{"id":76609,"date":"2026-07-24T13:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/?p=76609"},"modified":"2026-07-24T13:19:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:19:41","slug":"ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history\/","title":{"rendered":"L&amp;L Classic Auto Salvage Yard Reveals the Forgotten Diversity and Rarity of American Automotive History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>How Does L&#038;L Classic Auto Redefine the American Salvage Yard?<\/p>\n<p>The evidence suggests that L&#038;L Classic Auto in Wendell, Idaho, occupies a singular position in the landscape of American automotive salvage. With over 8,000 parts vehicles and 400 project cars scattered across 120 acres, the scale alone challenges conventional notions of what a junkyard is meant to be. Unlike the regimented, inventory-driven operations that dominate the industry, L&#038;L\u2019s apparent lack of order\u2014vehicles from the 1920s to the 1990s scattered without obvious logic\u2014creates a dynamic closer to an archaeological dig than a retail experience. This randomness, far from being a liability, arguably enhances the site\u2019s allure for enthusiasts and collectors, who are drawn by the possibility of serendipitous discovery rather than predictable transactions.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, the practical implications of such disorder are not trivial. For the casual visitor, the absence of systematic cataloging can render the search for specific parts or vehicles inefficient, if not futile. The staff\u2019s ability to locate particular vehicles on such a vast and unstructured site remains, by all accounts, something of a mystery\u2014perhaps a testament to institutional memory rather than process. This operational opacity, while romanticized by some, may deter those seeking reliability and speed. The yard\u2019s insurance disclaimer, necessitated by the physical hazards of uneven ground and hidden debris, further underscores the tension between adventure and accessibility.<\/p>\n<p>What Patterns Emerge from the Inventory\u2019s Temporal and Typological Breadth?<\/p>\n<p>A closer reading of L&#038;L\u2019s inventory reveals a microcosm of American automotive history, but with notable anomalies. The yard\u2019s holdings are not simply a random cross-section; they disproportionately feature models that, for various reasons, failed to achieve lasting commercial success or cultural cachet in their own time. Vehicles such as the 1958 Ford Edsel Ranger, the AMC Pacer, and the Cadillac Catera\u2014each emblematic of their era\u2019s ambitions and miscalculations\u2014populate the site in numbers that belie their original market reception.<\/p>\n<p>This pattern is not accidental. The arid Idaho climate, with its low annual rainfall, has preserved many vehicles that would have succumbed to rust elsewhere, creating a time capsule effect. Moreover, the yard\u2019s willingness to retain \u201cundesirable\u201d imports and failed domestic experiments, rather than scrapping them for immediate profit, has inadvertently curated a collection that is as much about the sociology of obsolescence as it is about mechanical survival. The presence of rare survivors\u2014such as the 1953 DeSoto Firedome convertible, one of just 1,700 built\u2014suggests that L&#038;L\u2019s value lies not merely in volume but in the preservation of the marginal and the overlooked.<\/p>\n<p>Why Do Certain Models Persist While Others Vanish?<\/p>\n<p>The persistence of particular models at L&#038;L\u2014such as the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser or the Jeep SJ\u2014raises questions about the mechanisms of automotive survival and neglect. Market forces alone cannot account for the survival of vehicles like the 1969 Dodge Coronet 440, which, despite its performance credentials, is now worth little more than scrap in poor condition. Conversely, the resurgence in value for models once dismissed as demolition derby fodder (e.g., the Vista Cruiser, now buoyed by pop culture references) illustrates the contingent nature of automotive desirability.<\/p>\n<p>Demographic and temporal anomalies further complicate the picture. The yard\u2019s inventory includes European imports like the Ford Cortina and Saab 96, which sold in modest numbers in the U.S. and are rarely seen in American salvage yards. Their presence here may reflect the idiosyncrasies of regional migration patterns or the selective retention practices of the yard\u2019s operators. The site thus functions as an inadvertent archive of both mainstream and fringe automotive histories, challenging the reader to reconsider which vehicles are deemed worthy of preservation and why.<\/p>\n<p>What Are the Second-Order Consequences of L&#038;L\u2019s Approach to Preservation and Sale?<\/p>\n<p>L&#038;L\u2019s business model, which blends the sale of project cars with the piecemeal stripping of others, has implications that extend beyond the immediate economics of salvage. The practice of selling relatively complete, rust-free vehicles at prices ranging from $3,500 to $16,000 introduces a degree of price discovery into a market often characterized by opacity and opportunism. However, the yard\u2019s lack of curation\u2014doors left open, interiors exposed to the elements\u2014can accelerate deterioration, undermining the very value that climatic conditions have preserved.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the yard\u2019s role as a supplier of rare parts and restoration candidates has ripple effects for the broader collector community. By maintaining a reservoir of obscure and otherwise unobtainable vehicles, L&#038;L enables restoration projects that might otherwise be impossible. Yet, this function is structurally limited by the yard\u2019s physical inaccessibility, organizational chaos, and the finite nature of its inventory. As demand for certain models spikes\u2014driven by cultural nostalgia or market speculation\u2014the yard\u2019s ability to meet that demand is constrained by both logistical and curatorial inertia.