I Visited That Must-Sell Car Collection

"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro) 09/22/2017 at 17:00 • Filed to: collection, junkyard, saab, saab 900

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Photo: David Tracy

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Ron’s been very busy lately. That Mustang in David’s picture up there was moved out to where you could get a better look at it. Unfortunately, it was a little worse for wear:

And what was lurking behind where the Mustang had been sitting? One of many Fieros.

Seriously, I must have seen at least half a dozen Fieros there. But I get the sense that Ron’s true love was old Benzes:

Lots of BMWs, too. And a few trucks. Some poor, neglected trucks:

Some cars left behind evidence of their presence:

All in all there was a pretty cool variety.

I took my brother along with me, who was hoping that he would find a truck suitable to his liking. But he soon got distracted by this:

A 1991 Saab 900 S

The tires were flat, the exhaust was hanging on the ground, but it ran . ...sorta. It needed a battery and a shot of ether, but it did in fact roar to life.

It needs some work, but it was hard to turn down for $600. Just gotta trailer it over to my place, and we can let the wrenching commence!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:04

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YAS! Good job! One more saved!

For Sweden > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:05

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Wow quality journalism on Oppositelock; just like everyone would expect.

Amoore100 > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:05

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So you bought it? Kudos to you good sir, another 900 lives on! Incredible how people can never keep them running, but they resurrect themselves like phoenixes.

Chariotoflove > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:06

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Fantastic! Anything else there worth saving if you had money and space?

Urambo Tauro > Chariotoflove 09/21/2017 at 21:08

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DON’T TEMPT ME

but the answer’s yes.

Urambo Tauro > Amoore100 09/21/2017 at 21:09

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Urambrother bought it. I’m gonna help with the wrenching, though.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 09/21/2017 at 21:10

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Someone please save this Turbo (if it’s not too late):

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:13

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Wooot! Way to go! I sent the link to my friend at MSU, he’s always looking for a cheap project car.

Steve in Manhattan > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:18

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Lots of “patina” in evidence ... and so nice that a Saab or two will be saved.

fintail > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:21

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I respect his heart, but this makes me with there was some kind of ASPCA for cars.

I suspect the MBs are parts car status now.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:33

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I feel for the poor guy...being forced to sell off a collection years of your life in the making for minimal profit just to get them gone...good buy on the Saab though!

What’s that little green roadster next to that Beetle?

Urambo Tauro > fintail 09/21/2017 at 21:34

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With so many MBs (must have been at least 30-40 of them), I’m sure that some of them are worth saving.

Urambo Tauro > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/21/2017 at 21:38

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Mercury Capri

I counted at least 3 or four Capris there.

LongbowMkII > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:44

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Nice!

Want the MG

fintail > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:44

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The problem with most 70s-90s MBs is that values are really low compared to the cost of restoration, or even making a neglected car roadworthy. They all can rust as well as any other car, too, which worries me in that climate. I suppose as a beater/driver for a DIY person, some may be reclaimable, but I suspect they ended up in that yard for a reason.

$kaycog > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:46

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Just wow! What a collection. Great job on this write!

Urambo Tauro > LongbowMkII 09/21/2017 at 21:47

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Which one?

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 21:59

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Ah, we never got those up here in Canadia!

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:22

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Did you get the sense he was pretty reasonable in terms of prices? I had seen a couple vehicles in the original article I’d be interested in, but given his time crunch I almost hate to bug him since I’m not sure when I’d make it up there. He’s probably about 4hrs from me.

One was among what you got pictures of.

Chariotoflove > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:24

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Go back and have another look. You don’t want to miss the find of a century.

punkgoose17 > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:38

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I always found the 900 to be really ugly, but the sedan is growing on me.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:40

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Given the chance, I would have saved that black 1st gen but I think someone already grabbed it.

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 09/21/2017 at 22:44

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A lot of these cars, I am simply too far out of my reckoning to know what’s appropriate, so I can’t comment much on that. This Saab was one of many triple-digit cars, but he’s also got some listed for $3000 or more on CL.

In-person, I didn’t see price tags on anything. You had to ask, and some of them he didn’t even have prices figured out yet. Someone asked about that old red Chevy C10, but he wanted to work on it some more before setting a price. And when it comes to haggling, he certainly has his limits. I overheard him standing quite firm on his price over a ’74 BMW 2002.

