The Last Ambulance at French Lake Auto Parts

S

Scott A. Anderson

I took a drive to French Lake Auto Parts, a well known Minnesota salvage yard, today. This is a pretty large salvage yard. There are acres and acres of cars. In past visits, there had been a few pro cars and many GM cars that could also provide a source of parts. I was disappointed to discover that only one Pontiac ambulance remains. There were only a handful of 70's vintage Cadillacs. It appears the economy has forced the owners to sell a whole lot of cars for scrap. What had in the past been row upon row of cars is now a lot of open land.

It was a bad day for parts scavenging, but at least it was a very nice day for a ride in the country.
 

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the limo still there. we got that same story on the north-land visit. been nice if the man had let it out to get the parts now or never.
 
French Lake

As anyone who has been to French Lake over the years knows, this place is pure heaven for car collectors and restorers. Owner Skip Nolan and his family are wonderful people that have really gone out of their way for the old car hobby. French Lake has been a Corporate Sponsor of the PCS Northland Chapter for several years and has always been an inviting and enticing place for us to visit. it's just one of those places that is neat to visit, whether you need parts or not.

Skip once told me that if the price of scrap metail reached a certain point, they'd have to consider crusihing everything and retiring. I know they've been postponing that for awhile, but we're starting to see things heading in that direction, unfortunately. For a place that at one time had a couple dozen professional cars, they're down to the '68 Pontiac Scott posted, and maybe a few limos. Cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s seemed limitless, but now are disappearing in bunches.

After losing Porky's, our beloved cruise spot in St. Paul, and now it seems like French Lake is slowly fading, we need to make the most of the hobby. If you know of a good old car salvage yard or local drive-in, don't put off going there...you just can't take those places for granted anymore.
 
Old salvage yards

There is a salvage yard about an hour from where I live that has several classics there. I was there a few weeks ago. The owner has to be in his 80's and his son is his only employee. The yard covers 100 acres and contains 4000 cars according to the son (I believe it to be accurate from what I saw). It is 65+ years of collecting without crushing. I did not see any pro cars but several old cadillacs and other cars with glass and trim still in good condition. There are cars clear back to the 30's. A lot of history there. I am planning on going back soon and I will take my camera and post some photos.
 
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