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Author Topic: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)  (Read 1938 times)

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Offline Wittsend

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End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« on: November 19, 2015, 08:24:10 PM »
I visited the U - Pick Parts yard today in Sun Valley, CA.. This is the independent self serve yard near the franchise Pick Your Part. As I went to pay my $2  the guy said FREE and pointed to a sign. All I saw was “free,” smiled and said until how long? "Dec. 30th" he replied. How nice! As I’m walking through the yard there are  about 10 times the old cars they typically have. I’m stoked.  This yard is  coming around and finally headed back to its former roots.  As I entered the  back area I noticed there were fewer cars..., mostly trucks. I figured they are going  to move all the trucks to the back and haven’t filled up yet.
 
 
 Shortly afterwards something started to dawn on me. A lot of these old  cars were familiar. They were the cars that had been up on the wall around the  perimeter.  Then it clicked and I got a sinking feeling. The admission was  free and the cars were down because they were closing the place??? Sure enough as  I got back to the check out gate and read more of the FREE sign it was  confirmed.  This place has been around since the dawn of the San Fernando  Valley.  I had been going to it for over 35 years. It wasn’t the franchise Pick  Your Part that made you feel ripped off. They didn’t nit pick about “attached”  items that were not significant.

I got parts for my Turbo Pinto here. All my clutch and bellhousing parts. And, over the 35 years I've gotten a boatload of other things too. Today they had odd things  like Edsel's, Saab Sonnets etc. Sadly in  45 days it will be no more. For those who have been to the yard I’m sure you  will understand the loss.

More info on the closing: https://www.google.com/search?num=100&q=u+pick+parts+closing&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj13tnTtaDJAhWCRYgKHVItDLgQvwUIGygA&biw=1920&bih=920

Offline dga57

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2015, 01:24:07 AM »
I live on the east coast so this doesn't impact me directly, but it is sad to learn of the demise of an old and established used parts supplier.  The classic car hobby, as a whole, suffers. 

Dwayne
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Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2015, 06:55:52 AM »
Was there about 20yrs ago with a friend that was looking for parts was a good place, very sad indeed..
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Offline dave1987

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2015, 11:14:45 PM »
Big time bummer! I regular what we have here in southern Idaho, Jalopy Jungle. They have been around for ages and sound a lot like the you pick yard that is closing, no knit picking about attached parts, great prices, $1 entry covers hardware bulbs and fuses. They recently opened two other locations in neighboring cities over the past five years, I hope they don't get stupid about things..... The only thing I can complain about is they try not to take in any cars older than 1981, and I haven't seen a Pinto there since the 1978 Bobcat Wagon I completely stripped of all usable parts about five or six years back. :(
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I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline Wittsend

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2015, 05:01:44 PM »
Well today was the final day of the U – Pick Parts (Aadlen Bros.) junkyard that opened in 1962. All the cars were gone. The only stuff left was the heavy equipment to run the place.   This sign was leaning against the fence outside were the exterior vendors use to be. There was one guy still clearing his stuff out. I offered him $10 for the sign and he accepted it. At least I have a memento relating to 35+ years of getting parts here.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2015, 09:26:58 PM »
What a bummer.. :( :(
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: End of an era (U-Pick Parts is closing)
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2016, 07:12:02 PM »
end of an era indeed..

I moved to the dallas area from North Hollywood December 2014 but wen I was in co cal, I spend many hours at the U pick part yard..

got restoration parts for some 20 odd MGB's, my 2 rv's, parts for my son's, daughter-in law's and many friends cars over the years.

in fact in recent years i went there and just looked around for exercise..

the last time I was there was in late oct 2015 when I was visiting LA

the yard was like going to the mall for guys..
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles