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The Dodge Wayfarer two-door sedan was built from 1949 through 1952. In 1950, it received a facelift as did the entire Dodge lineup. And for the 1951-52 model years the Wayfarer got another upgrade with a new hood and new front fenders. The 195-inch long Wayfarer was outfitted with a 230 cubic-inch Dodge straight six. Published 0-60 time was 17.4 seconds. This circa 1951 model was discovered in northern Florida. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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Oldsmobile introduced its first new design following World War II in 1948. And for 1948, Oldsmobile produced an elegant yet very modern top-of-the-line car, which was dubbed Futuramic. The Futuramic was available as 98 only, selling alongside the last-gen Oldsmobile Dynamic 66 (with a straight-six engine) and the 78 (a straight-eight powerpack). This example was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This stripped down circa 1949-51 Ford might end up completely abandoned or perhaps a new life might be in its future. The '49 Ford was the company's first all-new car since the end of World War II. The new Ford pushed the company to number one in U.S. sales for 1949. There were two engine options, an inline 6 or a flathead V-8. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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In 1947, Chevrolet offered 11 models in three series — the top trim Fleetline, Fleetmaster and Stylemaster. Chevrolet advertised that "every model brings you the great plus value of
Chevrolet's traditional economy of operation and low cost of maintenance." The base trim Stylemaster was powered by a 216.5 cubic inch straight six mated to a three-speed manual transmission. This Stylemaster was found in eastern N.C. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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The remains of a 1960 Lincoln Premier was found in a salvage yard in Casa Grande, Ariz. The 1960 Lincoln came with a 7-liter V-8 making 315 horsepower and 456 pound-feet of torque mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The 5,000-pound 227-inch-long sedan displayed a decent 0-to-60 time of 10 seconds. But gas mileage wasn't so impressive, measured at 10 mpg. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This 1977 Pontiac Ventura was discovered in an abandoned condition in eastern N.C. The Ventura was built from 1960 through 1977, its name derived from Ventura, Calif., and was a version of the compact Chevrolet Nova from 1971 onward. For 1977, the Chevy 250 six-cylinder was replaced by Buick's 231 cu in V6 as the base powerplant, and the Chevrolet 305 cubic-inch V8 was introduced as an option. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup was discovered in Arizona. The 1959 model was the last of the second series of the so-called "Task Force" trucks. The C/K series replaced the Task Force in 1960. The'59 pickup could be purchased with a choice of two inline 6-cylinder engines or three V-8s. Three transmissions were offered in1959, a 3-speed or 4-speed manual, or a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This circa 1938-1939 Ford pickup was found in fairly good condition in Arizona. The 1938-1939 Ford panel and pickup truck bore little resemblance to the Ford trucks that had come before. They were treated to a thorough restyle in 1938, and carried over unchanged into 1939.  Both the 60-horsepower and 85-horsepower V-8 engines were offered. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This 1953 Ford sedan has found a retirement home among other relics in an Arizona salvage year. Ford was riding high in the 1950s, alternating with Chevrolet for the title as best-selling nameplate. Ford was number 2 in 1953, but rebounded into the top position in 1954. The standard-sized Ford was all new in 1952 and with only cosmetic changes through 1954, when it was totally redesigned in 1955. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This used-up Volkswagen bus, parked on a vehicle trailer, might be headed for a restoration, but in the meantime it is serving as a junk hauler. (Photo by John Harper)

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This late 1980s Chevrolet Camaro was found languishing behind a repair shop in eastern North Carolina. This model was part of the third generation Camaro that was built from 1982-1992. The third-gen Camaro design owed nothing to previous generations — the large and complex rear window showed off advances in car glass design. The front windshield reclined at 62 degrees, thus breaking an internal GM rule limiting such angles to 60 degrees. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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In the 1940s Pontiac was slotted above Chevrolet, but below Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac in General Motors' 1940s hierarchy. In 1948, the year of this abandoned discovery, Pontiac sold 235,419 vehicles, the fifth best brand in sales below Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth and Dodge, and just ahead of Buick. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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The iconic 1957 Chevrolet is a good vehicle for restoration. But sometimes purchasing a '57 for future reconditioning turns out to be something just out of reach, resulting in an old rusted car sitting in the yard. This could be the case for this 1957 Chevy that apparently has never left the trailer it was brought in on. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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We discovered an old abandoned car graveyard near Erick, Okla., along Route 66. The problem with getting up-close pictures was an outgrowth of plants with very sticky burrs, which took 30 minutes to pull off socks and pants. See how many vehicles you can identify. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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Lincoln enjoyed a measure of success during the second half of the 1970 decade selling as many as 189,546 vehicles in 1979. However, Lincoln sales still trailed arch-rival Cadillac by about 200,000 in each of those years. These two Lincoln sedans have gone into retirement on top of each other. The top car is a 1978 model and the bottom car is a 1975. (Photo by Jim Prueter}

