Auto auction brings deal seekers to wrecker yard

Want to buy a car? Don't have much cash? No problem. Grab a few hundred dollars and get ready to bid on an abandoned, theft-recovered or impounded vehicle. Many local towing and wrecker services hold auto auctions that are open to the public. Their storage lots fill up fast and must be emptied several times each year. Cars are sold to the highest bidder and the price you pay depends on who shows up and how much you are willing to spend. Recently, ABC Towing Inc., located in Trussville, Alabama, provided me a chance to drive or tow away a deal.

 

Jimmy Schatz, center, wearing white framed sunglasses, is the owner of ABC Towing Inc. and ringmaster of the auction.

Look early, do your homework

  I learned about the auction in the "Public Notice" section of a local paper. I arrived an hour early to look over the 59 vehicles up for bid. On the auction list were models manufactured by Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Mazda, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Toyota, Jeep and even a Mercedes.

  A quick scan of the lot made me think there were more than a few diamonds in the rough, but some of the cars were in less-than-stellar condition. The trunk of a forgettable 20-year-old foreign car was home to a box full of potatoes. The ancient potatoes, moldy but sprouting new growth, had been in the trunk for a long time. I didn't think twice about passing up this beauty.

Put on your game face

  The “good” vehicles got more than their fair share of attention from tire kickers. Many of my fellow bidders tried to keep a straight face when inspecting possible treasures among the abandoned, abused, wrecked or impounded vehicles. These shrewd buyers tried to limit the attention they were giving to a "good" car. Hoping their fellow bidders would overlook the vehicle they were eyeing.

  I attempted to play along with their auction antics. After a generous inspection of a 1990 Camaro Z28, I muttered “pile of junk” loudly for the pleasure of anyone within earshot. 

 

These auction vehicles were seized by law enforcement, abandoned on roadways or theft-recovered and unclaimed by insurance companies.

Put up or shut up

 Jimmy Schatz, the owner of ABC Towing, is an imposing figure with a muscular build and razor shaved head. Schatz becomes an auctioneer when ABC Towing decides to clear out their storage lot every 60-to-90 days.
  Schatz danced through the cars and marched down the auction list in less than an hour. An eclectic crowd of bargain seekers, scrap dealers, young and old, huddled around each numbered vehicle as Schatz called out the bid.
  While leading a throng of deal-seekers, to the first vehicle on the bid list, Schatz warned that they should be prepared to buy if they were brave enough to bid. Many heed Schatz’s warning. 
  Bidders with nervous feet shuffle away or turn their backs on cars when the bid reaches beyond the limits of their pocketbook or the fixed maximum dollar amount they set in their mind.

First-timer 
  Randy Carroll was a first-timer at the ABC auction. Carroll is a car guy, but he wasn't too serious about buying anything. Carroll owns a 1955 Chevy Bel Air and not too long ago he sold a mid-seventies Chevrolet Monte Carlo for $50, just to get it out of the yard. Randy was surprised that a scrap dealer was bidding $300 for anything on the lot. Burned or flattened. Carroll wished he had sold his Monte Carlo for more money.
 

Barbara Truelove got her truck back. The auction price wasn't as cheap as she thought it would be.

Rescue mission
  Barbara Truelove was one of the serious bidders. She came to the auction on a mission to buy her Ford Ranger back. Truelove’s Ranger ended up at ABC Towing due to a series of unfortunate events. Truelove recently bought the Ford and let a relative borrow the truck. Truelove’s relative was stopped by a county sheriff and cited for driving without a license. The sheriff had the car towed and impounded by ABC Towing. 
  Truelove could have paid the fees and got it out of impound but she waited, thinking she could buy it at auction for a few hundred dollars. She bought it back, but for much more. $1,800. Ouch! Truelove paid the price because she couldn't afford to let the truck go.

Winning bidder, Ralph Belding, revs up his $400 1988 Lincoln Towncar.

 

Fired up 
  Down on the lower half of the ABC storage lot sat a blue 1988 Lincoln Towncar. Ralph Belding knew it was just what he wanted. Belding planned to upgrade the fuel delivery system of his 1967 Mustang fastback by using the Lincoln’s EFI. Belding was the winning bidder, at $400.  
  After the auction, Belding fired up the Lincoln’s big V8 engine. The fuel injection was purring just fine.

