Let’s view some winter junkyard finds by canadiancatgreen, one of our most prolific Cohort contributors. For today, it will be a 1980s collection, a way to revisit that decade of automotive contrast and change through these frozen relics.
We’ll start with this 1984 Lincoln Town Car, from a time when many could sense this type of car was on its waning days. After all, these were generally not aspirational items with my generation. Not that it’s bad to see this relic from the era.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, an ’84 VW Jetta. A rational yet sharply styled product for the early ’80s, with a sense of sober and practical style. Very in tune with the era, though in general VW was quickly losing ground in North America by that time.
Here’s what took over VW’s mantle, Japanese economy models. Each year, more polished and accomplished . This is a 1982 Tercel, the second generation of Toyota’s first FWD offering. If rust could be kept at bay, these were awfully long-lasting. However, this one is finally on its last and final trip to meet its maker. Or foundry, more precisely.
The 1980s would prove to be GM’s decade of hell, but before then, some last moments of splendor appeared.
Ok, splendor may be an overstatement, but this 1980 Cadillac Eldorado still belonged to a crop of products that struck the public’s fancy. Never mind the generally disliked wire wheel covers on this pale yellow one, I know these “sheer look” Eldos have their fans out there.
Not many Chrysler products on today’s junkyard visit, but this ’89 Fifth Avenue is quite illustrative of the company’s early ’80s output.
Can you say 1980s without showing a Chevrolet Caprice Classic? I think not.
Here’s an ’81 Datsun 280Z, from a period when the once much heralded sports model was turning rather porky. It stands next to a 2000s Cube. The pair makes a good showcase about Nissan’s perplexing moves, with their knack of creating hits, followed by disappointing sequels. Or creating just plain oddballs.
Another very ’80s silhouette with this ’88 Celebrity. Where have they all gone?
Ford’s Escort had adopted some of the company’s rounder Aero styling in 1985; the look that would define the 1980s when their Taurus dawned.
Here we got an ’89, with some odd corrosion on its paint.
Here’s a curious bright spot for GM in that era, an ’86-’91 LeSabre; this time a 1990 model. A vehicle line that generally gets comments and memories filled with approval and flattery.
We’ll close with this 1990 Ford Tempo, from the ’88-’94 generation, though the vehicle hadn’t changed a great deal in concept and execution since its dawn in ’84.
Technically, we’re missing at least a Taurus, a K-car and some Hondas for a more comprehensive 1980s tour, but we can’t always find what we want when we go to a junkyard. Of course, it’s something that might be solved with another visit. Which we’ll certainly make at some point.
I feel cold just looking at this. Ultima Thule Car Salvage. Trying to loosen rusty nuts in sub zero temperature is one of life’s pleasures I don’t miss.
Indeed. this was what I did for a living for three years, rain or shine. It snows here a bit in Bellingham, WA. Not to mention the winter windstorms coming out of the Frasier Valley.
I’m shocked that so many of those cars still have wheel covers on them. That Eldo, 5th Ave and Caprice are covers I would have thought people would be searching for.
When I see these, I often think back about the day those cars were brand new and sitting on the dealer showroom or sitting in front with a big bow for the new buyer.
Don’t forget the A-body/G-body GM cars of ‘81 through about ‘88. That’s the Chevy Monte Carlo, Olds Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Buick Regal. Downsized, body-on-perimeter frame, rear wheel drive. Sometimes called the “metric” car. Owners loved them, and they were cars people still aspired to, unlike a lot of ‘80s Detroit iron that was considered a real compromise, even when the new car owner was driving it off the dealer lot.
That Caprice is a 1977-79 coupe with the bent-glass rear window that’s probably worth good money if intact.
I will call it a ’77 Impala based on the tail light style and the wheel cover.
They all look so sad all cold and lonely. The contributor is either Greasy Flip Dean or he has been following him around the past few weeks as I have seen some of these lovelies on the Cold War Motors YouTube show.
That “89 Chrysler 5th Ave is the last year for the classic torsion bar,rear wheel drive layout from Chrysler.These cars were bulletproof.My father still drives a “85 5th Ave in the winter.And he has a good “87 model for the summer.They all looked alike from “82-“89.People always rag on the “lean burn” ignition system.But I’ve only had 1 computer go bad in my lifetime of driving.And that was fixed with another junkyard computer.A simple $10.00 fix.There is something about a spring loaded hood ornament,white wall tire,wire wheel cover,column shifted automatic,landau vinyl top covered,chrome bumpered,rear wheel drive car that the kiddies of today have never had the privilege of enjoying.I know I like “em like that.
YouTube’s “Cold War Motors” associate “Dean” did a junkyard tour in a recent episode. They’re near Edmonton, where there’s lots of cheap land & is a long way from steel mills, so there’s lots of old iron in the region.
I have a 89 Celebrity, which looks identical to that one including the color, in my driveway. Best car I’ve ever had. Been driving it for 22 years and runs great. I don’t drive it in the winter, or it would have been long since rusted away by now.
BRrrrrr…….
I remember those days, why I stopped when I landed in Southern California 55 years ago .
Glad I no longer have to fight snow, ice AND rust =8-) .
? Anyone here know where I can buy a Ford corporate Trac-Lock rear axle for a Ranger or Mazda B2300 ? .
It fits from ’94 ~ ’09, drum brakes and has 6L73 7 5 on the derby cover’s embossed tag and “F6” on the VIN decal in the driver’s door jamb .
I’ll come take it out .
I saw my breath early this morning and didn’t even *touch* my tools, I fed the dogs and took my Sweet out for breakfast .
-Nate
I saw one of those newer Tempo’s today, under its own power. In Oregon of course.
There is virtually no snow here. Many parts of Canada have alarmingly low snow like this. It may hurt the local water tables in Spring. Compared to the past, much of Canada is now significantly milder, with less snow. The truly frigid and deadly past. The Edmonton area used to be renowned for its utterly frigid winters. Temps now, are less severe. Here in Ottawa, we used to get regular heavier snow storms (20+ cms). Rare now.
I am surprised at the age of these cars. Amazing, they are still around.
Speaking of Chevys that haven’t been seen in ages, just yesterday I saw a Citation coming the other way and it wasn’t just any old Citation but an X-11. It was in pretty good condition, from what I could tell.
Aside from maybe the 280ZX, not one of those cars can be considered “collectible”, though the Eldorado might be able to help with a part or two for a 1984/5 convertible.
The 90-91 LeSabre still looks good now