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The Chevrolet Impala was the brand's flagship passenger car from 1958-1985. It helped Chevrolet to 2.2 million sales in 1966, the year of this absolutely abandoned car found in eastern North Carolina. The fourth-generation Impala was built from 1965-1970, selling more than one million copies in 1965. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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Four 1966-69 Oldsmobile Toronadoes are stacked up at an Utah junkyard. Toronado is a personal luxury car built by Oldsmobile from 1966-1992 and is known as the first front-wheel drive American car since the 1937 Cord. The first Toronado was powered by a 425 cubic inch Super Rocket V8 rated at 385 horsepower. Its stablemate, the Buick Riviera, remained a rear-drive car until 1979. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This 1948-1950 B Series Dodge work truck was discovered in Nevada. The B-series pickup trucks were sold from 1948 to 1953 replacing the prewar Dodge truck. The B-series trucks featured a high-visibility "pilot-house" cab with optional rear quarter windows. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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 Ford has built a medium duty truck since 1948, and it was redesigned for its second generation in 1953 becoming the F-500 and F-600. 1953 was the last year for the long-running Flathead V-8 replaced in 1954 with the 239-cubic-inch Y-block V-8. This 1956 F-600 was found languishing in a backyard in Hosmer, S. D. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This Cadillac Seville has become an advertising sign for a junkyard dealer. The fifth and last generation Cadillac Seville was built from 1998 through 2004. It was a full-sized sedan with a length of 201 inches. There were two V-8 engines available, a 4.6-liter making 275 horsepower and a 4.6-liter generating 300 horsepower. The bigger engine was measured at 6.4 seconds from 0-to-60. The top sales year for the fifth generation was its first in 1998 with 39,009 copies sold. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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Station wagons were in vogue during the 1950s, and Studebaker had its version. This 1953 Studebaker wagon sits up high in a salvage yard sharing space with an early '50s Dodge van. As was the case with many station wagons in the '50s, the Studebaker was utility-challenged with only two doors. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This 1962-63 Chevy II parked beside a South Carolina road is apparently being used as a parts car. The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a small car manufactured by Chevrolet, and produced in five generations for the 1962 through 1979, and 1985 through 1988 model years. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped after 1968 in favor of Nova. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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The Dodge Dart was built from 1959 to 1976. By the time it entered its third generation in 1963 it had become a large compact vehicle and remained a popular family car through the end of its run in 1976. It compared to the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Nova at the time. This 1966 model was found languishing in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter}

