Car hunting season begins: Dig into the woods for classic, abandoned cars – 1933 Ford, 1951 Victoria

Classic Fords don't grow on trees, however, you may be able to find some rusting automotive diamonds buried deep in the woods this fall. Cooler temperatures and falling leaves signal the beginning of car hunting season for adventurous gear heads who keep hiking boots beside their toolbox. I recently stumbled upon two iconic Fords, a 1933 Model B and a 1951 Victoria, during a trek through north Alabama.  

A 239-c.i. flathead V-8 powered this 1951 Victoria with Ford's first automatic transmission – the three-speed Ford-O-Matic. 

Flathead, overdrive and free?
  Who would believe me if I said the "owner" tried to give me these cars? My junkyardlife cohorts and I made a beeline for the nearest home to get the low-down on the stash of abandoned Fords and flathead parts. A manufactured home sat on top of a hill above the wooded "holler" that was home to the Fords. 
  The woman who answered the door and made it clear that we could "just haul 'em off for free." Is this really happening?

The 1951 Victoria was Ford's first two-door hardtop.

Hold on boss
  Unbelievable! We were giddy and diagramming strategies in our heads on how we could get the cars up the hill, through the trees and out of the woods. 

  Grab a winch! Lets get the trailer! Who can be here on Saturday? 

  All great questions to ask when free classic cars are hanging in the balance. There was one more question that had to be asked. A question that doomed us all.

  "Ma'am, do you own those cars?" 

  "Well, I rent the place," said the woman on the porch. "The cars have always been here."

  We shifted our feet in slow motion and hung our heads in defeat. We faced the reality of meeting the unhappy, absentee property owner who could have us arrested if we went along with this "deal."

A Magic Air heater box sit under the dash of this 1951 Ford Victoria.

Lessons learned
  We walked away empty-handed but learned some valuable lessons. 

• Get the whole story. Ask the important questions.
• Get a "Bill of Sale." 
• Hiking in the woods can lead to unbelievable classic car finds.
• Do not trespass. You may get into some hairy situations. Ask me how I know.

Stay tuned

  More to come on the 1933 Ford two-door sedan in the top photo. The Model B was a former round track car and it is loaded with parts inside the shell. I spotted at least one Flathead V-8 nearby too. 

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Ford's post-war redesign in 1949, including the 1951 Victoria, was a dramatic change from the fat-fendered '48 and older models.

This mostly complete and original '51 Vicky reveals green upholstery hiding under the recovered red bench seat.

A few layers of paint cling to the door jamb of the '51 Ford Victoria.

The '51 Victoria displays 48,000 miles on the odometer.

"Shoebox" was first used to describe the redesigned 1949-1951 Fords. Chevy guys also call the '55-'57 "shoeboxes."

1951 Victoria's were adorned with loads of stainless trim.

The new 1951 Victoria featured a three-piece rear window.

You can find more old cars in the woods during the cold, winter months.

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

The ’57 Chevy man’s favorite and last 1957 is sold

1957 Chevy man. “Buck” Hitt, of Blount County Alabama, was known for his love of 1957 Chevys. Buck owned more than a dozen 1957 Chevrolets during his decades old love affair with the iconic symbol of American automobiles. Convertibles, hardtops and sedans could be found surrounding the home where Buck lived with his wife, Wanda, for more than 50 years. It was no accident that his street address and the last four digits of his home phone number were 1957. The car and the number became synonymous with Buck. 

Interior of Buck Hitt's 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is loaded with options.

Pride and joy
  Buck’s black, 2-door hardtop, Bel Air was a source of pride for him as a young man. That same car gave him peace during his most difficult days as he lost his vision and battled illness. Buck passed away last year, in March 2011. His wife, Wanda, struggled to let go of his cars, knowing she could not take care of them.

1957 Chevy Bel Air chrome window moulding shines.

Holding on to the past
  Soon after Buck passed away, dozens of his automotive treasures were sold. Neighbors and passersby offered to buy the dozens of classic cars and parts that Buck had collected. One lone 1957 Bel Air remained behind the house. Wanda couldn’t bear to let it go.

Rust-prone area between rear bumper and trunk is solid.

Many offers
  She said “No” each time a stranger pulled into the yard to make an offer. All had a price, except the black, 2-door hardtop, Bel Air that Wanda and Buck had driven many years ago. There’s no question that Wanda still loves Buck when I looked into the pained expression on her face.
  “I’m just not ready to let go of the car that Buck loved,” said Wanda.

