(first posted 9/4/2011) Not exactly the most arresting picture with which to continue our tour with, but that’s the brakes; little bitty drum brakes at that. Yes, there’s not a whole lot to the suspension on an old Mustang, thanks to its Falcon underpinnings. Actually, this one has the bigger V8 version brakes, as the five wheel-bolts reveal. Well, don’t despair; there’s lots of (mostly) intact iron ahead, quite a diverse sampling at that, and a little collection of seventies Japanese bikes. Hey, this is the CC Graveyard; there’s enough cars here to to keep us going for years, if all we did was to show you junk yard cars one at a time, like some do. For us, it’s just a long weekend excursion, and then it’s back to pounding the pavement for the real thing.
Here’s another car long overdue for a CC; we’ve done the original 240Z, and the next gen 300ZX, but not the one in between. And the wire wheels perfectly underscore what the Z became with the ZX. There’s others in the street, even if not with rusting wires.
A genuine R-Body cop car. Weren’t they all?
So here’s the Pintos; now where are the Vegas? Oh, that’s right; they haven’t really hit the junk yards yet in any significant numbers, seeing that they’re still hard at work on the streets.
Squarebacks, and a fastback. Now where’s the notchback?
Here’s a nice blue LeMans, one of the last years of the Colonnade variety. And a big Mark V behind it.
No this is a find. These vintage Rancheros are getting very hard to find, especially the early ones with the original big mouths in front. Looks like it’s in pretty decent shape too. Shall I put in an offer for one of you?
Talk about the odd couple. Quite the study in contrasts. About the only thing they have in common is four wheels and a V8, although even that’s not guaranteed. The Charger might have had the slant six.
This is the random leftovers corner. Nice view across the Willamette Valley to the Coburg Hills. And I think I see a ’63 -’64 Chrysler roof poking out; that red one.
Can’t ignore the International contingent. Michael; Scoutdude! Here’s one for each of you.
Looks like this Mustang II got in trouble and is having to sit in the corner. Serves it right!
And why are these two hanging out together? And what’s that stuffed into the inner eyes of the Ford?
Another “T-Bird” that’s being shunned from the real T-Birds.
If I ever want to write a piece on the evolution of VW front end design, I have the picture handy.
Let’s end this part with some bikes, and here’s a nice one indeed. The Honda 400 four perhaps the finest of the first gen Honda fours; it ran like the proverbial sewing machine. A friend had a blue one just like this, and I remember a memorable ride. Just keep the revs at least above 5000…
I guess it makes sense to have the sole Honda car with the bikes, but I’m not sure why this old Ford is here. Anybody recognize that bike instrument cluster?
A Yamaha too. Seems like only yesterday…
More bikes, including another Honda 400 four. Someone has taste. Ignore that unusual car behind them; that’s for our next segment. or can’t we wait now?
Ok, we can’t wait; and here is the second Sunbeam-Talbot of the collection, a drop-head coupe (Brit speak for convertible. and much more colorful).
The story of Rootes is fascinating, as they really invented the fine art of badge engineering, or at least elevated it to a finer art. We’ll have to do an Automotive History on them sometime. They used a basic chassis or two, and spun numerous variants, using the Hillman, Humber, Singer and Sunbeam brands. The Sunbem-Talbot was the top of the line, and this drop-head coupe had bodywork by Thrupp & Maberly.
The quite lovely Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine roadster (above) was an offshoot of the S-T 90, first cobbled up by a dealer for Rally racing. But the final production version was given the once-over by the Loewy Studios, and was quite desirable car in its day (1953 – 1955). It was a co-star in Hitchcock’s 1955 “It Takes A Thief” with Cary Grant and Grace Kelley.
The engine for these cars is a 2267 cc four, and one all-too obviously converted from side-valve to OHV after the war. But these were sprightly engines for the times, with up to 80 hp, and the S-T 90 was a popular rally car, driven by the likes of Stirling Moss and others. The Alpine was named for S-T’s success in the Alpine Rally.
And there were numerous other victories for S-T 90s, including an outright win in the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally, in a sedan like we showed in the previous episode of our tour. I regret not giving it its due credit then.
Here’s what’s left of its interior. Column-mounted shifters were all the rage in Europe in the fifties, for better or for worse.
Notice how the frame drops down under the axle (underslung), not that this is really all that low of a car. And all those leaves; looks like a one-ton truck spring. They must have been very thin leaves, or this thing must have had a ride like a cart.
