Fascinating Junkyard Adventure

No MGs....

I was driving home from an unsuccessful attempt to buy an alfa romeo 164s (it was really only a 164... Sneaky SOB)........ I walked.. The 164s isn't really my style but it is a power car and that could be fun for his price. Oh well..

I saw a junkyard on the side of the road and I always kind of find it like a walk down memory lane, or a trip to the museum so I pulled over to take a stroll... It is my little way to find zen.

I don't know what it is about junkyard personnel, but they always rub me the wrong way... I guess they never turn off the adversarial persona they need come negotiating time... The guy didn't like that I just wanted to walk through the yard without wanting anything specific.... It confused him.

Anyway, I found two TR6s and one Spitfire. I went back in and asked questions about the two TR6s. The guy swore he only had one, but I knew what I saw. He started saying how if he there were two he would know about it cause he used to be into them and fix them up... I started thinking I needed to shut my trap... Well, good thing I didn't cause they were lined up for the crusher. He fixed that little problem.

I asked him if I could buy the two TR6s cause they looked like there was enough there to make one good car. He said the VINs had already been turned into the feds and they can never see the road again.. Just parts cars... That really pisses me off.... Not sure I would buy them anyway.

There were two sets of carbs, two frames and bodies (both with minor wrecks), good glass, one motor, drivetrains, bumpers, interior stuff, tonnau covers, wheels and all kinds of goodies ready to be used for another project. So now I'm thinking of buying a crapper TR6 and giving it a go... Lord help me.

Can anyone tell me where the good Triumph websites are and where I can check the VINs for what year models they were? I will do some surfing later but I'm out the door now cause my wife is staring at me.

Dave

Tony can register it in Alabama real easy!! VIN's are usually pretty easy to buy!! Last one I bought was $100 cdn!! Oh, I love that too, but I never have time!! Why is life sooooooo busy??

What's the #'s? I'll tell you what year they are.

Dave,
Check out this website

<http://www.vtr.org/>

There's a couple of Triumph web sites on my link page of the shop web site. The liks to it's in my signature.

Hmmmmm.....I never have problems with salvage yard guys...maybe its the attitude we take into their yard....had I been there, I guarantee I'd own both cars for less than the cost of VIN's! You just gotta know how to adapt to them...they'll never adapt to you....so, lose the xorrect grammer, sit on their stools, drink something from their machine, shoot the breeze about what's happening....bring them over to your side before you try to see their yard...let them think they're the expert in their yard....

Tow reasons they don't want just anybody roaming around. Theift, and liability. Some yards will let you look only with an aid with you.

Thanks guys..

I'm trying to figure out a way for something cool to come of this. Whether I use this little secret garden of TR6s to build one, or whether I go strip the crap out of them to give others life.... I actually made him an offer for the toneau (sp?) cover on the spot just for the hell of it. He was asking more than I was interested in paying since the whole thing was a fluke anyway. After getting home and cruising the net, I realized his asking price was actually super fair. Hell, I just saved these cars from the crusher, it would be obsurd if he tried to rip me off.... But not unheard of.

I went to this website <http://www.vtr.org/TR6/TR6-production.html> and both TR6s are between 1970-1972. Although one of the vin numbers I have falls between the break between 71-72. The other one is somewhere between 70-71. So no official way to determine actual year for either one from that list. But definitely two years between 70-72.

I never got the spitfire VIN because there was a washing machine sitting on the hood. No respect... It was a chrome bumper with a bulge in the hood.

I need to talk to this guy again after cruising ebay........ Those cars are in demand. No riches or anything, but in demand.

The coolest thing would be to build a TR6 of my own for less than an ungodly price :)

Dave

Very seldom have I had a problem with junkyards folks. Dave, several months ago I found about 20 British cars next to an auto repair place. I am about due to return to see if they are ready to sell. Most were triumphs, but there were also several B's and Midgets. Along with a Merkur.

I have a job where I can travel a lot of back highways in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and SW Missouri, so I get to walk through a lot of junkyards when I have the time.

Tony,

I was friendly and all. Never gave any attitude but was close. I just felt resistance from the get go. You might be right though, I didn't accentuate my hillbilly side (I have one too). So I'm pretty sure I didn't ruin anything beyond repair for a second try.

The first guy I spoke with was a different guy than the guy I spoke to about the TR6s. The first guy just wasn't having it about me wanting to walk around with nothing particular in mind. I had just done the same thing across the street with no trouble. I was about to tell him I wanted to find MG parts, but there was no point cause he would've just turned me away (they had none and I figured as much so why shoot myself in the foot?). I told him I seriously was interested in everything since I was into cars and just looking. He said "from hyundais to mercedes?". I said yes. Then he pointed me towards the door. I guess it is pretty rare someone walks in like that. After finding the TR6s I'm glad I just went for the stroll. I don't even think they would've said they had any had I asked.

The guy I spoke to about the TR6s was totally different. I felt like once I found them (remember he didn't know about the one with the motor) he got kind of possessive. And I thought everything was for sale? Besides they were in line for the crusher!!! Why would he tell me he couldn't sell them if they were in line for the damn crusher??!!

