Slick 60's

After several years I have seen this happening in the salvage yards that you pull your own parts ,, ESPECIALLY in Calif....

this is what I have noticed,, 1965 and 1966 Core Supports CUT just so the Motor can be pulled easy
Front Fenders Cut with sawzalls cause could not get botttom bolts out

Saw a set of rust free solid 53-56 Front Fenders cut in half for who the heck knows

then up in the High Desert a set of 59/60 fenders cut in half that where solid

67-72 Hoods cut open just to get the side hood emblems off without using a socket,, that has happened many times in Nevada,, I have seen at least 10-12 Hoods ruined like this

Bottom line I seen just no regards for anybody else that might need that part whether be for resale or somebody hunting for weeks only to find that some xxxhole cut it with a saw.. I know if I was looking for that special part only to see it destroyed by some moron words would be exchanged

I know how you feel. my 57 wagon had the valances and grill cut out with a torch so they could get the motor out.

maybe we are now seeing the down side of Battery powered saws and angle grinders!, in the past it would of been easier to undo the bolts and now the nuts just cut everything!

I don't get it either. You can get engines anywhere. The valuable stuff is the sheet metal and trim. People are idiots.

I know what your saying. Even engines with valve covers removed and then not even set back on top just to keep it dry as possible. Some of them older engines are hard to come by.

The salvage yard owner should charge the people for the parts the ruin. I haven't been to a pick and pull yard in over 25 years, but I remember they used to watch everyone like a hawk.

Many times the yard is the problem. Many off them offer part removal services. When they do it, they don't remove every nut and bolt. They will cut it out.

these yards that have seen are strictly you pull,, unless something real big that a forklift is required,, they also have all there own big chain hoists on car wheels that can pull engines, beds etc...so thats not the exuse here

Those types of yards around here offer those services as well. I really don't see it that much around here but when I do it makes me sad. The fact that some of the cars I see in the yards have been scrapped is sad - their ultimate fate is the crusher, unless someone with the room, time, and money finds them just in time.
You also have to consider that those types of yards cater more to the average joe who just needs to get his newer car back on the road. They don't have the passion and experience we have. They don't care if they destroy 15 parts just to get to one - it's just transportation to them.

I might be a bit toward the other extreme. I had a friend scrap an old VW bug shell. He asked me to help him load it onto the trailer and take it to the scrap place. I told him straight up that "the body might not be perfect but there are a lot of good panels that someone can use. It belongs to you so if you want to scrap it, scrap it, but I'm not helping you in any way with this." I was upset. The bug was scrapped, not with my help.

Perhaps you are seeing it more in the western states because that is where you have to come to get your parts anymore.
I tend to believe that people in general are becoming more selfish and self centered, I get offended because it is a hobby I love, much the same as when salvage yards want twenty percent less than new parts out here. I don't believe everything out west is bad, it just gets magnified because of the greed

Here, they don't keep stuff very long if it is old, and they won't sell you the whole car, only parts. In addition, Asking for any kind of help will get you a look that says what kind of idiot are you? Independant assholes, and most of those that work there are just as bad. I watched one of these idiots destroy a pristine 67 to 72 bed . NO rust no dents, and no damage, had a camper on it all it's life. You can't find an older truck in one of these yards anymore. Since the price jump on scrap, many of our yards, that did have this stuff, have hauled it off, and some yards are gone entirely. Parts are getting more scarce every day, and prices are just as high as on Ebay for most things, and you have to remove the parts yourself. I buy whole trucks and take those apart and salvage the trucks myself jsut to save money and the parts. With scrap as high as it is, and the city taking a dim view of junk setting around, it gets tougher everyday to save a truck from going to the crusher. Truth is, No one wants to buy one of these trucks around here, as there are few Ford people, and we are a financely depressed area, and have been for many many years.

Rich

This will make you cry! The U-Pull yards I've seen in Phoenix drive the forks under vehicles sideways, and then just heave-ho, virtually totalling PERFECT rust-free styleside beds, rockers and front fenders. It makes me wanna scream. They just don't care, and there aren't enough pickers willing to buy a bed, so to them the truck will get crushed anyway. There's a couple uni's up there that are just not restorable anymore because of this. Still have perfect frames, but unless you only need a frame...

The pull and saves in the Spokane area do not allow battery operated power tools into their two yards. As far as what they use to get stuff removed for you I dont know as I have never had the yard pull anything for me. They do have employees that come around while you are working so if you do manage to smuggle one in you better work fast or that might be your last time there.