<\/p>\n<p>How Should the Informed Enthusiast or Collector Engage with L&#038;L Classic Auto?<\/p>\n<p>For those seeking more than a transactional relationship with automotive history, L&#038;L Classic Auto offers both opportunity and caution. The yard\u2019s vastness and unpredictability reward patience, expertise, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Prospective buyers should approach with clear-eyed realism about the condition, provenance, and restoration potential of any given vehicle; the absence of systematic documentation means that due diligence is both more difficult and more essential.<\/p>\n<p>At a structural level, the yard\u2019s continued existence raises broader questions about the stewardship of industrial heritage. Should sites like L&#038;L be celebrated for their preservationist impulse, or critiqued for their lack of systematic conservation? The answer, as the evidence suggests, depends on one\u2019s priorities: adventure versus order, rarity versus accessibility, nostalgia versus utility. Ultimately, L&#038;L Classic Auto stands as a living argument for the value of accidental archives\u2014messy, incomplete, but irreplaceable in what they reveal about the American relationship to technology, memory, and loss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/car-news\/slideshow\/worlds-finest-car-junkyard-62\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"125\" alt=\"L&#038;L Classic Auto of Wendell, Idaho, is surely one of the world\u2019s greatest salvage yards, and definitely one of the US\u2019s biggest vintage car specialists. \" title=\"L&#038;L Classic Auto of Wendell, Idaho, is surely one of the world\u2019s greatest salvage yards, and definitely one of the US\u2019s biggest vintage car specialists. \" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The world\u2019s finest junkyard? Gems from L&#038;L Classic Auto in Wendell, Idaho<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>L&#038;L Classic Auto of Wendell, Idaho, is surely one of the world\u2019s greatest salvage yards, and definitely one of the US\u2019s biggest vintage car specialists. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The yard was founded in 1968, and has more than 8000 parts vehicles spread over its sprawling 120-acre site, ranging in age from the 1920s to the 1990s. Additionally there are more than 400 project cars for sale, and several warehouses packed full of spare parts.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Aerial<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial\" data-copyright=\"Will Shiers\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>We spent several pleasurable hours exploring L&#038;L Classic Auto, but as you can see from this aerial photograph, we would have needed several days to have done the place justice. There is very little order to the stock, and you never know what gems you\u2019re going to uncover down the next dirt track, or lurking behind the numerous rocky outcrops and shrubs that litter this incredible yard.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Cadillac hearse 1954<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-2.jpg\" alt=\"Cadillac hearse 1954\" data-copyright=\"Will Shiers\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>L&#038;L Classic Auto is asking <strong>$5500<\/strong> for this extremely solid 1954 S&#038;S Cadillac hearse. Although it\u2019s missing its driveline, that\u2019s probably not a bad price, considering how rare it is. After all, just 1611 commercial chassis were sold to bodybuilders that year for conversion into ambulances, hearses and flower cars. This one was initially built for a San Francisco-based customer.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Ford Anglia 100E 1953<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-3.jpg\" alt=\"Ford Anglia 100E 1953\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>It looks like someone has taken a can-opener to this British-built Ford Anglia 100E.\u00a0Look at the shape of the door.\u00a0It makes us think that whoever created this monstrosity was attempting to replicate a Nash Metropolitan\u2019s styling.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>More than 100,000 of these cars were built between 1953 and 1959.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Cadillac Coupe de Ville 1977<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-4.jpg\" alt=\"Cadillac Coupe de Ville 1977\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Wendell, Idaho gets an average of just 10in of rain per year, compared with a national average of 38in, which is why the cars at L&#038;L Classic Auto tend to be so solid.<\/p>\n<p>That said, judging by the position of its windshield wipers, it must have been raining on the day that this 1977 Cadillac Coupe de Ville took its final journey.\u00a0Billed as \u201cThe next generation of the luxury car\u201d, the 1977 Cadillacs were smaller and lighter than their predecessors.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1981<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-5.jpg\" alt=\"Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1981\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Between 1978 and 1985 Oldsmobile offered diesel engines, as fitted to this 1981 Custom Cruiser.<\/p>\n<p>Although the V6 and V8 units were initially popular, peaking at 310,000 units in 1981, reliability issues ensured that their success was short-lived.