These cars would fit right in in your yard condition wise. Not so great, but a lot of potential. And not on every corner.

So tell me what I need to say to get him over the VIN thing. If you really think you would've driven off with them I'd like to know.

Just out of curiosity I asked the one across the street if they would sell an RX7 I found that was in good condition (not really my thing but it seemed like a fair question). They also said anything behind the walls was never to be sold complete. So by the time I found the TR6s and got the same answer I believed it.

What's the secret? You think I gave a narc vibe? This Federal thing is no joke to these guys, but how can I make them relax? Tell them I have a VIN lined up and they can keep theirs??

Anyway, the one price I got out of him was really fair. I might just go strip them and not hassle with the VIN issue.

First thing I do is establish a relationship with whoever appears to be in charge....if you have a friend with a TR6, possibly go over i it (though the prices will probably go up)...I usually go over in my truck that has "MG Support Vehicle" decals on side & my website address......let him know you're not interested in putting back on road (though its` real easy even if state has VIN registered)....tell him you really want to tow them home & strip & whenever you're finished you'll bring the carcass back....don't mention the VIN again....reason he's saying he`can't sell them is because they have to get so many cars up for the guy to bring his crusher over...&, he's already counted them....y'day I took 3 MGB hulks over to my friend who tossed them on stack for crusher that's coming...right now he has work for crusher for about 2 weeks....
....so, you've gotta put on plain work clothes, drive up in your pickup, convince him you just want to take 'em home to strip....don't even ask for a bill of sale, just pay his price for the cars...titling is easy

Very interesting Tony. Good approach.

I actually drove back to the salvage yard today while out looking at cars. I think I'm gonna go ahead and stand firm on my first impression though. I asked for the guy I spoke with yesterday and it was his day off. I then asked if I could go look at the cars. I came back with an idea of some of the knick knacks I wanted to buy and when I went up to the counter they told me they had instructions not to do anything with those cars unless the guy in charge was there. I don't think I want them THAT bad. I couldn't believe it, I got stone walled AGAIN! The fact that they were in line for the crusher in the first place drives me crazy that now they're like gold all of a sudden. Kind of ruined the 15 minutes I was excited about finding them.

There really are some good parts though. The wire wheels with knock offs are pretty desirable. Motors. All kinds of stuff..

I think next time I'm just gonna call this guy over the phone instead of drive all the way out there and waste my time.

I found a Spitfire GT6 today that runs has title and is a totally awesome deal. Unfortunately I think someone beat me to it (I'm supposed to call the seller in a few minutes to see if the guy took it... He'd be silly if he didn't)...

But back to MGs. I have been corresponding with a guy who has two MG Magnettes for sale. They are pretty much all there, but only one has title so it is pretty much a deal where one will see the road and the other is a parts car. The asking price is $2500. That could be a lot of fun to build up a Magnette. Don't hate me if I'm spelling Magnette wrong. :)

Never getr hung up on titles for anything older than 1974!

Maybe the guy in charge is waiting to sell to you.

Most probably the first impression stuck with him..."If that SOB comes back, tell 'em he's gotta deal wit' me!" Even though you aren't an SOB, perceptions are reality & we don't know what he's thinking...were it me, I'd drive back over to see him face to face....its real easy to say 'no' on the phone!

Ended up buying an LBC this weekend after all. Not one of the ones from the junkyard but a slight step above. I'm gonna post a new thread with pictures of my very own piece of crap 1970 Triumph GT6.. I will need to go back to the junkyard for the front bumper on that Spitfire though. I think it is the same bumper. So I'll see that guy again.

Tony, you have some good advice. I'm gonna listen to it. You could be right about his perception of me. I might have turned him off when he was trying to be king of his yard declaring he only had one TR6. With a stone face I just kept saying "No you have two". I was not trying to be rude, but I was trying to make him believe me. My only other crime may have been a perceptable enthusiasm. Just like buying a house you have to give em the "take it or leave it" vibe. Live and Learn.

Don't forget Dave, there is another side to the story too!! Around here they will let you go look at anything, no big deal, but if you try to 'chat it up', they are waaaaaaay to busy for that!! Last time I tried, he said 'WHAT DO YOU WANT!!!!' My advice (for what it is worth) always be polite, but don't take no for an answer!! They all love me around here!! They let me take my own tools in and everything! I have never bought a complete car from a scrapyard though!! Actually, a lot of times they deliver to my house, and believe me, I really don't spend a whole buch at any given scrapyard in a year!!

Local syrapyards call me when they get LBC's in...&, they call me if they have a customer who wants parts...I'm their 'British lot'....
....gut may have known he had 2 but was saying he only had 1 for sale...my local guy will sometimes have a vehicle he's holding on to like the TR250 I've been looking at for years...its simply not in his yard even though I walk past it everytime I head out to the Jaguars!...or, he could've been an a$$hole!

Oh, front bumper on Spitfire & GT6 are same...only, don't tell him you just bought it...tell him you need to get a better one than you have...ask for all bolts & connections...heck, volunteer to pull it yourself with the understanding thast you won't cut any wires, make a mess, etc...maybe ya'll'll become friends!