After a brief hiatus, the Junkyard Outtake is back once again. Make the jump for your weekly dose of rusty gems – all coming to you this week from somewhere near Brainerd, Minnesota.
As you may recall from the previous installment, the yard we’re visiting is the aptly-named CC Motors (and yes, that truly is its name!). Since it’s located a couple hours away from me, I only get to visit it on rare occasions. In the past my walk-throughs have been precipitated by everything from corporate retreats to potential camper purchases. Any reason for being in the area is a good enough excuse for me.
On this particular day, the reason was that I had broadcast equipment to be picked up. A well-known engineer in Brainerd had finished checking and spec-ing some transmission gear for me, and the time had come to retrieve it.
But this time, we’re not talking Muncies or Saginaws. This is transmission as in transmitter… or, to be exact, an FM exciter, RF amplifier, and some other goodies. They’re just a few of the many, many pieces involved in building a radio station.
For many years I’ve been working to obtain an FM broadcast license in my area. Having gone through nearly indescribable amounts of tail-chasing and general hassle, I finally managed to obtain said license a few months ago. Now I have until August to go from the drawing board to the airwaves… a huge task, to say the least. I’m fortunate to have a great bunch of people working with me, and years’ worth of ideas and equipment stockpiled. But it’s still a major undertaking.
Having said that, perhaps my unscheduled vacation from CC over the past few weeks will make a bit more sense. Working around the clock to write up proposals, contracts, agreements, presentations, and countless other things (in addition to all the other tasks which come with the titles of “general manager” and “chief engineer”) has left little time for writing the fun stuff. I don’t anticipate this crunch will last forever – but for now, time is at a premium.
Rest assured that neither the Junkyard Outtake nor Project XJ6 have been forgotten. Each will continue on, though perhaps not at the pace I’d previously been devoted to keeping. In both cases, I hope that moving away from a definite weekly schedule will allow me to focus on bringing the best words and pictures together, rather than tossing together something serviceable to run each week.
In the case of Project XJ6, the car WILL go down the road again – and soon! A fuel cell should be arriving shortly, which will open up a whole ‘nother chapter of that saga. For the Junkyard Outtake, expect less of the “one post, dozens of pictures, nothing overly exciting” format, and more of a focus on posting when something remarkable pokes its head out. (This should also leave more room for other individuals to post their junkyard finds, which I hope will happen going forward).
I’d tell you some tales of hot-rodding vintage audio processors to be “just a little louder”, of restoring rusty old rotary-pot consoles to their former glory, or about when cart machines were built like tanks and stereo was a selling point. But until someone launches Studio-side Classic, those stories will have to wait.
Meanwhile, let’s get back to the junkyard!
This Ford looked better from the other side. Ouch!
Speaking of crunched and rusted cars, how would you like to restore this El Camino?
Good thing there’s a few others around to choose from.
If it were me, though, I wouldn’t be looking at the Colonnade Elkys – this ’70 would be more my style.
For you opera window fans, maybe this Grand Prix would be more up your alley.
Or perhaps you need some parts for your Monte Carlo?
Here’s one I wasn’t familiar with… a Mercury Meteor.
Looks like there’s plenty of parts left to be had.
Be glad you’re merely taking the virtual excursion… otherwise, your shoes would be filled with snow by this point, just as mine were!
Here’s one car-truck-wagon that needs no introduction.
This Eagle won’t be flying down the road anytime soon.
Like your wagons with less doors, less weight, and less traction? Perhaps this Vega is more your style.
Can you imagine this one in its former shade of green?
Real or fake? You be the judge!
Here’s another odd duck. Not many ’78/’79 Regals left on the ground these days.
It didn’t mean much – but still, “Sport Coupe” looked better on the fender than “3.8 Litre”.
The single headlights, and the sloped rear-end, are both hallmarks of these early G-body Regals.
Looks like we’ve got a Mustang sighting!
Right next door, another car for the “legit or stickered” file: what might be a Camaro Z28/Type LT.
Can’t say I’ve ever seen the two packages together – but from what I’ve read, it was an obtainable combination.
It only takes two ’50s Pontiac wagons for this yard to officially have the Most I’ve Seen In One Place.
This old girl would appear to be a ’57.
Meanwhile, our second candidate looks to be a ’55… and it’s a two-door!
The temptation is big. Unfortunately, my ability to take on more projects right now is small – and the likelihood of getting it out the door, even smaller. If nothing else, may it rust in peace.
