Desert Valley Auto Parts in Casa Grande, Arizona, has always been one of my favorite places to explore for picture taking. Recently, I made a return visit to explore its many acres of old and rusted cars. In the next few days, I’ll be sharing a few of the photos that I was able to capture, starting with the trucks section.
Entering the truck section, the first model you see is this classic late 20s or early 30s International.
Another Large International of similar vintage.Same truck from behind.Slightly newer International, nice grill. It could use new tires.Another International pickup, a light green L-Series from 1949-1952.
Now, a few panel trucks:
Late 50s Ford F-Series panel.Similar vintage Dodge D-Series.And here, an older Ford panel.
Continuing with some pickups:
Red 50s Dodge D-100.Blue 1968-1969 Dodge.1949 GMC.A first generation Ford F-Series with a spare engine.A rather early Willys Jeep Pickup, from 1947-1950.Something different; a Volkswagen Doka.One of the newest in the yard is a 1978-1981 Subaru Brat.
And lastly, a couple of workhorses:
Yellow REO Tanker.And a C/K Chevrolet Tow truck.
I’m sure more than one car came to Desert Valley hooked to the back of this.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures. Excellent way to start the new year with the truck section. Looks like a large place, I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Warm Arizona, I’d love to put my bare feet on those floorboards pan. It’s -20 c this morning and it will be worse in the coming week for the eastern part of the country.The one where you raise your elbows to shovel snow.
It does look like a number of these trucks have been set aside for full restoration…which seems to be one of the specialties of this particular place. Maybe they do a good job with the film making industry, although it’s kind of doubtful that most films would have the budget to do what some of these restorations would require.
What’s always impressed me about the vehicles from Desert Valley is just how bad the tires are on nearly every one of these. They are often contorted and peeled off in the most unusual ways. The tires on the International in that 4th photo are like something from another planet. I’ve never seen anything like that!
I’m intrigued by the VW Doka. Looks like it started out as a 70’s VW bus, but was greatly modified at some point, including whatever would need that big radiator up front.
It does look to be Brazilian, with that radiator. But as Mike W. noted, it’s not originally a “Doka” (double cabin pickup, but a custom/home built job that apparently started out as a bus. The bed does not have the fold down sides, the roof is raised, and its easy to see where the other changes were made.
Yeaaah Don. Only took 50 years to get you to publish you own content.
Two more weeks and it will be cars galore down here. Unfortunately it will only be mid 60’s +… but dry in AZ. Beats 40 and rain.
Fascinating old trucks.
About the ‘older Ford panel’ between the two Dodge photos: I’m pretty sure that roofline with the panel section on a higher plane than the cab marks it as a Mopar product, and the grille surround shape suggests a ’36 Dodge.
About 4 years ago I tried contacting them about some parts I was looking for. Despite several attempts, I never got a response. To say the least I wasn’t very impressed.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures. Excellent way to start the new year with the truck section. Looks like a large place, I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Such great photos, thanks! Nice folks too. Helped me with some small bits for my 67 LeSabre. Do they charge a fee to walk around and take pics?
Free to walk around, this was my fifth time touring the place over the last 15 years. Go early before it gets too hot
I wish I could afford to restore a dozen of these old trucks, even the corvair van
Warm Arizona, I’d love to put my bare feet on those floorboards pan. It’s -20 c this morning and it will be worse in the coming week for the eastern part of the country.The one where you raise your elbows to shovel snow.
It does look like a number of these trucks have been set aside for full restoration…which seems to be one of the specialties of this particular place. Maybe they do a good job with the film making industry, although it’s kind of doubtful that most films would have the budget to do what some of these restorations would require.
What’s always impressed me about the vehicles from Desert Valley is just how bad the tires are on nearly every one of these. They are often contorted and peeled off in the most unusual ways. The tires on the International in that 4th photo are like something from another planet. I’ve never seen anything like that!
That Reo Tanker looks very space-age! Thank you! Happy New Year!
I’m intrigued by the VW Doka. Looks like it started out as a 70’s VW bus, but was greatly modified at some point, including whatever would need that big radiator up front.
It looks like a Brazilian bus to me (with if any few modifications)
https://www.coolkombi.com/volkswagen-in-brasil/
It does look to be Brazilian, with that radiator. But as Mike W. noted, it’s not originally a “Doka” (double cabin pickup, but a custom/home built job that apparently started out as a bus. The bed does not have the fold down sides, the roof is raised, and its easy to see where the other changes were made.
Yeaaah Don. Only took 50 years to get you to publish you own content.
Two more weeks and it will be cars galore down here. Unfortunately it will only be mid 60’s +… but dry in AZ. Beats 40 and rain.
Welcome to posting directly at CC! We’ve loved your Ralf K. photos here for years, but I’m glad that you’ve joined the gang of posters at CC.
I am always amazed at this place. A true outdoor museum.
Fascinating old trucks.
About the ‘older Ford panel’ between the two Dodge photos: I’m pretty sure that roofline with the panel section on a higher plane than the cab marks it as a Mopar product, and the grille surround shape suggests a ’36 Dodge.
The Desert Valley website currently is not available, does anyone know anything about this?
About 4 years ago I tried contacting them about some parts I was looking for. Despite several attempts, I never got a response. To say the least I wasn’t very impressed.
Pretty neat .
I wonder if they sell “builders” ? .
-Nate