America’s salvage yards are disappearing because of stiff regulations and a lack of DIYers. It may be best for the environment, but for those of us with memories of trips to the local wrecking yard with Dad, it is a sad reality. I cherished those hours of walking up and down the isles looking for parts. I would always be on the look out for anything special and can still remember some of those junk yard finds. Well, reader P. Trout just sent in a link to yard in Orange County that is selling off around 40 classics. Take a look at the craigslist ad here.
The seller does not mention the reason for the sale, but they do have quite a mixture of interesting stuff on offer. The name of the business is Goldenwest Auto Wrecking and they are located in Westminster. They state that the cars will available for inspection on June 22nd and 23rd, but that they will not discuss conditions or prices over the phone. We assume that there are just too many cars to hassle with that.
If you are in the area, you may want to stop by and take a look. Usually salvage yard cars are too far gone to bother with, but many of these do look fairly complete. The yards I used to frequent with my father are long gone, so I wouldn’t mind strolling this one just to rekindle some of those old memories. In that spirit, lets see how many mention-worthy treasures we can spot and name in the photos provided. Special thanks goes to P. Trout for sending this in.
I’m amazed there are any wrecking yards left in Orange County. Maybe there’s been pressure to clean things up from the city or state environmental agencies, plus the idea that some of the better cars & trucks might bring good money now. By the look of the trucks in the yard I would say that the seller has the right idea, and I would bet that he will sell most or all of them to people looking for truck projects.
Some of the cars look OK too, which is surprising since the hulks in most yards would have been picked over pretty good by now, especially with a lof of the cars dating back decades. This doesn’t look like the wrecking yards I knew back when I had my first job in one, where the hulks would get picked over as the useable parts were sold off. Then the areas with the picked-over cars would get cleaned out, with the hulks carted off for scrap. The new wrecks would be put into the cleaned out areas and the cycle would start again. The place in this CL listing looks so clean and orderly, and the cars are so old, that I’m wondering how he made much money over the years, because the vehicles look so complete. Might be a story there…..
If you want to take a look, better phone first to confirm the cars are still there. The viewing is slated for June 22nd & 23rd. He doesn’t say which year.
It’s also a tow yard, but I think this is an older ad. Could take you right to this place and I haven’t been to O.C. in 20 plus years. Man I miss going to Pick a Part……
Dave’s Auto Wrecking
6972 West Garden Grove Boulevard, Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 898-4343
The second to the last photo has a 54 Lincoln in primer. That could be a great project for someone with more money than me, unfortunately.
Yes that one & so many others.
Check out their website: http://www.daw4parts.com/aboutus.html
Oh my, I could get lost in that place for days!
Auto wreckers/salvage yards are a disappearing institution. Trouble is, the newer cars are not conducive to DIY people. I might add that DIY people are a fading institution as well.
My daughter and son-in-law recently moved to Aztec, NM and there’s a wrecking yard practically in their backyard. On our first visit I looked out the patio doors and gazed over that mass of treasures. “A room with a view!” I said. I don’t know if my daughter agreed with me but my son-in-law did.
Here in Ohio they would all be worth saving. These are gettting hard to find.
geomechs is spot on. The Southwest still has wrecking yards…..thank gawd. That is one of the reasons I like driving through those areas, that and the good people.
The shifty eyed slipper wearing types don’t go there……..fraid of gettin’ the working end of a .45.
Hey, in the first picture to the left. There is a split windshield black wagon. I can’t identify it, a little help?
Looks like it might be a Volvo 210. Would like one of them.
Scot I think it’s too big for a Volvo.
paul, may be just my wishful thinking. Seems to be a bit shorter than the Mustang next to it and about the right height. Seems like a good chance to bet a beer.
Well I can see already that an El Camino guy/gal may get excited there!!!
I would love to get my hands on that 70 El Camino and there is a 70 Impala I am seeing there.
I bought a Ford C6 trans core from this place summer of 82 for my 69 Mach 1. Rebuilt the trans at Golden West College taking trans class with Mike Goldman. Looks like a lot of cars are fairly complete. The viewing dates are wrong. Will have to call them to verify that.
Hey Mike.
If you go to the website link:
http://www.daw4parts.com/aboutus.html
buried in the “old cars” link is a photo album.
There is a close up of a yellowish suburban in there,
and on the rack behind it is an orange MACH 1 (69-70ish)
Maybe the car that trans came out of is still there!
I have a feeling the dates are wrong on this too.
Probably Jan 22nd and 23rd.
I should be in the area then, maybe I’l go take some pics.
P Trout
I might need that red & white VW bus in the 3rd picture… to go with my other one, from San Diego. Impossible to find intact in the Northeast.
OWNING A BODY SHOP JUST SO I COULD RESTORE THE 70SS AND 83 EL-CAMINOS I BOUGHT I WOULD TAKE ALL OF THEM NO MATTER WHAT CONDITION.WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A 59-60 AND 77-78 MODEL YEARS OH AND A 64-65 TO ROUND OUT MY COLLECTION AND A REASON TO KEEP THE BODY SHOP OTHER THAN FIXING TAXICABS FOR THE TAXI COMPANY NEXT DOOR.
Love the Falcon (Far Left in 2cnd pic) and the 2 VW buses ( Far right back row in the 2cnd pic) To bad its in california,not Alabama :(
This is an old ad from early summer last year –I remember it.