Found parts ???

TEX SMITH used to show pix of "abandoned" cars and parts that he'd found in the desert and on fishing trips in R&C years ago. never thought of "OLE TEX" as much of a thief...just a master story teller.

 

I worked for a land development company in the 1980's near Palm Springs. One section they purchased had a car dump site that was well hidden and not accessable without 4 wheel drive due to blow sand.

There was about 40 complete desert sun baked cars, tons of old tin, frames and suspension components, farm tractors, and even an ol' Divco. Most of the complete cars looked like they were driven in and parked. I'd say nobody had seen or touched them in 20 years.

The newest was a 60 Buick Invicta 4dr. Some other complete noteables were a wrecked 59 Plymouth Sport Fury convert, 57 Olds Starfire 98 J2, 55 Chevy panel delivery (265/Hydramatic), 55 Merc Monterey wagon, 53 Chevy tin woody, 49 Ford 2dr, 42 Desoto, 36 Ford PU, 36 Olds coupe, 30 Pontiac 4dr, and a Model AA flatbed.

I took home about 20 complete cars to sell. Some I worked on, others just sold. Also hauled about 20 boxvan and car trailer loads of parts to Pomona and other SoCal meets over the next couple years. If somebody made me any offer on parts, they bought 'em.

The sad part is, back then I was only interested in 55-57 Chevys, muscle cars, 4 wheel drives and Baja Bugs. The 1920's to 1940's stuff I didn't have a clue what it was, or care. I torched plenty of the old bodys apart so more would fit on my trailer.

All that junk enabled me to buy a fairly original 1962 Corvette 340hp 4sp, a 69 GTO RAIII 4sp project. Then there's a few road trip vacations to Baja Mexico, a total rebuild on my Baja Bug. Also bought a high quality paint job and a new top for my 70 Chevelle convert.

Maybe that's why I don't find anything nowdays.
I already received my allotment.

 

Kerry, sorry man. Did not want to be a bad ***. Must have got up on the wrong side of the bed or something. Anyway, growing up in NY cars are not abandoned. They are 'friggin stolen' so just coming from a different angle thats all. Wish life was a little more easy and simple. I got my car stolen once, in Boston. Got it back three years later and the cops did nothin to the illegal imigrant *******s.

 

I grew up in North Dakota, lots of farm country. In my high school days of the 60's we would ask the folks if we could dig around the oldies back in the windbreaks. Often they were happy to have some of the stuff hauled off. We found 40 Ford coupes, Chrysler Airflows and tons of decent stuff. Got out of the army in 68 and headed out to find more parts. It was pretty much gone, hauled off and chrushed.
Been in Denver since 72 and have driven country roads to find more stuff. In a couple places the locals have dumped the dead cars and we were told it was free for the pickin. Just had to watch out for snakes & critters.

 

A friend found an A bed on some timber ground he was mushroom hunting, asked the owner, and now i have a rusty bed to fix up for my truck- zero$. It doesn't hurt to ask.