\u00a0In fact they arguably did enough damage to tarnish the fuel\u2019s reputation in the US for car for the next three decades \u2013 at which point another scandal came along, this time courtesy of Volkswagen\u2026<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>AMC Pacer 1979<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-6.jpg\" alt=\"AMC Pacer 1979\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Glass egg\u2019, \u2018pregnant guppy\u2019, \u2018glassmobile\u2019, \u2018pacemaker\u2019 and \u2018fishbowl on wheels\u2019, were some of the more popular nicknames the AMC Pacer picked up over the years.\u00a0But beauty is only skin deep, and between 1975 and 1980 a total of 280,000 people were prepared to overlook its aesthetically challenged exterior, and take ownership of a new one.<\/p>\n<p>According to the scribbling on the side of this car, it was built in 1979.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Cadillac Catera <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-7.jpg\" alt=\"Cadillac Catera \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Like us, you\u2019d probably forgotten all about the Cadillac Catera, which isn\u2019t surprising considering that less than 100,000 were sold between 1996 and 2001.\u00a0Built by General Motors in Germany, and badged as an Opel or Vauxhall Omega in Europe, these cars featured a UK-sourced 3-litre V6 engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is one of 25,411 that hit the road in 1997, its most successful year.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>AMC Eagle 1980 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-8.jpg\" alt=\"AMC Eagle 1980 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Who would have thought that cash-starved AMC would spawn an entirely new class of car?\u00a0But that\u2019s exactly what happened in 1979, when it launched the four-wheel-drive Eagle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s just a pity that the world\u2019s first crossover vehicle was about 30 years ahead of its time. This four-door sedan appears to be a 1980 car, one of nearly 10,000 built in its first year of production.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Lincoln Continental MKIII 1971<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-9.jpg\" alt=\"Lincoln Continental MKIII 1971\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The Lincoln Continental MkIII two-door hardtop coupe, Ford\u2019s flagship vehicle at the time, apparently came about when Ford vice-president Lee Iacocca instructed the designers to put a Rolls-Royce grille on a Thunderbird.\u00a0Unfortunately, the grille is missing from this 1971 example.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman 1957<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-10.jpg\" alt=\"DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman 1957\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The Fireflite was introduced in 1955 as DeSoto\u2019s top-trim car.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, in 1957 when this Sportsman hardtop was built, the Adventurer had taken over the top spot. Of the 28,430 Fireflites to find buyers, less than 7217 were Sportsman hardtops, making this a genuine rarity.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Jeep SJ 1974<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-11.jpg\" alt=\"Jeep SJ 1974\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Hidden behind one of numerous rocky outcrops, we discovered this reasonably tidy 1974 Jeep Cherokee SJ.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We wonder why it ended up here, and more puzzling still is why it hasn\u2019t been rescued yet. Built between 1974 and 1983, the SJ was basically a two-door version of the Wagoneer.\u00a0In 1974 Jeep used the term Sports Utility Vehicle for the very first time.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Rambler Station Wagon 1962<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-12.jpg\" alt=\"Rambler Station Wagon 1962\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>In the early 1960s AMC was on a high, and its Rambler brand was consistently the third or fourth best-selling make of car in the US. But the position wasn\u2019t tenable, and a decade later AMC had dropped to ninth place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This Rambler Classic is one of 100,000 four-door station wagons built in 1962.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Opel GT 1968<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-13.jpg\" alt=\"Opel GT 1968\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>German car-maker Opel, which was owned by General Motors between 1929 and 2017, turned a few heads at the 1965 Frankfurt and Paris auto shows when it showed its GT concept car.\u00a0It was well received, and three years later full production commenced.<\/p>\n<p>Between 1968 and 1973, 103,463 of these attractive fastbacks were built, proving particularly popular in the US, where they were sold through Buick dealerships.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Plymouth Gold Duster<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-14.jpg\" alt=\"Plymouth Gold Duster\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Over the years Plymouth made several special editions of the Duster, including the Feather Duster, Space Duster and this, the Gold Duster.<\/p>\n<p>Introduced in 1970, amongst other things it featured distinctive decals,improved insulation, and plush carpets.\u00a0But the pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance was a snakeskin pattern vinyl roof. But this car\u2019s wire aerial and hole in the front fender weren\u2019t part of the Gold Duster package\u2026<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Ford Cortina <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-15.jpg\" alt=\"Ford Cortina \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Relatively undesirable European imports, like this British-built two-door Mk2 Ford Cortina, can sit in salvage yards for years without yielding a single part.