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This used up two=door coupe, which looks like a late-70s model Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was found deteriorating in Utah. We couldn't determine the exact make and year, but the Monte Carlo was one of several "personal luxury cars" built through the decade of the 1970s. Others included the Buick Riviera, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chrysler Cordoba. Remember the Chrysler's "rich Corinthian leather" made famous in the Cordoba ads by actor Ricardo Montalban in 1974? (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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It was tagged "America's most carefully built car" in 1960 advertising. The Chrysler Imperial, which started life in 1926, became a separate brand for the Chrysler Corporation in 1955 and was sold under that nameplate through 1975 in competition with Lincoln and Cadillac. New technology on the Imperial included the first all-transistor car radio in 1955, built by Philco. It was a $150 stand alone option. This big-finned 1960 model was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This 1953 Ford was discovered in Utah, one of 1,247,542 copies built that year making it one of the most successful cars in Ford history. Even at that number, Ford trailed Chevrolet by 99,000 units in '53. The full-sized Ford was refreshed for 1952 and carried over for 1953. The '52 model was the first Ford with a curved one-piece windshield. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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The 1946 Ford panel truck was a carryover from the 1942 truck, the last made before World War II. The panel truck was the vehicle of choice for small business before and after the war. The first post-war Ford panel truck was replaced in 1948 by a new F-Series truck. This '46 truck was found in Nevada hooked up to a travel trailer of the post-war era. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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The Advanced Design Chevrolet pickup was General Motors' first all-new truck after World War II and it proved to be a gigantic success. It was manufactured from 1947 through 1953 with little change. This relic was discovered in Utah. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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Chevrolet led all automotive brands in 1967 with nearly 2 million in sales, topping second-place Ford by more than 200,000. The remains of this 1967 Chevy convertible looks as if it has been cannibalized several times for spare parts. It was found in a South Carolina scrapyard. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This rather unusual-looking 1960 GMC 5500 truck was found in a Texas salvage yard. It looks as if it could be restored if anyone was interested in restoring such a vehicle. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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Over the years the Chevrolet Step Van has had many uses from delivering groceries to milk to packages to auto parts. This retired van was found in eastern North Carolina. It's hard to determine the year because there's been little styling changes over the years, but we think this van was probably built sometime between 1968 and the mid '80s. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This mid-sized 1966 Dodge Coronet was found in central Tennessee minus an engine. The Coronet was built from 1965-1975 as an intermediate-sized car. It could be purchased as a wagon, 4-door sedan, 2-door sedan, 2-door coupe and hardtop and 2-door convertible. A 273 cubic inch V-8 was standard equipment. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1956 Packard Clipper found in Texas was one of the last Packards built in Detroit. The last Packard rolled off the assembly line in Detroit on June 25, 1956, although some Packard-badged cars were built until 1958 in Indiana by the merged Studebaker-Packard company. The Clipper was built in 1941-1942, 1946-1947 and 1953-1957 as an entry-level vehicle. In 1956 the Clipper was classified as a stand-alone marque. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)

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This 1959 Imperial dwarfs a 1960-era Sunbeam in an Arizona salvage yard. Chrysler marketed the Imperial as a separate luxury marque in 1955. It was built through 1975. The '59 Imperial came in four body styles and with the choice of three V-8 engines mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. The Imperial brand sold 17,269 vehicles in 1959. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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We think the 1957 Lincoln was one of the best designed luxury car of that decade with well-proportioned lines. The abandoned car pictured here is a Premiere model introduced in 1956, which ran  through the 1960 model year as an upscale version of the Lincoln Capri and positioned below the Continental Mark II. It came in two-door and four-door models. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)

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The so-called Advance-Design was Chevrolet's first all-new pickup built following World War II. It was introduced on June 28, 1947,  and remained until March 25, 1955, with various changes along the way. This copy, converted to a flatbed, lives by the side of the road in South Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This used up 1957 Dodge pickup was spotted by the side of the road near Hanksville, Utah. It was the only year that Dodge made this particular front-end design. The '57 Dodge could be purchased with a 230 cubic inch inline six making 120 horsepower or three different V-8 engines ranging in size from 172 horsepower to 204 horsepower. The truck came with either a 2-speed or 3-speed automatic transmission. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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The 1963 Chrysler station wagon is a huge vehicle by today's standards stretching out nearly 220 inches, only four inches shorter than the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. It is propelled by a 340-horsepower V8 mated to a three-speed automatic and could break 8 seconds from 0-to-60.  This used up example was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This late 1970s model Volkswagen Rabbit was found in a large stand of weeds in eastern North Carolina. The compact Golf was marketed around the world beginning in 1974, but in the U.S. was renamed Rabbit until the mid-80s when VW decided to drop the Rabbit name in favor of Golf. Historically, the Golf is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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The Ford Torino name was revived in 2008 wth Clint Eastwood's movie "Gran Torino," which focused on a retired guy and his restored 1972 Gran Torino in a Detroit neighborhood. Ford built the mid-sized fastback Torino from 1968 through 1976. This 1970 Torino sponsored by Long-Lewis Ford in Alabama apparently spent some of its life in stock car racing. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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Two relics of the decade of the '70s were found in Superior, Ariz., by Jim Prueter. At top is a 1975 Datsun B210 hatchback, which provided entry-level transportation. It was outfitted with a 70-horsepower 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual, and with rear-wheel drive. A sub-compact by today's standards, it measured 162 inches long with a 92-inch wheelbase. Zero to 60: 13 seconds. At the bottom, is a circa 1975-79 AMC Pacer, described by AMC at the time of inception as "the first wide small car." It featured a rounded shape with a large glass area comprising 37 percent of the body surface. It was powered by two inline 6-cylinder engines and a 5.0-liter V-8. A total of 280,000 Pacers were built before production ended in 1980. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This International tow truck from the 1930s — complete with some good-looking tires — was found in Nevada. International trucks have been built since 1914. C and D Series trucks were built in the 1930s with inline 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines with horsepower ranging from 33 to 120 hp. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This 1965-1966 Chevrolet Impala has been picked clean of its engine and other parts, its driving life long over. Redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than one million units in the United States. The 1965 had a new body that featured curved, frameless side glass (for pillar-less models), sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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This circa 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am GT has already been put out to pasture in eastern N.C. despite its relatively young age. The compact-sized car came with a choice of three engines — 2.2-liter 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter twin cam four, and a 175-horsepower 3.4-liter V-6. The V-6-powered GT did a 0-to-60 in 7.7 seconds according to Car and Driver. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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General Motors introduced three new compact cars in 1961 — the Buick Special, Pontiac Tempest and Oldsmobile F-85. In the middle of the 1961 model year, the Buick Skylark — a luxury trim of the Special — debuted. There were two engines available — a 3.2-liter V-6 or a 155-horsepower 3.5-liter V-8. The first generation was built through the 1963 model year. This example was found deteriorating along Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. (Photos by Ted Biederman)

