I travel 9000 miles to see The Tardel Ranch...... So 900 is nothing....... I' m sure you will find stuff
I don't think there will be many/any of those "desirable" types of parts left. As the weeks go on, the pile is getting picked through... and the seeds and stems quote really rings true. But if you're looking for a place to go, to meet Vern and see a lot of what I took pictures of, I say go for it! There are always neat things to see there... projects, parts etc. It's like a candy store for guys and gals that like old stuff. Sam
Nice write up..and great pictures. The sale will go down in history. Good for all the folks who got to go and score a few parts!
Just got back from Vern's. This second Saturday, I heard, the crowd was not as big as last weekend. I was looking for later banjo side bells, two to use and two to cut up as tool stands, and '49-51 Mercury wheels. I had seen some of the wheels in Sam's photos. Other stuff I was looking for was gone or I decided to p*** on. I did find an NOS piece of sheet metal that fits between the radiator and hood on a '51 Ford, could not p*** on it. Once I got back and unloaded, I looked more closely at the four wheels and the two best ones were actually Lincoln wheels with 6" rims and wheel cover nubs! The other two with bent rims, I was planning to only use the centers. Those Lincoln wheels look absolutely great chromed and reversed. I will edit this with photos of my finds, later. A pleasant morning, got say hi to Vern, buy a few good pieces, and take a nice drive across the golden gate and up the redwood highway. I had not known Vern the only previous time there about fifteen years ago. What impressed me then and now was how relatively well organized all this huge stash of early ford parts was. Vern noted to several folks that the stash was largely picked over for the best, rarest, and most desireable parts; but I still was happy to get what I found.
Some Kiwis were packing a U-haul truck and trailer, bound for overseas. Been there a couple days. Should keep Vern in chips for many months. I spent a couple hundred but mainly enjoyed just looking at all the neat stuff. Went to PicknPull across the highway afterward for a radio, what a difference. The prices were actually higher there!
The Jalopy Journal
