A Vlies' Northwich Metals (Scrapyard Visit)

[Guest]

Northwich Metals is a large sprawling scrapyard hidden away behind a pub on the outskirts of Sproston. I'd been there several times in the past and had decided to take a trip out because of the tiresome woes begat by coursework. My intention originally was to go and source parts for SCTSH_ANDY'S AX 16 valve, and to investigate the rumours I'd heard of a 480 in the corner, Baby style. These former two eluded me, but the cars I found and subsequently photographed more than made up for it.

 

 

Let us start from the beginning. I skulked between the columns of cars to avoid catching the eye of the staff, as I didn't know whether or not they were happy with brandishing my IX 20 amid their pillars of rust. Their crane was busy hammering the remains of a Corsa into a processing container, of which the car was a loss to no one.

 

 

This LWB Land Rover immediately caught my eye. I'm sure one of our resident LR experts can determine exactly what model it is.

 

 

 

 

 

This was all that was left of the instrument panel.

 

The mechanical grindings and gnashings continued over my shoulder. Something else of interest lurked in the corner.

 

 

A Scimitar, one of many, as it turned out.

 

 

 

The sad demise of the British motor industry continued onward in haphazard piles. I noticed a late model Robin and Rialto engaging in a bizarre ritual.

 

 

 

 

I decided at that point to at least try to locate an AX of some description so that I wouldn't appear to come away empty handed. What I saw next stopped my in my tracks:

 

 

That's right, an early Nissan Bluebird Turbo. It had 81 k on the clock. I dearly hope it wasn't a victim of the Scrappage Scheme.

 

 

 

 

The CA18DET engine was all present and correct, with the same going for the interior. I imagine this car would be an invaluable source of spares for the SXOC.

 

 

Let us march onward. I alighted on a scene which was bound to please Pete-M ; two rotten MGB GTs converging with nature. The top car had a rather nice pair of 4 x 114.3 Allycats which may be of use to someone.

 

 

 

Tracing my steps across and back, in best dogleg style, I ran into this NA Supra (MA 70).

 

 

 

Unlike a lot of Supras left on the road, this one looked surprisingly good. It even sported a set of aftermarket Koni shock absorbers which won't have been cheap.

 

 

 

 

The filthy squashed paean to our indigenous industry continued. This Toledo had a recent tax disc, indicating a sorry Scrappage victim.

 

 

Heavy accident damage was evident on many of the cars and vans in the yard.

 

 

Northwich Metals is divided into public and private sectors. Marking the boundary is an ancient aluminium bodied bus, still with faded advertisements clinging to its sides. It's almost impossible to get a complete shot of the bus from the public yard. The gutted interior was packed full of tyres and scrap metal.

 

 

Inside the bus were a pair of Renault 18 alloys. Any use?

 

 

 

Glancing along the bus afforded a view of another pair of Scimitars.

 

 

A Dolomite was parked next to the Reliants on hard standing. Clearly these older cars have value to the yard or they're the personal property of the owner or his staff.

 

 

I spotted an XR 4x4 buried deep amongst the scrap.

 

 

Now we're about halfway. I'd seen a fair proportion of the public yard with nary an AX nor 480 in sight.

 

 

A discarded brake drum casing sloshed with beige decay.

 

 

An Orion sat atop a pile of cars near the rear gates. This originally belonged to the neighbouring yard, but was incorporated into Northwich Metals when the old boy retired next door.

 

 

Daimler Double Six with a neatly sectioned bonnet.

 

 

 

A late Mk 1b Toyota MR 2 (AW 11) had more rot than a zombie's clunge and had been pointlessly vandalised in places.

 

 

This trail of destruction continued over to the Mk 1 Golf adjacent. The OSR rear light cluster still looked decent though.

 

 

A presentable Minor bonnet sat near the shredder.

 

 

 

 

Yet another Scimitar brought the total to four.

 

 

Another forlorn Land Rover that was difficult to photograph.

 

 

VW Caddy shell had been picked clean. It was quite refreshing to see one without acres of stickers and neon pink detailing.

 

 

A lone Honda S2000 wheel was something of a surprise.

 

 

 

Squashed steel rims await meltdown.

 

 

 

On clear view was this Austin 1300. It sported a 2003 tax disc and didn't look long for this world.

 

Anyone up for a trip to Queensferry Metals some time?

[Guest]

Sorry about the attenuation of some of the shots. I didn't realise there was a horizontal limit.

