Hi.. I was just in AZ (see the Barret Jackson thread..) and had the opportunity to visit Speedway Automotive..also known as: www.thebuickplace.com. They are a Buick-only 'parts reclamation facility'...otherwise known as a junkyard. It is mind-boggling to enter a yard and see only Buicks..all vintages..just piled up. I went down 'Skylark Row'..again, all just heaped one on the other. There was some parts separation..for example, a huge pile of bumpers in one spot, brake parts in another spot, etc. I am just curious..has anybody done business with them? I'll add my thoughts also, later. :Comp: Stanley
There have been some negatives experiences posted here, primarily regarding prices. I haven't dealt with them myself.
They want an arm and a leg for anything and everything. Other than the money issue, they seem to be OK. You cannot pull parts yourself, they pull them for you. Example: How much for a front bumper parking light for my '72 GS? You've got a pretty rare car there...$45.
Sounds like a yard here... I go up to this guy's place and I have to beg to walk into the yard to look around. I finally get a look, and I see a good skylark trunk lid and an overflow tank. I go back to the guy and ask him how much for those items... "hundred bucks..." That's the answer for everything there. Everything.
That was my impression,too... I walked around with my 'escort'..a grizzly guy, screwdriver in hand.. I found a few things that were of interest..so I went to the little office and asked what they were wanted for the pieces. They had the entire parts list computerized..and the price quoted was a good 5X what I thought it should be! I declined to buy at that mark-up...the pieces weren't that great and it didn't seem to make any difference based on condition. If the guy was setting me up to haggle ( I didn't think so..), he didn't give any sign or ask me to make him an offer. I can only wonder how people who buy sight-unseen over the web or by phone feel about what they get..at those prices. It was interesting, for sure.. Stanley
I called them once for fenders for my '67 Riv. They told me they didn't have them, but if they did, about $550 each, shipping extra. Needless to say, I paid for my MIG welder with what I saved. I guess you could buy better but you can't pay more!!!:laugh:
I had 1 good experience there. I bought a running 340 Buick for $165.00 Phil fired the guy. I have gone back there a time or two just to see if they have "Changed their ways" Last visit they wanted $800.00 for a Rebuildable 455. I picked one up later that week for $200.00 WITH a TH 400 attached. Needless to say, nothing there has changed since I've been involved with Buicks. I would venture a guess as long as Phil is owner, it'll remain the way it is. Speedway has quite the reputation in Az. and I imagine it will only get worse nationally with the internet.
I stopped there a few years ago and inquired about price of a nice, straight, rustfree 70-72 Sportwagon tailgate with a good chrome molding. $525 complete or $375 bare. I bought a parts car instead. I guess if you really need something you could at least find it there.
What really sucks about there pricing is that other Boneyard operators in the area will use them for reference on how much the parts are worth. Have fun with it guys, 30-40 years from now the parts will have little to no value.
What's this crap with "You are not authorized to view this site"? I guess he's such an "elite" junkyard that you need permission to view his overpriced stuff?
