Look beyond the two light-blue...
Look beyond the two light-blue cab forward cabs and there's a real old C-cab.
Exposed to a constant mixture of snow, rain, and salt during the course of the Rust Belt's harsh winters, the sight of vintage trucks riding out retirement years grazing in a field is a rarity to say the least. When photographer Laura Zwieschowski offered these photos taken right before the onset of last winter we jumped at the chance to share them with Custom Classic Trucks readers.
Artist's statement: "I was recently invited to shoot the private "auto graveyard" of a friend's family. It's the most magical spot-generations of cars and trucks at the end of their use, left to decay gently as the attachment of their owners fades and disappears over time. These old layers of rust and paint, broken glass, and rotting seats once held families, friends, lovers, and carried them away to daily events that make up a lifetime. Now they lay empty as the natural cycle of seasons erodes and begins to cover them. But I see the beauty of this transformation through my lens, and know the imagination and sentiment of strangers will create new stories and a sense of continuity for this place through my photographs."
For reasons unknown, this...
For reasons unknown, this old Metro delivery van evokes memories of an elephant living along side of Highway 101 in what was once known as Jungleland in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Turndown door handles with...
Turndown door handles with one piece windows indicate this Chevy dump truck could be anywhere from a '47-50, check out the original white paint still visible on the grille.
There are a lot of '47-50...
There are a lot of '47-50 Chevy dump trucks. Enough to make one think the family used to own an earthmoving company.
This F-2 cab with not a lot...
This F-2 cab with not a lot of rust down low could be fitted to an F-1 pickup if push came to shove.
Turndown handles with vent...
Turndown handles with vent windows and no emblem on the hood sides indicate this dump truck is a 1952... If my memory serves me well that is.
This '64 Ford F-100 had a...
This '64 Ford F-100 had a good place to rest until a big tree fell on it. The paint is VIN code J, 71243 Rangoon Red.
A trace of original green...
A trace of original green paint on the firewall proves the red door on this Ford F-1 cab is a replacement.
The odds of this '72 Ford...
The odds of this '72 Ford E-110 1/2-ton Club Wagon ever finding itself in a restoration shop are not good. The largest engine available in these was a 302-inch V-8, someone might want that.
Because the bigger trucks...
Because the bigger trucks weren't living as close to the salt-covered roads they stood a better chance of dodging a cancerous death. This '55 Ford F-600 has a 262-inch six-cylinder engine under its hood.
With a '69 C10 hood resting...
With a '69 C10 hood resting in the bed of this five-window there must be a '69 C10 not far from here.
The Willys-Overland, Jeep...
The Willys-Overland, Jeep forward control cab was introduced in 1957. Notice the permanent grille teeth were cut out by an impatient mechanic. Who knows, that might even be his shade tree next to it.