Bring your wallet
   If you want to check out the auction scene, keep your eyes peeled and mark your calendar. Auctions are usually announced weeks in advance. Be prepared to work on or haul your “new” junk vehicle home.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Know a junkyard that we need to visit?  

Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.  

This sexy 1988 Lincoln roared to life for bidder Ralph Belding.

The ABC Towing Inc. auction sold vehicles as old as 1983 and as new as 2007. This 1987 Saab was not popular with the bidders, selling for $300.

Know a junkyard that we need to visit?  

Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

 

1983 Hurst Olds Cutlass crushed dead by tree

Classic 1983 Hurst/Olds killed by tree. This is why you do not leave your car parked outside. A giant oak tree landed across the midsection of one-of-only 3,001 Hurst/Olds built for the 1983 model year on the Cutlass platform. The down-on-his-luck owner offered the uninsured remains of the complete H/O including the flashy Lightning Rod Shifter for sale on Craigslist for a few hundred dollars last fall. 
  The car, despite being pinned beneath a tree, sold fast. Unfortunately, I was the third person to call about the Hurst/Olds located in a wealthy suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. 
  The first caller, a "junk car buyer," turned the car down because he didn’t have the heart to scrap the car, plus he didn’t want to pay the $500 asking price. The second caller, a savvy Olds aficionado, jumped on the deal. He knew the Hurst/Olds-specific Lightning Rod Shifter was worth $400. The remains of the smashed, black beauty was like money in the bank. As luck would have it, I received an up-close look at the H/O when the new owner decided to cash in via Craigslist. 

This 1983 Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary Edition endured the brunt of a fallen tree. The strength of the A-pillar and T-tops were no match. 1983 H/O spotter's take note of the black grills, hood blister along with the black and silver paint with red accents.

Eyes on the prize
  Several months after the H/O sold, and still kicking myself for not landing the deal, I went surfing on the web for a set of Olds Rally wheels for my 1985 Cutlass project. I spotted an ad listing several 1983 Hurst/Olds parts on Craigslist and had to investigate. 
  "Could this be the same car that I just missed out on?" 
  I had to find out. I called the number on the ad and set up a time to look at the chrome 15x7 H/O Rally wheels and the rest of what I hoped was the crushed 1983 Hurst/Olds.

Disturbing view through the T-tops of this 1983 Hurst/Olds. A fallen tree delivered a fatal blow to the roof and doors.

Have chainsaw, will travel
  "How often do you have to cut a car out of a tree after you buy it?"
  That was my first question for the owner when I saw the crushed Cutlass. The man smiled, knowing that I knew the origin of his Hurst/Olds jackpot, then he filled me in on all the details of his purchase.
  The smashed Hurst/Olds was hauled out of Mountain Brook, Alabama, one of the 10 wealthiest neighborhoods in the U.S. The black G-Body sat beside a rundown home in need of serious lawn maintenance. The car remained crushed and exposed to the elements under the tree for more than a year before it was offered for sale. Neighbors, in their million dollar homes, and/or the city wanted the Hurst/Olds eyesore removed. 
  The seller was more than happy to get some cash and clear out his yard. The buyer was also thrilled to own the rare, rust-free 1983 Hurst/Olds, but first he had to get busy with his chainsaw before he could celebrate.

A good view of the roof collapse, due to a fallen tree, and two-tone Black and Silver paint scheme found on all 1983 Hurst/Olds.

The 1983 Hurst/Olds had 128k miles on the odometer when it was crushed by a tree. A factory tachometer is among a host of analog gauges on the H/O.

Hurst/Olds parts car
  The ’83 H/O was still equipped with most of its factory options intact when it landed at its new home. Here's a rundown:

• 307 Rocket V-8 engine (180 hp/245-lb-ft torque)
• Dual snorkel air cleaner
• Rear axle 3:73 ratio performance (limited slip) rear end
• Lightning Rod shifter
• Chrome & Argent 15x7 SSIII Rally wheels
• Deck lid spoiler
• Bucket seats, 6-way power on driver side
• F41 firm ride & handling suspension

