When you think of a junkyard, images of wrecked or decommissioned vehicles ready for recycling might come to mind. But in some cases, junkyards are actually private collections curated by enthusiasts who rescue cars from barns and scrapyards. One such hidden gem is located somewhere in Michigan, and it’s a treasure trove for classic car aficionados.
A Journey Through Time: Cars from the 1930s to the 1970s
This unique yard, brought to light by Ryan Brutt of Auto Archaeology, features classic rigs rescued from tow yards, barns, and even abandoned streets. The collection spans several decades, from the 1930s to the 1970s, but it boasts an impressive hoard of muscle cars from the golden era.
Mopar Heaven: A Peek into the Chrysler Section
Our guide, a Mopar enthusiast, takes us through the Chrysler section of the yard, which is filled with Plymouth and Dodge models that would fetch a high price if restored. These include sought-after B-body and E-body cars from the late 1960s and early 1970s.
One of the main highlights is a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda. Introduced in 1970 on the then-new E-body platform, the third-generation Barracuda sold nearly 49,000 units in its first year. However, sales plummeted to fewer than 17,000 units the following year, making the 1971 Barracuda a relatively rare find. The example in this yard is a 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) four-speed ‘Cuda, one of only 534 hardtops produced with this specification.
Road Runner Goldmine
For fans of the Road Runner, this yard has a plethora of them. A standout is a 1970 Road Runner that used to be Plum Crazy purple. Remarkably, it still houses its original 383 V8 engine, a rare sight for a junkyard car. There’s also a rare 1971 Road Runner parked on top of it. With only 3,730 examples made with the 383 and four-speed combo, this find is particularly special.
The Final Iteration: 1975 Road Runner
Although less desirable, a 1975 Road Runner can also be found here. This model, the final iteration of the B-body Mopar, is one of just 7,183 made. Even with its common 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8, it’s a rare find.
Dodge Delights
The collection includes several Dodge Chargers, such as a 1970 Charger 500. For those who appreciate the second-generation Dart, there’s a derelict example from 1962, the sole midsize iteration of the nameplate. Completing the lineup is a 1970 Super Bee, another gem for Dodge enthusiasts.
A Rusty Graveyard
Despite the impressive lineup, many of these classics are in rough shape and unlikely to be restored soon. This collection has transformed into a graveyard of rust buckets, with some cars beyond revival. However, some still have solid parts that could be salvaged.
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