http://www.sturtevantauto.com/index.php/Main_PageSturtevant Auto Salvage is my favorite vehicle bone yard. They’re at 2145 East Frontage Road I-94, Sturtevant, between Highways C and K. (262) 835-2914. I was out there earlier today to get a part for my truck. It’s been awhile. When I had the old, full-size Ford, something always needed fixing. I was at Sturtevant Auto quite often then. And I always liked it.
What I like the most about that yard is you can pull your own parts from the junkers and wrecks. For a gear-head like me, that’s a little bit of heaven. At times when I’m out there, far out in the acres of heaped metal, the sound of the heavy machinery in the distance, I feel a little serenity. It’s peaceful, kind of like a human cemetery.
The vehicles are arranged in rows of AMC, Ford, GM, Chrysler, and imports. If you find what you need and can manage to get it off yourself, you will save some money at the front counter. If they pull the part for you, it costs more. What I don’t understand is how they can afford insurance to cover this. I’ve seen a number of wrecks in precarious positions, held up by cheap scissors jacks, or even teetering on rocks, as someone works beneath. I just wince. They have to have insurance, don’t they? Their site says they’ve been in existence for over fifty years.
I got lucky today and found the part I needed, a plastic piece of the air intake system on my truck. It’s not the sort of thing that people normally want and is usually tossed aside as they work to pull other parts. That’s where I found it, cast aside in an engine compartment. The price? Only $5. I found a used one on eBay last night: $17.95 plus $8 shipping. I assume a new one at the dealership would go for around $50.
Sturtevant's prices are great, and if you disagree, you can always haggle (except for $5 – that’s their minimum). I’ve seen all sorts of people out in the yard, toting tools, pulling parts, getting greasy, looking for a bargain. If you like to crack a knuckle open occasionally doing your own vehicle repairs, I highly recommend Sturtevant Auto Salvage for your used part needs. Even if you just like the idea of walking around acres of wrecks, stop by and tour the yard. Be sure to wear appropriate footgear (and clothing if you’re going to scavenge). Finally, the place is a huge mud pie after rains and on warm days in the winter, so stay away then unless you want to get really, really muddy.
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8 comments:
Used to be owned by one of my relatives.... not sure who the current owner is.
Great place. I'm glad I went out there yesterday. It was therapeutic - I didn't realize how upset I was over the loss of the RacinePost. You can work out a lot of stress taking a tire iron to the side of a junker.
You also find amazing pieces of personal property in the wrecks. Every one tells a story...
SAS commercial: http://www.sturtevantauto.com/images/3/39/Sturtevant_Auto_-_The_Little_Car.mp3
I bet you can. I sometimes wonder what might have been left in my car.
Heck, I wonder what debris I have left behind in my everyday life that others find.
It is a good place to go.
I needed a female reseptacle for towing a trailer, one of the guys drove me around until we found one so I gave him $5 for helping then when I got to the counter, the counter man said just take it! No charge!
They drove you around, SER? I never got treatment like that. I've given them a few bucks in the past for small items and they use it for beer/pizza money for the yard workers.
Hale, I know other people have published books containing just found notes and other materials. I've sometimes thought about writing short stories based on what I've seen in some of the cars. Maybe do a whole series and call it "Junkers" or "Scrap."
I've taken a journey or two to that auto graveyard for a part or two...Like Orbs said, the place is something else. Not only I was amazed by the massive amount of cars gutted out, I wondered about the safety of the customers there.
My car's final resting place. :( RIP
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