[fotorabia]

bloody awesum mate..atmospheric images..the weight of your talent is like a Nissan Micra on my shoulders..well done

[VWPowered]

wow @ the nissan, rare sight any day of the week, great pics

[Cavcraft]

Do you happen to know if they sell complete cars there Jon? I can smell a nice little earner out of that place if they're sensibly priced.

[outlaw118]

Dude, as usual, most excellent foto skillorz.

[Pete-M]

The Daimler Double Six is in fact a Daimler Single Six...

 

Great photos though.

[michiel]

Great photos - that last Austin breaks my heart.

[seth]

That Austin at the bottom does it for me too. I like the shape of the estates.

 

Great pictures Wat.

[retrogeezer]

awesome photos Jon.....

[face]

Incredible pictures there, top skills.

 

I love that Bluebird Turbo

[M'coli]

Excellent photos. I would certainly be up for a visit, perhaps this can be a venue for the next Autoshite day out...

[RoadworkUK]

Bluebird Turbo suprised me, XR4x4 Saddened me.

 

Awesome stuff.

[Guest]

Do you happen to know if they sell complete cars there Jon? I can smell a nice little earner out of that place if they're sensibly priced.

 

I think they might sell cars in the private area. From what I could see there was a fair amount of Cat C new models up for grabs.

[keef]

Some interesting finds there!

 

You might want to add the estate to :-

 

http://photobucket.com/ado16

 

The enquiry is complete

The vehicle details for GLV 580L are:

 

Date of Liability 01 08 2009

Date of First Registration 18 04 1973

Year of Manufacture Not Available

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1275CC

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type Petrol

Export Marker Not Applicable

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour YELLOW

Vehicle Type Approval

This vehicle can be licensed at a DVLA Local Office without the V5C Registration Certificate

Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle

6 Months Rate £68.75

12 Months Rate £125.00

[warren t claim]

I'm sure the scrap Mk1 Golf was a Sud Afrekaan Citi-Golf.

[VWPowered]

citigolfs have a crease in the rear pillar

 

[Guest]

citigolfs have a crease in the rear pillar

 

The man who delivers SCTSH_ANDY's spook piss has a CitiGolf.

 

Anyway, some archive pictures for you next. I took these many years ago on my old Konica APS camera at Queensferry Metals on the A55 in late 2002. Back then the yard was sprawling and epic. I distinctly remember an engineless Mi16x4, a BMW 1602, several S type Jaguars and what looks like the remains of an XK150. These photos were up on a site called The Art Conspiracy, a primitive forerunner to the likes of Flickr and Photobucket. It really should get more recognition (along with DeviantArt) for being one of the first wave of user generated content sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last two shots are even earlier. I took it some time in 2000 when I was on holiday in Maine with PARENTS_WATANABE. I had a £25 Vivitar 'BACK PAGE SPECIAL' and this is one of the few decent photos I got off it. I was reliably informed that the car in question was a 1957 Buick Power Wagon.

 

Next, we sift through the chaff of 2003.

 

 

My old Renault 10 Automatic, before I was cheated out of it by FATHA_WAT'S mate.

 

 

H-Van detail, spotted over at the Inn At Whitwell.

[eddyramrod]

Looking at the chromework, I'd say that's a 58, not 57. I'm not aware of a Buick called "Power Wagon" though that name was used on Dodge 4x4s for a long time. Century Caballero is more likely. Cracking pics there!

[Guest]

Looking at the chromework, I'd say that's a 58, not 57. I'm not aware of a Buick called "Power Wagon" though that name was used on Dodge 4x4s for a long time. Century Caballero is more likely. Cracking pics there!

 

I see. It had no markings so I asked the burger man across the road. He thought I was Dutch.

[pogweasel]

What, Wat, you mean you're not dutch?

Lovely pictures mind. If this were a blue forum you'd get a special badge or something, but it isn't so you will have make do with idle platitudes, OK?

[Guest]

What, Wat, you mean you're not dutch? ?

 

Sadly not. I conform to neither cultural stereotype. I will have to cancel the tight magma.

[eddyramrod]

He thought I was Dutch.

 

He was probably Mexican or something..... doesn't take anything away from the quality of your photography though, well done!

[Guest]

He thought I was Dutch.

 

He was probably Mexican or something..... doesn't take anything away from the quality of your photography though, well done!

 

He was a local, who later told me that the car had been parked up in 1975 when the engine threw a rod and the running costs became too much to bear for the owner. His chilli dogs were pretty good also.