A Simple Guide to Finding a Car at the Junkyard
Everybody likes the idea of scoring a classic car or truck at the junkyard—especially as TV restoration shows have taken to highlighting builds seemingly resurrected from scrap. But while the romantic notion is nice, it’s important to remember that the days of easily finding a desirable car at the junkyard are behind us. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible—just that you need to have a particularly sharp eye, especially if a valuable restoration is the goal.
So, with that in mind, we’ve compiled some of the best tips and tricks we’ve picked up over the years and put them into a short, simple guide to finding a car at the junkyard. We’ve also listed some great resources and YouTube channels that have helped us score a few gems.
Know What to Look For
Here in the States, most of us link the word “classic” with iconic cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, leaving many others to the wind. What’s more, many people limit themselves to specific generations of these cars. For example, something like the 1968-1970 Roadrunners have always been a favorite among muscle car enthusiasts, making them popular targets while later models were often left behind.
Check out this list of underappreciated (and underrated) “alternative muscle cars” by Zero to 60 Times for a few out-of-the-box ideas next time you’re walking the junkyard or nosing through the classifieds. Many of the vehicles on that list may not be as popular as the traditional classics, but they offer impressive performance and demand lower prices.
But maybe you’re not interested in classic muscle. Maybe your idea of a nostalgic car is a vintage pickup or SUV—a noticeable trend at the auctions right now. The snag there is that a lot of these babies were crushed during the Cash for Clunkers program for being big and wasteful gas guzzlers. While the classic models were spared (the program excluded cars built before 1984), a lot of good-condition Explorers, Jeep Cherokees/Grand Cherokees, and Blazers still got tossed in the crusher.
Again, this doesn’t mean you can’t find them. (Old XJs are still a dime a dozen where I live.) It just means it could be a little tricky to find the right one—especially at the junkyard.
That means, know your niche.
Brush up on what models sport compatible parts and be prepared to look beyond the vehicle in your head. For example, the Roadrunner was built on the B-body platform, which means it’s nearly identical to Satellites, Sebrings, and GTXs. And while people might eat up the GTX and Roadrunner based on the badging, Satellites and Sebrings can be just as badass when built right.
And why not head further down that rabbit hole? Chrysler’s B and E platforms may be their signature cars, but plenty of A and C platform rides sported similar performance and truly great styling. They just never really got the love they deserve.
Act Fast
Some junkyards will let you know when a certain vehicle becomes available. Similarly, if you’re doing your scavenging online, you can set alerts and filters to help find that diamond in the rough. But remember that a lot of other guys are probably doing the exact same thing. So, keep a slush fund handy and don’t procrastinate.
This extends to good parts deals at the junkyard, as well. “Get it while you can,” advises HOT ROD Network. “Most junkyards will sell a complete engine with all its accessories and brackets for much less than the sum of the individual part prices. Not only does having every bracket and bolt make your future swap easier, you might have a hard time even finding some of these parts for a less-common motor when you need them.”
Check out HOT ROD’s Junkyard’s Spotters Guide for more words of wisdom like those above. Seriously—give it a read, memorize it, and then print it out just in case. From how to distinguish between different engines to why “grosser is better,” it reads like a literal treasure map.
Consult the Experts
As we said before, finding a junkyard car is pretty trendy right now. And that means that you can tune into shows like Roadkill (and Roadkill Extra), Junkyard Gold, Rust Valley Restorations, Gas Monkey Garage, and a host of other TV and online shows to gain some more knowledge on the topic. They’ll also help you get a jump on any upcoming trends—so if you’re in this to make some money, that insight is helpful.
Check out Uncle Tony’s Garage on YouTube while you’re at it, too. His focus is classic muscle cars but the way he approaches the content is a little different. It’s also based on a raw passion for these vehicles, which is refreshing to see. The knowledge and tips that he shares surround true-to-form hotrodding, and he even has a few videos where he discusses getting into the scene through junkyard sourcing. (See one below!)
Remember Your Budget
While we recommend being open to some out-of-the-box thinking, a budget’s a budget. Sure, everything is fixable with the right level of skills and money, but this isn’t the reality for most of us.
Even on Rust Valley Restorations, I witnessed them put a project on the back burner because the frame was bent—even though they had a guy to do the job for them. And David Freiburger said in a recent Roadkill Extra segment that he walks away from a project if parts like the cowl are rusted through. These types of repairs can be very involved and potentially blow a budget out of the water. (This is especially true with odd-ball cars that lack parts support.)
Remember, a vehicle lands in a junkyard for a reason. Find that reason. Just because something may be rare or desirable doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s worth your time or money.
Be Realistic with Your Expectations
The last thing—and first thing—you need to know, is not to head to your local U-Pull It to find classic cars and trucks. Sure, there are some exceptions to this, but generally speaking—you’re going to have to do some digging. Ask around and hit up your buddies and fellow enthusiasts for where the local gold mine is. (Just be prepared to do some schmoozing—most people may not be inclined to share their secret spot.)