Bubble seat covers preserved the interior of Buck's ’57 Chevy.

Original only once
  Buck’s black Bel Air has vintage plastic seat covers on the silver and black interior. The car has remained original and solid for 55 years. It retained the original 283-cu. inch engine, Powerglide transmission, power brakes, power steering and AM push button radio. Buck had stashed a boatload of 1957 parts in the trunk and back seat. Four 1957 Chevy parts cars remained in Wanda’s yard along with the black Bel Air. Buck's place was a gold mine for ’57 Chevy lovers and word was spreading.

Buck had four 1957 Chevy parts cars in his back yard.

One more offer

  I tried to buy Buck’s ’57 before it got away. Taking home a ready-to-restore project with a pedigree was tempting. My offer was turned down by Wanda. It wasn’t the first time she said “No” to an offer that month. 

  I promised to keep in touch and wished her well. Two months passed and I got the urge to call her. I didn’t. Another month passed and the ’57 was sold. An older man made her a much better offer than I did. Wanda couldn’t say, “No,” this time.

Buck's black 1957 Chevy could draw a crowd. 

  “I know the gentleman will get it back on the road,” said Wanda. Buck’s 1957 Chevy dream car has found a new dreamer. Plans for a full restoration are underway. 

  Wanda was told that the man has the ’57 running again. “The man said he would bring it by when he gets it back together. I will see it pretty soon.”

– Jody Potter, junkyardlife.com

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Hard-to-find, original ’57 Chevy trim pieces were plentiful. 

Have you seen a survivor 1957 Chevy lately?

Bumper guards among the options on the ’57 Chevy.

Rust-out, at the bottom of one door, can be overlooked on Buck's 1957.

Wanda kept a close watch on the Chevy behind the house.

Buck started building a garage for his ’57 when he lost his eyesight.

Rear seat of Buck's ’57 Chevy.

Buck's car gets a new lease on life. I know he would be proud.

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

That Fad "T": T Buckets were the original hot rod rage, where are they now?

Buckets of love from days gone by. I love cars. I really do. The Junkyard Life Guys will go to great lengths just to see a car in any condition. If you’re a frequenter of Junkyard Life, then you know just how extreme we can be. Or so we thought. The car guys from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s make us look like the Harper Valley Chess Team. 

  More specifically, the T-Bucket guys. Those guys had nerve. Those guys knew what fast was and they made it happen. If you think your 280 Z with a small block Chevy is an original idea, think again. If you think your Miata with that insane power-to-weight ratio 5.0 Ford is fast (good heavens, I know it is!) or that RX-7 with the transplanted LS motor is a new thing, wrong-o, Fast-and-Furious boy. The T-Buckets led the way in the 1950s for unbelievable, ridiculous power. By the early seventies they were the rage.

Kookie Kar, a customized 1922 Ford Model T, built by Norm Grabowski became THE iconic hot rod in the 1950s. 

Junkyard jalopy
  A model T Ford is the basic concept for the T-Bucket. You were riding around in a bucket that used to be a T-model Ford. By the fifties, there was an abundance of early to late 1920’s cars laying around in barns, alleys, back yards and junkyards — seemingly everywhere. Car guys, being the pioneer recyclers, put these automotive remains to good use. They swapped, modern for-the-day, engines into a chassis designed to hold a fraction of the torque and horsepower that they were now harnessing. The good, old recipe for a fast car — lots of power, no weight. As time went on and V-8 engines were abundant and affordable, they only got faster.

Actor/drag racer Tommy Ivo's Buick-powered T Bucket.

Scary fun
  T-buckets were street monsters. Take a V-8 and add multiple carbs and unrestricted headers. For traction, add a super strong Mercury, Corvette or Jaguar rear end and massive fatty tires on the back. Up front, to save weight, how about tiny wagon wheel pizza cutters on the front? A back seat would only add bulk, so forget that. No fenders, no hood and usually no roof would be uncomfortable in the winter, but are we men or mice? 

  Absent were things we take for granted, like seat belts. Maybe today you might see a bucket with belts, but back then it was a rarity. The steering column was more or less a giant spear waiting to impale you. Power brakes, right? Oh. Brakes, yeah-that’s not working out so well due to drum brake technology at the time and the disproportionate skinny bicycle-like tires in front. So some of them had… no front brakes. Are these guys daring? Crazy? Suicidal? Yes, yes and yes. T-Buckets were also fun and addictive.

