Kansas Junk Yard needs to sell out rust free stuff

Saw this in Old Cars Weekly newspaper today and thought some HAMBERS could use the parts or even some project cars. Stuff looks very clean. Wish I was closer.
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/article/kansas-yard-needs-help/

 

this is in baxter springs ks, less than 20 miles from joplin. sounds like a hamb drags side trip!

 

Somebody with $$ needs to go check that out and cash out with her before the crushers do, find someplace to stash the good stuff and save it. If it is just that she needs the money and doesn't need the stuff outta there, maybe it could stay there for a while.

 

It is a story like this that makes me wish that I could hit the lotto. All kidding aside,I am going to make a phone call to see if they ship as I have a couple of projects that I need parts for and I'd rather help her out if possible,especially when you consider what all she has been through in the past few years. I wish I lived closer where I could drive over and get another project or 2.

 

Come May 31st, if there's still a lot of stuff left that's too good to crush, someone local should make a deal to take control of the yard sales for a month or two, selling the good stuff and giving the owner a cut. Then call the crusher.

 

i called them looking for some stuff - unfortunately nothing for me. However, I am sure they have something for you if you are looking for muscle car or early truck stuff.

tok

 

Gonna see if I can make a trip down there. Its only about 2 hours or something to Joplin.

 

Gonna be up there this weekend, I'll have to call and make an appointment to check the stuff out.

 

Kansas yard needs your help
May 04, 2010
by Ron Kowalke, Old Cars Weekly
.
Spending time in salvage yards is one of my p***ions. It never occurred to me in all my previous visits to yards that I might one day have a hard time emotionally touring a yard. But it happened.


While many of the hundreds of vintage vehicles in C.R.’s salvage
yard have had parts removed, what remains is generally rust free
and straight, like this 1960 Ford F100 Custom Cab Styleside pickup.

After covering a collector vehicle auction in Branson, Mo., I wanted to drive back through central Kansas to try to make contact with a salvage yard owner about doing a story on his business. That didn’t work out due to time constraints.

Instead, I detoured to a salvage yard closer to Branson, in Baxter Springs, Kan., which is in the southeast corner of the state. Arriving unannounced on a Monday morning, I knew nothing about C.R.’s Trucking & Wrecker Service, and hoped that a decade’s-old description of the yard’s inventory remained accurate, in that it was skewed towards older cars.

The description was correct. C.R.’s is filled with hundreds of mostly rust-free vintage vehicles, ranging from the 1940s to modern, including big rigs and military vehicles. But what the description couldn’t describe is the current struggle owner Debbie Cole is facing to keep her salvage and towing operation viable past the end of May.


A ’57 Chevrolet Two-Ten sedan offers donor-quality sheet metal.

Having never met Cole prior to my visit, it was evident she was putting on a brave face to explain the history of the yard and how she came to run the business. Once I came to understand her plight, it was at this point that I knew the tone of this column would be different from the other yard stories I’ve done in the past. I’m going to ask readers to invest themselves into helping Cole, simply because she, in addition to operating a salvage yard, is foremost a p***ionate old car hobbyist and supporter of vehicle preservation. Due to cir***stances that would make most of us curl up in a ball and cower, she’s been forced to make some drastic decisions concerning C.R.’s inventory. Her struggle involves preserving inventory versus paying bills. There is no easy answer, and this column is devoted to finding a solution. And quickly.

Cole is not looking for sympathy. She’s a fighter who has endured the harrowing chemotherapy regimen from a breast cancer diagnosis a few years ago, and is now a cancer survivor. Since then, she’s lost her husband, Clay, who died unexpectedly last June. Not only did she lose her life partner and best friend, but she was then forced to shoulder the entire responsibility of working full-time for the local school district, and keeping the yard operation going and its employees working in a depressed economy. All this while grieving the loss of Clay and staying focused on being not a cancer patient, but a cancer survivor. That’s more than a human’s load of mental anguish and stress to deal with, but Cole is determined to generate income to meet her financial obligations by May 31.

The yard’s foundation
Proudly showing Old Cars Weekly vintage photos of Clay in his 1940 Ford convertible street rod, Cole countered with pictures of her 1962 Chevy II Nova street rod that lovingly fueled the Blue Oval vs. Bowtie rivalry between the two. Cole explained that Clay lost his father when he was a child, and hung on to his memory through a car. “Clay collected 1940 Fords because that’s what his dad drove.”

Eventually, according to Cole, Clay “fell into” the old car buying business and he and his mother began the yard 35 years ago when people showed up looking to buy parts.

In that time, Clay am***ed a collection of 32 different ’40 Fords. These range from a he**** to coupes to panel deliveries. Some are restored, but many are part of the yard’s current 500-vehicle inventory spread over 30 acres. Cole would like to keep a handful of the restored Fords to honor Clay’s memory, but needs to sell the remainder. In fact, she would like to see all of the approximately 300-vintage-vehicles inventory get sold because she’s working on a deal with a local recycler to cash out and crush what remains after May 31 to pay down debt.

