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June 2, 2008
Ever Had a Parts Car?
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor
I got my first parts car this weekend. It’s a non-running Ford Escort diesel, and I hauled it all the way back from southern Washington with my Eagle. I’m a little conflicted about it, because having parts cars seems to defeat the whole purpose of saving every possible one from the crusher. Actually, considering what I have planned for the car, I feel like a bit of a murderer. But this rare diesel is pretty far gone. It likely has a bad engine, as it was reportedly four-wheeled in a field by some kids until all the coolant dumped out and it stopped running. It’s partially disassembled, with the valve cover off and the internals exposed to the elements, and some of the most impossible-to-find parts have already been stripped. It was destined for the junkyard, and it hasn’t been started by either of its last two owners. In other words, to make this one right again would likely require that a whole ‘nother diesel Escort be sacrificed—and the buck’s gotta stop somewhere. So this one’s going to become a donor car for my current diesel Escort project, which does stand a good chance of running again. I’ve got it stashed in a friend’s garage, where I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks stripping everything off it before sending it to the junkyard to get picked over further. It’ll be awesome to stockpile all those obselete parts that I can’t get anywhere else, but that doesn’t mean I’m super-happy about dismantling a car that there’s probably only a few dozen of left.
How about you? Did you ever get a parts car for any of your projects? How’d that work out?
Comments
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GTwildfire
Jun 3, 2008 at 3:08 am
Not to get too freudian on you, cars feel no emotions, and belief otherwise is known as pathetic fallacy.
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take what you need, try and help connect what you don’t need with those in need and discard the shell. You’re doing the right thing but… won’t they give you a hard time having a parts car in a public garage? Better get a HUGE drip pan and make sure you put it in the most popular spot, ok?
Danny
Jun 2, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I actually bought ANOTHER 2007 Charger that was smashed from the front for some extra parts I needed and sold the broken up engine and trans and a lot of the rest of it just so I didn’t have to dump it.
Danny
Jun 2, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I actually bought ANOTHER 2007 Charger that was smashed from the front for some extra parts I needed and sold the broken up engine and trans and a lot of the rest of it just so I didn’t have to dump it.
cknarf
Jun 2, 2008 at 5:52 pm
in the used car binnis, we get ‘em all the time.
danielleb
Jun 2, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I had a parts car last summer for my 87′ CRX… I picked it up for $300 and sold it for the same price… without all the lights/housings, interior pieces, header panel, honda hubs, one of the rims, and spoiler. I think I did pretty good with it. I called him Mr. Rusty!
Corey (aka sasktrini)
Jun 2, 2008 at 2:19 pm
After stripping any valuables out of my 85 GMC Vandura, I sold it for parts… wouldn’t you know that the guy wanted an engine, tranny and tires… basically all that was good for parts… a perfect match! He’s throwing the V8 (20K km since rebuilt!) in his S10… So my first vehicle will live on strong. You are recycling, and it’s better to have one running example of your ride than two that don’t function. Quality, not quantity.
Highspeedhijinks
Jun 2, 2008 at 12:48 pm
You technically did save this car. You are keeping the spirit of the car alive with its parts… kinda. Saving any stock part from a crusher should be concidered rescued or perserved ect.
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I still think you should make that diesel wagon a sema worthy show car. haha Twin turbo bio-diesel sitting on a air ride system and a “bio-green” paint scheme. haha. Good luck with the parting out Jen.
John
Jun 2, 2008 at 10:39 am
I’m kind of in the same boat. I still have my very first car – ‘95 3.4L V6 Camaro. Both head gaskets blew a few years ago and the car has just been sitting. The question now is what to do with it. Fixing the engine doesn’t make sense because it’s just a V6 and I’d have to pull it to do the repairs. So if I was going to pull it, I might as well swap it for a new/used V8. To do that I’d have to part out a wrecked/used car OR use mine as parts for another V8 car in rough shape. The car is pretty much worthless now, so I have to do something, but what?