Tommy Ivo's T' Bucket Hot Rod sports a custom Von Dutch pinstripe.
Photos: theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com

Buckets of speed
  How fast are we talking? The one I rode in was basic bolt-ons and nothing exotic. It didn’t have to be, it was so light! Today it would be compared to putting a small block Chevy in your lawn mower or your kid’s go cart. Can you imagine a street race crowd of T-Buckets about to line up. That would be great to watch, like maybe from a distance. If you lived through it, you just might get street respect, also I have heard that back then it was not uncommon for a girl to arrive with someone and leave with the guy in the faster car.


Calling all T-Buckets
  So where are you now, T-Buckets of yesteryear? We here at Junkyard Life know of a couple here and there, but the masses have seemingly disappeared. Do you know of one that makes appearances around your town? If you know of one sitting dormant in a basement or barn, let us know. We would love to do a story on one and the times it has seen. T-Bucket guys, you’re crazy, but we love you! Lets hear from you soon.

— Ron Kidd, junkyardlife.com

Know of a junkyard we need to visit or want to send us photos and info about a car or junkyard?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Junkyard Life Find of the Day: Car club's classic stash for sale in Pennsylvania field

Field of dream cars. More than 75 classic cars are for sale in Watsontown, Pennsylvania. Two Mid-Atlantic-area car clubs folded and decided to sell off their collection of cars. Their vintage iron has occupied a remote farm for decades. Most of the cars were hauled in to save them from the crusher many years ago. Property owner and manager of the sale, Stanley, says everything is for sale but they aren't giving it away.
  "I have guys come in here wanting to buy five or six cars for $50 each," Stanley said. "No way, that's going to happen. We sell the whole cars, not parts."
  Stanley can be reached at 570-538-3464. Be prepared to pay what he deems a fair price and don't show up unannounced. Many of the cars spent time in a barn, helping to preserve their condition.
  Many thanks to John Berkan who sent us these photos to spread the word and save some classic cars.

1955 Imperial

Rare finds

  Among the most-notable cars that have yet to be sold are a 1955 Imperial two-door hardtop, one-of-3,418 built. Stanley says the price is $5,000. A big, red 1972 Olds Delta 88 Royale convertible is ready for restoration and its one-of-2,883 built according to Stanley. Also, who cuold resist a 1963 Mercury Marauder fastback priced at $2,500? 

  I bet a few dream cars are waiting in that field just for you. Good luck!

– Jody Potter, junkyardlife.com 

  

1948 Lincoln

1953 Pontiac Starchief

1954 Kaiser Manhattan

1956 Dodge Coronet Lancer

1957 Cadillac Series 62, four-door hard top

1963 Mercury Marauder, $2,500.

1968 Plymouth Sport Fury

1972 Olds Delta 88 Royale convertible

1973 Chevy Monte Carlo

Late 1972 Buick Sport Wagon

Do you know where a classic or muscle car is parked in the weeds, send photos and an address. We’re on the way!?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Cars in Yards: 1976 Buick Century Free Spirit Indy Pace Car needs a boost of restoration rehab

Junk yard flashback! It was déjà vu when I spotted a 1976 Buick Century Free Spirit pace car replica in the May 2012 issue of “Hemmings Muscle Machines.” I’m a huge fan of automotive art, graphics and decals when they are well executed. My buddy, Ron Kidd, located a decal derelict Buick near Birmingham, Alabama. I could not remember ever witnessing one of these on the road. Once I saw the bold Free Spirit pace car in person, I added it to my bucket list of must-own vehicles. These pace car replicas grab attention for all the right reasons. Plus, only 1,290 replicas were sold to the public. I was aching to work out a deal to make this basket case Buick mine. 

The 1976 Free Spirit pace car featured bucket seats, console shift, Rallye steering wheel and Hurst Hatch T-top roof.

“Where’s the Halloween party?” 
  A 1976 Buick Century doesn’t get the adrenalin pumping unless your staring into the hypnotic orange and black decals wrapped around a “Free Spirit” Indianapolis Pace Car replica. To some, like Ron Kidd, the dynamic Indy decals are too much.
  “Where’s the Halloween party, buddy?,” said Kidd.
  Psychedelic paint jobs were the norm during the 1970s, especially during the height of the van craze. It was fitting for a limited production pace car to make a splash in the bowling alley parking lot. Drive a a silver Buick with orange and black, billboard-sized decals along the body, bolt on some reddish-orange wheels and you will get noticed, in a good way, despite the green polyester suit. 

A yard full of old cars, which one stands out most? Buick Free Spirit pace car, or Mustang 2+2?

