Rods & Classics: The Desert Preserves a Treasure Trove
Story and Photos by Nigel Matthews
I am no stranger to wrecking yards, having scoured more than my fair share since the early 1960s. A recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona unearthed the holy grail of wrecking yards which is laden with brand-new old parts; the sun-blasted area makes it a restorer’s paradise.
Hoctor’s Hidden Valley Auto Parts is located in Maricopa, about a 30-minute drive south of Phoenix. This is truly a family-run business managed by Jeff Hoctor, whose father opened it back in 1961. Hidden Valley is the largest old-vehicle dismantler in the west and one of the largest in the entire U.S., with more than 10,000 hulks on the 65 hectares.
Before I began to wander around the yard, I asked Hoctor if I should be concerned about rattlesnakes. “No problem,” he replied, “they only come out in the early morning and late at night in the summer months.” As it was mid-morning, I think that made me feel better!
There are 79 rows of vehicles on the domestic side of the yard, so there’s a lot to pick over. The intense sun shows no mercy; in many cases, the paintwork has been baked off and the upholstery is dried out and cracked, although the condition of the sheet metal was generally incredible.
It is, without question, a restorer’s paradise. A light sandblasting or a trip to the acid bath and you have brand-new old ones!
Before I even got to the first row, I found a pickup truck full of carburetors, school buses full of tail light assemblies, racks of hubcaps and air cleaners.
The business end of a catering truck, like the ones you often see on a construction site, was a library full of owners’ manuals removed from glove boxes of the cars now resting in the yard.
I spent five hours strolling around, constantly amazed at what I found. One surprise was a Chevrolet Vega in excellent condition, finished in grey primer with the interior door, trunk and hood jambs pre-painted in the striking lime green of that era. This was obviously an abandoned restoration project begging someone to complete it.
There were many failed custom jobs, including a 1950 Ford which had been cut in two and shortened to make it a two-seater special without any doors.
A Corvair had its doors welded shut and the top of the doors reshaped, obviously someone’s idea of redesigning the car that Ralph Nader deemed unsafe at any speed. The import-car area across the road proved to be a treasure trove. Jaguars, BMWs, Mercedes and the usual staple of European cars were well represented.
There were also some gems to behold. One was a 1960 Simca pickup from France, which reminded me of the Austins of my youth. There were rows of small English Fords, the type that have been used to create some very interesting hot rods; the small Thames van comes to mind. A host of Vauxhalls and not one but two London taxi cabs built by Austin; one was in exceedingly good condition.
Also lining the rows of the European section were forgotten models from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Opel, Citroen, MG, Land Rover and even the odd Yugo. I have never seen so many Peugeot 403s and 404s in one location. The 403 was an indestructible car. A farmer friend of my father’s had one in England. He had driven it over 320,000 kilometres and had never changed the oil; he just kept topping it up when it was low.
As I made my way back to the office, I chuckled at the sign above the door, “NO SNIVELLING.” I know the clientele of this type of business well, because I am one! No matter how good the deal, some will always whine about the price.
Hoctor told me that every vehicle is for sale as a complete vehicle, if one wanted it that way – using the term loosely. They sell for approximately $2,500, and there’s no shortage of takers. Many find their way overseas or head north to Canada. The backbone of his business is small parts, and Cadillac parts are in most demand.
If you are going to be in the Phoenix area and fancy a half-day side trip, drop the significant other off at one of the many shopping malls and head for the auto graveyard. You can download a map with directions at www.hiddenvalleyautoparts.com .[PSGallery=itjnnno6q]
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