How do you top this wagon? An illuminated hood ornament does the job nicely.
Here’s one for the Oldsmobile faithful.
A real 442, or just another badged-up pretender?
Continentals in the snow…
…right next to…
…Coupe de Villes in the snow.
How about that!
Last, but certainly not least, we have a forward-control Jeep – the first one I’ve seen in years, and a fitting end to today’s wandering.
As you probably guessed, this is far from the end of this junkyard tour. At some point in the future, I’ll take on Part Three – wherein we’ll see more trucks, a few Fords, and a Chrysler or two. Until then, happy hunting!
That FC Jeep is far to cool to be languishing in a scrap yard. It is hard to believe that 2dr Pontiac wagon is still there and looking quite complete!
There’s a lot of iron that’s too cool for the junkyard there!
Great post Keith, the Fairlane would be an interesting project to fit Australian front & rear sheetmetal, I can’t say I’ve seen one this late just the earlier GT hardtops.
The 55 wagon is interesting – and how about those eyebrows!
No doubt a fair amount of body work would be needed but some of those look very saveable. How is the Jeep still there?
I was also going to say I bet the tree under the back of the Regal wishes it sprouted a couple of feet further rearward!
Sorry there are a couple of my faves in there… the 76 Grand Prix, and the 69 Cadillac. I’m astonished to see any decent F-bodies in a junk yard given how much those go for. Someone will use these parts.
Amazing junk yard at least from mu point of view. Out here, in the 5 Bay Area counties, one is not likely to find much older than the mid-80’s in the main yards. If it is older it would more than likely be a C10, C20, F100 and F250 to the early 70’s. I love your junk yard!
Love the Pontiac wagons,the Meteor(I think I’m the only fan) and the green Ford.Mum had a Mk3 Cortina in a similar colour.Despite being a Ford fan I like El Caminos since I saw one close up for the first time outside Crocs(i think) in Rayleigh Essex when I went to a Hanoi Rocks concert in 1983.
Good luck with the radio station Keith and thanks for another great read
I was going to post a comment that the Pontiacs, Meteor (love the taillights!) and green Ford were my faves, but you beat me to it Gem! That ’55 Pontiac would be the one I took home, especially with that fantastic hood ornament.
Great to see another Meteor fan( a car greatly overlooked at shows and in magazines),also 55 Pontiac although 55 was a year for a lot of good looking American cars and there was some stiff competition.
I like the Meteors also. There’s someone in my city who has two that have been given the rat rod treatment…very interesting rides. First time I saw one I had to go home and do some research as I wasn’t familiar with them at all either.
I’ll take the ’65 Cutlass “442”! Did you say trucks in an upcoming installment? I can’t wait!
just wondering, i hope it doesnt mean it’s snowing there. even in north Michigan weather is nice these days
The snow finally melted about six or eight weeks ago. These pictures were from mid-April.
I can’t believe you found that forward-control Jeep. I’ve only ever seen them as toys, not as full-size trucks.
I got to drive one that was owned by a relative back in the ’70’s. It was an odd feeling and a choppy ride. I expected it to be a lot like the ’65 Econoline pickup I had driven a lot during a summer job, but the experience was totally different. It was funky but actually fun to drive once you got used to the forward position as in the Econoline.
The Sport Coupe emblem on the 78-79 Regal would usually indicate that said Regal was, at least at one time equipped with the turbocharged 3.8 litre V6. I’d say most of the cars in question look to be the real deal, the stickers and emblems seem to have the right amount of wear.
“The Sport Coupe emblem on the 78-79 Regal would usually indicate that said Regal was, at least at one time equipped with the turbocharged 3.8 litre V6”
Guess I never realized that. I’ve seen lots of Sport Coupe badges over the years, but never actually spotted a turbo 3.8 (short of one driving past me). Somewhere I even have pics of one with Sport Coupe badging and an Olds diesel 🙂
Agreed that the Regal Sport Coupe had the turbo, and the hood would have a bulge. My parents had a ’78 Regal base model with the regular 3.8L, and as a kid I pored over the brochure (I still have it) and fussed over details of specific models. Interestingly, I don’t think I have ever seen a Regal Sport Coupe in the wild.
That Regal is a ’79, btw. The ’78 taillight covers were clean all the way across, while the ’79 taillights had trim that made them appear like they were divided into two.
Really? I remember seeing several, I had older cousins whose mom had 1979 or so one with tanish-grey the alloy wheels. About 2 weeks ago I came across a perfect burgundy on burgundy 78 Regal Sport Coupe at a car show, I hung out for a bit to see if the owner came around, but he didn’t and I had to split.