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This second-generation Lincoln Mark VII (1986-1992) was found languishing in an automobile burial ground in eastern North Carolina. When it hit the market in 1984 it was called the Continental Mark VII, but the Continental name was dropped with a redesign in 1986. More than 190,000 units of the Mark VII were built before production ended on April 22, 1992. Photo directly above is from a 1988 Lincoln brochure. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1964/65 Ford Thunderbird was found in a yard full of old used-up cars on Route 66. We have for years thought the fourth-generation (1964-1966) the best designed four-place Bird in its long history. Its squared-off look moved away from earlier Thunderbirds. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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Someone left this post-war (Circa 1947-1950) Chevrolet pickup permanently parked by the side of the road in the Maggie Valley area of western North Carolina. Chevrolet came out with its new "Advance Design" pickups in June 1947, beating Ford to the punch with the first all-new truck following World War II. (Photo by Nancy Howell)

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With the introduction of the Rambler in 1950, Nash established a new segment — the first successful modern American compact car. The original Rambler, produced from 1950 through 1955, came in sedan, station wagon, hardtop and convertible formats. This Nash "Country Club" 2-door hardtop was found in an automobile graveyard along Route 66. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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The "Advance Design" Chevrolet pickup trucks entered the scene in June1947, and exterior styling remained virtually the same through 1953. The first major change was with the grille treatment in 1954. This post-World War II Chevy pickup was found with a dusting of snow in late-winter Nevada. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This 1993 Chrysler LeBaron convertible was found abandoned in eastern North Carolina, its useful life probably at an end. The1993 LeBaron got a slight restyle with the hidden headlamps of the 1987-92 models deleted in favor of less aerodynamic headlamps. The convertible was 184.8 inches in length with a 100.5-inch wheelbase, equating to a large compact car in today's sizes. Two turbocharged versions of Chrysler's 4-cylinder engine — a 2.2-liter and a 2.5-liter — were available along with a 3.0-liter Mitsubishi V-6 making 141 horsepower. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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There's not much left of the front end of this 1940 era car that we think it's a Buick. Buick was the fourth best-selling car in the country in 1940 with 278,748 units sold. This cannibalized car was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Becky Antioco)

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A 1950s Renault Dauphine and a Volkswagen Beetle reside side-by-side as they watch passing traffic on old Route 66 in Carterville, Mo. The rear-engine Dauphine was built from 1956 through 1967 with more than 2 million sold. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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Chevrolet was completely redesigned for 1953 coming in three trim levels — base One-Fifty, mid-level Ten-Ten and top Bel Air. The standard engine was a 216 cubic-inch, 3.5-liter inline six cylinder  making 92 horsepower. The redesigned Chevy was a big hit based on its annual sales of 1.34 million. This well preserved copy was found in Nevada. (Photos byJim Prueter)

