Parts Cars

[Mann Law <mannlaw@indy.net>]

	Most yards buy many of the cars they part at insurance pools.  An 
insurance pool is *usually* a privately owned and operated place where 
wrecks are brought after the insurance company pays off.  Every so often 
[once a week, month, etc.] an auction is held.  Some auctions are by 
sealed bid, others where you bid like in a normal auction.  A surcharge 
is added to the purchase price, depending on what was paid.  A $1000 car 
will have a surcharge of maybe $70.  A like charge is deducted from what 
the insurance company gets out of the salvage.  

	Rules differ on how to gain access.  Some places require dealer 
tags to bid [this is where a good friend comes in handy:)].  These places 
are located around the country--usually in large cities, but not 
necessarily.  Chicago has a huge pool, Indianapolis sells 300-400 cars 
per week, Detroit, Kansas City, etc.  What it takes to get in varies.  
Best way to check where the one closest to you is located is if you have 
a friend in the wrecking business.  They might be shown in yellow pages 
too, don't know.  Sweetest cars are of course the thefts [usually].  Many 
of these have no damage whatsoever.  Saw a white '90? V8 theft recovery 
sell last summer [1995] for around $5-6k.  Beautiful car.  

	IMHO, these places are [were] the best kept secret in the world 
for car nuts.  Sell cars, trucks, bikes, travel trailers, etc.  
Basically, if it has a wheel attached to it, you will see it sooner or later.

	Word of caution:  These places usually don't fool around--if you 
buy it, you bought it, no whining about damage you didn't see, etc.  

	Happy hunting

	Bruce