Discoveries

Our intrepid salvage yard explorer brings you junkyard jewels from across North America.

1. The owner of this Denver, Colorado yard has scribbled ‘1967 Mercury Cougar’ on the side, not that I needed any help identifying this distinctive classic. The bodywork is in great condition – well what’s left of it is, anyway! There’s a yellow crusher lurking just out of shot, which fortunately appears to survive mainly on a diet of 1990s and 2000s Japanese and South Korean imports.

2. I found this 1963 Buick LeSabre sitting on waste ground in southern New Mexico.

3. It looks like somebody started to do some preparation work on this 1953 Ford, and then gave up. But fortunately the Californian climate hasn’t been too unkind to the exposed metal, and it still has plenty of usable body panels to offer. 1953 was Ford’s 50th anniversary year, but unfortunately it wasn’t able to celebrate by taking the top sales spot, as that honour went to arch-rival Chevrolet.

4. Its engine and gearbox have long gone, but this 1966 Chevrolet Impala station wagon still has plenty of great rust-free parts to donate to the classic car cause. It was photographed in an Idaho salvage yard two years ago.

5. This sorry-looking 1941 Cadillac stands little hope of ever being dragged out of its current resting place – not least because any potential rescuer would first have to fell scores of trees to clear a path to the highway. More to the point, the driveline is missing and the floor has completely rusted out. It’s located in Georgia, but it’s certainly no peach!

6. In contrast, this 1965 Imperial Crown Coupe two-door hardtop does look like it’s worth saving. Judging by the way it has sunk into the ground, it’s been a resident of this Idaho salvage yard for a long time, but the high desert climate has been kind to the metalwork. Ignoring a damaged front wing, the bodywork is remarkably straight, the floor is solid and the driveline is complete. It could be yours for $4500.

7. I think this is a 1960 Chrysler Windsor four-door sedan, or rather was! The burned-out wreck will probably have been crushed by the time this picture is published.

8. Shortly before my visit to All American Classics of Vancouver, Washington, the yard sold off half of its land for housing, so had to dramatically reduce its stock. All of a sudden it didn’t have the space for cars like this fire-damaged 1949 Chevrolet two-door Fleetline fastback, which has so few parts to yield. Consequently, this is another one that no longer exists.

9. At one with nature – this 1957 Ford Custom’s engine has long-since been replaced by a greener alternative. It’s part of a private collection of cars I discovered in Tennessee.

10. This 1952 Cadillac arrived at Martin Supply Inc in Windsor, Colorado, a decade ago. Since then it has given up its tail-lights and some brightwork, but still has plenty of useful parts left. Check out that pair of Kaisers in the background, which are instantly recognised by their distinctive ‘sweetheart’ windscreens.