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Seagrave is the longest running manufacturer of fire equipment in the United States. And a 1960s example of a Seagrave fire truck was found in retirement in New Mexico. By the insignia on the door it was apparently used by the Vaughn, N.M., fire department. Vaughn is a small town of about 500 people in east-central New Mexico. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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Cadillac stopped its World War II tank building on Aug. 24, 1945, quickly changed over to cars, and rolled off the first 1946 Cadillac sedan on Oct. 7, 1945. The 1946-47 Cadillacs were basically a continuation of the 1942 models. Production ended shortly after the Peal Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, before being resumed four years later. This 1946-47 sedan was found in a New Mexico salvage yard. The advertising picture above is a 1947 model. (Photo by Becky Antioco)

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This post-World War II Chevrolet wrecker watches the passing parade on old Route 66 in Carterville, Mo. First available in June 1947, the "Advanced Design" trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 1955. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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This 1939 Chevrolet work truck was found resting proudly in retirement on the side of a road in the hill country of Texas stripped of its lights and bumper. 1939 was one of the last model years Chevy trucks and medium-duty vehicles shared an appearance with Chevrolet passenger coupes and sedans. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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The fifth generation Ford Ranchero was built from 1972-1976, but the 1972 is a distinct — at least from the front — one-year model because the front of the 1973 was changed to meet federal crash-test standards. There were four engine choices including three V-8s in 1972. This "retired" copy was found in South Carolina. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

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This 1954 Chevrolet 4-door station wagon was discovered in New Mexico. 1954 was the last model year on the platform introduced in 1950 before big changes that were to come in 1955. Available engines were a 3.5-liter (215 cubic inch) inline 6 making 92 horsepower and a 3.9-liter (235 cubic inch) inline 6 making 106 horsepower. Transmission choices were a 3-speed manual or a 2-speed powerglide automatic. Of the 1,150,816 Chevrolets produced in 1954, 56,735 or about 5 percent were wagons. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This 1964 second-generation (1960-1965) Ford Falcon Ranchero was discovered in Texas in what looks like restorable condition. The Ranchero was produced by Ford from 1957 through 1979 on various platforms including full-sized, compact and intermediate. The Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run. The second generation trucks came with a variety of engine sizes, the smallest being a 2.4-liter inline 6 making 90 horsepower. If performance was needed, there was a 4.7-liter V-8 available. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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This circa 1962-65 Chevy II Nova wagon is obviously no longer in service as a business vehicle. It was found in retirement along U.S. 301 in eastern North Carolina.  After the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair was outsold by the conventional Ford Falcon in 1960, Chevrolet began work on a more conventional compact car that would eventually become the Chevy II.  In its first generation, five engine options were offered — a 4-cylinder, two inline 6 cylinders, and two V-8s. Transmission offerings included either a 3-speed or 4-speed manual, and a two-speed automatic. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This idyllic scene that includes a rather used up 1960s era pickup truck was captured in Chicken, Alaska. Technically, the pickup is probably not abandoned, but still used for chores. However, we think it would look right at home in a field of abandoned vehicles. (Photo by Jerry Brown)

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The fourth generation of the Buick Skylark was a compact sedan and coupe based on General Motors' X-body architecture shared with the Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac Phoenix and Oldsmobile Omega. The Skylark came with three engine options — a 2.5 four-cylinder, and two versions of a 2.8-liter V-6. They were mated to a three-speed automatic and a four-speed manual. This 1984 Skyark was found in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1951 Ford F-1 pickup was photographed near Atlanta, Texas, now serving as an outdoor planter. The first generation of the Ford F-Series pickup truck was built from 1948 through 1952. The standard pickup came in three formats including the F-1 (1/2 ton), the F-2 (3/4 ton) and F-3 Heavy Duty. The front end was redesigned for 1951 with a single-bar-type grille with a headlight at each end of the grille bar. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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This retired copy of an Allis Chalmers Model B tractor was found in a barn in eastern North Carolina. The Model B — built between 1937 and 1957 — was one of the company's most popular and versatile tractors. Over the years the Model B came in several variations, powered by a 4-cylinder gas engine. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1958 Studebaker President sedan was found stored away behind a building in North Carolina. The President nameplate was revived in 1955 and built through 1958. It came in both two-door and four-door styles. The Studebaker brand ended with 1964 models and its South Bend plant was closed near the end of 1963.  (Photo by Ralph Gable)

