“Code enforcement forces sale/ yard cleanup,” begins the seller’s description of this collection featuring Fords, Lincolns, and Mercuries from “1958 into the 90’s.” The listing here on Inland Empire, California craigslist summarizes 28 years of work in 56 words. Imagine having your decades-long avocation described in two words per year. Hopefully, this forced sale will lead to many happy endings as these vehicles and parts achieve a second life in the hands of their new owners. This 1966 or ’67 Fairlane GT many have some life left to give. The 1966 GT would have featured a 390 cid V8, though this car may be missing its engine entirely. For ’67 the GT package could be ordered on any V8 Fairlane. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this Ford Motor Company liquidation sale.
A healthy 460 cid engine originally powered these neatly styled and luxurious Lincoln Mark III models from ’69 to ’71. The desert climate, and perhaps some pampering in bygone days, appears to have preserved it well.
Ford’s NASCAR-friendly Galaxie fastback appeared in mid-year 1963 and continued through model year 1964. Engines from mild to wild ramped up to the fire-breathing 427.
Mercury’s Comet offered a step up in trim and features from its sister Fairlane, as evident on these specimens from ’66 or ’67. Vehicles and parts in the collection span a range of Comet, Cougar, Galaxie, Falcon, Fairlane, Thunderbird, and Mercury model years including “several project cars.” Which is your favorite?
The words “code enforcement” seem more aligned with “hoard” than with “collection”. “Ford hoard” sounds right.
Or “private junkyard”, if a neighbor has a house for sale or there is some new housing being built in the area, that will often lead to a visit by the city or county.
Steve R
What do they collect?
Henry Hoard cars, from Hoard Motors.
Too many gallons of Rust-o-leum is required for this scrap heap.
Doesn’t look like a very populated area, what’s the problem?
Likely, real estate speculation, and/or a new “upscale” housing development going in in the near future.
Code enforcement, pfffft! Some people just don’t appreciate the finer things in life, like a yard full of vintage iron. This guy should take the camera over to each of the town official’s places and snap a few pics. There’s a good chance that they have nothing to use against him….
Probably a new neighbor, I’ve seen it happen.
“New person movers into neighborhood, knowing a guy has a bunch of old “junk” cars on his property. One day after he or she moves in, goes to the city and starts complaining about all the old cars. (that have been there for 30 years) A year later the government takes him to court and he’s given a day to have all the “junk” out or a fine starts as a per day fine.”
Has happened many times.
I wonder if these new neighbours got a good deal on their new home BECAUSE of the “junk”, I bet they were happy about that.People are jack-asses, no offence to the fine readers of BarnFinds!
New neighbors have been known to cause trouble with the local race tracks (that have been there since the war) or the livestock yards (that have been there for 100 years). If you don’t like the noise or the smell, find some other place to move (like Chicago, next to O’Hare), and get them to move….
I see some potential Nuggets there. Wish Lived closer. Wonder how reasonable he has the stuff priced. Take a look and let us know. Even the 65 galaxies are rare here in the rust belt because the frames rotted out so fast,
Good luck hunting!!!
Good luck with freedom too !
Too bad most of these look like they have been “left to the elements” a bit too long. Finally someone who knew how to collect the right cars. I am not a Ford guy but there are a lot of nice cars here. Most of them are really great cars to have set aside. Too bad they were not stored better.
I hope someone buys up the whole lot and makes the most out it! Wish I could be the one. I used to have some capital but the recession too care of that! :(
Unfortunately the ad is gone. Have a former neighbor that ran into city issues with a Porsche that he had in his back yard under a popup shelter behind an 8′ fence. Not the first time, won’t be the last.
Whether a farm and it’s aroma, a race track or whatever, if it was there prior to someone purchasing a place then what do they have to complain about? Existing stuff should be allowed to exist without cities governments sticking their heads into it IMO.
Sad day in America(land of the free) when the government,who we pay wages to so they have a job and can support their families can determine what we can own,have,and store on property we own and paid for.And if we don’t comply,threaten,fine,seize,or imprison us! Glad I live in America.I spent 130k to live in the country after battling the “city gastappo” over nearly that much in Detroit muscle for years,lost much good material but much happier now,130k was good investment after watching mecum& BJ.
Maybe some of the youngest here will see the beginnings of it, us old farts will (thankfully in a way) be gone. Once technology improves enough for autonomous driven cars, in the name of “saving lives” individuals will be forbidden from controlling their own transports. If you doubt that just keep in mind that something around 80% of people view a car as just another appliance in their life………..no more “romantic” attachment to it than you have to your toaster. We car nuts are a distinct minority with no political clout.
Code? That is the PROBLEM with this country! They want us to get rid of our cars just like guns!
Come on y’all,he just needs a bigger storage space,Fords and Mercury muscle like these were street dominators in the day! Nice collection of patina!