Ralf K (Don Kincl, who helped us realize our new logo) always has lots of terrific pics at his Flickr feed, but these from a visit to Springfield Auto Wreckers are notable. That’s a King Midget in the front.
Ralf K Outtake: At Springfield Auto Wreckers
– Posted on March 9, 2020
Wow, nice shots. Is that an ADO16 behind the MG in the third shot? Or a Simca? I wonder how long it’s been there,
I think it is a Honda N600.
It seems odd to see a scrapped King Midget. I’d think there is always enough room to store one until you get around to fixing or selling it.
I assume these lovely photos are from Springfield Oregon.
Wow, a King Midget in a scrapyard. There can’t be much call for parts for those.
That 56(?) Mercury wagon has a certain appeal even in this condition.
Interesting how this looks neither like (1) a southwestern junkyard nor like (2) an eastern (Rust Belt) yard on a rainy day. No way we’d have something like that Mercury sitting around in Great Lakes territory, so comparatively intact, in the year 2020.
JPC, I’ll second your interest in the offbeat Mercury—a mid-50s car to stand out from the crowd.
King Midget! I used to read ads for them but never saw a real one, sort of figured they were more vaporware than real product.
Is that a hot-rodded Packard 120 next to the COE truck?
Yep, The Packard was a Hot Rod and the Jeep was on a Half Track Chassis, King midget has the frame extended, some real unique customs in the yard, Edchero, and it was pouring down rain, literally holding an umbrella with one hand and camera in the other, wiping the lens every other shot
In December 1950, I was 5,and my Father was afraid the Korean war was escalating and he would be driving his 1948 Desoto Convertible for many years. He bought a 1951 Dodge Wayfarer convertible off the showroom floor. I was thrilled when they opened the large door and I got to ride out.
The Wayfarer was the cheapest Dodge and did not come with a rear seat. Earlier models had side curtains instead of roll up windows. I was more thrilled when we went to a junk yard to purchase a rear seat. We found one of the correct width in a bus. My Mother covered it in semi matching oil cloth. That trip started my lifelong love of junkyards. My first car in 1965 was a 1957 Dodge, but none since.
Awesome shots – the combination of rain and the lighting give them a somewhat surreal look. The first shot is my favourite – the King Midget parked in front of the Jeep, the cab-over Dodge and the Packard looks like a toy destroyed by giants (which it pretty much is). I’ve never seen a King Midget in the metal, but I remember the back-page ads for them.
You scared me for a second. The second picture of that Caddy looks like you captured the Incredible Hulk smoking something “doobious” as is common in your neck of the woods.
Please add second jpeg if possible.
Thanks
Beautiful photos as usual. Ralph has a great eye and a very distinct style. Great work.