Walking the well-aligned, wide-aisled rows of vehicles staged on mainly flat terrain, the number of complete or near-complete cars and trucks that sport solid metal stand out. The vehicles that have had parts removed still maintain donor-quality parts, mainly in the way of fender panels and chrome pieces. One of more unique pieces in inventory is a Diamond T pickup cab and ch***is. There is a row devoted to “Tri-Chevys” (no ’56s) that includes two-door sedans, four-door sedans and station wagons. There is a handful of tow trucks with complete booms, as well as a few dozen big-rig tractors ranging from the 1930s on up, including several blunt-nose Fords that served as haulers for a Joplin, Mo., traveling carnival.

The majority of vintage iron in inventory runs from the early 1940s (heavily weighted towards the aforementioned ’40 Ford collection) up to the early ’70s, represented by a handful of Chevelles and first-generation Chevy Monte Carlos. Army olive drab coats the panels of a few vehicles, including a doorless Dodge Power Wagon and a Chevrolet deuce-and-a-half missing its cargo box. Pickups spotted were mainly from the 1950s and ’60s, several offering rust-free stepside or fleetside boxes.


A 1939 Ford sedan delivery (left). The other 30 range in condition from parts cars to restored and operational. Most, but not all of these Fords, are for sale.

Picking parts
Cole said customers are welcome to walk into the yard (no vehicles allowed) and pick parts with prior permission. She added that she has ***les for many of the vintage vehicles in inventory, and others can be sold on a bill of sale.

While she does not maintain a computerized inventory list, Cole said she has a good memory for what exists in the way of loose vintage parts such as engines, transmissions, rear end ***emblies, sheet metal and other major components. Parts shipping is offered as long as the shipment meets size and weight restrictions.

Hours of operation at the yard are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday by appointment. To contact the yard, call 620-856-3368 or FAX 620-856-2105.

In addition to selling the yard’s vintage inventory, Cole told Old Cars Weekly that she and Clay had built up a sizable collection of pedal cars that are also for sale.

End note
As I drove away from the yard, I mentally wrote and revised how I would approach telling Debbie Cole’s story several times. In the end, it just simply comes down to asking that hobbyists who have the financial means and storage capacity to contact Cole about buying from her inventory. Keep in mind that she has until May 31 to sell vehicles before the recycler will begin crushing what remains.

The old car hobby needs the support of businesses such as C.R.’s, but more importantly, the hobby needs to show Debbie Cole that we care and take care of our own.


The yard contains several examples of first-generation 1970-’72 Chevrolet Monte Carlo hardtops (left) with solid sheet metal. Thin paint is the worst of the cosmetic issues on this near-complete and solid 1955 Plymouth Belvedere sedan (right).


Rust-free and near-complete, this 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster sport coupe is a prime candidate for restoration. (Background) Could it be a Zamboni mower?


This late-1940s International semi-tractor remains complete, and sports like-new rubber on its dual rear wheels. It also retains a spotlight and extension mirrors and would make a great car transporter, if restored.


By its second model year in 1959, Edsel production was already tapering off, and only 7,778 Ranger two-door sedans were produced. This example is complete and in need of cosmetic restoration to look new again.

 

That won't do you any good, she's crushing what's left after May 31st!!

 

If somebody finds out what sort of prices they are lookin at please post. I know s**** is up a little bit right now but if they are still wanting 10 times what is gonna bring as s**** then they are not very serious!

 

in the day of ebay and other interweb sites it is a wonder any yards like this even exist. you would think everything would have been parted out by now and the owners would have retired to live the life of leisure. people have no idea what old cars are worth when stripped to the bone of every usable part. to s**** an old ride rather than list it somewhere for way more than that just seems incredibly foolish both from a business as well as an old car preservation standpoint.

whats s**** these days?

 

49ratfink you are right in some ways. But if you are lookin a the cold hard truth of crushing everything at the end of the month!! That has happened around here several times over the last couple of years. My point is if you are only gonna get 200 bucks for it at the end of the month then why are you asking 5000! I would love to save as many as I can afford.

 

"My point is if you are only gonna get 200 bucks for it at the end of the month then why are you asking 5000!"

very good point.

 

My dad and I always used to talk about our dream job - owning and running a salvage yard. I wish I was in a position to buy out the place. It seems like there's a treasure trove of cl***ics that are going to be gone forever come the end of the month. What she really should do is find a buyer for the business.

 

bump

 

Wow, don't know what to say! I knew Clay, bought some parts in 06-07-08. Haven't been down there in awhile and didn't know he p***ed. Clay was a really good guy, the 40 ford cars and p/u's were his p***ion. His private shop held lots of goodies that alot of people would kill for. I guess one of the ironict things about my last visit there was he was finishing a 40 ambulance and gathering parts for a he****. RIP Clay, all the best to you Debbie.....

 

I hate to hear of him p***ing I actually made a trip up there to look at a truck he had for sale. It has been a few years now but I called him about a year ago and he was asking if I had some parts for him. I guess I need to call and get my truck before it is gone forever. I wish her the best of luck and hope someone can save these cars there was a lot of nice vehicles up there.
Thanks
Brad

 

sad...lets give it a go guys and help out!!!

 

Went to see Debbie and look at what was there for sale yesterday. The cars and parts in Clays shop at this moment are not for sale, but most cars and parts outside the shop are. Walked the yard for a couple hours and there is still quite a bit of 40 ford hulks and parts, not to mention lots of misc. rear ends, trans and lone parts, not to mention other years and makes up into the 80's. Debbie is battling with prices right now, but is trying to figure out fair prices but still respect Clays wishes, plus the boys want to keep some of their dads stuff. I am going back next weekend to take some pics and will post them on this thread. ALSO! the info in the artical inregard to Debbie having breast cancer is wrong, the reporter got a story that Debbie told him mixed up with Clays mothers fight with cancer. Debbie is kicking around the idea of crushing, but only because the tax man is knocking at her door. I will try and keep you informed as I get more info and picks.

 

RIGHT ON!

We can't wait for the pics!

~Jason

 

UPDATE: I have been to the fair and I have seen the elephant.

Do not make elaborate plans to drive from out of town with a hauler to buy up all those "rust free" cars. They don't have many.

The people there are all very nice, but most of the cars photographed in the article posted by Abomination are WASTED. There is one nearly complete 1940 Ford coupe. They want $4,500 for it. I'm pretty sure if you dipped it in a rust-removal bath you'd end up with just a few pieces of potmetal in your hands.
There are maybe two dozen pre-1960 cars. Most of them are 4-door sedans. Most of them are rotted to the point where no one would care. On the other hand, if you need sheetmetal parts for a '59 Chevy, I'd recommend you get there pronto because there are a couple solid 4-doors and the prices on parts are very reasonable. Beyond that, unless you really want a 1971 Chevelle body shell badly don't get all hepped up.

The nice stuff IS in the building, and based on their pricing of the rusted-in-the-weeds '40 Ford coupe I'd guess they won't be selling anything anytime soon.

Let'em crush.

 

That's a shame. It reminds me a bit of a yard in southern WI - near New Berlin I think it was. Lots of interesting cars - Corvairs, MGs, older stuff - but most of it was pretty far gone, and a number of the older ones had trees growing up through them.

 

While I agree with "atomickustom" as to complete cars being 4drs. and condition of some, there are many things, inregard to parts worth the time. The items in the shop are the ones worth working toward but are also the ones the family is trying to hold on to. I feel to give up to soon is a mistake, to many times when people write off a situation because of overblown prices, things change overnight and the pieces are lost. The bottom line is they are going to have to come off at least some of the good stuff, and get back down to earth as far as the pricing or we all will be bidding cheap at the tax sale auction.

 

You are right, oldfart36, that building is full of great stuff IF they ever decide to sell any of it and IF they price any of it reasonably. But the guy who wrote that article about all the "rust free cars" and very carefully framed his photos to make things look much better than they really are is a goofball.

 

is they any 39-46 c hevy/gmc trucks their?thanks

 

Because the crusher buys them all, doesn't complain about anything missing or broken, comes and gets them and they're gone, and hands you a big check - you sell 100 cars for $200 (more like $300-$400 last I had a s**** price) a shot and you get a hell of a lot of money. As opposed to having to deal with one guy, who wants to offer you pennies on the dollar, take his time getting it, expects you to have it hauled out and ready, or maybe he falls and hurts himself out there and sues you.. you're paying more because it's more risk and more h***le for the owner. The s**** guy is insured, too, he pretty much has to be to be a licensed s**** dealer. And it's theirs to do with what they want - when you're selling one, there's no reason to let someone else make the money on it. I totally and completely understand old junkyard guys - it only takes a few years of trying to deal with the public to run into enough ***holes to pretty much sour you on everyone.


I see plenty of stuff worth saving in the pictures, they look better than a lot of our stuff up here. Once it's gone, it's gone, and then what are you going to do for parts no one's reproducing? And in the case of '40 Fords, they reproduce so much for them all you need is the top 2/3rds or so to build one.

I guess here again you can't look at every damn car out there through the blinders of whatever level or desire your ability is - what's too rough for you might be nothing at all to the next guy. It never ceases to amaze me how many people never even consider that when they look at some old car and say "too rough for me, so it must be junk". Meanwhile there are guys building stuff that's rotted in two big chunks, fabricating half the car from scratch because there are no reproduction parts of any kind....

 

i think i may need to go out there and have a look myself today.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot you need those fenders! I can't honestly remember if there is a '60 Chevy or not, but there is one real clean '59 so maybe you could use the entire front clip? Either way, go look around.
No Cadillacs, though.
Good luck. Take tools and cash.