\u00a0Surprisingly though, this one has actually donated one of its rust-free fenders.<\/p>\n<p>The Mk2 Cortina was sold in the US between 1967 and 1970, achieving 60,000 sales. That might sound like a decent figure, but it was dwarfed by the Cortina\u2019s small-car rival, the VW Beetle, which was consistently selling over 350,000 units per year in the late 1960s.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Desoto Custom 1948 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-16.jpg\" alt=\"Desoto Custom 1948\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>When it left the factory this 1948 DeSoto Custom four-door sedan was finished in Butterfly Blue, but there\u2019s not much evidence of that color left. What we do have though is a very solid and complete restoration project.<\/p>\n<p>The car\u2019s inline six-cylinder motor still runs, and the optional semi-automatic Fluid Drive (with Tip-Toe shift) transmission is working. Admittedly the exterior has one or two battle scars, and there\u2019s a smashed window, but other than a missing center grille piece and hood ornament it\u2019s complete.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a similar story inside, where just a sun visor, gear-shift knob and radio buttons are missing. It could be yours for $4500.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Chevrolet Corvair 1960<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-17.jpg\" alt=\"Chevrolet Corvair 1960\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>This 1960 Chevrolet Corvair looks a bit down-in-the-mouth, but then with its windows and interior missing, it has very little to smile about.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Ralph Nader declaring it \u201cunsafe at any speed\u201d, in actual fact the Corvair is the only vehicle ever certified as \u2018safe\u2019 by the US government. In total, close to 2 million of them were built between 1960 and 1969.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 1968 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-18.jpg\" alt=\"Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 1968 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Oldsmobile Vista Cruisers used to be favorites amongst Demolition Derby drivers, but that\u2019s when they had very little value. These days they\u2019re far more sought after, receiving a popularity boost when a 1969 example had a starring role in That 70s Show.<\/p>\n<p>This one, with its characteristic raised roof and panoramic skylights, was built in 1968. Note the rabbit on the right of this picture, one of hundreds that live amongst the cars.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mercury ParkLane 1964<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-19.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury ParkLane 1964\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Only 2420 buyers parted company with the $3413 needed to secure a brand new Mercury Park Lane Breezeway hardtop sedan in 1964. That makes this impressively straight and rot-free example rather rare. Look how the chrome gleams in the Idaho summer sunshine.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Buick Riviera 1972 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-20.jpg\" alt=\"Buick Riviera 1972 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>While some salvage yards are fastidious about ensuring that doors and trunk lids are always closed, it doesn\u2019t seem to be a priority at L&#038;L Classic Auto. This 1972 Buick \u2018boattail\u2019 Riviera\u2019s driver\u2019s door has probably been open for years, which explains why the seat has been totally destroyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We wonder how many years it has sat in this same spot to have sunk this deep into the Idaho dirt.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Frazer Standard 1948 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-21.jpg\" alt=\"Frazer Standard 1948 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Fancy restoring a rare Frazer Standard? If so, spending $3500 on this rust-free 1948 four-door sedan could make a lot of sense. Although there is a bit of external damage, particularly to the front and rear bumpers, other than a missing taillight and rear windshield, it\u2019s all there.<\/p>\n<p>The six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual column-shift transmission are still in place, and other than the door panels, the interior is complete too.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Pontiac Grandville 1973<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-22.jpg\" alt=\"Pontiac Grandville 1973\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The Bonneville\u2019s reign as Pontiac\u2019s flagship car ended in 1971, when the Grand Ville arrived on the scene. It was big and brash, and well received, and this 1973 example is one of 90,172 built that year.<\/p>\n<p>However, the oil crisis of late 1973 had a detrimental effect on the demand for gas-guzzlers, and in 1974 less than half that number of Grand Villes found buyers.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Ford 1959<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-23.jpg\" alt=\"Ford 1959\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Although this picture only features a tiny portion of the yard, you do get a feel for the sheer expanse of L&#038;L Classic Auto. Stick to the miles of dirt tracks which meander through this yard, and it\u2019s relatively easy to navigate around the place, but venture into the tall grass and you\u2019re dealing with uneven ground, boulders and hidden car parts.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no wonder that they asked us to sign an insurance disclaimer before being allowed to explore. At the forefront we have a 1959 Ford.