With this last look, we’ll take a break until our final episode tomorrow. That’s it for Sunbeams, but there is another exotic car, a French one, hiding amongst some big Cadillacs. This junkyard collector had an eclectic streak. See you then.
Continue to Part 5 of the Tour
Wow that’s one junk yard with a little bit of everything. Was that R-body a St. Regis or a Gran Fury? If you were closer to California I’d wager the R-body was in a TV/Movie production they were popular in Hollywood for a while because they were so cheap to get your hands on.
That’s an amazing number of bikes, some almost look like they were driven there, the owner dismounted and then the poor bike was simply forgotten.
hi Paul…very good pictures…impresive bits.. we are restoring now in venezuela a sumbean talbot 90 like that we need some parts… this junyard may sell something???
Nelson: best I can do is give you the link to their web site: http://scottandsonstowing.com/
and phone number: 541-344-4234
Good luck!
Here’s a pic of an ST90 convertible when they were still fairly new. Must be the convertible as there wouldn’t be room for the girl’s legs in the Alpine version. The film is Gevacolor and dates from 1957.
You could also try the New Zealand Sunbeam owners club they have a very good spares setup.
Grand Fury.
These were not uncommon to see doing taxi duty in NYC during the early 80s.
That LeMans is a ’76. And is that a 280Z Brougham or a 280Z Landau? I think that Mark VI is actually a Mark V, the VIs were quite a bit boxier. What you identified as a Dodge is actually a ’47 or ’48 Ford, a Super Deluxe, judging from its hood badge. My uncle had one that he hot rodded, and he gave me the hood badge when it was being nosed and decked. It was a coupe, painted navy blue with flames. I hope these cars get saved and restored, especially the Sunbeams. Great pictures, as always Paul! I go to the local u-pull-a-part just for fun, so this is excellent!
Yikes; of course it’s a Ford. Fixed.
A cutaway view of that Sunbeam’s head would be interesting.
I agree. These ohv conversions are fascinating.
Humber Hawk motor just found it in Motor industry magazine but my scanner is dead new engine for 1954 2267cc four banger must be the same one. 1952 Sunbeam sedan cost1347 pounds convertable coupe1393 pounds not cheap
Looking in the book that is a MkIII DHC, due to the chromed side grilles & portholes, top speed 100mph which is not bad for 1954-55. They also used those 2.3L engines in trucks, cruising speed 30-35mph in the 1948 truck I rode in.
Commer Superpoise shared Humber engines the smaller models were a 4.
Not a new engine, but an overbore of another prewar slogger. The Mark 1 used a 1944cc (75mm x 110mm) OHV engine, compared to the 2267cc engine’s 81mm x 110mm. But before the war the Sunbeam-Talbot 2 litre used the 1944cc mill (same dimensions) but with side valves and only 56bhp.
Surprisingly, the Mark 1 version still used a beam axle front end – as late as 1950!
I like the AL110 pickup used to have flatbed many moons ago no doubt Michael has had the same, Unbelievable to find two Sunbeam Talbots and that ragtop is very rare and strangely valuable but I see Rootes inflicted column shift on you guys too, finger tip control its billed as, yeah right, Ive spent a couple of days sorting that in my 59 Minx and it works but its not staying I dug up a full syncro floorshift box nearby. Ford cheaped the Falcon with shoe polish tin brakes 4 stud wheels lawn mower grade ball joints etc it fell to pieces Ford Aus took the lemon and made lemonade ie fitted a proper undercarriage and it was a good car actually no it took several years to convince anyone other than fanbois to buy one winning Bathurst in 66 helped lots.
Just realised that 110 has a one piece windscreen mine was divided must be the difference with Ozwiegian assembly They did however maintain column shift moving the whole steering column across and having the shifter on the right so it became a knucle basher if the vent was open same torture as Standard Vanguard phase one a floor change would have been easier and less painful
The A proceding the model designation means that it was produced down under and yes they were a number of unique things about the trucks from the land of Oz. As time went on they got further and further apart until the late 60’s when we got the all new “square” cab for our D series and the trucks down under got new front sheet metal for the old cab and they started badge engineering a version to be sold under the Dodge name.
Isn’t the name readable on the tank of that Cycle Cluster?
I read Honda if the angle is correct.
@Tom Klockau – Indeed a 76 Pontiac – I learned to drive in a white one with red vinyl roof.
Now that drophead Sunbeam-Talbot was a good-looking car. With ventiports!
