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Rare engines from the 1920s are discovered in a scrapyard in the United States, revealing historic pieces that marked the automotive industry.
Amidst the vast landscapes of the American state of South Dakota, a 6-acre junkyard hides an automotive relic. The land, overgrown with vegetation, houses rare engines from the 1920s.
In times of dominance of electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling car of 2024, this warehouse offers a trip to the past, with cars that have lasted for almost a century.
What is the scrapyard like?
O junkyard Oakleaf Old Cars is owned by Oakleaf Old Cars in Hartford. The area is home to thousands of vintage vehicles, from classics from the 1920s to iconic sports cars from recent decades.
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The place attracts curious people, enthusiasts and experts who see in the rusting carcasses not just scrap metal, but living pieces of American automotive history.
The scrapyard's history dates back to Donnas Oakleaf, who pioneered the state's first car shredder. Over the years, Donnas turned thousands of vehicles into scrap aluminum.
However, a few machines escaped. They were models he admired, handpicked and carefully stored. Donnas died in 1955, but his legacy lives on.His sons took over the scrapyard and maintained the tradition of preserving old cars.
Engines from the 1920s
Among the highlights, there are engines from the 1920s, true rarities in the automotive scene. However, decades of exposure to the South Dakota climate have taken their toll: many are unrecognizable, covered in rust and invaded by plants. Still, some models retain their original shape and rescue the charm of times gone by.
One of these highlights is the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, known by the slogan “New size, power and beauty he brings to his field“The Zephyr marked the transition to more aerodynamic and affordable cars, with its V12 engine and innovative design for the time. Today, even corroded, it maintains its imposing presence in the scrapyard.
Other finds are impressive. A 1948 Buick, with its rounded lines, is reminiscent of the golden age of the post-war era. The 1957 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, an icon of American luxury, rests among bushes growing around its body. The 1958 DeSoto Firesweep, with its characteristic rear fins, is a portrait of the aesthetic obsession of the XNUMXs. 1950.
There are also sports models. A 1964 Dodge Dart convertible and a Ford Mustang Mach 1, produced between 1971 and 1973, draw attention despite the signs of age.
These cars, once symbols of power and freedom on American highways, now rest silently under the open sky.
The preservation of this junkyard is, in a way, a tribute to automotive history. Each car tells a part of the industrial, cultural and social evolution of the United States.
Even though they are in disrepair, the vehicles at Oakleaf Old Cars continue to arouse curiosity and admiration. Time may wear away at them, but the history they represent remains alive in the memories of visitors who venture among their rusty rows.
Okay, the article is actually interesting, but who was the explorer who found these cars?
Gone are the days when comfortable cars were made with spring seats, safer and more durable, which could withstand vibrations and resist the effects of time.