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 cause distress ; 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.
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 cause distress ; 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.
