Sunset American Junkyard, USA

Sunset American Junkyard is a wonderful collection of abandoned classic cars. This collection is the remains of a large junkyard, filled with hundreds of cars ranging from 1950’s to 1990’s. It seems that the junkyard has been largely abandoned for many years, although recent tyre tracks indicate someone still frequents this decaying car graveyard from time-to-time.

We visited on a summer evening, enjoying the final hours of daylight in among these rusting treasures.

The older cars are on the more overgrown side of the junkyard, and are packed tightly bumper-to-bumper. This makes most of the vehicles inaccessible, and with the impending sunset we prioritised accessible photogenic cars next to dirt tracks. We enjoyed some beautiful American-made automobiles, focusing on the older models.

1960’s Buick LeSabre

This appears to be a second-generation model, suggesting this car was manufactured between 1961 and 1964. The Buick triple-shield logo appears embedded in the front grill, later 1960’s models had the rectangular variation of this badge which was embedded in a body-coloured panel within the newer grid designs.

Honda CB175 1960’s/1970’s Motorbike

Our most surprising find of the evening; a Honda CB175, sitting neatly on the back of a pickup truck. This rare 1960’s/1970’s model motorbike even has the tattered remains of the original seat, and is clearly in need of some love and care.

1950’s Cadillac Coupe deVille

This early  model appears to have once been black or navy blue, the once shiny chrome bumpers are buckled suggesting a frontal collision.

1980’s Navy Blue Cadillac Coupe deVille D’elagance

This is a post-1983 model, as pilot badges on headlights were only introduced in models after that year. The prominent hood ornament is still attached, which is a rare occurrence in an abandoned car.

1970’s Green Mercury Cougar

The last car photographed as we left the junkyard was a 1970’s Mercury Cougar, with bright green paint. This appears to be a second generation model, built between 1971 and 1981.

1950’s Studebaker Champion

The design of this car suggests the 1952 model. The 1952 Commander model is very similar from the front, but the shape and details on the lower part of the front bumper suggests the is a Studebaker Champion.

1960’s Cadillac Coupe deVille or Calais

The rear end of this red Cadillac is difficult to assign to an exact model. It appears to be a 1960s Coup deVille, but could also Calais which look very similar from behind. The Cadillac logo above the license plate mount still rotates, to reveal the boot key-lock mechanism.

1960’s Dodge Coronet 500

A blue rusty Dodge was very overgrown after years of neglect.

(Note: Thanks to everyone who assisted with identifying these cars! Please leave a comment if you can offer any interesting information on these models, or if some of the identifications are not accurate 🙂 )