More than 50 years ago, in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, LeRoy and Rosalie Martinez founded L & M Auto. In the beginning, it was just a body shop; LeRoy did the bodywork, and Rosalie did the bookkeeping. From that original body shop, the couple has expanded to several businesses that include a salvage yard, towing service and used car lot. All the businesses except the used car lot are located on Road 8 South in Alamosa, Colo. Today, their son, Jeff, runs the businesses. Juan Rodriguez is the salvage yard manager and has been with L & M Auto since 2004, so he knows the yard well.
A very nice and complete International KB-6 looks ready to go back to work.
Leroy Drittler
Rodriguez said the salvage yard covers about 50 acres and has approximately 3,000 vehicles. There are 300 or so “classics” grouped in their own section. The dry climate has been kind to old vehicles, and while there is plenty of surface rust, most frames and body panels are solid. In this area, annual precipitation averages just 7-10 inches, which has helped the metal remain in relatively good condition.
If you’re looking for old International parts, L & M has a large selection of Scouts and pickups. There were also several big International trucks during our visit. We didn’t count the Corvairs in stock, but it seemed like every time we turned around, another was nestled in the brush. We only saw three or four “Tri-Five” Chevys, yet there are several full-size AMC vehicles in the yard. The Cadillac inventory appeared light, but the yard did have an interesting (but rough) ’67 Cadillac made into an El Camino-type pickup truck. The import car selection is minimal, but there are a few Volkswagens and at least one Porsche.
This 1950 Chrysler Windsor has its interior, complete with gauge cluster and radio. It also has a good trunk lid.
Leroy Drittler
According to L & M’s Facebook page, visitors are encouraged to walk the yard. It suggests visitors look for parts for non-automotive uses, such as man-cave decorations and furnishings. (Other salvage owners have reported that many customers are buying old vehicle parts for decorative purposes.) On the business’s Facebook page are examples of auto parts that have been re-purposed into couches, beds, bookcases, light fixtures and more. Indeed, doors and vehicle noses make great wall-hangings, and wheel covers can make great clocks. An old hulk makes great yard art or flower-garden art that can be decorated according to the season, and an old rusty and decrepit vehicle parked in front of a business with the business name on it will get noticed and perhaps bring in new customers.
Un-escorted browsing is allowed, and visitors can remove parts. Rodriguez says the business will ship parts to anywhere in the United States. The salvage yard also sells new and used tires and will mount them for customers.
The yard is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
The engine, transmission and all instrument panel components are gone from this 1971 Jeep pickup, but the sliding rear window is intact.
Leroy Drittler
In October 1959, Chevrolet introduced the unconventional Corvair four-door sedan, and it wasn’t until January 1960 that two-door coupes became available. This example is a 1960 Standard Series made in Willow Run, Mich.
Leroy Drittler
The top-selling AMC vehicle in 1964 was this Emperor Gold Metallic Rambler 660 six-cylinder sedan. A complete car, it has matching gold cloth seats.
Leroy Drittler
Both of these Econoline vans are first-year ’61 models, and both have their front seats. On the left is a Panel Van model that boasts carpeted inside walls. On the right is a Station Bus with multiple windows. Both have engines. A third Econoline is parked nearby.
Leroy Drittler
This 1966 Chevy Bel Air coupe is missing its engine and transmission. This two-door sedan body style is rarely seen at car shows and has become quite desirable.
Leroy Drittler
Other than missing the front and rear bumpers, this 1949 Chevrolet Deluxe is basically complete. It was Chevy’s best seller in 1949.
Leroy Drittler
This 1961 Ford Styleside “Unibody” pickup with an 8-foot bed was evidently used as a push truck before it was retired. It has a heavy-duty steel front bumper.
Leroy Drittler
The interior parts are gone, as are the trunk lid and driver’s door from this 1949-’50 Nash sedan. The hood and left rear door are of decent quality.
Leroy Drittler
Parts hunters have stripped a lot of parts from this 1937 Pontiac Deluxe Six sedan. The driver-side front fender and both rear doors are available.
Leroy Drittler
The best-selling Olds in 1947 was this mid-line Dynamic Seventy Series four-door sedan. The missing front clip has exposed its six-cylinder engine, but it has a good rear passenger door and a repairable driver’s door.
Leroy Drittler
L & M is a great place to shop for International truck parts. There are a lot of examples of the marque, including this Scout and Travelall.
Leroy Drittler
Discontinued after 1962, this final-year ’62 Dodge Lancer GT is rusty, but has good trim parts, good rear glass and a good trunk lid.
Leroy Drittler
Many instrument parts remain on this 1947 Oldsmobile. It is equipped with Hydra-Matic Drive and a straight-eight engine. The front bumper is decent and would make a good core.
Leroy Drittler
What an awesome parts car this 1956 Hudson Hornet remains. Almost everything is there except for wheels, front doors and the continental kit tire cover.
Leroy Drittler
The dry climate has been good to this GM grain truck. The cab is solid, and the hood is present (it has been removed and placed on the ground behind it).
Leroy Drittler
Hiding in the brush, good parts are remaining on this pair of 1952 Studebaker four-door sedans.
Leroy Drittler
If you’re looking for a good 1960 Pontiac grille, this Catalina has it.
Leroy Drittler
All Dodge Polaras built in 1968 had V-8 engines. This example also boasts the desirable $ 311 factory air conditioning option.
Leroy Drittler
There are two 1966-’67 Dodge Chargers in the yard. This Charger has been heavily parted, but still has a good trunk lid.
Leroy Drittler
Oldsmobile offered six body styles in 1959, including this two-door coupe. This old Olds has rust issues, but some good parts remain.
Leroy Drittler
Even though it has been heavily parted, the very good grille on the 1960 Olds Super 88 remains intact.
Leroy Drittler
Vandals entered the yard a couple of years ago and smashed 100 vehicle windows. The doors are good on this Corvair coupe, but the vandals got to this car’s glass.
Leroy Drittler
In 1961, the Falcon line changed very little, but did have a new convex grille. Station wagons were available as two-doors or, like this parts car, four-doors.
Leroy Drittler
This 1973 Lincoln Continental two-door hardtop has trim pieces and other parts available.
Leroy Drittler
The doors look fairly good on this 1966 Pontiac Tempest Custom four-door hardtop, but the interior is gone.
Leroy Drittler
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