SuperBird in the Barn: The Junkyard

Waking up early is not something I do easily. Usually requires a can or two of Diet Pepsi and a shower. Today didn't change anything. The usual routine got me out of bed and ready for the day ahead.

Since most of the places I had wanted to hit were closed on Sunday, I had to cram in as much as possible into one day. I had plans to drive into Keokuk, IA and find some of the racing heritage I had heard so much about, but that was a pipe dream at this point.

The first stop of the day was to my friends junkyard just a few towns over. This is my favorite junkyard to visit. It is nothing like what we have in Chicago. There are a few newer cars in the yard, but most of it is all 30's through the 80's. Lots of vintage metal in there. Nothing really rare, except for a few exceptions.

I had visited this yard many times 5 and 6 years ago. I had stripped out as many of the cool Mopar parts as I could. Going through that yard front to back many, many times. But even with that, some thing surprised me.

Walking the yard, I found the back barns still full of mostly Chevy parts. Rows upon rows of radios, carbs, etc. Wish I knew more part numbers, see if anything there was rare.











Making my way into onto the center road of the yard, I noticed a garage just off to the side. I thought to myself, "I don't remember this garage, I wonder what's inside?" I was pleasantly surprised by the answer.







There was a 67 Nova SS and a Pontiac Catalina Convertible with 8 lug rims. Two rare cars if I remember correctly.

















I spent the next few hours walking the yard. Rediscovering what I had found years ago. Sadly with the price of scrap skyrocketing, some of the worst vehicles have disappeared, including the only E-body in the entire place, a 70 Challenger and a 63 Plymouth Fury convertible.









































I walked through mud, snow, ice and almost anything else you could think of. It was just incredible to be going through there again. So many cool old cars, from a Torino GT to a 73 Charger. I wish I had more time, but I knew that time was short if I was to make it to my friends place out near Carthage and still make it home before midnight.




























Realizing it was after Noon, I walked faster and missed large swatches of the yard where to the best of my memory wasn't anything too special. I walked the main row ducking in and out of rows to catch a quick picture of an Imperial or Mustang.













I was at the end of my little junkyarding adventure. I knew the owner had put away his 69 Chevelle SS 396 car into a tractor trailer. Lo and behold I found the trailer! Unfortunately it was WELDED SHUT. I completely understand, but just a disappointment for me. But like he said, it is to protect his stuff from us "nosey" people. Couldn't argue with him there.




I said my goodbyes, and wished them well and departed on good terms with everyone. Next stop was Carthage, for what I hoped would be a good time, and it was.

Here's a cool old gas station in Macomb, IL.