So, you’re tearing across the Mexican desert in a supercar, dust kicking up behind you, and suddenly a purple circle pops up on your map. "Barn Find Rumor." Honestly, it’s one of the best feelings in the game. It’s that hit of dopamine that comes from knowing there’s a rusted-out piece of history just waiting for you to save it.
But here’s the thing. A lot of players think they can just drive to the coordinates they saw on a YouTube thumbnail and the barn will magically open. It won’t. Forza Horizon 5 is kinda picky about how you "earn" these cars. You can't just stumble upon them; you’ve gotta trigger the rumor first.
Basically, the game wants you to play the campaign. Most rumors trigger randomly as you earn Accolades or finish races, but three specific cars are locked behind Expeditions. If you haven't finished the Apex, Wilds, or Baja expeditions, you’re going to be looking at a lot of closed doors.
The Cars You’re Actually Looking For
There are 14 "official" barn finds, but if you look at your stats, you might eventually see 15/14. Don't freak out. That extra one is usually the Vocho from the story mission, which technically counts but follows different rules.
Let's talk about the big hitters. The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is the "holy grail." In the real world, these things sell for $50 million. In Forza, it’s free, but there’s a catch. It takes forever to restore. I'm talking days of real-world time. You can pay credits to speed it up, but it’ll cost you millions. Just let it sit in the shop while you do other stuff.
Then there’s the 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione. You’ll find this one near the Riviera Maya. It's tucked away in the jungle, and the trees are thick. Pro tip: Use Drone Mode. It’s under the "Creative Hub" menu. Flying a drone is way easier than trying to wedge a wide-body Lamborghini through a dense Mexican forest just to find a wooden door.
How to Unlock the "Problem" Barns
Some of these aren't random. If you're missing the 1967 Ford Racing Escort MK1, you need to head to the Baja Expedition. There's an optional goal to "collect a sample from the hot spring lake." Do that. If you skip it, the rumor might never pop.
The 1970 GMC Jimmy is similar. It's tied to the Apex Expedition. You have to reach the top of the central ruin. It's a quick climb, but again, if you’re just rushing through the main objectives, you’ll miss the car.
And then there's the Jaguar Sport XJR-15. This one is at the abandoned jungle airfield (Aerodromo en la Selva). You get the rumor during the Wilds Expedition by finding the "lost barn find notes." The notes are literally right in front of you in one of the hangars. Just keep your eyes open.
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The Full List (Sorta)
Look, I’m not going to give you a perfectly numbered list because the game doesn't even unlock them in order. But here is the gist of what you’re hunting:
- BMW 2002 Turbo (1973): Look west of Guanajuato. It’s off a trail near the Fuera Del Camino dirt race.
- Dodge Viper GTS ACR (1999): This beast is in the Gran Pantano region. Look for the big "A" in "Pantano" on your map. It's literally right there in the trees.
- Dodge Dart Hemi Super Stock (1968): Near the Teotihuacan ruins. It’s in a field. Super easy to spot once the rumor triggers.
- Ford Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback (1968): North of the Hotel Mirador Balderrama. Follow the dirt paths.
- Chevrolet Corvette (1953): Southwest of Los Jardines, near a bridge.
- Toyota #1 T100 Baja Truck (1993): Look for the crop circles in the southwest. It’s on the edge of the southern circle.
- Renault 4L Export: This one requires you to buy the La Cabaña player house. It’s cheap, so just go buy it once you have the cash.
Why You Should Care About Gift Drops
Once you find a barn, it turns into a Gift Drop location. This is a cool new feature for FH5. You can take cars from your own garage—maybe something you have a duplicate of—and leave it in the barn for a random player.
You can even choose who gets it. Want to help a "New Player"? Or maybe a "Returning Player"? You can even leave a little note. It’s a nice way to clear out your garage and get some Kudos points, which basically just shows people you’re not a jerk.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Spending 16 million credits to "instantly restore" a car. Don't do it. Unless you have more money than you know what to do with, just wait. The restoration time is based on the car's value. A Ford F-100 will be ready in an hour. That Ferrari 250 GTO? It might take a week.
Also, the "Treasure Map" DLC is a thing. It costs a few bucks and shows you every barn immediately. Is it worth it? Honestly, no. Part of the fun is the hunt. Use your drone, listen to the rumors, and enjoy the scenery. Mexico is beautiful; don't skip the journey just to get a rusted Ford.
Your Next Steps
If you're stuck at 13/14, go check your Expeditions.
Specifically, go back to the Baja Expedition and make sure you drove through the hot springs. If you've done that, check if you've bought the La Cabaña house. If you’ve done both of those and you’re still missing one, just keep earning Accolades. The final rumors often wait until you’ve hit the Hall of Fame or finished the final "Goliath" style races.
Go into your map, filter for "Barn Finds," and if you see a purple circle, get that drone in the air. The barns always have the same look: white walls, wooden doors, and usually some junk piled up outside. Once the cinematic starts, you're golden.