Russ' VW Recycling

[Dave Galassi]

If some of you will recall, I mentioned in a post about Russ Welch's green split window that I worked at his VW recycling yard in the 1980's and early 1990's.  They were some of the best times I've ever spent, learned a lot and had tons of fun.  Needless to say, you don't run into too many MENSA members when you're working at such an establishment.  Aside from Russ being an off road racer and pitching the Courier shop truck sideways in the dirt (before we poured "HOT" leftover cement loads to pave the yard) rows, the road leading to the old yard was littered with abandoned cars and full of potholes (read as moon craters).  A bit like a scene out of "Escape from New York".  All of the yards on this road would "test" their new purchases (assuming they could drive) on the section in front of our yard.  On one day, the highly intelligent owner of Complete Car Wrecking across the way had purchase a few cars and found a novel way to evaluate their drivetrains.

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They set up a wooden ramp propped up on blocks and attempted to roll both cars in the driveway.  Neither one went over, as I recall, but I clearly remember no helmet and stock restraints.  The suspensions were too soft to load up and get over on their sides.  The red car is a Renault, which made several attempts before suspension failure.  The other shot, of a To#¤ta Corona and it's UFO hub cap flying off, was taken on top of an 6 foot fence, to give you an idea of the earnestness of the attempts to get the cars to go over.  For you camera buffs, the photos were taken by an instamatic 110 camera.  There were no settings on it, just one button, pushed at the right time.

At the Classic, Russ, Ed Economy (who also worked at Russ') and I were telling old war stories about the yard when Rick Meredith happened upon the conversation.  I promised him I would post these photos.  Promise fullfilled.

Enjoy.  We sure did.

[Dave Galassi]

I forgot to mention the smart guys standing against the metal fence watching the Renault try and tip.

Safety first!

[richie]

I first went there in 92,just a look around really,then in 94 we lived out in so cal for the summer,and had several visits to Russ's, If i remember correctly Ed had his swiss rolll back split at the time and seemed to always find time to tell us a story or 2
To us it was an amazing place,full  of cars that would be restored in the Uk,but not good enough for So cal

I left there one day with a rear 1/4 for a cabrio to replace the one on my yellow car after it was hit by a distracted driver,wish I had a picture of us leaving there with 3 of us in a 1302 cabrio with the extra rear 1/4 wedged in the back,hanging out over the folded down roof,not quite as crazy as your pics though Dave

cheers richie 

[Rick Meredith]

LOL... now that's some funny stuff!

[Dave Galassi]

Good stuff.  This just happened to be one that I have photos of.  There are lots of stories of that place.......................

Richie, what do you mean?  Ed, tell a story?  That guy could sell ice to an eskimo.

[richie]

Good stuff.  This just happened to be one that I have photos of.  There are lots of stories of that place.......................

Richie, what do you mean?  Ed, tell a story?  That guy could sell ice to an eskimo.

I think he tried to sell us rain water    

As wide eyed tourists it was pretty cool not to get chased out of there by dogs like we would have in an english yard

cheers richie

[Rennsurfer]

Thanks for the pics that go with the story, Dave. It was a good time talking to you and Russ at this year's VW Classic about all of that stuff. Such great tales.