Parts & Projects: Cherry Automotive Parts of Amarillo, Texas
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Leroy Drittler
When I arrived at Cherry Avenue Auto Parts on a very warm September morning in 2022, there was not a hint of a breeze. The salvage yard’s access lanes were open and free of vegetation, but the areas between older vehicles were overgrown with tall grass and weeds. Immediately after entering the weedy area, I was engulfed by a cloud of hungry mosquitos. About that time, I realized I had forgotten to put on my wide-brim hat, so I hightailed it back to my car to retrieve the hat. After retrieving the hat to appease my dermatologist, I checked with the office to see if the staff had bug spray, and they did to save the day.
An hour or so later, the strong west Texas wind picked up and grounded the mosquitos.
Pontiac touted its new ’61 Tempest as the only new car with a front engine and a rear transmission, which gave the car a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. This one has been in the yard for a while, but still offers parts.
Leroy Drittler
Having been opened by Lonnie Ferril in 1964, the staff of Cherry Avenue Auto Parts is well aware of Mother Nature’s influence in the yard. Mr. Ferril retired in 2005, and now the yard is run by his son, Byron Ferril, who oversees four employees. The company has expanded to include a 24-hour wrecker service.
At the time of my visit, the yard was being reorganized by moving the older vehicles to the back of the yard. Thieves had been cutting the fence and stealing parts off of the newer trucks, which were parked at the rear of the yard, so those trucks were being moved to the front. Not long before our visit, Byron said the fence was cut again and aluminum wheels were stolen and sold to a recycler across town. There was video footage of the theft, but despite this evidence, Byron says the case was dropped because of a technicality. As a result of this experience, Byron says he has become very discouraged.
Good parts and pieces — including the right side of the waterfall grille — remain on this 1976 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham coupe.
Leroy Drittler
The yard covers 23 acres and has approximately 3,000 vehicles with approximately 1,800 oldies. The oldest vehicle I noticed during my visit was a Model T body. Twice a year, a portable crusher crushes stripped vehicles in the yard. Unescorted browsing is allowed, and customers can remove parts. Bigger items, such as engines and transmissions, will be removed by yard personnel. Byron says they do not ship parts or vehicles.
The acquisition of older vehicles has slowed to a trickle, so older car inventory continues to dwindle. Locked in a side yard are about 25 restorable antique vehicles that are for sale only as complete units. Most yard owners store vehicles that they intend to keep, and Byron is among them. One of the vehicles in the side yard is a 1964 Chevy pickup that Byron’s grandfather bought new in Elk City, Okla., which Byron says it will never be sold.
The yard can be visited Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Make sure to be prepared for bugs and sun, and to call ahead to confirm the yard is open before traveling.
Cherry Avenue Auto Parts 309 W. Cherry Avenue Amarillo, TX 79108 806-383-7859
You can get a glimpse of the remaining third seat in this 1977 Dodge Monaco nine-passenger wagon through the open rear gate. The rear gate is decent, and the car has driver-quality taillamp lenses.
Leroy Drittler
Available as complete units are a 1950 Ford sedan and a Metropolitan. They are in a locked side yard where parts hunters do not have access.
Leroy Drittler
A restorable 1951 Plymouth Concord three-passenger business coupe is available for purchase.
Leroy Drittler
For sale only as a complete car, this 1939 Oldsmobile has a 1967 license plate showing it was on the road for 28 years. For license plate collectors, there are several plates from the 1950s and 1960s still on vehicles throughout the yard.
Leroy Drittler
Byron said this 1957 Studebaker Commander Provincial wagon is very rusty, but would make someone an excellent parts car. The keys are in the ignition.
Leroy Drittler
This 1940 Ford two-door body is for sale. It was last licensed in 1965. Nearby, in the bushes, is what looks to be a Model T shell. There are also several complete Mustangs in this side yard.
Leroy Drittler
Cherry Avenue has Metropolitans available for parts plus these two for sale as complete units. Metropolitans were sold in the United States from 1953 to 1961. The Met on the left doesn’t have a trunk lid, so it’s pre-’59; the other Met has a trunk lid. Both still have their rear spare tires mounted.
Leroy Drittler
This 1953 Ford Customline six-passenger Club Coupe is equipped with the $ 184 optional Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.
Leroy Drittler
Fix a flat or two, and you might be able to jump in and drive home this 1982 Dodge 150 Royal SE with factory air conditioning. The keys are in it, and at one time, it was the daily driver of Byron’s dad, who founded the yard. It is now for sale.
Leroy Drittler
This ’72 International Travelall is available for parts removal. There are several IHC vehicles in the yard.
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To a Rambler lover, this Classic sedan painted Frost White over Aqua Mist Metallic with an aqua interior must have been a beautiful car when it was unloaded at the AMC dealer’s lot in 1962. If you need AMC parts, Cherry Avenue has a good inventory of all models.
Leroy Drittler
It’s bright yellow and it’s a Checker, so it was likely a taxi cab before it was relegated to the salvage yard.
Leroy Drittler
This ’53 Buick hardtop coupe has been heavily picked over, but there are trim parts left including a good dash grille.
Leroy Drittler
Dodge Rampage trucks were made from 1982 to 1984 with 37,401 produced. This 2.2-liter model is loaded with scrap, and you might have to cut a tree or two to get the doors open.
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Another Rambler that is available for parts removal is this 1960 Cross Country station wagon.
Leroy Drittler
The engine has been removed from this 1974 Chevy Vega Estate Kammback wagon. There is also a ’74 Vega GT wagon parked nearby.
Leroy Drittler
Cherry Avenue has a large Camaro section that includes this ’79 Sport Coupe.
Leroy Drittler
Lots of good parts are still on this 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88. Plus, there are also several mid-size Cutlasses in the nearby Olds section.
Leroy Drittler
This second-year ’74 Omega Coupe was found in the Olds section. Omegas were also available in hatchback form and as a four-door sedan.
Leroy Drittler
Recently pulled out of brush and weeds are a 1963 Ford Fairlane and a 1964 Mercury with the Breezeway roof.
Leroy Drittler
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