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>DeSoto Firedrome 1953 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-24.jpg\" alt=\"DeSoto Firedrome 1953\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Some of the rarer vehicles have been kept undercover, like this desirable 1953 DeSoto Firedome V8 convertible. It\u2019s one of just 1700 built, and it\u2019s looking for a new home.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Incredibly, the car was driven into the shed some 30 years ago, having covered just 70,897 miles. It is solid, rust-free, and other than a few missing bits of trim, is pretty much complete.\u00a0This particular barn find has an ambitious $16,000 price tag.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Rambler Cross Country 1960<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-25.jpg\" alt=\"Rambler Cross Country 1960\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>As you can tell from the 1964 Cadillac and 1990s Chevrolet Lumina behind the 1960 Rambler Cross Country, there isn\u2019t a whole lot of order to the yard.\u00a0And how the employees are able to locate particular vehicles on the 120-acre site is a mystery to us.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of taking the picture the Rambler was pretty much complete, but seeing as it\u2019s not being sold as a project car, it could well have lost a few more of its valuable parts since then.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Nash Ambassador Country Club 1953 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-26.jpg\" alt=\"Nash Ambassador Country Club 1953 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>This rare 1953 Nash Ambassador Country Club hardtop coupe\u2019s final journey must have been a traumatic one, as it clearly suffered a massive rear-end shunt. Whatever hit it must have been travelling at quite some speed to inflict this much damage to such a solid car.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Chevrolet Step-Van 1960s<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-27.jpg\" alt=\"Chevrolet Step-Van 1960s\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>An early 1960s Chevrolet Step-Van is another resident of L&#038;L Classic Auto that ended up in the yard after a crash. Judging by the damage, it clearly rolled onto its side, and probably slid for some time. That said, it\u2019s a mystery how the door handle survived the accident.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chevrolet Step-Vans were built from 1940 to 1999, and older ones are gaining popularity as quirky mobile catering vehicles.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Jeep Wagoneer 1982 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-28.jpg\" alt=\"Jeep Wagoneer 1982 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>We spotted a number of ex-Police cars at L&#038;L Classic Auto, our favorite being this 1982 Jeep Wagoneer. It belonged to the Sheriff\u2019s Department in Gooding, a small town about 10 miles north of the yard, with a population of just 3500.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Dodge Charger 1972 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-29.jpg\" alt=\"Dodge Charger 1972 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>This was one of two almost identical 1972 Dodge Charger hardtop coupes we spotted. The better of the pair was a project car, and had a $5500 price tag, but this one is gradually being stripped for parts. You\u2019d need to spend well in excess of $20,000 to pick up a decent one today.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Plymouth Valiant Signet 200 1962<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-30.jpg\" alt=\"Plymouth Valiant Signet 200 1962\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>If this 1962 Plymouth Valiant Signet 200 two-door hardtop coupe had a Facebook account, we reckon it would use this rather misleading photo for its profile picture, as it\u2019s definitely its best side, believe it or not.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But look a bit closer, in particular at the blue sky that\u2019s visible through the nearside turn signal orifice, and you soon realise that things aren\u2019t what they seem. The driver\u2019s side is almost completely missing.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Dodge Seneca 1961<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-31.jpg\" alt=\"Dodge Seneca 1961\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>It almost looks as though this 1961 Dodge Seneca was mid-way through a Dukes of Hazzard-style jump when the photo was taken. That said, although the V8-powered wagon could certainly get up to speed, managing 60mph in a fraction over 9sec, it weighs 4000 lb, so wouldn\u2019t be airborne for very long\u2026<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Ford Edsel Ranger 1958<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-32.jpg\" alt=\"Ford Edsel Ranger 1958\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Considering it was one of the biggest automotive flops of all time, a surprisingly large number of Edsels have survived.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This one is a 1958 Ranger four-door sedan, and with 7414 being sold, it proved to be the most popular of the 18 models offered in its first year of production.\u00a0By 1959 the model range had been slimmed down to 10, and dropped to just seven in 1960, its final year.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Imperial Crown Coupe 1965<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-33.jpg\" alt=\"Imperial Crown Coupe 1965\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Whoever purchased this Imperial Crown Coupe two-door hardtop in 1965 specified it with the optional vinyl roof. But unfortunately there\u2019s not much left of it now. It\u2019s also lost its front right fender and a couple of bits of trim.