He is VERY busy, and even on a weekday I was just one of about a dozen visitors there. He was juggling us and his constantly-ringing phone at the same time. I can only begin to imagine how busy he’s going to be when the weekend hits, now that his story’s been published. Cool guy, though. He was a pleasure to talk to during those brief moments when you had his attention.

punkgoose17 > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:44

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I’ll take the TD.

WilliamsSW > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:45

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Awesome! Good luck to Urambrother!

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:58

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I had a feeling he was probably running around like a chicken with his head cut off. That’s why I’m hesitant to reach out with a “maybe I can get up there in two weeks to actually look at it.”

I may just reach out and ask whether he has a price for the green commando and if so whether he has a title and keys. Then leave any other questions till I know for sure I can get up there to check it out. Keep it under a couple minutes and let him get back to meeting that crazy deadline.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 22:59

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Of course there is a Mercury Capri. If I lived closer I’d take one or all of those VW Cabrios off of his hands. My wife loves those things.

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 09/21/2017 at 23:14

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Yeah, I think that’s a good plan. Keep it short and to the point as best you can. He’s got a lot on his plate right now.

He was tough to get a hold of at first (and had a full voice-mailbox), but once I got through, he said he didn’t need me to make an appointment. Just as long as it was after 10am, I was free to show up and have a look around. Sounds like he’s out there all day, every day these days.

David’s post left some doubt about the key situation, but I gotta hand it to him- there was hardly any delay in getting the key and title for the Saab.

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 09/21/2017 at 23:27

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Yeah, I had cold shivers when I saw the pic of the coffee can full of keys. David didn’t mention if any were labeled, but I’d bet as people look at cars he labels keys once they’re found. Heck, if I was nearby I’d offer to spend part of a day off matching keys to the right car for a deal on a car I wanted.

I could deal with lost keys if the price was right. They’re pretty easy to get replaced on an old Jeep.

The title would be the big issue because I’m in Ohio and can’t transfer ownership from a bill of sale.

SpeedSix > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 00:12

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Since this would otherwise get lost on the FP, how much easier would it be to construct ‘buildings’ so the cars are no longer stored outside? As per the FP:

There is no problem if the cars are licensed or housed inside a building

Jalopnik should’ve organized the readership to construct many quick prefab buildings so they’re ‘housed’.

Discuss.

Also, congrats to your brother! Keep us updated on progress on the Saab!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 08:00

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teal Ford Probe and a Ford/Mercury Capri

nerd_racing > Kiltedpadre 09/22/2017 at 09:44

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What was the story on this jeep?

Kiltedpadre > nerd_racing 09/22/2017 at 11:35

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I’m just getting up because I worked third shift last night. I actually just got off of the phone with him a moment ago. It looks like as of now this is one of the vehicles that he hasn’t yet set a price for because he’s hopeful that he can do some work on it before everything is all said and done.

He did tell me that he has a title, but as it sits the motor is seized. He said he knows it was in storage for several years before he bought it, and it’s now sat at his place for several more years. I may call again next week to see if anything has changed; whether that be he had a chance to look at it or has just decided he’s too overwhelmed to try.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 12:04

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Oh god I want this so badly! I can’t imagine how good a price this would be

jonny11quest > SpeedSix 09/22/2017 at 14:48

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It’s a good point. I think he knows the collection is literally rusting away and he’s ready to part with the cars... just not at the pace required. Throwing up a big barn/shed/basic roof and walls could definitely help though. Park the ones he wants to spend more time with and get more out of in it, and it would help lower the number needed to sell.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 20:14

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Man, I am so tempted to go over there since I live maybe 15-20 minutes away, but I have 4 frickin vehicles at this point & 2 aren’t selling.

That Mustang or one of those Fieros is tempting.

Stay strong Idiot. Don’t prove your username true & go over there...

shop-teacher > SpeedSix 09/22/2017 at 22:42

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Not gonna happen. He’ll need building permits, and I guarantee the Township won’t make that process easy. Meanwhile he’s usuing all of his energy just to keep his head above water.

shop-teacher > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 22:46

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Good to see one get saved. Any Squarebody Suburbans or K5 Blazers?

Urambo Tauro > shop-teacher 09/22/2017 at 22:56

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Nope. Just the squarebody truck with the bent frame.

shop-teacher > Urambo Tauro 09/22/2017 at 23:07

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I’m kind of relieved :)

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 09/23/2017 at 13:24

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UPDATE - I went over there. Went looking for a project car for my Dad, but didn’t buy anything.

