The Strangest and Weirdest Storage Auction Findings
Storage auctions are like treasure hunts for adults, except instead of a map, you just need a little cash and a strong stomach for the unknown.
Over the years, storage units have held some of the weirdest, most unexpected, and downright creepy finds. From million-dollar treasures to bizarre artifacts, let’s dive into the strangest storage auction discoveries ever.
1. A Fully Prepped NASA Rocket
Someone actually bought a storage unit containing parts of a NASA rocket. Who misplaced that, and more importantly, where were they planning to launch it? NASA never officially claimed ownership, making the entire situation even weirder. Space enthusiasts, eat your heart out.
2. Human Remains in a BBQ Smoker
Imagine getting a brand-new (well, second-hand) BBQ smoker, only to open it and find—surprise!—human remains. This actually happened in North Carolina, where a man discovered a body stuffed inside. Turns out, the previous owner had left a rather unsettling surprise behind.
The man who made this “creepy” discovery can be found on X (Twitter), and apparently, you can hire him for parties: https://x.com/footmannc
Google man finds foot in smoker! I was in a #film called finders keepers. Will do parties as I’m the life of a party! Pm for prices! I do #Blu #Comedy!”
3. A Pirate’s Chest with Real Treasure
One lucky bidder got their hands on an old wooden chest, expecting dusty junk. What did they find? Spanish gold doubloons and antique jewelry worth thousands! Either a modern-day pirate lost his loot, or some grandpa forgot where he stashed his retirement fund.
4. A Live Hand Grenade
Nothing screams “best purchase ever” like a storage unit filled with explosives. One lucky (or unlucky?) bidder found a live hand grenade just sitting there, chilling, waiting for someone to pull the pin. Needless to say, authorities were called in, and no one tried to outbid them for the unit.
5. A 1937 Bugatti Worth Millions
A rust-covered car in the back of a storage unit turned out to be a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S. The buyer originally thought it was just another old car, but after some research, they realized they were sitting on a goldmine. It was later sold for millions at auction. Talk about a great investment!
6. A Giant Live Boa Constrictor
Imagine bidding on a storage unit and realizing you just bought a 15-foot-long live snake. That’s exactly what happened to one unfortunate buyer, who found a massive boa constrictor left behind. The snake was still alive and coiled up, probably wondering what took so long to be rescued.
Our excuses for the low quality video, it was the best we could find!
7. Nicolas Cage’s Stolen Comic Book
A first-edition Superman comic, stolen from Nicolas Cage’s home years earlier, was found in—you guessed it—a storage unit. The comic was valued at over a million dollars, making it one of the most expensive comic book finds in history. Sorry, Nic, but Superman found a new home for a while.
8. A Literal Mummified Body
A California man bought a unit only to discover a fully mummified human body inside. Authorities later determined the body belonged to an elderly woman whose family had bizarrely stored her away instead of burying her. It’s safe to say the buyer didn’t get a refund.
You can read more on it right here: https://gephardtdaily.com/local/warrant-body-found-in-ogden-storage-unit-was-bound-partially-mummified/
9. A $7.5 Million Safe (That Was Actually Full of Cash!)
Talk about hitting the jackpot. A man purchased a storage unit for just a few hundred bucks, only to find a locked safe inside. After cracking it open, he discovered a whopping $7.5 million in cash. The original owners later negotiated to get some of their money back, but only after the new buyer walked away with a nice cut.
Would you just keep it all? 👀
10. Michael Jackson’s Unreleased Music
A storage unit once owned by Michael Jackson contained unreleased tracks and memorabilia. The buyer, who had no idea they were about to uncover music history, later sold some of the items for a hefty sum. Some of the tracks? Still locked away to this day.
Take a look at the article from Hollywood Reporter if you want the full scope: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/michael-jackson-unreleased-tapes-found-storage-unit-1236085303/
11. A Dinosaur Skull
Yes, someone actually found a dinosaur skull in a storage unit. Paleontologists confirmed it belonged to a species over 66 million years old. Whether it was a collector’s prized possession or something that fell through time, it remains one of the most bizarre auction discoveries.
Storage auctions can be a fun gamble
You might find a priceless artifact, or you might just end up with someone’s old socks. But for those with a sense of adventure (and a strong stomach), the rewards can be life-changing. So, next time you see an auction sign, who knows?
You might just uncover history… or a mummified grandma.
Kate is a creative soul with a knack for entertaining people with random facts and historical tidbits. Whether she’s diving into history books, painting vibrant canvases in her free time, or crafting engaging stories, Kate’s passion for creativity and knowledge shines through.
She loves turning the ordinary into something extraordinary and believes there’s always a fascinating story waiting to be told. When she’s not busy exploring the past or wielding a paintbrush, you’ll find her sharing her latest discoveries with anyone who’ll listen.
