OK V8 Buick People: Let's connect the dots here. I heard from many sources that Mike sits around drinking Sierra Nevada beer and the pile of cans is pretty high. I know for a fact that the previous owner, Ken Schmidt, who I was very friendly with did not have a dismantler's license. What would make me think that Mike is in compliance with anything? I think his fate is his own doing and he just did not follow the rules. As far as his drinking beer, well I have my own opinions about that and someone causing him to drink beer is totally fantasy. The EPA causing people to not be able to make a living? I believe that's also fantasy. I also believe that if it were not for the EPA and strict environmental legislation we'd be droppin' like flies. Mitch
I sent Mike an e-mail more than a week go. I asked him about a list of parts. I did receive a response a few days later regarding a part that wasn't on the list. I asked how much he wanted for that part that wasn't on the list and let me know on the other parts......................so far no response. I would think there would be a last fire sale to move some of this stuff if it's all goingto be scrapped. It is sad though and there must be more details to this closing story.
Yes, we can all speculate on the closing, but, unless we hear from the owner, we may never know that facts. I would think that Mike would have attempted to get a dismantler's license if the area is zoned for it. Sure sucks if all these parts/cars get scrapped.
He may not want to disclose why if it's personal. Maybe if he decided to reach out to the Buick Community there may be help for him.
Would the dismantler's license be with the plant/real estate or with the owner/operator? If it is with the owner and the current owner doesn't have it, then there would be an economical opportunty for somebody that has a dismantler's license to take over the whole estate. Wouldn't it?
OK Patrick: For a person to get a dismantler's license in California they must apply . The lengthy and very tedious process is to post a surety bond, pay the fees, take a test (a dealer's license makes the applicant take a test) check out zoning to make sure the land in question is approved for that kind of business and several other items, especially environmental procedures ones I'm not familiar with. There also needs to be things like an office, phone, sign, parking, and a dedicated area for doing business. The reason for so much environmental stuff besides the bureaucracy? Wrecking yards were, as many other automotive businesses were, extremely dirty, toxins went right into the ground and they were a real mess. Hobby people that say it's too bad about the environmental nazies are totally clueless. My theory....I'm guessing that Mike didn't come close to being within compliance. It's a wonder that the county or city hasn't shut him down a very long time ago. About the Edsels. They have been there at least 15-20 years. They are parked on grass/dirt and many municipalities don't want to see vehicles on dirt. The scientific jury is still out on that one. Mitch
OK Jim: There is actually quite a bit more. Many municipalities have zoning laws that forbid vehicles to be parked on dirt, yes. Interesting enough, that the Lake Tahoe regional protective agency is now considering having vehicles parked on dirt rather than have them parked on concrete or asphalt because of the runoff issue. I recently watched a 1965 video of a scrap procedure in Great Britain showing them burning out the interior before the vehicles got da squish. It is sooooo easy to make a mess with a wrecking yard that it's no wonder that this industry has been undergoing a complete metamorphosis. We all know that wrecking yards have been closing by the droves for so many reasons. What is really amazing is this, there seems to always be another car, or part show up no matter how many yards close. Just do the math. The United States produced excess of 15 million cars for so many years. In spite of all that got da squish many are still around, believe me. Mitch
Just to make myself clear: There is no doubt that we need the EPA and other regulation on various business types or pollution would run rampant and our environment would be destroyed. But then there are those who I refer to as Eco-Nazis. They are the ones who look for trouble where there is none and do it selectively. They also go the extra mile not to work with anyone who is trying to do the right thing. It seems that only the large companies/corporations get away with anything. They have the bucks to fight or just pay the fine and back to business.
Guys! I am still in need of that switch pitch two speed tranny. Preferably from a 66 or 67. Can some one go by and ask the guy HOW much??? and can he ship it to me? Maybe get me an address? a phone number? I have a friend in Cali....He might pick it up for me.
I am a conservative leaning libertarian (i.e. Government butt out) but I have to agree with my friend Mitch. Here in Iowa, farmers are polluting the ground water with years and years of nitrogen based fertilizer. Many of our lakes and streams are polluted. We tend to look at these issues in a micro sense. One salvage yard closing down OMG. But the reality is, America has built millions of autos in the last 100 years and at least 75% of them have gone to salvage yards. Billions of gallons of oil, antifreeze, and gasoline into the ground. ONE farmer believes he is not doing tha much harm, but all the farmers are.
OK Bryan: I appreciate your use of the word "friend". Perhaps great minds think alike. Your point about the farmers using fertilizer and having it pollute the ground water is sooooo important. Wrecking yards have been a dirty filthy mess for a very long time. I'd say that today at least 85-90% of yards are far from being in compliance and they, like those farmers you talk about are still doing a great job polluting. The toxic American news media only reports incorrect drama. The issue I have with those rats is that the public is flying blind and can't make responsible business decisions from all that. How about all those pictures portrayed throughout the media portraying people crying over their war dead??? Now, how about all those people crying over their dead from cancer and other environmentally caused diseases? I don't see that. The farmers? They are detached from all that. Wrecking yards? The same thing. The motorist driving their vehicle with a black ring around the back bumper? Yep. Car people have whined about these yards closing for quite a while now. We need to see the big picture. Sure we're having fun making mud pies with our heaps, hopefully at a very low health hazard cost. Mitch
Saw Josh Fox' "Gasland" yesterday. Seems the US has by far more up-to-date and by far bigger scale enviromental issues to discuss than closing a 50yr old yard where all the toxic subtances are probably gone and sunk into the ground already. If the Gasland investigations are only halfway-true (obviously I cannot judge) then this is really worrying!
Went out there this weekend looking for a part...........talked to Mike and it seems he is renting the property and cars will be towed out starting on the 16th or 17th with a completion date of Sept 16-17. I tried to make small talk, but it seems to me he has resigned himself to his fate. I dont wish that on anyone. He sits in his truck all day drinking, rain or shine, and sleeps in a dilapidated old RV. The yard is overgrown with cars literally piled on top of each other, spider webs everywhere and sharp rusted parts dangerously protruding precariously from nearly every vehicle. I even saw a dead decomposing cat just laying around in plain view. He has alot of old buicks and it seems to me he could've took a few of each and built some running cars, or at least sold some rollers for project cars. When I first met him I asked if he was selling whole cars and he said, "nope, just parts..." WTF? Now Mike's show is over and I wish him well but it seems he gave up, not just on cars, but on life and on himself...............sad. I left the yard without my part, and would rather not go up there. I will find it elsewhere and save myself some anguishray:..........I dont take kindly to witnessing a so called "man" crumble, aint many of us left.
It's a shame...........................I also still never heard back from the guy like posted prior. I would think a last hoorah of parts sales would have occured. I'm guessing the SOS came in and did inventory with VIN number maybe that's why complete cars can't be sold. I would be crushing cars on my terms and have a rental unit full of parts that I could sell after the fact. I'm sure the guy seen it coming. It's horrible when someone just gives up totally.