Observations :

1. Park on just one side of the road people! A cop showed up to make this happen.

2. If you want an 80's Merc or BMW project car, this is the place to go.

3. Several New Beetles! Not my thing, but kinda surprising.

4. Several smashed or crushed First Gen Ford Explorers. Made me wonder if Ron had a T Rex infestation on his property...

5. Bring your steel toed boots. Your gonna be stomping through a lotta brush, & who knows what’s under foot.

6. While I wouldn’t have been the Jerk Neighbor to complain enough to force this auto eviction upon him, this place has more rough than diamonds.

19JRC99 > Urambo Tauro 09/25/2017 at 22:40

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Any Dentside Fords?

Urambo Tauro > 19JRC99 09/25/2017 at 23:07

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Nope. There was a mid-’90s stepside with a 5.0, though.

19JRC99 > Urambo Tauro 09/25/2017 at 23:08

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Damn. I’ve got my heart set on a dentside*

*If I could actually afford another truck

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 01:11

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I’m noticing a lack of Porsche here....I know he’s got at least four 924s. Also, were any of those Fieros V6s? Curious.

Urambo Tauro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/27/2017 at 08:45

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I didn’t get a good enough look at the Fieros. The 924s looked like they were in pretty decent shape... except for this one that had weeds growing inside :

Mercedes Streeter > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 14:01

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Aw man that looks awesome, did he have any microcars in the bunch?

Urambo Tauro > Mercedes Streeter 09/27/2017 at 14:09

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Nope. There were a few small roadsters, though.

Mercedes Streeter > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 14:27

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Urambo Tauro > Mercedes Streeter 09/27/2017 at 14:32

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I’m so glad my brother found one to buy and wrench on; it helps distract me from being tempted to find myself a new project.

Mercedes Streeter > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 14:52

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I’m trying to do anything but fantasize about a project that’s been rattling around in my head since I got the house. And now that I fixed the rust on Chelsea there’s nothing stopping me either.

The worst part is that I could conceivably finish my offroading project and this new secret one all at the same time. Dang it!

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > 19JRC99 09/27/2017 at 14:58

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whats the difference between a dentside and a stepside? i thought they were the same

AR24-7 > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 15:50

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Nice! I actually was gonna go down and look at that Saab, but that’ll be a fun project! Did you see any Gambler 500 contenders down there?

Urambo Tauro > AR24-7 09/27/2017 at 16:06

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Everything was in various levels of needing repair. Making a Gambler 500 car out of one sounds like a fun idea!

Stef Schrader > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 16:12

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Congratulations on the Saab purchase! Glad to see some of these cars getting saved.

Man, that teal Jeep with the ***period correct*** graphics and wheels is amazing, too.

Urambo Tauro > Stef Schrader 09/27/2017 at 16:22

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Isn’t it though? That was one of my favorites, too. I hope someone fetches it up and puts it back on the road.

David Tracy > nerd_racing 09/27/2017 at 18:24

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The motor is locked up. But otherwise it’s decent (there are a couple of small rust holes in the fender), and plenty of surface rust underneath.

I threw him a $1,500 offer; he wants more, in part, because he plans to “free up” the motor.

AR24-7 > Urambo Tauro 09/27/2017 at 19:40

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Yeah! Maybe one of the trucks, Mercs, or Fieros....or that Beetle!

bob and john > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/27/2017 at 20:51

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I dont. 200 and something cars. that is not a collection. a collection is when they are taken care of and stoerd right. thats hoarding.

19JRC99 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 09/27/2017 at 21:32

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Dentside is the term for all 1973-79 Ford trucks due to the “dent” in the body side.

nerd_racing > David Tracy 09/28/2017 at 06:57

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I also know where there is a running and driving 63 jeep FC short bed. I’ll probably look at that instead.

Tohru > Urambo Tauro 09/28/2017 at 23:05

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Is it sad that the second-gen Probe caught my eye? I haven’t seen one of those on the road in like 5 years. And I used to own one!

Urambo Tauro > Tohru 09/28/2017 at 23:25

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Not sad at all. My eye will always be drawn towards cars I used to own.

Blackie62 > Urambo Tauro 12/20/2017 at 01:05

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This poor truck elicited an instinctual caring “oh, sweety” from me. It reminds of when I was at a horse rehabilitation center and saw an old stallion with a serious spinal injury that curved his spine to a severe degree like this but in the other direction.

I just want to pet this truck and make comforting shushing sounds to it!