Everything has a price
  My visit to the Olds parts seller was an eye-opener. Owners of Hurst/Olds, a name synonymous with the muscle car era, know they are in exclusive company. But, that exclusivity comes with a price because parts are difficult to find. When you do happen upon a stash of Olds 442 or H/O parts, you have to pay up or be ready to go home empty handed.
  I offered $150 for the set of chrome SSIII Rally wheels that the seller listed for $300. "No deal," I was told. The pitted wheels needed too much work for me at that price. The seller also offered to sell me the entire car for $1,800 or just the rear end for $500. A desirable performance upgrade that I could use on my Cutlass project. I had to pass.
  One more thing caught my eye. A 1985 Cutlass 442 was parked in the driveway beside the H/O. The owner, a wheeler-dealer of all things Cutlass, said he would make me a deal. 
  I could have driven away for $3,000 in a 4-4-2 in need of some TLC. The offer was tempting, but I had a Cutlass at home that also needed work and a new owner. 
  "If only I had gotten to the flattened H/O first," I mumbled, as I climbed into my car.

Final thoughts
  I drove away with a new appreciation for guys who specialize in one make or model. This seller knew everything about 1978-1988 Cutlasses because he had cut his teeth on an original 1968 Hurst/Olds. He was well-versed in the value of parts and online bids. He enjoys making a profit playing with the cars he loves. We should all be lucky enough to buy a crushed Hurst/Olds someday.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Got an interesting barn find? Know a junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com. 

GM brochure photo of a new 1983 Hurst/Olds.

During the 1980s Oldsmobile Cutlasses were everywhere. Even then, you knew that the Hurst/Olds versions were special. Gold chains and muscle shirts were standard apparel for H/O drivers.

Oldsmobile SSIII 15x7 Rally Wheels were chromed with Argent painted insets (center spokes) on 1983 and 1984 Hurst/Olds models and featured a red pinstripe and snap-in center caps.

1983 marked the 15th Anniversary edition of the Oldsmobile-Hurst marriage.

This Olds Cutlass aficionado posted his parts car 1983 Hurst/Olds on Craigslist.

1983 Hurst/Olds VIN number tells you that this car was equipped with the 307 Rocket V8 engine (eight digit is #9).

1983 Hurst/Olds decals featured distinctive type-in-shadow design. A set of new reproduction decals sale for $300.

1983 Hurst/Olds did not have the traditional Cutlass hood ornament.

Classic 1983 Hurst/Olds with rust-free floorpans, good quarter panels and original paint. Doors and T-top roof have been modified by an oak tree courtesy of Mother Nature.

Mold and mildew cover the burgundy (Dark Maple) interior and rear seat of the 1983 H/O Cutlass. A tree fell across the center of the car, exposing the interior to the elements.

Classic 1983 Hurst/Olds with rust-free floorpans, good quarter panels and original paint. Doors and T-top roof have been modified by an oak tree courtesy of Mother Nature.

The Hurst/Olds rear deck spoiler, or wing, helped set it apart from the 187,000 Oldsmobiles built in 1983 wearing Cutlass badges.

Black grills, hood blister and a 15th Anniversary Hurst/Olds badge still adorn this battered 1983 H/O.

Oldsmobile created a stir on the streets with the 1983 Hurst/Olds, right, and 1985 4-4-2, left. Both models had anemic power, but hey, we’re talking 1980s here.

This is a rare pair of Olds G-bodys, 1983 Hurst/Olds, left, 1985 4-4-2, on right. 3,000 Hurst/Olds were built in 1983 and, oddly enough, only 3,000 Olds 442s were built in 1985.

Compare the smooth side of the 1985 Olds 442, left, to the bulging sheet metal on the 1983 Hurst/Olds, right, that was crushed by tree.

1983 Hurst/Olds featured a non-functional hood scoop or blister.

A black and silver 1985 Olds Cutlass 442 sits next to a black and silver 1983 Hurst/Olds that was flattened by a tree.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Got an interesting barn find? Know a junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com. 

Craigslist FAIL: Know when to say when to alcohol, death when posting car ad

Craigslist ad offers you shot of whisky, mentions wife's suicide. Oh yeah, its a five-speed, want to shift gears? The photo alone says a lot about the nature of this Craigslist automotive ad. You know this can't end well for the seller or the buyer. Seriously? A line about a miscarriage and a suicide follows the photo of the 5-speed shifter wrapped in a Crown Royal bag. This should instantly give pause to anyone in the market for a used 1989 Nissan Maxima. The ad, which appeared on the hugely popular, classifieds website, Craigslist, is a reminder of the painful desperation that can be uncovered by scanning a few of the millions of CL ads from around the world. Consider this a lesson in car buying and selling. Don't try this at home.