Always wondered what the “It Takes a Thief” car was. Hitchcock chose interesting cars to appear in his films. Tippi Hedren in “The Birds” drove an early Aston-Martin DB in California, then there was the Mercedes Cary Grant drove drunk early in “North by Northwest”.
We sold numerous Mustang II (two) entire front-end suspension assemblies to locals building roadster-type machines using older frames/bodies/etc.
I was told the various reasons for this but forget the rational.
It was just a reality in the NorCal area and am unsure if the same desire exists today for that assembly.
Once that sub-section of the Mustang Dos was sold it was removed the rest of the vehicle went “bye bye” to the metal buyer/exporter in Oakland, CA for its ocean cruise to its eventual exile to the Orient where it was rendered into a new life as something.
Re-incarnation.
It exists.
Theres a F1-11 Kawasaki dirt bike in the first pile Ive still got scars from one.Thats an awesome yard Paul there enough to make one Sunbeam Talbot and pickup projects galore. Id be keen to read your take on Rootes group they took GMs model and ran with it for years A range of cars to suit every pocket using a commonality of parts, but they built good cars too, the Sunbeam was a big overweight thing but was as tough as nails pretty sure the motor was from a Humber but the body had a lot of double skinning hence the heavy duty springs,Local Classic Driver magazine has a write up on the works Alpine driven by Legend American John Fitch it seems incredible you start tripping over the same cars at the same time.Good shit keep going.
Thanks for all the Sunbeam-Talbot pics. Way back in the 50’s this was one of my very favourite cars. It was the last proper Sunbeam – later models were indeed re-badged loaded Hillman Minxs. Didn’t care so much for the Alpine , as the rear deck was too long since it used the same wheelbase as the saloon.
Paul- if they haven’t been picked clean by now, that Charger and Ranchero both look salvageable. Can you see how much they’re asking?
It’s not normally open; I snuck in. Here’s a comment from an earlier post about this yard:
A comment by “Darnell’s Auto Wrecking” sheds some light:
That was Scott & Sons Auto Wrecking, which ceased operations circa 2005. Many of those cars were in the old lot on 6th and Fillmore or the former J&W Towing lot near 2nd and Chambers. I’m hoping to be able to buy the Hillman Imp and a 1978 Dodge Magnum that was in the J&W inventory, started and ran nicely for me when I looked at it initially in 2004 and shouldn’t be too hard to put back on the road. All of the cars are for sale and many are advertised on the Eugene Craigslist in the spring & summer.
I don’t have any further info on how to contact the owners. Sorry.
Im sure if they knew you Paul theyd give you a key
The Charger is some variation of an SE. With the hidden headlights, it was most definitely an up market car, no slant six in this one.
I’d forgotten about the ‘brougham’ 280 ZX’s. How the mighty had fallen. I knew my preference for a Firebird Formula back in those days was right on the money. I knew a few guys with those cars back in the day, but we called those things as ‘Disco’ coupes. Not like an Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, but like Saturday Night Fever discoteque. It was not a compliment.
I was thinking the same thing on the Charger. In fact, I’d love to see an original, unmolested late-sixties or early seventies slant-six Charger. Ironically, I’d bet that the production numbers are as low (if not lower) than the number of Hemis produced.
The old brother of one of my grade-school buddy’s had a ’69 Charger , Orange with Magnum 500s. Slant-6, 3-on-the-tree, radio delete. Reportedly bought from a little old lady. This was ’73 or so.
My best friend in high shool/college had a ’74 strippo Charger in the family that they bought in ’78. Slant 6, 3 on the tree, rubber floor, radio delete. And bright red. Zackman would have hated it, because the base Charger even eliminated the lowering rear windows. It was not really that pleasant to drive.
My lord…so many vehicles I’ve had or wanted. Even a 1979 Accord sedan. I had a 47 Ford sedan, sorry old flathead six, a lengthened Model A motor; an International pickup like the yellow one – mine was faded pinky-red with a blue rear fender and tailgate; my dad’s Scout was almost like the one shown – it never had a V badge on the fender though. He had a yellow VW squareback that we went back-roading in Nevada with, fording little gulches with three of us pushing, to my mother’s dismay. “Fred! You can’t get across that gully!” That was the wrong thing for her to say….
Some of those bikes look new enough to have front discs. Don’t know when motorcycles began having front disc brakes and some of them simply as you say, look like they were simply driven in and left behind.
That lone Honda looks to be a 1986-1989 vintage Accord. Had one once, 1998-2006 that I drove all the way from Tacoma to LA back in 2002.