Selling "Free Spirit" memories 

  The owner, a thirty-something female who knew the pain of losing a loved one too soon, was reluctant to part with most of the dozen or so cars parked in the yard that once belonged to her dad. "I remember climbing in that Buick, with the long doors, when I was a child," she said. The Free Spirit could be bought, but the offer would have to be worth letting go of her memories.

  The thin coat of silver paint on the hood and fenders receded into a wave of rust. The lower body panels, all showed signs of rot. The floor pans would be the deal breaker for me. I needed a look inside to make a final decision, unfortunately the doors and trunk were stuck shut. The Buick's keys offered no help. The lock's cylinders were either stuck or the doors and trunk had welded themselves to the body. My $1,000 offer was contingent on finding solid panels, floor and trunk pans, to build the pace car.

  I looked around for advice in the faces of my junkyardlife cohorts. Shrugs and audible "Mmmmms" were the only advice I got. I walked away empty handed.

Pace Car replicas were sold with the artist's original design graphics on the 1976 Buick Century. The actual Pace Cars used at Indy featured a version of the "Free Spirit" decals that extended across the front fenders.

Decal designer smack down 

  Bill Mitchell, GM’s VP and head of the design staff in the 1970’s, was responsible for the extended graphics that appeared on the two turbocharged, Indy 500 pace cars used at the track. According to Gary Smith, Exterior Designer at GM on the 1976 Buick pace car, Mitchell wanted the decals changed despite his argument that they didn’t look as good.
  “One thing to note is that the real pace cars and the replicas differed graphically,” said Smith. “The idea was to have the shapes coming from the hawk like an abstract stop motion photos of flight. Bill Mitchell made me extend the graphics to the front of the car in front of the hawk for reasons unknown. His change didn’t make it into production. My guess is that it was cheaper to make. I think the shorter graphics look a great deal better.”

  Oddly enough, Bill Mitchell was responsible for nixing the large hood bird from appearing on the redesigned 1970 Pontiac Trans Am. Chief Designer John Schinella finally convinced Mitchell to offer the "Screaming Chicken" decal in 1973.

Buick spared no stickers or ad dollars to capture the attention of younger buyers with the redesigned '76 Century "Free Spirit" pace car replica.

Buick unleashes turbo at Indy 500

  A 306hp Buick turbocharged V-6 led the field to the green flag for the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway in May of 1976. It was the first time a V-6 had that honor and it performed better than the beefy 455-cu. inch V-8 that Buick sent to perform pace car duties at the Indy race in 1975. The lighter weight '76 featured aluminum fenders, decklid and hood, a front air dam, 15 x 7-inch Minilite racing wheels, no mufflers and a single turbocharger that maintained 20-22 PSI of boost. 

  Turbo Buicks would later lay claim to legendary street/strip status when the blacked-out Grand National hit the boulevards in 1984. The turbo pace car was a precursor to greatness.

A 165hp Buick 350-cu. inch V-8 hides beneath the Free Spirit's striped hood.

No turbo on pace car replicas

  The one-off Buick turbo V-6 did not make it into the production version of the Century pace car replicas. Most sported a Buick 350 V-8 with a 4bbl Quadrajet.  Pace car replica buyers with a loaded option sheet grabbed a payment book with a tab of more than $7,000. A hefty sum that almost equaled a base model '76 Corvette's $7,600 window sticker. Membership in the pace car owner's club wasn't cheap. Base Buick Century's sold for $4,069.

Parts car or restoration?

  If someone saves this Buick pace car should it be parted-out or restored? The rehab on this Free Spirit will be costly and certainly test the mettle of a Buick loyalist. The desire to rescue a rare piece of Buick history will require deep pockets and an emotional attachment that outweighs any rewards this "Free Spirit"-ed investment may provide. 

  Have an opinion on this car? Leave a comment below.   

– Jody Potter, junkyardlife.com

Do you know where a classic or muscle car is parked in the weeds, send photos and an address. We’re on the way!?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Reddish-orange 15 x 7 Buick Rallye wheels highlighted the rolling rubber.

Country singer and part-time NASCAR driver, Marty Robbins wheeled the pace car at Indy in 1976.

Free Spirit pace car replicas featured an aluminum roof accent, T-tops, rear spoiler and blacked-out tail panel.

Try finding 1976 Free Spirit pace car replacement parts. This is the first one I've seen in person.

Buick unloaded 1,290 Indy pace car replicas to the public.

Do you know where a classic or muscle car is parked in the weeds, send photos and an address. We’re on the way!?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.