It’s no secret I spend a lot of time on Copart. Now, I just need to get some courage and bid on a car. There are a few older BMWs I would love to bring home – the question is, will the bids stay low enough to buy an unknown entity? I consider anyone who brings one of these cars home as a “salvage savior”, because they’ve ended up here due to a mechanical issue, body damage or being donated, like this classy 1963 Chevy Bel Air. You can find it here on Copart, along with lots of other potential projects.
This 1979 Triumph TR7 is said to suffer from mechanical issues, which is a shame since the body looks fairly solid. The interior features an aftermarket bucket seat, so perhaps this Triumph was used for autocrossing. No matter whether it’s raced or just used for Sunday drives, this TR7 here on Copart deserves a second chance at life.
I first thought I had discovered one of the super rare Ford Escort GT Turbos from the early 80s. These are desirable cars given their rarity, and this one seemed to have all the right clues – the special graphics, fog lights, sport seats and the like. But the Turbos were sold as ’84 and ’85 models, so this is merely a rare GT model that I would love to rescue even in naturally-aspirated form. Find it here on Copart with some mechanical and cosmetic damage.
We recently discussed how the Dodge Rampage only had a few competitors, one of them being the VW Rabbit Sport Truck. This one, here on Copart, looks ready to drive off the lot. The interior looks brand new, with some gorgeous recovered bucket seats. At one time, this was someone’s pride and joy and it’s a shame to see it stuck in a glorified impound lot.
Last week, we featured a round-up of donated vehicles. Here’s another entry to file under the “Why?!” column. This 1978 Volvo 240 here on Copart is a manual transmission coupe with a gorgeous exterior and equally preserved interior. I suspect the sub-60,000 mileage reading is accurate given the overall condition. This car is crying out for some European headlights and a modest suspension drop – you’ll just need to rescue it from Copart first. Which one of these classics would you bring home?
The Bel Air has a ’64 front clip on it, which appears to be the same color. It also has ’63 Impala hubcaps. With the different front clip, I’d say chances are it was wrecked at some point, so that would be one I’d take a hard look at the frame before purchasing. Sort of aggravating that their page doesn’t tell where the car is located, because at least as of now, the price is definitely right.
I’m a retired 10 car hauler and have hauled many vehicles at Copart. Would haul full loads to Mexico and to the ports to be shipped out of the country. I have bought myself and did good on my buys.
Things to watch for:
Storage fees
Gate fees
Most of titles are salvage but not all,
Biding fees and other’s that I forgot,
If you bid and win and can not pick soon, have a tow company pull the car and store it. Most of the time it’s cheaper.
Up here in Alberta Canada if a car is written off you have to go throw an inspection after repairs are done and pay to have it recertified. Can cost up to $800.00. What do you have to do if you buy a Copart car to recertify the car. I know it must vary a little from state to state. What’s your process?
Very state has its own set of rules. Never had a problem. Most cars go out of the country and salvage yards to resale.
The VW trucks, were junk. I had one.
Cali used to be real complicated. You had to have the VIN verified, the brakes, lights and windows all certified on paper by an expert in those fields. Today, you just need to have the VIN verified (no cost) and you’re on the road. Now, how many other improvements can you count from The Greedy State?
How do you figure out where the car is located? I’m not a copart guy, but the Volvo is worth looking at. But I have to figure out how much to bring it home, and from where.
Have fun
Go on Copart Web site and put in what your looking for.
Marty, you’re right.. This Chevy was punched in the nose. Buyer beware on this one regardless if it’s a worthy project. Better have a frame machine available.
Piper, I did a bit of a double take when I first saw it. I was ready to inform the author that the car is a ’64. Except it isn’t. Made interesting due to the fact that the replacement parts were already originally painted the same color! (That color in ’63 was called “Azure Aqua”). It looks like the ’64 probably wasn’t as nice as the ’63…but the ’63 looks like a decent enough car that it could fairly easily be put back on the road….assuming the frame isn’t bent.
We need to get some better Impalas on this site.
If you look at the bottom of the listing where it has all the details about the car and price, you will see in the first box on the left side, second row, two letters (denoting the state they are located in) and then a bunch of numbers after that. The ones listed above are CA UT MI MD IL. Not neccasarily in that order but this should give you where and what to look for as to location. I have never purchased through them but I too, spend a fair amount of time on their site. They have literally anything you can think of, for sale. Even if you are not buying, it is just cool to look at them!!!!
Tundra, got it. Thank you. It appears the ’63 is located in Michigan. Or at least has a Michigan title, (wherever the car is located). Coparts could do a lot better job making that info clear to prospective buyers.