Art in the Junkyard

Art photography by Chris Garza, in various Oregon junkyards. The hearse was not junked, but was driven there by the owner of the Graveyard Carz TV show.

Update

We have been mostly dormant for a variety of reasons, but with founding writers Chris and Colin living in cold-winter climates and the cold season just now making itself known, Insomniac Garage returns to life.

Posting up a pretty nice collection of junker cars, trucks & machinery to start with, then maybe some "affordable project" material.

Wal-Mart Parking Lot Find: Circa 1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible

A Geo Metro may not seem that interesting to many people, but they have their place as dependable, inexpensive transportation, and they have a cult following much like the Crosley, Nash Metropolitan and Kaiser Henry J had in years gone by and still retain to a degree.

The Metro convertible was the top-of-the-line Metro in the early 90s, and as a reliable source of inexpensive open-air motoring (better than the Cavalier, Sebring and LeBaron convertibles ever were or will be), it is still a great choice.

I spotted this slightly tatty but very usable car in a Wal-Mart parking lot in early 2013, it is still seen around Eugene at the time of publication.

Oregon Rust Farm: July 4, 2013

A sight more typical of Central California or perhaps the Great Plains, rusty tin shed with interesting stuff surrounding. I navigated a sharp rusty gate and nearly meter-deep drainage ditch to get to this place, whilst wearing Crocs and gym shorts.

Early travel trailer in ratty but restorable condition.

Rusty trailer side. Rust issues with similar trailers to this one in the early postwar era led to aluminum and wood construction, or pure aluminum aircraft-style construction in the cases of Airstream, Boles Aero, Avion, Streamline and Silver Streak.

50s Chevy tanker truck

Old workhorses left to rust away. 1940s/50s Hyster bulldozer and 1960s/70s International Loadstar flatbed.

Parking Lot Photo Shoot: Porsche 959

Move along, nothing to see here...

Okay, so I cheated a little. This Porsche 959 - more specifically, Bruce Canepa of Canepa Design's modified, street-legal 959 - was in a parking lot just outside of the Danville d'Elegance car show a couple years ago. But dammit, it was in a parking lot and not a car show! And be honest, where else do you think you're going to see a Porsche 959 in the United States? Most are only allowed here as "show and display" cars and can't be enjoyed fully. Canepa builds these cars to go, and go legally right up into second gear at which point you can get into as much trouble as your right foot wants. Canepa's website describes this car as producing 640 horsepower and 570 lb feet of torque and handling better than stock - and it will pass a California smog test.

Oh, how I wish the lighting and positioning were different. This beast deserved better pictures than these.

Parking Lot Sighting: 1972 Mercury Comet GT

Note the rare Dodge Dakota Sport Roadster pickup visible in the background.

Parking Lot Photo Shoot: 1999 Plymouth Prowler

This was a former DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program car, hence the extra lights on the body.

Parking Lot Photo Shoot: 1980 Fiat Strada

Owned by Pintopower on Flickr. Very rare with a factory sunroof. Thanks Alberto for letting me have a look inside your Strada. :)