Friday, 17 July 2015

AP PHOTOS: In rural Georgia, a junkyard of classic cars

Trees grow through the windshield of a 1937 Chrysler Imperial as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Nestled in a north Georgia forest, over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres that have been turned into a junkyard museum. Owner Walter Dean Lewis' parents started the business in 1931 as a general store that also sold auto parts. Lewis grew the collection, which had just 40 cars in the '70s, over time.


"The only thing I ever knew was cars and trucks," Lewis says. "I like to say I work for tomorrow, always thinking about the future. Someday they would be valuable."

Lewis stopped selling parts about six years ago, soon after realizing he could sustain the business more as a museum, charging $15 for visitors just looking, and $25 for photographers. He estimates that 95 percent of the people who come through the six miles of trails are photographers.

Visitors are greeted by various artworks and hand-painted messages. On occasion, Eddie McDaniel, who goes by "Fast Eddie," a childhood friend of Lewis, plays blues piano next to a shotgun and a bear mounted on a wall.

In the 30 or 40 years that many of the cars have never moved, trees now grow through them and, in some cases, even lift them off the ground. One of Lewis' more popular vehicles is a 1946 Ford truck used in "Murder in Coweta County," a 1983 film starring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith.

"It's history. I saved them when other people were crushing them," Lewis says. "I don't know what I would do if I couldn't get up every morning and look at old cars."

(AP)
Eddie McDaniel, who goes by Fast Eddie, walks through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard, where he occasionally plays piano for visitors Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis. The two grew up playing in the cars on the lot which started as a general store selling auto parts in 1931 by Lewis' parents. Lewis stopped selling parts about six years ago when he realized he could sustain the business more as a museum, charging $15 for visitors just looking, and $25 for photographers. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Eddie McDaniel, who goes by Fast Eddie, walks through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard, where he occasionally plays piano for visitors Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis. The two grew up playing in the cars on the lot which started as a general store selling auto parts in 1931 by Lewis' parents. Lewis stopped selling parts about six years ago when he realized he could sustain the business more as a museum, charging $15 for visitors just looking, and $25 for photographers. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.  
Trees grow through the windshield of a 1937 Chrysler Imperial as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Trees grow through the windshield of a 1937 Chrysler Imperial as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.  
Judith Kimber, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes photos while walking through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis.
Judith Kimber, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes photos while walking through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis. 
Trees grow over a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Trees grow over a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Maintenance man Rockey Bryson walks past cars stacked at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “It’s kind of sad to see them. There’s a lot of history here," Bryson said. "No telling how many senators or governors might have drove one of these cars."
Maintenance man Rockey Bryson walks past cars stacked at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “It’s kind of sad to see them. There’s a lot of history here," Bryson said. "No telling how many senators or governors might have drove one of these cars."
An ornament decorates the hood of a 1952 Pontiac Firechief as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. About four years ago, owner Walter Dean Lewis saw a photo for sale by a regular visitor to the junkyard of over 4,000 classic cars. It was then he realized the potential for profit as a museum, not just selling parts.
An ornament decorates the hood of a 1952 Pontiac Firechief as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. About four years ago, owner Walter Dean Lewis saw a photo for sale by a regular visitor to the junkyard of over 4,000 classic cars. It was then he realized the potential for profit as a museum, not just selling parts.   
Messages greet visitors on the "Tree of Knowledge" as maintenance man Rockey Bryson walks by at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Six miles of trails wind through the 32 acre forest which is home to over 4,000 classic cars.
Messages greet visitors on the "Tree of Knowledge" as maintenance man Rockey Bryson walks by at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Six miles of trails wind through the 32 acre forest which is home to over 4,000 classic cars. 
Judith Kimber, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a photo while walking through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. "I love old American cars," Kimber said. "There are many more cars than I imagined. I love it."
Judith Kimber, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a photo while walking through Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. "I love old American cars," Kimber said. "There are many more cars than I imagined. I love it." 
A tree grows onto the fender of a 1953 GMC truck as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them.
A tree grows onto the fender of a 1953 GMC truck as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them. 
Owner Walter Dean Lewis walks past a 1950s school bus as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “It’s history. I saved them when other people were crushing them," said Lewis. “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t get up every morning and look at old cars.”
Owner Walter Dean Lewis walks past a 1950s school bus as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “It’s history. I saved them when other people were crushing them," said Lewis. “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t get up every morning and look at old cars.”  
Trees grow over a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis.
Trees grow over a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Over 4,000 classic cars decorate 32 acres of forest which have been turned into a junkyard museum by owner Walter Dean Lewis. 
Maintenance man Rockey Bryson looks at a 1946 Ford truck used in the movie "Murder in Coweta County" starring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “There’s a lot of them sitting back here I don’t want to see going to rust," Bryson said. "It’s kind of sad to see them. There’s a lot of history here."
Maintenance man Rockey Bryson looks at a 1946 Ford truck used in the movie "Murder in Coweta County" starring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “There’s a lot of them sitting back here I don’t want to see going to rust," Bryson said. "It’s kind of sad to see them. There’s a lot of history here."  
Cars sit stacked at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “The only thing I ever knew was cars and trucks," owner Walter Dean Lewis said, who acquired over 4,000 classic cars which are displayed amongst 32 acres of forest.
Cars sit stacked at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. “The only thing I ever knew was cars and trucks," owner Walter Dean Lewis said, who acquired over 4,000 classic cars which are displayed amongst 32 acres of forest. 
Eddie McDaniel, who goes by Fast Eddie, plays piano for visitors at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard, Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. McDaniel and owner Walter Dean Lewis grew up playing in the cars on the lot which started as a general store selling auto parts in 1931 by Lewis' parents.
Eddie McDaniel, who goes by Fast Eddie, plays piano for visitors at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard, Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. McDaniel and owner Walter Dean Lewis grew up playing in the cars on the lot which started as a general store selling auto parts in 1931 by Lewis' parents. 
A tree grows under a Volkswagen Camper van lifting it off the ground as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
A tree grows under a Volkswagen Camper van lifting it off the ground as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Broken glass remains on a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. The owner stopped selling parts about six years ago when he realized he could sustain the business more as a museum, charging $15 for visitors just looking, and $25 for photographers.
Broken glass remains on a car at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. The owner stopped selling parts about six years ago when he realized he could sustain the business more as a museum, charging $15 for visitors just looking, and $25 for photographers. 
A message greets visitors along a trail at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Six miles of trails wind through the 32 acre forest which is home to over 4,000 classic cars.
A message greets visitors along a trail at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Six miles of trails wind through the 32 acre forest which is home to over 4,000 classic cars.  
Trees grow through the windshield of a 1937 Chrysler Imperial as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground.
Trees grow through the windshield of a 1937 Chrysler Imperial as it sits at Old Car City, the world's largest known classic car junkyard Thursday, July 16, 2015, in White, Ga. Many of the cars have never moved in over 30 years and in some cases, trees now grow through them, even lifting some off the ground. 
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