French Lake Auto Parts "Junktown USA"

[bob w]

Went to French Lale Auto Parts near Annandale, MN yesterday. Hadn't been there in about 40 years. There's still lots of old cars and parts available. Floyd, the owner had the wisdom to not crush the old stuff. This '35 Plymmie is in very nice shape. $600.

 

[bob w]

A '31 Willys someone could make something cool out of.

 

[bob w]

My friend Jim, from Atlanta is visiting. He needed some parts for the '53 Willys Aero sedan gasser he is building. We found 5 sedans like the one pictured and Jim got the parts he needed.
Note the pile of early Ford banjo rear ends.

 

[bob w]

French Lake is a big, active yard with 4 or 5 counter men. But there are hundreds of bodies and parts from the 20's, 30's 40's & 50's. Lots of old hot rodder guys were wandering the yard with small tool kits looking for parts, or just recalling how it used to be...

 

[bob w]

The buses contain thousands of small parts like carbs, heaters, instruments, etc. for very old cars.
All the employees are friendly and helpful, but give you the freedom to roam, all day if you want. Prices are reasonable.
French Lake has a full page ad in Rat Rod Magazine, which is nice of them to help a newly launched publication.
If you visit Minnesota, try to set aside a day to visit "Junktown USA"

 

[jrotten]

Wow! That could be my next vacation spot. LOL

 

[earthman]

Awesome. But......if they would get everything up so it is not rotting into the ground i would send them a nice thank you note.

 

[Neverdone]

looks like a good place to go play...... Any concession stands mid park so you don't have to leave for food and water? LOL

 

[CORPO]

some good looking projects in there.. what is pic #2? the hood is quite unique

 

[LUCKY DEVIL 13]

I think they cleaned most of that stuff out now tho

 

[Gastrick]

Awesome! Thanks for the photos Bob W. Living in the land of "no old cars" it's almost hard for me to fathom that places like this are still around.

 

[allis327]

I dealt with them for some paper work. Great guys, it was all over the phone and worked out great.

 

[zzrodder]

What a gold mine!! Thanks Bob, it warms the heart to know that it's not just another painful story of a yard of neat stuff getting squished and sent to China.[cl

 

[LUCKY DEVIL 13]

You guys should see Bridley's auto salvage the old boy never crushed any of the old iron!!

 

[bob w]

Spent the day at French Lake auto parts. Got these really cool headlights for the Reo. Also got a Hupmobile radiator shell to go with the Hupmobile cowl I have. Got a wood steering wheel on a very tight steering box (the column has some neat levers on it), a tractor gas tank, some tail lights and other small items.

 

[bob w]

And this Plymouth tube axle, complete and in good condition.

The weather was beautiful too. Best day I've had in a while.

 

[Got Rust?]

Great pictures, long ways from me, but looks like a good vacation spot.