Spotted a '39 DeSoto at PA Junkyard Today

[JerseyHarold]

We went to Harry's U-Pull-It in Allentown, PA today to get a replacement door for our daughter's Lumina because some numbscull hit it.

Harry's has several yards in Pennsylvania and this DeSoto was on display in front of their foreign-car yard in Allentown. I asked the guy at the admission booth what they were doing with the car. He told me it sat in a lot a few blocks from their yard for years, and the owner recently gave it to them. He said it was for display, but I suspect that the right cash offer will get the car or parts from it.

Our son took these photos with his phone.

[John Reddie]

Thanks for posting. I love the '39 DeSoto cars:). I hope someone restores it and it doesn't get parted out.

John R

[Flatie46]

The "Pull-A-Part" in Knoxville wont sell you a whole car and in 90 days they crush it reguardless of how much is gone or what's left. I hope Harry is not as hard core, hate to see that car and/or all those good parts crushed.

[Don Jordan]

Why is that? I've been to some Pick-A-Parts and found the same thing. For some reason they are not allowed to sell the whole car. Seems silly and a waste of a lot of good iron.

[Flatie46]

Why is that? I've been to some Pick-A-Parts and found the same thing. For some reason they are not allowed to sell the whole car. Seems silly and a waste of a lot of good iron.

I don't understand it either. The one in Knoxville was flooded with "cash for clunkers" cars and people were buying quite a bit of stuff but where they got in so much at once they didn't sell it all in 90 days. They crushed some good stuff. I've heard different things about where they get there cars. One thing I noticed last time I was there, you don't see any wrecked cars. You'll see 'em with a dent or wrinkled fender but never hit hard like on one side and offering the rest up for parts. I saw 3 nice heavy duty utillity beds on trucks last time I was there and beds go pretty cheap, I was pretty sure I could have made a few bucks on 'em. It was cold and I wasn't motivated enough to fool with it.

[40plmczy]

The Harry's U-pull-it in Hazelton has about 90% of their old stuff behind an electrified fence. Alot of it stacked on top of each other. There is some behind the Kress part of the operation amongst them a 4 door 40 dodge. Once and awhile a couple show up in the regular yard though.

[JerseyHarold]

I've heard different things about where they get there cars. One thing I noticed last time I was there, you don't see any wrecked cars. You'll see 'em with a dent or wrinkled fender but never hit hard like on one side and offering the rest up for parts.

Many of the cars in these yards come from salvage auctions run by companies like Copart. A lot of the 'donate your car' charities sell through them, but the major source is insurance companies, who will total an older car for very minor damage. Many of them could be easily repaired, but (in my opinion) there is a hidden agenda at work here. If the insurance company totals the car, the owner has to go out and buy a new one. So the dealers make money on a sale, the finance company makes money on a loan, the state makes money on sales tax, and the insurance company makes money because they charge more to insure a newer car. Which is also what happened in the 'Cash for Clunkers' program.

[desoto1939]

Gentleman,

i currently own a 39 Desoto 4 door sedan just like the one that has been posted. Can anyone provide me with the phone number of the location.

I am veryinterested inthe car just as a backup unit.

I live near valley forge pa and allentown is about an hours drive for me.

I would like to save this car if the price is afforable. attached is a picture of my current 39 Desoto

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

484-431-8157

[John Reddie]

Great looking DeSoto Rich. Good luck with the other one. I really hope you can get it. These gems are becoming scarce.

John R