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Actually, this is the end of an era.
One that local government around Eugene is glad is ending. Oscar Milligan
was Willie Milligan's father, and the rumor is that Oscar would prowl the roads
from the '30s to the early '70s, hook up to vehicles that were left by the side
of the road (regardless of why they were there, his excuse being that they were
abandoned), and tow them home. Many were never recovered (until
recently). Willie didn't keep up the tradition of surreptitious towing,
but he added to the collection, plus allowed hundreds of hippies and homeless
people to live in the dozens of old buses on the place.
Lane County had been after him for years to
clean up the place, and had neighbors complaining about the noise, smell,
etc. He probably was going to lose the place soon if he hadn't of fallen
out of one of the buses and broke his neck. He apparently died in early
Sept. Jeez, I wish I had found out sooner!! He had quite a few
really desirable cars there (besides the Fury I got from him 10 years
ago). There was a V-8 powered '58 Sweptside pickup I was hoping to snag,
plus several other MoPar coupes of various makes that would have been
nice. All are gone.
The only things left that I could see, MoPar
wise, were a couple of '58 Plymouth Suburbans, a '58 Dodge Polara 4 door, a '60
Plymough Suburban, a '56 Suburban, several '52-'54 Dodges and DeSotos, and some
mid-to-late '60s stuff. The good news is, so far nothing has been crushed,
all were sold CHEAP to potential restorers to at least get some use from
them. The bad news, I found out too late, darn it!!
Oh well, I did get a few parts I could use
just by prowling around. Not a wasted trip. . .
Mark mjh
Was this a big wrecking yard just east of
Goshen? Used to get GTO parts there in the early-mid '70's.
What did you find out? Did you take
pix? --Roger
It is with mixed emotions that I
inform the group that the man I bought my '57 Fury from has apparently
died. Willie Milligan was a really cantankerous old fart 10 years
ago when I got the car, and I imagine he never changed. His place
was (still is) covered with old cars, which still includes some '55 -
'59 Mopars, including Hemis and coupes. I understand that there is
going to be an estate sale. I will be going up there this Saturday
to check things out, and can let people know what there is. I do
know that everything there is a "project" at best. But
there is some desirable stuff, just hope it doesn't end up getting
crushed.
For list members close to me,
Willie's place is on Hwy 58, about 1/2 mile east of I-5 exit 188, by
Eugene, OR. I don't know any other details at this time, but will
find out as I can. Guys that live close by (Mark, Dan, Roger,
Roger, etc) now's probably the best time to get a cheap car if ya
got the gumption. . .
Mark
mjh
'57
Fury
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