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This 1940 Buick was found in a junk yard in Maricopa, Ariz. Buick was the fourth best-selling nameplate in the country in the years leading up to World War II. Buick trailed only Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth in sales with 278,784 in 1940 and 374,196 in 1941. 1941 was Buick's largest sales year in history. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

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This example of Studebaker’s 1941-48 M-series truck was discovered along old Route 66 in Santa Rosa, N.M.  One of the company's most successful line of trucks, it could be purchased i n 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 1/2 ton and 2 ton versions.  First produced in November 1940, it saw extensive action during WW II. It sported a more aerodynamic shape than most trucks of the time. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1960 Ford Thunderbird was spotted in Texas Hill Country, although we don't know if the well-used, but still restorable  T-Bird was actually sold. Ford began building four-passenger Birds in 1958 after they started life three years earlier as a two-seat sports car. The 1960 model can be differentiated from the rear by its three taillights on each side. The 1958 and 1959 models had two. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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The original F-Series Ford pickup was built from 1948 through 1952. A well-preserved copy was spotted doing service as yard art at a home near Seattle, Wash. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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After starting life as two-seat sports car in 1955, the Ford Thunderbird was turned it into a four-place "personal luxury car" for the 1958 model year. It was a sales success in the first years of its transformation. This rather beaten up 1959 model was discovered in retirement in a Texas field. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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This late-1940s Ford F-Series pickup is serving its retirement years as a roadside sign along old Route 66 in Oklahoma. The first F-Series was introduced in late 1947 as a 1948 model replacing the pre-WW II designed trucks. The first generation was built through 1952 and good be purchased wth an inline 6-cylinder engine, a Flathead V-8, or a Y-block V-8. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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Two 1958 Chevrolet sedans sit in the snow in a Cortez, Col., salvage yard. Photographer Peter Hubbard waded through the white stuff to get pictures of abandoned and decaying cars at the Colorado site. The 1958 Chevrolet styling exchanged the 1957 bumper and grille combination for a somewhat more conventional assembly. The new cars also got quad headlights. 1958 was the 50th anniversary of the brand. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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This post-WWII Chevrolet pickup from the late 1940s watches traffic by the side of a South Carolina road in an abandoned state of disrepair. Chevrolet began manufacturing its so-called "Advance Design" pickup truck in 1947. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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A 1958 or '59 Ford Thunderbird sits front and center in this snow-covered salvage yard in Cortez, Col., perhaps enjoying a white Christmas. A 1958 Chevrolet and a couple of Chrysler products are directly behind. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

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Chevrolet built the astounding number of 624,489 sedans for the 1956 model year. This is one of the survivors from more than 60 years ago found behind a garage in North Carolina. Prices ranged from $1,869 for a base One-Fifty to $2,230 for a top line Bel Air four-door hardtop. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This 1929 or '30 Pierce-Arrow was discovered parked in front of an old Phillips 66 gas station on Route 66 in Chandler, Okla. The Pierce Arrow was redesigned in 1929 to include headlights molded into the front fenders. It came in four wheelbases with a choice of three straight eight engines with horsepower ratings from 115 to 132. Prices ranged from $2,595 to $6,250, a princely sum during the first years of the Great Depression. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

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The "Advance Design" Chevrolet trucks entered the scene in June1947, and exterior styling remained virtually the same through 1953. The first major change was with the grille treatment in 1954. This copy of the time period was found in relatively good condition in retirement behind a garage in southeastern North Dakota. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This neglected 1939 Chevrolet was found in Perry, Iowa, in what appears to be restorable condition. Chevrolet had a good pre-war sales year in 1939 of 577,278 units. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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The MG Midget two-seat sports car was built from 1961 to 1979. This third-generation circa 1972-74 model was found living by the side of a road in eastern North Carolina. It is powered by a 55 horsepower 4-cylinder engine making 67 pound-feet of torque. The third of four generations went from 1966 through 1974. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1939 Chevrolet tow truck was found living in abandoned retirement as an advertising sign for a body shop in Starke, Fla. The 1939 was one of the last model years Chevy trucks and medium-duty vehicles shared an appearance with Chevrolet passenger coupes and sedans. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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Chevrolet's 1960-61 pickups wore a distinctive front end design with two large ovals enclosing the parking lights high atop the hood. The 1960 truck wore a new C/K designation — the C indicated two-wheel drive and the K indicated four-wheel drive.  Chevy used that name until 1999 when it was changed to Silverado. The first generation of the C/K truck ran from 1960 through 1966 with a new drop-center ladder frame allowing the cab to sit lower. This 1960 pickup was discovered in an Illinois salvage yard by Peter Hubbard.