Placing a Craigslist automotive ad is easy. Selling a car with a poorly written and photographed ad is nearly impossible.

New clutch, wife committed suicide, trade for guitar

The text that appeared with the photo and Craigslist advertisement for the 1989 Nissan Maxima is shown below. (Spelling and capitalization corrected slightly)

"Got an 89 kouki maxima, factory 5 speed, need something small, new clutch, fairly new tires (80% tread), clean title, no mechanical issues, will trade for anything japanese, rwd, manual transmission (really want a miata or a 240sx hatch). Will consider certain Hondas also. If its worth it, I have a Fender Strat Squier and amp to trade, if it is worth it... I just need something small because I had a baby on the way but it miscarried and my wife committed suicide shortly after and I don't need it anymore. will also trade for a small truck..."

Sad ad

  I'm sure the joy of shifting the Maxima's 5-speed manual transmission can never overcome the buzzkill created by this morbid Craigslist ad. 
  Don't worry if your having trouble selling a vehicle. There are millions of cars and trucks posted for sale on the internet everyday. Plenty of those vehicles remain unsold due to inept sellers. Junkyard Life has some surefire tips for you.

Bank on these Craigslist selling tips

1. Don't mention the death of anyone related to the ownership of vehicle you are selling.
2. Highlight the vehicle's positive attributes. (New tires, Excellent heater.)
3. Do not take unflattering photos of your vehicle. (Clean it, inside and out – remove bumper stickers, photos of your ex)
4. Don't focus on what you want. Think about what the buyer wants. Buyers want a vehicle that:

• Runs good – dependably.

• Gets good gas mileage.

• Looks good, no dents or mismatched paint.

• Smells better that a trash can.

• Has not been used in a crime spree.

• Is affordable (Note: this item may override all above wants)

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Have you seen a kooky Craigslist ad? Know of a quirky junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Low-buck Grand National with manual windows, door locks for the Turbo Buick Guys

Darth Vader and the roll-up windows. To add to Jody’s story on the original Turbo Buick – I have a question about Grand Nationals. This really should be entitled, “To Further Educate Junkyard Life on Buick Turbos.” Last weekend, during a Junkyard Life adventure, Anthony and I attended the Ardmore Car Show and swap meet. Hundreds of cars and gear heads united in beautiful Ardmore, a city at that straddles the Alabama-Tennessee state line. A Buick Grand National stole my attention because it was missing options taken for granted on almost every new car.
  I always hope to run across a turbo car from the Buick line, particularly the 1986 and 1987 intercooled models, at any show. I have a beautiful dream of someday owning a T-Type wearing grey or Rosewood paint. More on that later.
 
Question of the day
  There were three Grand Nationals in attendance at the Ardmore car show. That alone is note worthy! Outside of the GS Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where else can you expect to see a Buick Grand National? The three black beauties at the show were packed with options. You expect that. It was a Buick. The top of the line Buick, at that. All were super nice cars. Cruise control, tilt wheel, cloth seats, special badging, air conditioning, power seats, power door locks and power windows can always be found in a Grand National. Or so I thought. I found a Grand National with manual, roll-them-up-yourself, windows and powerless door locks. Did I?

I’ll take fries with that   Do you expect this beautiful GN to have power everything? I did. I loved the manual windows! Surprise!
  Before you call shenanigans on me, look at the picture below.

Manual windows and manual locks on a Buick Grand National! How many of these have you seen?

My car is fast, my windows are slow
  See? See? I wasn’t making this up. Also note the Turbo-6 hardware covers on the door pull.
  I have seen a couple of T-Types with manual windows. That makes a little more sense. That is even believable. I have never until now have seen a Grand National with manual windows and locks. It’s like Darth Vader opening his own doors. So my question is this: "Does anyone have any numbers of these?" 
  Buick Grand Nationals optioned with manual windows and locks must have super, low build numbers. Has anyone ever seen one? It couldn’t have helped the sticker price that much. Buick Grand National buyers were rarely concerned with price. They wanted it all. But it does add to the muscle car persona. Did I really see this one? It was very hot that day… 
  So send me your weird Buick Turbo option, or lack there-of, facts. We must know.

Happy Hunting!

Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life

Know of wacky Buick GN build numbers or a junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

A total of 30,022 Buick Grand Nationals were built during the 1982-1987 production run.

