I'm still here, just really busy. I'm looking for a new job now. Over 14 years of dedication does not save me from economic cutbacks. Anyway, I cleaned out my Father-in-law's parts storage garage. The place is like a time-warp treasure chest. He's got auto parts going back to the 1920's. I sent dozens of steel rims to the recycling center (over 500 pounds worth). Mostly 1960's & 70's Ford & GM.
When I got there they had the largest pile of aluminum rims I've ever seen. About 50' x 20' x 8' high. I thought for sure they would have the missing wheel I need for my 240 in there. The guy there wouldn't even let me buy one even if there was one in there. It's all getting shredded and mented down. What a waste.
A few weeks ago I saw a semi trailer with crushed cars on it. One immediatly caught my eye. It was an 80's era Mercedes Benz 300 series sedan completely flattened. The tail lamps were still perfect, even after being flattened and having a car chained on top of it. What kind of idiot crushes these without properly stripping them. The tail lamps alone were probably worth over $100.
At $50 per ton they probably only got 60$ for the whole car. Idiots!
Maybe I should start a crusade to properly dismantle and part out great cars like these. Volvos, BMW's and Mercedes. If they did this to a Benzo, who knows how many Volvos get crushed with all the good stuff left in them.
Ben