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The Lincoln Town Car is a model line of full-size luxury sedans that was marketed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company in three generations from 1981 to 2011. This first-generation (1981-1989) Town Car was found in an abandoned condition in eastern North Carolina. The Town Car shared its chassis and mechanical components with the Mercury Grand Marquis and the Ford (LTD) Crown Victoria. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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Mercury refreshed its pre-war 1941 model — which was all new at the time — with a new grille and other styling tweaks for the first post-war cars built for model years 1946-48. This post-war coupe was discovered behind a barn in Ellendale, North Dakota. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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The compact Ford Falcon featured a more squared-off look for 1964, the first year of its second-generation. The '64 Falcon came in eight body styles and with five engine offerings (three inline 6-cylinder models and two V-8s). Transmissions included a two- and three-speed automatic and a three- and -four-speed manual. This abandoned copy was found in Rolla, Mo. (Photos By Jim Meachen)

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This 1966 Ford Mustang resides on the side of a South Carolina road hoping someone will come along and give it the restoration it deserves. While the exterior seems to be in good condition, it will take some work and greenbacks to bring the interior back up to acceptable standards. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This 1963½ Ford Galaxie was spotted in Newberg, Ore. It was the industry's first official "½ year" model and was called the "sports hardtop" or "fastback." Galaxie buyers showed their preference as the new sports hardtop models handily outsold the "boxtop" square-roof models. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This rusted-out 1940 Ford work truck was discovered at the Wigwam Motel along old Route 66 in Holbrook, Ariz. (Photos by Ted Biederman)

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The Ford Galaxie was a full sized sedan built from 1959 through 1974. The third generation ran from 1965 through 1968 with the 1968 model getting a new grille and headlights arranged horizontally. This rusted 1968 model — in otherwise good condition — was found in retirement in South Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This early 1980s Jeep Wagoneer lives in retirement in the weeds. The Wagoneer was built from 1963 through 1991, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) before the term was even coined. The wagon received only minor styling changes through the years. The Wagoneer was moved upmarket in its later years by AMC before Chrysler acquired AMC in 1987. The Wagoneer could be purchased with either a six-cylinder or V-8 engine in the early '80s and with a four-speed automatic transmission. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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The most interesting aspect of the 1959 Chevrolet was its "bat wing" fins, which took the popular late-50s tail fin design in a slightly new direction. This copy is slowly rusting away in a western North Carolina yard. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

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This old bus has eluded the scrap yard by hiding in overgrown bushes and a couple of trees felled by storms over the years in eastern North Carolina. We were not able to determine the vintage of the destroyed people hauler — perhaps a school bus — but we do know it has come to an inglorious end. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This 1960 Buick has been put out to pasture in eastern North Carolina  (Jim Meachen)

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These Ford vehicles were found in retirement in eastern North Carolina. At right, a 1961-63 era Thunderbird rests next to a mid-60s era Ford pickup. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

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Lincoln almost doubled its sales from 1955 to 1956 with the release of its redesigned sedan, coupe and convertible. For us it is one of the best designs to come out of the 1950s. Sales nearly doubled to 50,322, but still trailed Cadillac by nearly 100,000 units. This 1956 relic was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

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This camper built on the GMC/Chevrolet Vandura platform was abandoned at some point in Duplin County, N.C., and sits forlorn on the side of the road. The Vandura was sold over three generations (1964-1996). This third-generation model has the engine up front. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

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This fifth-generation 1975-76 Lincoln Continental, which stretched out 232 inches in length with a 127-inch wheelbase, was outfitted with a 206-horsepower V-8. Published 0-to-60 time was 12.6 seconds with a top speed of 114 mph. Gas mileage averaged 12 mpg. This example was found residing — perhaps permanently — behind a fenced-in lot in South Carolina. (Photo by Ralph Gable)