Weird Things overheard by Ron while standing beside a Buick Grand National

• Adult male, in his mid-thirties, looked at the Grand National and asked a friend, "Grand National? Is that really what they were called?” I wanted to call security and have him put in jail.
• Adult male, mid-twenties looking at a GN was overheard “Yeah, Grand Nationals, they were supposed to be fast, but no one has ever seen one run.” I just didn’t know what to say. Poor guy. THAT guy needs an education and not just the stats on power windows.

Compare this power window switch and power lock on passenger door panel of this Buick Grand National. 

Tell us something about an old junkyard or rusty relic.  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

How to buy a cheap LS1 engine

Buy a wreck, get a deal on an LS1 engine. We say ‘thank you,’ to the ham-fisted, seat jockeys who love playing tag with guardrails and trees that get in their way. Those body panel beat-downs have killed many cars, and jacked up auto insurance premiums for everyone, but provided new life for thousands of classic muscle cars and hot rods. These engines make ideal swaps for the gas guzzling collectible parked in your garage. You want to drive your old car, right? The LS1 may be your answer.

LS1: More Bang for your Buck
  Putting a hot, late model, fuel injected V-8 engine into your old school hot rod has been done. Face it, 25 years ago, guys were dropping Tuned-Port Injection Chevy 350s into their neon-painted street machines. Those replanted TPI engines were courtesy of wrecked Camaros, Firebirds and Corvettes. TPI engines got better gas mileage and made enough torque to spin the tires. 
  "Whoo-hoo!" It's 1988 - what time does "MacGyver" come on?  
  Today, the go-to, best ‘bang-for-your-buck’ engine is the LS1, or Gen III small block, which was introduced by GM in the 1997 Corvette. LS1 engines produced more than 300 rwhp (rear wheel horsepower) from the factory. When new, these street fighters waged war and won against the best that the competition could offer. With a few internal mods these engines can produce 500 hp.  

This wrecked LS1 Trans Am sold for $2,000 at an auction earlier this year. That is a screaming deal on 300 rwhp.

Where to look for wrecked LS1s?
  Most LS1 cars have racked up the miles and many have reached the wrecking yard or auto auction after years of abuse or damage. I spotted the LS1-powered 1999 Pontiac Trans Am in these photos at a recent auto auction in Alabama. It sold for a measly $2,000. The Trans Am had a complete LS1 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission along with tons of other usable parts that could be sold to recoup some expenses. Complete engines sell for $3,000-and-up on ebay. Do the math. Horsepower doesn't come cheap but this is a heck of a deal.


What cars have an LS1?

  Now is the time to get out and score a deal on an LS1 for your next project car. Corvettes were equipped with the LS1 from 1997 until 2004. The Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird offered the LS1 V-8 engine option from 1998-2002. A word of advice: you will have better luck finding an F-body (Camaro or Firebird) that has tangled with an immovable object. Totaled Corvettes are hard to find. When you do find them, they still aren't cheap.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life


Do you have a Junkyard Life story?
Send me your info at junkyardbull@gmail.com

Used LS1 engines can be found on ebay and elsewhere on the Internet for more than $3,000. Some sell for more than $5,000 with a transmission and wiring harness.

Free Camaro Z28 finds me at gas station; Problems outweigh potential

Driving cool, old cars on a daily basis can bring you a free Camaro, new friends and long conversations at the gas pump. At least once a week someone will ask me about my 1979 Pontiac Trans Am or offer me details on a classic car they sold a long time ago. It goes with the territory when you drive a loud, 4-speed T/A every day. Any car 25+ years old, and built before Ronald Reagan exited the White House, looks out of place and draws an inordinate amount of attention in the current sea of modern, roundy, econo cars.

  I was minding my own business pumping gas, when a young guy, about 18-years-old, approaches me.
  "Cool car!" he says.
  I say thanks. Gear head talk ensues.
  The young man mentions that he has a project/parts car 1979 Camaro Z28 in his garage and I can have it for free. All I have to do is haul it off because his dad needs the space.
  "Let's go see it," I say in my not-so-subtle, I'm getting a free Camaro voice.

