I made the trek down to Leon's Auto Parts in, of all places, Leon Virginia. People from around DC probably know of the place. There are a lot of old cars there, cars from the 50's and 60's. But of course the three skylarks are ate up.. From what I can tell there is only one poor guy that runs the place and he has the "harried-inkeeper" act down pat. They got some crazy rules: If you get there near closing time you have to put up a hundred dollar deposit. If you are in there at noon they lock the gate and go to lunch. They turn the dogs loose at four thirty. If you are there when the gate is locked you have to pay fifty dollars. I guess theres a precedent that caused all those rules. I'm sure this place has seen its share of dum-dums that wanted a radio knob off a 54 "pindowski", but I had money in my pocket and I was willing to spend it given a chance. The place is now a u-pull-it. You sign a waiver and he gives you a map. Everything is a hike. Uphill..both ways. Ok, so I can't drive in the yard, the part is a mile from here in the woods. Can I bring my own burro and pack it outta there? So I'm complaining a little here. There's a lot of good stuff in there, but there is no forseeable way to get it out. You can die of a heart attack dragging it out, or take to long and get torn apart by wild dogs. Gee, are those the only two choices I have? :laugh: Still, it was fun, in a sick kind of way, to hike around and look at old cars. I think next time I get that urge I'll lay down till that feeling goes away.
yeah - its a fun place. If you want something big (engine?) they will haul it up for you. Been there for many years, as you could tell. I love the maps and the number system. I found many buicks there, some with trees growing through them! lol - Bill
Leon inharited the place from his father sometime in the 80s. He's always been like that. always in a hurry and no small talk unless you really know your stuff. My brother and I went there last year and my brother said the place hasn't changed in 15 years other than the trees have gotten bigger. Back then Leon didn't have maps or the numbering system in place. We where able to get some odds and ends for my car. His rules are strick but effective. Would you want to chase people around 21 areas at closing time??? My advice.. Go early Planned ahead Wear confortable shoes Bring a back pack with tools, notepad, pencils, snacks and drink. Bring a friend. :TU: Speaking of trees....there is a green 66 special that I had to crawl into to get the wiper switch. The car had never been opened and had trees growing on either sides of it. The switch was perfect. I also picked up somo mics. screws and the front parking lens...total cost $15...no complaints here!!! And yes...I closed the car back up when I was finished. And Leon lives across the street in the large white house...also was his fathers.
I went there in like 1994, cool place with tons of stuff! I remember the 66 with the trees around it too!
Leons is the coolest place and one of the few old school yards left in the area. Development has killed them all (except for the Brandywine mecca-- I actually got my current 455 there) Is George Wise's (up towards Columbia ) still around? Havent been there since high school. There was some really old stuff there I remember . George in DC
Someone has a picture of the famous Yellow 70 GSX 4 spd in the middle of leon's yard. I went to see this "X" for myself and yes it was there, about 1990 . Nothing from the firewall forward, no interior except for the clutch and brake pedals hanging from the dash frame. IT was complete when it arrived with a blown engine. The body was sold in the early 90's, not sure of its whereabouts! Ken O , (67GS400) any light on this subject?
The last time I was there I was dragging a transmission out of one of the long line of busses. I remember running with that thing on a hand truck to make sure I got out of there in time! Funny thing is, Leon helped me load it into my car, and I commented he had a nice green yard truck there. He brightened up and we talked cars for another hour. I like the place. I wish it wasn't 70 miles away. There was a 64 skylark with air conditioning. That was pretty cool.
I can't say for absolutley certain, but I did remember seeing that "shape" of car. I can't tell the 66 and 67 apart unless I was standing right on it.
Hey Bill, That 70 GSX sold for $400 and went to Richmond Va in 1990. Someone down the street from Leons took off the cowl tag in 1989 and then gave it to the new owner. Needless to say, the new owner was estatic to have that "QQ" tag in his possesion. That car really gave me a headache!!! I took a picture of the GSX in the yard and sent it to the GS-Xtra (Richard L) indicating that a GSX was in a salvage yard (Leon got the car in 1983 in which the car was intact except for the engine and tranny. A friend of mine got the hood - a long with the tach in 1985). Richard put a pic in the GS-Xtra with my name and phone number. Well, you could only imagine the amount of calls I recieved! And the time of night! Leon is really a nice guy once you get to know him. He came to my house several times and once bringing his 67 Vett (trying to impress my sisters). Well...it didn't work... ;-( Imagine having a brother-in-Law that has 11,000 cars on 115 acres!!
