The US is home to some of the greatest junkyards in the world. Whether you are into cars, trucks, motorcycles, or planes there is something on this list of the largest junkyards for you. While many folks gravitate to the yards for their restoration projects and old parts, these junkyards are amazing sites. They are actual tourist destinations they people go and visit and many of these places give tours. We discussed previously on how to locate the right parts for your classic car, but now the question goes to where do I go?
These are the largest car junkyards in the US, which ones are you the most excited to check out?
What Is a Junkyard?
Junkyards, or what’s known as wrecking yards, or scrapyards, are locations where companies or people diminish and through their old destroyed vehicles.
In junkyards, any operable part that is still perfectly working can be resold to people looking for parts replacements. On the other hand, all unusable parts can be scrapped into metal and be sold to metal recycling companies.
Some junkyards, usually described as a scrap yard, have a recycling component within the junkyard itself. They can breakdown all metals and recycle them into functional components like Byron, steel, brass, copper, element, zinc, etc.
Usually, scrapyards work under specific regulations, and they must be certified and working with a specific license.
What Is the Difference Between a Salvage Yard and a Scrap Metal Yard?
Sometimes people confuse the terminology between salvage yards and scrap yards. While both might have some similarities, there is a slight difference between the two:
An Auto Salvage Yard
The auto salvage yard is almost the same as a junkyard or an auto recycling center, and sometimes people might refer to them as scrap yards.
In these yards, companies purchased unused or damaged vehicles to take advantage of every component of them. Once the vehicles are purchased, the salvage yard investigates workable components and sells them as car replacements parents. On the other hand, any damaged components can be recycled and broken down into parts.
In general, a salvage yard pays you much more than a metal scrap yard because they can take advantage of every component in your car other than only the middle components.
Metal Scrap Yard
Metal scrap yards not only purchase metal from the auto industry; They also can buy metal from almost anyone. They purchased this metal in very large quantities. There are usually in tons.
Depending on the type of metal you have in your item, they can’t evaluate it and check whether the metal is recyclable or not.
These yards mostly produce copper, aluminum, zinc, etc. They will look for this type of metal in your item and convert them into scrap metal that other companies could recycle end-use.
Therefore, metals club yards are usually interested in electrical wires, aluminum cars, appliances; it is such a. In most scenarios, scrapyards do not buy copper and aluminum in large quantities; They are usually bought in smaller quantities.
Once the copper and aluminum are purchased, they compress them together and sell them in a very large quantity at once.
The best thing about metal scrap yards is reducing the total landfill volumes, pollution, and carbon emissions. Thus, metal scrap yards are assisting the environment heavily.
The Largest Junkyards in the U.S.
French Lake Auto Parts, Minnesota
French Lake Auto Parts, Minnesota
Are you looking for a giant junkyard near Minneapolis? Then French Lake Auto Parts is it. It is situated 60 miles west of Minneapolis and has been open for more than 50 years. In terms of size, this junkyard has over 100 acres and over 10,000 vehicles.
Some of the cars are suitable for restoration – ideal if you want a new project. This junkyard also has scrap metal recycling and car part recycling too. Some of the cars on the site date back to the 1920s. If you are looking for particularly hard to find car parts, you should give French Lake auto parts a try.
Wild Cat Auto Wrecking, Oregon
Wildcat Auto Wrecking, Oregon
Wildcat Auto Wrecking has a heavy focus on Chryslers parts and vehicles and is in Sandy, Oregon. Wildcat Auto Wrecking is the only MoPar- specific junkyards in the Pacific Northwest.
This junkyard is home to over 800 cars, and many of these are suitable for restoration projects. Wildcat Auto Wrecking has an incredible reputation for having almost rust-free bodies from the 1950s-1970s. Their inventory has everything from bumpers and doors to glass and motors for cars and trucks.
CTC Auto Ranch, Texas
CTC Auto Ranch, Texas
Just an hour north of Dallas, in Denton, Texas, you will find CTC Auto Ranch. CTC Auto Ranch is one of the most popular junkyards in the whole of America, and with good reason. CTC Auto Ranch ships parts nationwide, and you should check out the drone footage of the ranch on their website.
They are home to muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Due to the location of CTC Auto Ranch, the bodies and parts are almost rust-free – thanks to the climate in Texas. If you spot something you like, you should get in touch quickly – their inventory changes daily. Aside from their stock of almost rust-free bodies, they also stock car parts, metal sheets, and more.
