Going out searchin this weekend. $300 in my pocket. Lookin' for a chunk of pre-WWII sheet metal. I live in rural Northern California, so there is no shortage of barns and back pastures. Any advice for my hunt? Hot spots to look? Strategies? Right now my plan is just to get out there in my pickup, with my tools, a case of cd's, a themos of coffee, and hopefully dry weather. Being a "car guy" is good. Oh the little things in life.... All advice appreciated. ~FarmCal
If you would, take some pictures. I always take a few pictures when i go junking, and i always tell who ever im with to get into the picture. Well being cool and all my buds always put up resistance until I explain that 40 years from now the pictures with just the cars or junk in them will be ok, but the ones with the people that we go through life with will be treasures. Hope i dont sound soft here. Post some of the pics of your finds. On strategies, be polite, find something of theirs to complement and listen to their stories and what not. It will take you farther down the road in maken a score and you might just make a friend or two in the process. Later Bob
Well you do seem a little soft, but if you switch the word Treasures for the word Nostalgic I think you could be Ok. I've been wrong before though.
Can you pick me up on the way there? I know it's a little out of your way... I have my own wrenches... Flatman (starting to sense spring)
Seriously, take someone with you, preferably to drive. You will see a LOT more if you are a p***enger. It never ceases to amaze me what I see for the first time when I am a p***enger rather then a driver.
You also might want to take a little more green with you. I'm not saying a cool car cant be had for $300, but if you had say, $600, You might not insult the owner of your prospective buy. Last thing you want to do is piss off the guy you want to buy from. You can offer 300, then if he says hell no, at least 500, then you at least have it on you. One thing I have found out is once someone asks if an old yard monument is for sale, it gets the wheels spinning in the persons head. If you have to come back for any reason, that gives them time to talk to friends, family, look on the computer, etc., to compare prices. This process is what turns it to gold in a very short period of time. If you can make a reasonable offer, they agree, you pay, haul it away, all at once, you are much better off. Have fun!
You may want to consider bringing a chainsaw and maybe a cordless sawsall. The prizes aren't always easy to get out.
Binoculars are very handy. I carry some in my work truck. It's amazing how many old VWs look like tin from 1/4 mile away or in trees which is OK if that's what you're looking for. It's also is a good idea to have a detailed map so you can keep track of any finds. Sometimes the memory ain't so good. A notebook to describe condition and description of parts and info like " nasty dog" or owners name and phone number are also handy. Someday you may be able to provide that information to someone else that's looking for that piece if you didn't want it.
Be prepared to both make the deal and pull the tin away at the same time (a good reason to bring a buddy along for the free labor). I've known guys who bought an old car and gone back later to pick it up only to find parts have been removed. Also, the guy may get sellers remorse and figure he got ripped off and now he wants more money. Good hunting and show us what you find.
Crowbars, flashlights, heavy gloves, hi-lift jack, bottle jack, hornet spray, snake bite kit, a small pistol if possible and lots of swear words. Pictures are nice. I looked at a wreck an old timer was emotionally attached to that he had reluctantly put in the paper and I took pics when I got there. The guy called me back and said I was the only one who cared about his car not just haggling price - and sold it to me. Powerband I've been taking pics of old tin in my neighborhood. I hope to approach the owners/property dwellers this spring: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v296/Powerband/ORPHAN CARS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD/
I hope you don't get the guy that's going to fix it up someday and it ain't for sale . I watched a cherry'57 Bel Air slowly degrade into a pile of rust over the course of 10 years time because the guy was fixing it up someday, yeah right ! Another one gone !
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