Two “lime frost poly” Fords in the first two photos – a ’69 Fairlane and a ’68 LTD.
Certainly my favorite Ford/Mercury color from that era.
That color was the bane of my existence in the late 70s, as 2 of my first 3 cars were painted with it. I didn’t much care for the shade, but when you find a good car, you take it in whatever color it has. The passing of 35 years has softened me, and I now like the color quite a lot.
wow, definitely not your average junkyard. the two door pontiac wagon and forward control jeep are incredible! you certainly don’t shy away from difficult projects. you do realize that after you jump through the hoops to set up your fm station, someone has to run it 24 x 7? i was impressed when i saw your series on fixing up an old xj6 but do i know understand that you are going to install a fuel cell in it? can’t wait to read about that one!
“you do realize that after you jump through the hoops to set up your fm station, someone has to run it 24 x 7?”
Yup. If only you could see the extensive schedules currently drawn up on my whiteboard 🙂
License-wise we’re only required to be present and operating for 12 hours per day. But given the local radio landscape, we’ve elected to operate 24/7.
A combination of available talent and technological advances have opened doors we could only have dreamed about back in the beginning. I know engineers are supposed to be programming-neutral… but even so, I’m excited about what this facility will be pumping out.
“do i know understand that you are going to install a fuel cell in it?”
Correct. Non-rusty original tank(s) have proven impossible to find around here, so I’ve been forced to pursue other options. At this point, a fuel cell in the sparewell seems like as good a method as any.
Unfortunately, if the “automotive recycling yards” are situated in/near a major metro area, you will RARELY see gems such as these! The emphasis tend s to be on “rotation”…get iy in, let it sit for a moment, and then on to the cursher! This is the kind of yard that I’d love to be able to just hang out in for a while! 🙂
Amazing amount of pre 80s iron. My favorite yard has had only a handful of pre 80s cars in the two years I have been picking there. But since I am usually on the hunt for Mercedes W124 parts, I usually score OK, but I miss seeing the older treasures.
Reminds me of my own junkyard travels, except that was 25 years ago!
I’m digging that Meteor. Those taillights!!!
+1 on the Meteor taillights!
Tough to decide between those Pontiac wagons – the ’55 with its’ complete grille but missing doors, or the ’57 with the full set of portals but a gap-toothed look.
Do ’em both – 55 front clip on the 57 and make a phantom out of them.
I like that gen2 Scirocco in the background of the Eagle.
Re: the Forward Control Jeep, an early post of mine here was about one I saw being taken home after an eBay auction:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/cc-outtake-1957-jeep-fc-150-forward-control/
The El Camino radiator piece (which is mostly plastic) is not even broken. That is so unusual. That 1970 front clip in good condition is so hard to find these days. The Vega is begging for a small block V8 or V6 conversion. Those mid 1970s Camaro bumpers are also prized by the limited stock racers, they are very strong, but weigh almost nothing, as they are fashioned out of solid aluminum. This yard must have been left alone for years, to hold so many relatively untouched rare finds.
The Scirocco II caught my eye as well.
Isn’t the Meteor the Canadian version of the Comet?
The FC Jeep is completely new to me.
That is fun stuff! Thanks and all the best with the radio station. Let us know your frequency, Just in case we get into your range.
The Meteor was the Canadian Ford with some Mercury like trimmings until the intermediate Meteor came along. Once the intermediate Meteor was renamed Comet the Canadian style Meteor came back.
If you ever make it out here to Phoenix, you will have to visit Desert ValleyAuto Parts/ DVAP is open to perusing but is not a “Pic-a-part” You make your list and the parts valets go after the bits. You can come along to pinpoint the desired pieces. I have been allowed to pull a few parts, but that is rare and only for trusted long time customers. The 60 Torino looked nearly complete, The Meteor is a rare bird these days. Rare even when new. I genuinely love these junkyard walkabouts. Kinda sad, all thse vehicles were once someones pride and joy, sitting shiny in a driveway. The stories that could be told.
Isn’t that the place that was ina reality TV show a couple of years ago? They would pick a car out of the yard, restore it and auction it. It was the only one of these shows that tried to do the car as new instead of the “this old car is a blank canvas for my incredible artistic skills” kind of project that is on every other old car resto show.
Good luck with the radio station ! .
My brother used to build small stations , mostly for Colleges in the 1960’s & 1970’s .
