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The Ghost of Rhode Island: 1960 Cadillac Eldorado

For as long as I’ve been scouring junkyards, there’s one famous facility right in my own backyard that I’ve never visited: Junior Carpenter’s. A yard that is supposedly so massive you could never come close to seeing the whole thing in a day, it has routinely been the target of government officials for shut down and extensive clean-out. Now, one of the most photographed cars from the collection has appeared here on craigslist: a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado coupe, listed for $6K.

The legend of Junior Carpenter’s salvage yard is as big as the yard itself, with stories told about an owner who was every part of a character but who’d also throw you off the property for any number of violations (including some you may not be aware of). The facility has been documented more than once for its massive acreage of mostly American vehicles, with everything from Mopars to Mustangs, and this one very special Cadillac.

It seems like the one car any visitor to the yard could agree was special and worth saving was the 1960 Cadillac Eldorado coupe. Limited in production numbers and really just one of the prettiest American cars ever built, its huge proportions and fins make it impossible to miss. Unfortunately, years of use as a parts car have likely led to some valuable bits being stripped off, not to mention the obviously losing battle with rust in the rear fenders (and likely elsewhere).

With the town and state breathing down on his neck, it was only a matter of time before Junior’s was forced to put some of its inventory online. The Cadillac is a good car to start with, but I can’t help but think of much help I could offer them given my obvious interest in bringing hidden junkyard jewels to light. If anyone wants to join me for a jaunt around Junior’s to capture this yard before it’s too late, reach out to me via mail@barnfinds.com. Thanks to Barn Finds reader AMXBrian for the find.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike

    Lazy CL sellers at it again making no effort to clean off junk that could make buyers go from “hmmm, maybe” to “no” then to “hell no”.

    Like 9
  2. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    Rusting when parked…

    Jeff, you might want to make a field trip to see if there’s anything else there worth looking at/buying. At the very least we could have some decent photos to enjoy.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    If I moved to a location where there was a junkyard called “Junior Carpenter’s”, I would make a beeline for the place. Americana personified!

    Like 6
    • Avatar Chebby Member

      Right? What a classic name.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar Spridget

    For those curious, here’s a link to a Jalopnik post from 2008 which appears to show the same yard: https://jalopnik.com/massive-secret-mustang-junkyard-found-in-rhode-island-f-5102534

    Here’s a Youtube video of the yard, which claims it has some 20,000 cars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GticQMtLxPQ

    Like 7
  5. Avatar Miguel

    A friend of mine has one of these in decent condition with tri-power. IO am not sure how much to offer for it. I guess we will see next week when I go see him.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar h5mind

    Yet another loony hoarder in the woods of New England…Guaranteed the floors of this Caddy disappeared around the same time as Jimmy Hoffa.

    Like 9
  7. Avatar Will Fox

    Nope. Way too far gone at this point. Fine; it’s a `60 Eldorado Seville coupe; barely. The car would probably crumble apart if you tried to move it anyway. This to me is a classic example of spend more and get a better car to start with. My guess is this car was put there before I was out of HS in the 70s. And it looks it.

    Like 6
  8. Avatar Richard

    If it wasn’t for “looney hoarders” like this the whiners of the world would be left to watch video games instead of being treated to American history

    Like 7
  9. Avatar conrad alexander

    More like the ghost of corrode island

    Like 7
  10. Avatar Craig M Bryda

    Any extra $$ for the pine saplings growing out of the accumulated pine needles on the deck and hood
    of that Cadillac.Watching that
    you tube video makes me wonder if there are any rare Mopars rusting in peace there.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Alexander Member

      There are several minutes of nothing but stacked mopar, Craig. Whether or not they are rare is up to speculation. I see a 66-67 Chrysler 300 that seems to be complete with air in the tires. Big question for these types of yards is…you negotiate a price…you pay your money maybe have title in hand….the day comes for you to winch the vehicle out from under the pine trees AND… You have the car break in two or get bitten by a snake or both!!!!

      Like 2
  11. Avatar Roy L

    If it had a tree growing out of the trunk, i’d be interested.

    Like 4
  12. Avatar Qabbott

    How many of these could be left? There aren’t a lot to choose from.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Larry

    Does this guy SELL anything or does he just collect cars ???

    Like 1
  14. Avatar GDT

    Wait a minute, I have a cat turd in my backyard my neighbors cat left. It has become calcified so that means it only has more value. I’m only asking $15,000.00 for it.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Roy L

    What kind of cat? What year and what make? Pictures of the undercarriage would be nice.

    Like 1

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