\u00a0On the positive side, the tan interior is complete, the V8 engine and auto transmission are in place, and it\u2019s rust-free.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This classic could be yours for $4,500.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Chrysler Newport 1973 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-34.jpg\" alt=\"Chrysler Newport 1973 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Look at how incredibly straight the bodywork is on this 1973 Chrysler Newport sedan. While this car is huge, measuring 230in bumper-to-bumper, it\u2019s certainly not the biggest barge to sail out of Detroit. That honor goes to the 1974-76 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 nine-passenger sedan, which measured 252.2in.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mercury Cougar 1977<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-35.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury Cougar 1977\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Despite having not been on the road since 2001, this 1977 Mercury Cougar Brougham sedan still looks incredible. From this angle it appears to be 100% complete, and gives the impression that a little bit of elbow grease is all that\u2019s keeping it from winning trophies at a classic car show.<\/p>\n<p>However, it probably has some serious mechanical defects, and the fact that the hood is cracked open, means it may well have parted company with its V8.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Lincoln Towncar 1976<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-36.jpg\" alt=\"Lincoln Towncar 1976\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another incredibly straight car from the same period, which looks like it could be driven straight out of the yard, and onto the highway. Judging by its condition, you\u2019d think it had been parked here yesterday, when in actual fact the sleeping giant arrived at L&#038;L Classic Auto in 2007.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a 1976 Lincoln Town Car, which weighs a whopping 5344 lb. It needed a 7.5-liter V8 to propel it to 60mph in 12.4sec.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Dodge Coronet 440 1969 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-37.jpg\" alt=\"Dodge Coronet 440 1969 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>1969 Dodge Coronet 440s are relatively desirable: after all they can accelerate to 60mph in just 7.5sec, and do a quarter mile in 16sec.But in this condition they\u2019re worth little more than their weight in scrap metal, which in this instance, isn\u2019t much at all.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Chevrolet Nova Custom 1973<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-38.jpg\" alt=\"Chevrolet Nova Custom 1973\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>How do you fancy rehoming a classic? This 1973 Chevrolet Nova Custom four-door sedan is desperately seeking a new owner, ideally someone with deep pockets and plenty of time on their hands, who will restore it to its former glory.\u00a0It seems to be in relatively good condition, so justifies its $4000 asking price.<\/p>\n<p>The third generation Nova was launched in 1968, and remained in production until 1974. They were consistently good sellers, finding 369,511 buyers in 1973 alone.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Studebaker Champion 1958 <\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-39.jpg\" alt=\"Studebaker Champion 1958 \" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Studebaker only built 1455 two-door Champions in 1958, and finding them in salvage yards is incredibly unusual. This one is for sale at $5500, which seems like a reasonable price for such are rare automobile.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Although the rust-free bodywork is straight, and most of the trim appears to be in place, unfortunately that missing rear windshield has had a devastating effect on the interior.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Saab 96 1969<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-40.jpg\" alt=\"Saab 96 1969\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>The 96 was the first Saab to sell in significant volumes in the US, where it was available between 1961 and 1973. This example hails from 1969, and was powered by a European-built Ford 1498cc V4 engine. Back in Sweden, the car enjoyed a 20-year production run, during which time 500,000 were manufactured.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>About the author<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ll-classic-auto-salvage-yard-reveals-the-forgotten-diversity-and-rarity-of-american-automotive-history-41.jpg\" alt=\"About the author\" data-copyright=\"Autocar\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>British automotive journalist Will Shiers has been photographing abandoned American cars for 35 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He has visited all 50 states on his tin-hunting trips, exploring barns, fields, deserts, ghost towns and salvage yards, while searching for hidden treasures. Will has been contributing to car magazines for three decades, and is the author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Roadside-Relics-Will-Shiers-ebook\/dp\/B004Q3QKTC\/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;amp&#038;qid=1663679508&#038;amp&#038;sr=8-1\">Roadside Relics &#8211; America&#8217;s Abandoned Automobiles.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76610,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76609"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76611,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76609\/revisions\/76611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}