I see one Task Force GM truck in the back ground , I hope to see lots more trucks in the future .
-Nate
Yeah, good luck with the radio station. I used to work in a flying one, hence my username.
I’m liking the Fairlane – always a favorite of mine. Good luck with the new radio station and keep that sweet old analog gear humming along.
That Mustang’s rear end looks like it’s about to snap off due to rust. Even so, I’m surprised to see it sitting there with so many parts on it. I love your junkyard posts Keith! All the best with the radio station!
Dat Poncho 2 door wagon definitely the find.
I’ve always liked the looks of the forward-control Jeeps. It has the sort of setup that has become the norm here for small and big trucks many decades ago: a cab-over-engine with a setback front axle, both the daycabs and the sleepercabs, small local delivery trucks and big long distance runners.
VIASA from Spain had this SV-line of forward-control vehicles based on Jeep chassis.
These vehicles were built until 1980.
The Eagle wagon looks good as well. A new set of wheels and a 4.0 from a wrecked Cherokee and you’d be back in business.
Lot’s of interesting old iron in that yard. Corroded Classic’s. Rare to see cars that old in the wrecking yards even in the relatively rust free Pacific Northwest. It’s starting to get hard to find even 85-92 Golf Jetta parts these days. I’m stocking up. I got carried away on half price day Memorial weekend. From the pictures the rust appears like it would make saving some of those classic’s a real challenge. I hope things go well with your radio station, are you planning to have an internet connection? I would be interested in hearing it when it’s up and running. Appreciate your effort to photograph in the snow and cold for us CC readers.
Might want to have left the PTEK at the junkyard. 🙂
Good luck with the LPFM. It’s a great rollercoaster of an experience!
“Might want to have left the PTEK at the junkyard.”
Agreed. It needed quite a bit of work in order to come even close to its rated specs and still be somewhat clean. I suspect there’s a Nautel in our future… but for now, we’re taking what we can get. (Should at least make a somewhat acceptable standby rig when the day comes!)
FWIW, the Ptek is by far the most embarrassing part of my airchain. Too bad the Optimod wasn’t on top instead 😉
Now that we’re way off-topic:
The Nautels are excellent.
In the “more affordable” range both the BEXT (Italian design/manufactured with USA Branding) and the BW Broadcast units are excellent. Next round of capital expenditures will see us with a fleet of BW Broadcast V2’s across the network.
Mothership will get an Omnia9 the rest will get OmniaOne’s. The 9 will replace an O3 Turbo with Arianne.
I think the Studio Classics is a great idea! Thanks, LPFM guys, for all you do (and all you’ll spend from your own pockets, doubtless).
Where is pancakes haus?
Wow, computer guru, expert mechanic, blogger and now broadcaster. I’m impressed. So,what will the station format be? Curbside Classic Radio? 🙂
The format is a secret, other than to say it’s music-based… the plan is to do a big reveal after completing a few smaller publicity stunts.
However, I can say this much: people ages 45-65 make up the largest portion of my area’s residents, and there’s already country and classic rock on the air. You do the math 😉
If there ever ends up being a Curbside Classic podcast or the like, count me in as affiliate number one!
As an ex-electronic tech in the microwave and satellite field I would love to hear of your experience of setting up a modern FM station. Nobody thinks at the time about documenting radio engineering, the start of radio in the 1900s is an example, very little in the way of hands on history, not like we have here for cars. Will you have a web presence? Maybe a blog? I listen to radio all over the world on sites like world radio live.
Nice catch on that Type LT Z28. To confirm it’s a real L82 powered Z28, look at the VIN. If the fifth digit is a “T”, this denotes the real deal. An “H” means it’s a 350 2 barrel Camaro. A “K” or “L” denotes a 350 4 barrel. T is the key, telling you it’s a Corvette powered L82, 4 bolt main small block. The last of the 2nd gen Z28’s. Long ago I spotted one of these Z28’s at a small used car lot in Morehead City, NC, a lovely dark blue metallic color. I was still making payments on my own 74 Type LT, 350 2 barrel, so financially, it was out of the question. Still regret not trying to figure how to swing it though…..
The green ’68 mid size Ford is actually a Fairlane 500, but I thought ‘Torino’ at first. The first year “Fairlane Torinos” had a large badge on the C pillar, and more trim, as top line then, but for 69, there was a mid level Torino.
Wasn’t until 1971 that the whole line was called Torino, then that name got pushed down by Gran T.