Turners Auto Wrecking, California
Turner’s Auto Wrecking, California
Turner’s Auto Wrecking has a vast 100 acres of vintage cars and parts. This junkyard dates to 1928 and was featured in Hot Rod magazine too. They ship anywhere in the US, but you should pay a visit in person to get the full experience.
It is well known that if you are struggling to find a car part, that you will most likely find it here – which is why classic car enthusiasts and those working on a restoration project will love Turner’s Auto Wrecking.
All Bikes Salvage Yard, Arizona
All Bikes Salvage Yard, Arizona
In June 2013, All Bikes Salvage Yard suffered a massive fire, and it destroyed almost 9,000 of their outstanding stock. And while it is challenging to build that amount of stock back up, All Bikes Salvage Yard is back on the map.
The owner is an enormous motorcycle enthusiast, so if there is something you need to know or a bike part you are sourcing, then have a chat. However, because of the amount of stock, it is always worth noting down what you are really looking for before you arrive.
Pinal Airpark, Arizona
If bikes and cars are not your things, then you are going to find this place incredible. Pinal Airpark is where many airplanes go to die. Most have never flown either, sadly. Due to financing, there are many brand-new planes sitting on the land.
Some buyers had no immediate use for the planes, and for others, the financing fell through. There are many different planes sitting in varying degrees of decay. However, some of the aircraft, like the 747s, might go back into service. This junkyard offers tours to visitors, so this is a must if you’re a plane enthusiast.
Corvair Ranch, Pennsylvania
Corvair Ranch in Pennsylvania
Most often, if you hear the world Gettysburg, you are more likely to think of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln; and not the Corvair Ranch. However, you should also consider this as a Corvair enthusiasts heaven. Although this junkyard does host multiple different car bodies, there are more than 600 Corvairs on the lot.
And if you happen to be the owner of a Corvair, this ranch offers several services, including upholstery, painting, full re-manufacturing of engines, and maintenance.
Stephen’s Performance Salvage Yard, Alabama
Stephen’s Performance Salvage Yard, Alabama
If you are a Mo-Par enthusiast, then Stephen’s Performance Salvage Yard in Anderson, Alabama, is the place for you all. This junkyard has 100s of vehicles, and you will find plenty of Dodge Chargers and Dodge Challengers here.
Stephen’s Performance Salvage Yard has over 40 years of experience selling parts and recycling vehicles. So, if you are in the middle of a Dodge Charger or a Dodge Challenger restoration, this is the place for you certainly, if your project car is dated somewhere in the 60s.
Mojave and Space Port, California
Mojave and Space Port in California
Mojave and Space Port is a top-rated tourist attraction but is also a working space port. Again, if you are a fan of airplanes, after you have paid a visit to Pinal Airpark, then Mojave and Space Port in California should be on your list too.
There is an airport and airplane boneyard, and there are multiple airlines parked too. In fact, you can make a whole day of it at this junkyard because there is even a restaurant, where you can sit and admire your favorite out of service airplanes, with some delicious food too.
Old Car City USA, Georgia
Old Car City USA, Georgia
If you are looking for the number one most famous junkyard in the whole world, then Old Car City USA is it. It is situated in white, Georgia, and has over 4000 cars spread across 34 acres.
This junkyard is so popular that high school seniors often get their senior portraits taken here. And they have hosted engagement sessions and several other exciting photography moments. What makes this so interesting is that nature is slightly overtaking the old vehicles, which looks incredible.
Old Car City USA has over 6 miles of multiple trails that you can explore. However, it should be noted that if you do plan to take photos during your visit, you should let the owner know, as there is a surcharge for this service.
Finally
The United States is filled with amazing places that are bigger than what you could imagine. Some of them are focused on specific types of car mix or models, while others are more focused on huge airplane parts.
Not everything that goes to the junkyard is an eyesore; some junkyards, for example, have approval airplanes waiting to flow back at some point.
You do not need to go to the biggest junkyard in America to sell your car or buy classic car parts; there are many smaller ones you can also reach out to and get more information.
The biggest junkyards in America are great places for someone looking for specific vehicle parts or is interested in a junk car project.
If this list does not start filling out a few items to do on your bucket list, then I do not know what will. Every auto junkyard has a story, but these are yards are special. Not just special because of their anchorage, but because their quantity and quality of inventory. There are definitely some other big junk yards out there and within your reach, but these are the 10 largest auto junkyards in the US that really pull their weight!