My best friend had a bright yellow Rabbit, a ’77 base 2 door with factory sliding metal sunroof that didn’t work, gear was stripped out that he owned for a short time in the late 80’s, sadly, it nickled and dimed him so he sold it, but not after nearly discovering almost no brakes one day when he had to hit them suddenly and heard a blam, pedal goes to the floor and barely gets the car to stop. I think it largely had to do with maintenance, rather, the lack thereof as the ’77 was supposed to be best year for the first gen US spec rabbits according to his research at the time.
An interesting series so far!
Well… if they’re commonly advertised in the Eugene CL, that’s definitely a good start! Have F250 Super Duty 7.3, will travel!
Here’s an amazing rescue story for you guys. A few months ago I was at the Pick-A-Part in Wilmington, Ca. when something in the recieving area caught my eye. It was a 1966 Chevy Biscayne two-door. It was scheduled for death row ( the main yard ), but I rescued it.
It’s now sitting in a friend’s backyard awaiting its tranformation from a half-ass lowrider to a nostlgia super-stock / factory lightweight clone.
That Celica is merely trying to absorb some of the vaunted Ford quality! Too bad this is an automotive site, because the Honda CB400F is well worthy of a CC article!
That ’72 Ranchero really brings back memories…memories of lust. The local Ford dealer, which I walked by on my way to high school (six miles; uphill both directions, heh, heh) had a new stripper ’72 Ranchero in its lot…unsaleable. It stayed there until almost August of 1973. And I longed for it…but alas, I was 14 with neither license nor job. Fire-engine red; no trim or chrome to detract from the aggressive, muscular lines.
I should have known better. In December 1973 the old man got a helluva deal on a new, leftover 1973 Gran Torino…the same cars, with the Dodgem bumper on the front. I learned to drive on that car; and running it was to shift the mind from Drive into Quaalude. Fun wasn’t on the option list.
But, like the chunky girl you might have taken to the prom with, and get lucky…you remember your first. And I, weaned on automotive oddities, on functional strippers like the Wagoneer…that Ranchero was my first taste of life on the other side of the fashion-tracks. Even now, I wouldn’t want to live there…but it’s a fun place to visit.
Memories…not far from me today, in a lot filled with farm equipment, there’s an LTD II Ranchero for sale. Paint oxidized, but not rusted out. Maybe I’ll make inquiries…
Thanks for the shout out! Of course you had to post it while I was traveling the coastal area of OR yesterday so I am late to the party.
I see 3 that are “for me”. The pickup is a L-series Bryce’s AL was an Australian L series built down under with some unique elements so they got the A prefix to denote their homeland. Can’t say the year it would have had on it’s title since IH eschewed the model year at that time. So when they made a “significant” change they changed the letter and sometimes numerical scheme. Confusing things more the model change over was not always at the same time of year. Often it was spring/summer since they wanted the “new” models at the dealer before harvest time. That way the farmer that needed a new truck for harvest or was flush with cash from harvest could order the new model. Other times it was Jan 1st. L-series were made in 50-52 but since they didn’t go by model year the title reflected the year sold.
The cab was marketed as the Comfo-Vison cab and started the process of hanging new front sheet metal on the existing cab and calling it a new model. It lasted for the L, R, and S series. It was also sold to other even smaller mfgs. The Comfo-Vison cab marks the first “extended cab” truck. Technically they were sold as sleeper cabs and only available on the MD trucks. Here is a pic of one that is hauling a R pickup on it’s trailer for compare and contrast. They made it in typical IH fashion so that rear side window and rear roofline was made from Traveall pieces. The Comfo-Vison cab was designed by IH but stamped by an outside supplier. Many of the basic pieces were sold to other smaller truck Mfgs so you can find that basic cab on Diamond T and others too.
For the Scout it is wearing rectangular side marker lights which does define it as an 800b assuming they are the original front fenders. By this time IH was bowing to pressure from the FMVSS so it does have a “model year” in this case a 71. It started production in Aug 70 but was a short run due to the introduction of the all new Scout 810 (II) which showed up in May. Old habits die hard. Definitely looks saveable I know guys in the rust belt who have saved much much worse.
The gem of the bunch however, that gets my juices flowing, is the Metro. Those are even harder to define the year of since there were very few changes.
A little better view of the sleeper cab.
@ScoutDude – lack of external door hinges would make that L-110 (or 120?) a 1950 model, more or less. I have an L-170 with hidden hinges – titled as a ’51, but built in ’50 (and I have the line set sheet, too!).
Good to know, I’m not as versed on the early trucks as I am the Scout II’s, hence my handle here, and the D series trucks. Having the Line Set Ticket is a plus. For many of the trucks you can get reprints from the light line dealers and Wisconsin historical society the keeper of the IH archives.
Ah that clears up some things, I came across many old Internationals in Aussie and none of them seem to match up exactly with the examples I see here They were a popular and very durable weapon in the Aussie bush and I saw many more IH products either still in use or laying up than corresponding era Fords or Chevrolets. There was a coupe utility model that I particularly like but its very popular with restorers so expensive to aquire and hard to find. A mate had a travellall that used the AB120 front with vertical stacked headlights and Ive yet to see another though the back half matches some seen here.
Here is a US A series with the single headlights.
And the US B series with the dual stacked headlights. Does it look similar to the AB you are familiar with? Can you find and post some pictures of the Coupe Ute, I’ve not seen such a thing. I’ve seen pics of the first D series trucks that were made into a business coupe for IH sales reps. I’ll see if I can find a pic.
Yeah those 2 are familiar AA/AB Id call em from memory the R was the last coupe style cab with flush sideded bed ute style rather than well side pick up. I only got to like these by buying my AL on impulse it seemed like a good idea rebuilding the engine showed how well made it was I got hooked but old Inters are quite rare in NZ Engish Bedfords were the truck of choice here and good they were but not as good as Inters to me
Google International Coupe ute and feast yer eyes many many pics bro
I used to see a lot of trucks when I went to the Victoria Market with Dad in the early morning when the growers arrived and unloaded their produce. I don’t recall seeing that cab with single headlights down under, though the A’s grille looks familiar. I certainly agree with Bryce on the popularity of these Inters – they were much more popular with fleet users than the alternatives.
Even rarer Google International coupe New Zealand According what I found out 7 were built various models in the 30s and company rep cars Ive seen two different models in the metal in museums Transport world in Invercargill has one.
Metro? Oh, that Metro. And I’m so desperate to shoot a proper old-school Metro, one of my all-time faves. There’s one or two running around, but have not caught them yet (how hard can that be?).
Sorry, being an IH kind of guy Metro means walk-in truck to me. There is a guy up in Portland that has one that he has pretty much restored. Since they were designed primarily as Multi-Stop vehicles they are usually geared pretty low. Combined with a low reving IH power plant they have a veeerrrry low top speed. They will get off the line quickly, though that usually runs out by the time it’s half way through the intersection.
On another note, if you’d like some pics of a 280ZX a friend of mine has one in excellent condition that I’m sure he’d let me snap some photos of. Yeah I know it’s not the same as shooting one in the wild yourself, but it is in much nicer condition than the average example.
speaking of metros. is that a metro milk truck next to the mustang ii?
Yes that is the Metro Paul and I are talking about. It does sort of appear to have a solid sliding door bulkhead which makes it a good possibility that it did start life as a milk truck. Bread, laundry, and service trucks usually have expanded metal bulkheads and doors.
What a fantastic yard. Those Sunbeam-Talbots seem to show up quite often given they can’t have sold a ton over here. Usually in that sort of condition but I have seen one nicely restored one.
The 69 LTD is the same color as the one that my Dad had, only his had a dark blue vinyl top. That was a really nice car in 1969, and was his first air conditioned car. Unfortunately, they did not age very well.
Actually it’s an XL, but whatever. Yes, these things even rusted in climates where cars didn’t normally.
Are there any chevelle’s from 68
Hey, it’s my first bike… a Honda CB400F Super Sport. At least that what I called it when showing it off. I used the same method when people asked what my first car was – a Dodge Shelby Charger Turbo. The more words, the better.
My Honda was a ’75 in bright red and identical to the one in this pic. I really regret selling it. It was great on trails and felt really quick on the road… for a 15 year old rider.
Wow, after viewing all 4 parts…
“So many mostly complete-salvageable, ground-up restoration possibilities = so little time & money.”
A BLUE ’75 Honda 400/4…..oh YAAASSSSS! I bought a very nice used one from a Harley rider, at a bargain basement price because it was a “rice burner”. Uh-huh……revving that lil bike on curvy backroads……OH FUNN!! It really wasn’t fast, but running it thru the gears and listening to the “MUSIC” thru the stock 4 into 1…..glorious!! :):) DFO
Years later and I still have a heavy heart…