitting right there near the airfield, tucked in the trees, but you won't be able to "discover" it without those notes.
Then there’s the GMC Jimmy. This one is tied to the Apex Expedition. You need to reach the top of the central ruin at Tulum. It’s a bit of a climb, but if you don't do it, the rumor stays locked.
Where the Legends Sleep
If you're looking for the heavy hitters, you need to know where to point your tires. Here’s a breakdown of the spots that usually give people the most trouble.
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The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
This is the holy grail. It’s the most expensive car in the game if you were to buy it, but you can get it for free. It’s located in the far northeast, near the Los Jardines area. Look for a dirt track off a main road that heads toward the coast. Be prepared to wait, though. The restoration on this beauty takes ages in real-time unless you want to drop a few million credits to fast-track it. Honestly? Just let it sit. It’s worth the wait.
1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione
You'll find this one in the marshes. Specifically, south of the Horizon Apex Outpost in the Pantano de la Selva region. It’s thick with trees and swampy water, making it easy to miss the small shed.
1973 BMW 2002 Turbo
This is a personal favorite for A-class racing. It’s tucked away in the north, just west of the Guanajuato city area. If you find the "Fuera del Camino" trail race, you're basically on top of it.
Why Your Rumors Aren't Appearing
It’s frustrating. You’ve played for 40 hours and the map is still empty.
One major thing people miss is the La Cabaña player house. It’s a cheap little shack on the northwest coast, but buying it is the only way to trigger the rumor for the Renault 4L Export. No house, no car. Simple as that.
Also, if you're a "Treasure Map" DLC owner, you might think you're smart. But even with the map, some of these icons stay greyed out until the mission requirements are met. You can drive to the exact spot, but if you haven't done the "Baja Expedition" optional goal (collecting a water sample from the lake), the Ford Racing Escort MK1 barn won't open.
The Drone Mode Hack
Stop driving in circles. Seriously.
If you’re inside a purple rumor circle and can't find the shed, open the menu and toggle Drone Mode. It’s under the "Creative Hub" tab. You can fly the drone much faster than a car, and it can zip through dense forests where your car would get snagged on a stray log. Once the drone "sees" the barn, the icon stays on your map forever.
Restoration and the Waiting Game
Once you find a car, it goes to Vocho’s garage. Or your garage. Whatever. The point is, it’s a wreck.
Restoration times vary wildly. A Ford F-100 might be ready in half an hour. That Ferrari 250 GTO? I’ve seen it take multiple real-world days of gameplay. Don't waste your credits "skipping" the wait unless you have literally nothing else to spend them on. Go run some Goliath laps or hit the drift zones. The notification will pop up eventually.
A Quick Note on FH4 Barns
If you're still playing Forza Horizon 4 in the UK, remember that some barns are seasonal. The 1962 Peel P50 only shows up in Summer. The Range Rover is stuck on an island that you can only reach when the lake freezes over in Winter. Mexico doesn't have these hard seasonal locks, which makes the hunt a bit more relaxed.
What to do next
If you're stuck, check your Accolades menu under the "Expeditions" tab. Look for any that mention "Barn Find Notes" or "Hidden Treasures." If they aren't checked off, go replay that expedition. You can do it from the main map icons.
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Once you’ve cleared those, head to the northwest coast and buy the La Cabaña house for 150,000 CR. It’s the best investment you’ll make for your car collection. After that, use the drone mode trick in every purple circle you see. You'll have all 14 classic cars in your garage before the sun sets over the caldera.