Really? A FREE Camaro, how bad could it be?
  I had my mind made up that I was getting the Camaro even before I saw it.
  How bad could it be? Is there a dead body in the trunk? Does it have animals living in it? Is it riddled with bullet holes? Do I even know this guy and should you follow strangers home who offer you free cars?
  My head was swimming with possibilities during the short drive to the Camaro guy's house. I ruled out dead body first. 
  I could tell the Camaro had been part of a Frankenstein hack job as soon as I stepped inside the small garage. The car had no trunk. Half of the quarter-panels were gone. The shell of the Z28 had been cut up in an attempt to build a couch seat for a man cave. The couch project was a big fail and the remaining parts of the rust-free F-body would make a Ford Mustang fan smile at the site of Chevy stupidity.
  The cutting torch carnage included pristine floor pans that were butchered for the sake of a rusty, non-Z28 Camaro. More parts were missing than remained. No engine or trans. No t-tops or interior and the Camaro had a busted windshield and no rear glass.
  How could I say no to free Camaro Z28?
The hood, fenders, front bumper/grill, dash and gauge package were all there. It was like free money, right? I kept telling myself that this free car was still a good deal.
  "When can I bring a trailer?"

Do not try to build a couch seat from your project car, unless you really know what your doing.

My wife doesn't like the "free" Camaro
  You could see the pained look on her face from the road as the trailer carrying wobbly sheet metal, formerly known as a Camaro, turned onto our street. My lovely, gas station find – the free 1979 Camaro Z28 – was not what my wife wanted in her yard. Maybe it was the Camaro's missing body panels or was it the seven other vehicles in our driveway?
  "That thing is not staying here," said my wife.
  "Uh, you do know it is a Z28 Camaro, right?" I said. "And it was free."
  I tried explaining that I was just planning to sell the parts and not try to fix it up. Somehow, she didn’t fall for my early morning sales pitch despite my convincing argument.
  "It's the car or me," she said wiping back tears.
  My wife, usually not one to get upset over junk cars in the yard, had reached her breaking point on the  "free" Camaro.
  I thought she was kidding. Thirty minutes later she was gone.

What now?
  I had hauled the Camaro home before 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning to avoid attracting the attention of the law and because I didn't want to cause a traffic accident when body parts from the Frankenstein Z28 started falling to the ground. I had no idea that my wife would jump ship at the sight of the Camaro so early in the day.
  After my wife hit the road, I went ahead and unloaded the car inside the garage. Tiny bits of broken glass poured from every crevice of the Camaro. I did a quick and dirty cleanup of the car and most of the glass, then took inventory of all the valuable parts on the Camaro. I figured I had $1,000 to $1,500 in parts. 
 The 1979 Camaro had a complete front end, including (2) Z28 fenders, Z28 hood, grill/bumper cover, front subframe/suspension, front and rear sway bars, steering box. 10 bolt rear end including axle/brakes. (2) doors, rear spoiler and Z28 gauge package.
  Not bad for free, I thought.
  The bad news was that a few hours had passed and I had no word from my wife.
  By 4 p.m. I started getting worried. Is she really gone until the Camaro leaves the house? I was on edge until my wife's van pulled into the driveway just before 5 p.m. 
  She looked happier now and she had a present for me. 

Castrator or Camaro?
  My wife handed me a tattered white box with the label "Castrator."
  "You’ve got one week to get rid of the Camaro," she said, smiling.
The gift was a livestock castrator purchased at a yard sale that my wife and her dad had found during her day-long adventure away from me and the Camaro.
  "No problem," I told her. "The Camaro will be gone by next Sunday.

Camaro or castration? Which one would you choose?

Going, going, gone
  The Camaro was gone, well, mostly. All the parts mentioned above were removed and temporarily stored out of my wife's sight. 
  Unfortunately, I had to commit a sin against America and Chevrolet when I cut the rust-free, Frankenstein Camaro body in half and hauled it to the scrap yard. I still feel sick about that one. It had to be done. Thirty years from now I can tell my Camaro story and I will sound like the gray beards who scrapped-out a bunch of 1932 Ford B-model shells and Hemi Cudas. I can hear the groaning and moaning in my head.
  On a positive note, I sold most of the Camaro parts within a month. But, for much less than I estimated. I wish I had saved the entire Z28 carcass and built it back into a daily driver. My wife is glad I didn’t.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life


Do you have a Junkyard Life story to share?
Send me your story and info at junkyardbull@gmail.com


Note: To this day, I can still find pieces of that Camaro's tempered glass in my driveway.