North Providence Auto Salvage Junkyard Recon 2022

7/12/22

Sam: We return back to North Providence Auto Salvage! A lot of these cars were previously documented in the original North Providence Auto Salvage junkyard recon entry we did back in Summer 2021, however the shop moved a few out of the trees at some point, so we were able to get a better look at some of the cars. There were also a few new arrivals. We really didn't have any reason to go here, other than to get a spare rim for my grandmother's Camry, but we wanted to take a walk around. Plus, David had never been before and I wanted to show him all the cars in the yard I'd been telling him about.

David: I did my best to capture the classics that were sitting in the back lot, although some were worse for wear rotting into the ground and I couldn't get the best angles. I think the only car I really missed that wasn't previously photographed from Sam's visit last year was a Ford Falcon that was tucked away behind some panel trucks. It seems Sam has faith that a lot can be saved someday. I too hope they will be, as anything beats the crusher. As Sam too pointed out, I was excited to visit the yard as I hadn't been the first time he did, so I wanted to get the true North Providence Auto Salvage experience.

1975 Chevy Monte Carlo with a Missing Engine

Sam: This battered Monte had arrived since I'd last visited the yard. If I didn't find that washer reservoir pickup tube at Firth's, I could have grabbed one off of it. I was considering buying the bumper jack out of the back, but I couldn't find the base. The car was mostly complete inside, with the interior surprisingly intact. The quarters were solid, but the landau top had gotten the better of the roof and rusted it out in the C-pillar. That's likely what ended this car's life.

1963 Ford Fairlane Sedan

Sam: Moving on, we have the 1963 Fairlane 500 that I had once considered buying. It had been moved out into the open, but was virtually the same otherwise. Fortunately, there's a chance this car might get saved. The owners of the yard have it up on FB marketplace for $900. That might seem a bit much to some people (not me), but worst-case scenario, there's $900 worth of parts there. I know it needs a driver's side floor pan and the top edge of the passenger side fender, but there could be more rust lurking underneath. Hopefully, it gets rescued.

Above: 1965 Buick LeSabre Custom Sedan

Sam: And here's the old Buick that I foolishly considered buying. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't since I later found out that the rear quarters had aluminum pop-riveted on them and the rear end was missing. Not much had changed in the year since I had seen it. I took a photo of the cowl tag and confirmed that the two-tone paint job was original. I also found out that it was the higher-trimmed LeSabre Custom rather than the regular LeSabre I originally thought it to be. If this car's still around in about five years, I might entertain buying it, just for parts for mine (GM B-bodies shared some parts amongst themselves), or as a very ambitious restoration project.

1973 Ford Mustang Grande

Sam: Here's a better photo of the Mustang Grande. It, too had been moved out into the open. The motor was still sitting in it, and I discovered that it was a factory AC car. The Grande was the luxury version of the Mustang, which might explain why this one ended up here instead of being saved. One thing's for sure. The hole caused by the vinyl top certainly hadn't gotten any smaller!

1978 Ford Ranchero

Sam: This Ranchero was in the weeds the last time I had visited the yard. Sitting out in the daylight, this car actually looks to be in good shape. It's missing the drivetrain, but the sheet metal is in good shape and there really isn't any rust on it. I'm guessing it's probably still sitting here because these last-gen Rancheros aren't as collectable as their earlier counterparts. Regardless, this car's a great project for the right person, an automotive blank canvas. Could there be an eventual LS swap or EV conversion in its future, or will it rot into the ground before it gets rescued?

1967 Chrysler 300

Sam: This Chrysler 300 was in the yard the last time I had visited, but I forgot to photograph it. The body was a bit rough, with some rust peeking through in the rear quarters. This time, I was able to open the hood and see the 440 engine that was sitting inside it. Someone had painted it with a can of lime green spraypaint (don't ask me why). The radiator and other engine accessories were sitting inside of the car, which had been stripped of its interior. There's probably not too much left here but parts, but if you had enough time and energy (and money), you might be able to get it back on the road. It would definitely be a huge undertaking.

1971 Ford Country Squire Wagon

Sam: The Country Squire Wagon returns in just the same condition as we left it a year ago, the only addition being a shirt atop the "beak" of the grille. Maybe they wanted to protect it? Regardless, I'm glad to see this car weathering well. It means there's more of a chance it will survive long enough to get rescued.

Toyota MR-2 Mk.I

Sam: This old MR-2 was once a project driver of someone. There was an old URI sticker on the back, and the matte black paint looks to be a rattle can job. It's a shame it ended up here. I don't know much about these 80s cars, so I can't say what drivetrain it had in it other than that it was a manual. Despite being in the yard for a bit, the car was still fairly complete.

David: Yeah, out of all the cars here, this MR-2 looked to be the most savable. Once again, if I had my dream garage and all the money and space in the world, I would rescue this car. If anyone in the Tri state area is looking for a nice MR-2 project, check out North Providence Auto Salvage!

Remains of a Battered GMC Tow Truck

Sam: This old, smashed tow truck was hidden in the trees on the edge of the yard. I don't think there's a straight panel left on this car. It's been the victim to trees, forklifts, and who knows what else. I think it might have been one of the original tow trucks owned by the yard, as there's a photo in the office of an identical GMC truck pulling a flatbed of junked cars. I'll have to ask the owner the next time I'm at the yard if this is the case.

1959 Ford Thunderbird

Sam: This "Bondo Bird" was sitting in a different section of the yard alongside some newer cars. The rockers and lower quarters were pretty rough, and there was a big dent on the hood. It was still a complete car, despite its flaws, so I'm sure someone could find a use for it. I don't think anyone currently makes reproduction quarter panels for these cars, so restoring this one would be a bit of a challenge. I think the last tags on it were from sometime in the 90s, so it's been off the road for a bit. This car also appeared to have the same plastic JC Whitney mirrors that had been installed on my Impala. And just like mine, they were both missing the mirrors! Hopefully, someone can save this poor car. The least they can do is give it some better mirrors.

1985 Honda Accord

Sam: Last, but not least we have this 2nd Gen Honda Accord. These are very rare finds these days, as every generation of Accord is run into the ground and becomes scarce with the passing of time. The rear windshield was blown out and the driver's side fender was kinked, but this car was otherwise complete and undamaged. I think the yard was saving it, as it was parked over to the side of the crushing area. When I returned a couple of weeks later, it was still there just the way I had found it, but the red SUV next to it was gone. I hope it finds a home somewhere.

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